Technogenic soil salinisation, vegetation, and management shape microbial abundance, diversity, and activity

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Soil science
• Industrial ecology

Background:

• The soil microbiome is crucial for degraded land function in industrial zones.
• Limited understanding exists on how environmental factors affect microbial communities in soda industry-affected saline soils.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess soil microbiota in relation to soil properties and plant composition.
• To investigate the impact of environmental parameters on microbial guilds in the nitrogen cycle.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of microbial communities across saline wasteland and arable fields.
• Correlation of microbial abundance, structure, and diversity with soil parameters (salinity, pH, CaCO3).
• Identification of key microbial taxa and their potential roles.

Main Results:

• Soil salinity, pH, and plant species composition were primary drivers of microbial community structure.
• Salinity reduced bacterial and fungal abundance, phylotype diversity, and nitrifying guild abundance.
• Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content correlated with microbial taxonomic variability and hydrolase activity.

Conclusions:

• Microbial communities in industrial saline soils are highly sensitive to environmental conditions.
• Specific bacterial genera (Bacillus, Peanibacillus, Rhodomicrobium) and fungal taxa show promise for bioremediation.
• Findings support land reclamation strategies in degraded industrial zones.