Microbial Distribution and Diversity of Soil Around a Manganese Mine Area

Abstract

From 12 mining areas surrounding a manganese mining area in Guangxi, soil samples were collected at different distances from the center of the mining area and different sampling points at the same distance. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used in extracting and amplifying DNA in the soil samples, and double-terminal gene sequence library comparison was performed. Through OUT clustering, species community, species diversity, and inter-group difference analyses, the composition of microbial community and biological diversity in the mining soil was evaluated. Results showed that the soil around the mining area was affected by heavy metals, and species complexity was positively correlated with distance. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Acidobacteria were the dominant species with high abundance in some soil samples because of their pollution tolerance. The samples closer to the center were more disturbed by mining activities, and species diversity sequencing based on observed species index and Shannon index was consistent with that of cluster analysis. Differences among the sample groups at 2 km from the center were the smallest, and species diversity had the highest similarity. Differences among the sample groups at 1 km from the center were the largest, and species composition significantly varied. Microorganism distribution is an important indicator of soil ecological characteristics, and the analysis of species and diversity of soil microorganisms is important to the assessment of the impact of mining activities and the extent of soil contamination.