Abstract: Soil dissolved organic carbon(DOC) is the most active, mobile, and environmentally responsive component of the soil organic carbon pool, playing a pivotal role in terrestrial ecosystem carbon cycling, soil carbon sequestration and sink enhancement, as well as the transport and transformation of pollutants. Current research often isolates the role of DOC in either regulating carbon cycling or facilitating pollutant transport, with few studies addressing the synergistic effects and trade-off mechanisms between the two. This makes it difficult to meet the practical demands of coordinating soil carbon sink enhancement with pollution risk control under “dual carbon” goals. This paper systematically reviews recent advances in soil DOC research worldwide and develops an integrated framework linking “dynamics-transport/transformation-environmental effects”. It elucidates the spatiotemporal variation in DOC concentration and composition, the multi-factor driving mechanisms, and pathways of DOC transport and transformation. Furthermore, it reveals how DOC regulates the source-sink balance of soil carbon pools and clarifies its environmental behavior and ecological risks as a carrier of heavy metals and organic pollutants. In particular, it analyzes the synergistic mechanisms and trade-offs between carbon sequestration enhancement and pollution control, and proposes integrated regulation pathways. Key challenges are identified, including source apportionment, standardization of analytical methods, micro-scale interfacial mechanisms, and coupled multi-process simulation. Future research should integrate advanced techniques such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, isotope tracing, and synchrotron radiation spectroscopy to deepen mechanistic understanding of mineral-DOC-microbe interfacial reactions. It will be critical to quantify the synergistic thresholds between carbon sequestration enhancement and pollution control, develop targeted regulation technologies that simultaneously enhance carbon sinks and reduce pollution risks, and promote the functional transformation of DOC from a pollutant carrier to a carbon sequestration engine. These efforts will provide theoretical foundations and technical support for soil health management, watershed ecological security, and the implementation of China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality strategies.