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Geng Y, Zhou P, Wang Z, Peng C, Li G, Li D. The roles of rare and abundant microbial species in the primary succession of biological soil crusts are differentiated in metal tailings ponds with different states. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134577. [PMID: 38749248 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Tailings ponds formed by long-term accumulation of mineral processing waste have become a global environmental problem. Even worse, tailings ponds are often simply abandoned or landfilled after they cease to be used. This allows pollution to persist and continue to spread in the environment. The significance of primary succession mediated by biological soil crusts for tailings pond remediation has been illustrated by previous studies. However, the process of primary succession may not be the same at different stages during the lifetime of tailings ponds. Therefore, we investigated the environmental differences and the successional characteristics of microbial communities in the primary successional stage of tailings ponds at three different states. The results showed that the primary succession process positively changed the environment of tailings ponds in any state of tailings ponds. The primary successional stage determined the environmental quality more than the state of the tailings pond. In the recently abandoned tailings ponds, abundant species were more subjected to heavy metal stress, while rare species were mainly limited by nutrient content. We found that as the succession progressed, rare species gradually acquired their own community space and became more responsive to environmental stresses. Rare species played an important role in microbial keystone species groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Geng
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Panpan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhicong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Chengrong Peng
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Genbao Li
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Dunhai Li
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Wen X, Zhou J, Zheng S, Yang Z, Lu Z, Jiang X, Zhao L, Yan B, Yang X, Chen T. Geochemical properties, heavy metals and soil microbial community during revegetation process in a production Pb-Zn tailings. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 463:132809. [PMID: 37898087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Lead-zinc (Pb-Zn) tailings pose a significant environmental threat from heavy metals (HMs) contamination. Revegetation is considered as a green path for HM remediation. However, the interplay between HM transport processes and soil microbial community in Pb-Zn tailings (especially those in production) remain unclear. This study investigated the spatial distribution of HMs as well as the crucial roles of the soil microbial community (i.e., structure, richness, and diversity) during a three-year revegetation of production Pb-Zn tailings in northern Guangdong province, China. Prolonged tailings stockpiling exacerbated Pb contamination, elevating concentrations (from 10.11 to 11.53 g/kg) in long-term weathering. However, revegetation effectively alleviated Pb, reducing its concentrations of 9.81 g/kg. Through 16 S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, the dominant genera shifted from Weissella (44%) to Thiobacillus (17%) and then to Pseudomonas (comprising 44% of the sequences) during the revegetation process. The structural equation model suggested that Pseudomonas, with its potential to transform bioavailable Pb into a more stable form, emerged as a potential Pb remediator. This study provides essential evidence of HMs contamination and microbial community dynamics during Pb-Zn tailings revegetation, contributing to the development of sustainable microbial technologies for tailings management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocui Wen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiawei Zhou
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Siyan Zheng
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhangwei Yang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xueqin Jiang
- College of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Lingzhi Zhao
- College of Semiconductor Science and Technology, South China Normal University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Bo Yan
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Tao Chen
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, School of Environment, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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Liao K, Tao Y, Tu J, Zeng Y, Li Y, Wang P, Li X, He F, Chen L. Induced and natural moss soil crusts accelerate the C, N, and P cycles of PbZn tailings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 909:168657. [PMID: 37979864 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient deficiency is the primary obstacle in tailing ecological restoration besides high heavy metal content. Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are known for their C and N fixation capabilities and play a crucial role in soil P cycle. BSCs are widespread in tailings and provide a potential ecological restoration approach. In 2022, we carried out an on-site restoration on a PbZn tailing pond in Yunnan Province, China. BSCs were propagated by natural moss crust fragment inoculation. The induced moss crusts (IMCs) were monitored at 0, 45, 90, and 135 days and compared with natural moss crusts (NMCs). The chlorophyll-a content and abundance of biotic organisms increased over time, reaching a peak at 135 days and surpassing that of NMCs. Moss crusts increased the content of C, N, and P nutrients and enzyme activities in the 0.5 cm surface soil. They also reduced the DTPA-extractable Pb content. Moss crusts significantly increased the content of fulvic/humic and protein-like/polyphenol substances, thereby raising the humic index of soil dissolved organic matter (especially NMCs). Furthermore, moss crusts also raised the abundance of nitrification (AOB and Nsr), denitrification (narG, napA, qnorB, and nosZ), and P-cycling (gcd, appA, phoC, phoA, and phoD) genes, especially IMCs after a 135-day inoculation. NMCs exhibited higher moss abundance measured via eukaryotic photoautotrophs. Moss crusts increased photosynthetic bacteria abundance (e.g., Leptolyngbya and Nostocales) and reduced the dominance of chemoautotrophic bacteria, especially the dark sulfide oxidation bacteria (Betaproteobacteriales). This trend was more pronounced in NMCs. Overall, IMCs can recover the functions of NMCs, and in some cases (e.g., abundance and diversity of biotic community, soil nutrient and N & P cycle genes), even surpass them. Our research provides new insights into the tailing ecological restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kejun Liao
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Yue Tao
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Jiawei Tu
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Yuyang Zeng
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Panpan Wang
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Xinyue Li
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Fan He
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China
| | - Lanzhou Chen
- Wuhan University School of Resource & Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430079, PR China.
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Jiang X, Zhong X, Yu G, Zhang X, Liu J. Different effects of taproot and fibrous root crops on pore structure and microbial network in reclaimed soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165996. [PMID: 37536594 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the effects of plant roots on the pore structure and microbial community of soil is crucial to recovery and improve soil productivity in mining areas. This study aims to assess the impact of taproot (TR) and fibrous root (FR) crops on the physicochemical properties, pore structure, and microbial communities and networks in reclaimed mine soil. Results showed that reclamation positively influenced pore structure and microbial diversity. Tillage with TR and FR crops significantly increased porosity, total pore volume, and area of mining soil (p < 0.05). Compared with TR, FR produced more macropores, mesopores, and micropores. In addition, the module group, average degree, density, and connectivity of microbial network in FR cultivated soil were higher than those in TR cultivated soil. The microbial network map showed that FR had more keystone taxa than TR, and mainly consisted of Acidobacteria and Proteobacteria. In the FR microbial network, Rhizobiales, Betaproteobacteria, and Acidobacteria_Gp11 play critical roles as module hubs and Noviherbaspirillum and Zavarzinella as connectors. Furthermore, most of the key microbes were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the total pore area and probably tended to live in pores >75 μm and 0.1-5 μm in size. Therefore, FR crops were more effective than TR crops in improving pore structure and enhancing the development of microbial network in reclaimed soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xusheng Jiang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Xuemei Zhong
- College of Earth Sciences, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 540001, China.
| | - Guo Yu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
| | - Jie Liu
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China; Technical Innovation Center of Mine Geological Environmental Restoration Engineering in Southern Karst Area, MNR, Guilin 541004, China.
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Luo Y, Xing R, Wan Z, Chen Y. Vertical distribution of nutrients, enzyme activities, microbial properties, and heavy metals in zinc smelting slag site revegetated with two herb species: Implications for direct revegetation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163206. [PMID: 37011682 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Direct revegetation is an important measure to immobilize heavy metals and improve the microecological properties of metal smelting slag sites. However, the vertical distribution of nutrients, microecological properties, and heavy metals at a directly revegetated metal smelting slag site remains unclear. Here, the distribution characteristics of nutrients, enzyme activities, microbial properties, and heavy metals in the vertical profile at a zinc smelting slag site directly revegetated with two herb species (Lolium perenne and Trifolium repens) for 5 years were investigated. The results showed that the nutrient contents, enzyme activities, and microbial properties decreased with increasing slag depth after revegetation with the two herb species. The nutrient contents, enzyme activities, and microbial properties of the surface slag revegetated with Trifolium repens were better than those in the surface slag revegetated with Lolium perenne. The higher root activity in the surface slag (0-30 cm) resulted in relatively higher contents of pseudo-total and available heavy metals in the surface slag. Moreover, the contents of pseudo-total heavy metals (except for Zn) and available heavy metals in the slag revegetated with Trifolium repens were lower than those in the slag revegetated with Lolium perenne at most slag depths. Overall, the greater phytoremediation efficiency of the two herb species occurred mainly in the surface slag (0-30 cm), and the phytoremediation efficiency of Trifolium repens was higher than that of Lolium perenne. The findings are beneficial for understanding the phytoremediation efficiency of direct revegetation strategies for metal smelting slag sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youfa Luo
- Key Laboratory of Kast Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Hostile Environment Ecological Restoration Technology Engineering Research Centre, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Rongrong Xing
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zuyan Wan
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yulu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Kast Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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