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Successional stages and inferred functional profiles of bacterial communities under biocrusts in post-mining ecosystems of Western Boreal Quebec

  • 0Universite Laval, Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes (IBIS), Québec City, Quebec, Canada.
Canadian Journal of Microbiology +

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January 18, 2026

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January 18, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Biological soil crusts aid mine tailings recovery by stabilizing soil and supporting plant growth. Bacterial communities beneath these crusts are key indicators of successful ecosystem restoration in these challenging environments.

Area Of Science

  • Environmental microbiology
  • Soil science
  • Ecosystem restoration

Background

  • Mine tailings pose significant challenges to plant establishment due to poor soil conditions.
  • Biological soil crusts (biocrusts) can initiate primary succession and aid ecosystem recovery on degraded lands.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To characterize bacterial communities in mine tailings under different biocrust successional stages.
  • To link bacterial community structure and function to soil properties for understanding restoration potential.

Main Methods

  • Collected 125 soil samples from various biocrust types and bare soil on mine tailings.
  • Utilized 16S rRNA and nifH gene amplicon sequencing to assess bacterial communities.
  • Analyzed soil physicochemical properties and their correlation with bacterial diversity and function.

Main Results

  • Soil pH, electrical conductivity, and sulfur content significantly influenced bacterial diversity.
  • Actinobacteriota dominated nutrient-poor abandoned sites, while Proteobacteria were more abundant in rehabilitated sites.
  • Bacterial communities showed functional potential for chemoheterotrophy and sulfur-oxidation, with anoxygenic photoautotrophs potentially contributing.

Conclusions

  • Bacterial communities beneath biocrusts play a crucial role in soil stabilization and ecosystem recovery on mine tailings.
  • Bacterial communities can serve as effective bioindicators for assessing the success of mine site restoration efforts.

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