Bauxite Residue Disposal Areas Research Articles

Ecological restoration affects the dynamic response of alkaline minerals dissolution in bauxite residue

Regulating alkalinity is the key process to eliminating environmental risk and implementing sustainable management of bauxite residue. Nevertheless, continuous release of free alkali from the solid phase (mainly sodalite and cancrinite) is a major challenge for long-term stability of alkalinity in amended bauxite residue. In order to understand the dissolution behavior of sodalite and cancrinite, their dissolution kinetics under simulated pH conditions of 8, 9 and 10 were investigated. Additionally, PHREEQC software and shrinking core model (SCM) were employed to analyze the release pattern of saline ions. The results revealed that the ratio of Na/Si and Na/Al values exhibited greater stability in sodalite than in cancrinite. The dissolution of elemental Na, Si, and Al in sodalite and cancrinite was matched with non-chemometric characteristics. The kinetic calculations by the shrinking core model (SCM) suggested that both sodalite and cancrinite exhibited slow dissolution kinetics, and their dissolution processes belong to internal diffusion control and external diffusion control, respectively. pH controlled the dissolution kinetic rates of sodalite and cancrinite mainly by changing their coupled dissolution-precipitation processes. More importantly, these findings can predict the change of alkaline components accurately, thus facilitating the implementation of efficient alkalinity regulation strategies for the ecological restoration of bauxite residue disposal areas.

Advances in Microbe-Driven Ecological Restoration on Bauxite Residue Disposal Areas

Advances in Microbe-Driven Ecological Restoration on Bauxite Residue Disposal Areas

Halophyte Elymus dahuricus colonization regulates microbial community succession by mediating saline-alkaline and biogenic organic matter in bauxite residue

Alkalinity regulation and nutrient accumulation are critical factors in the construction of plant and microbial communities and soil formation in bauxite residue, and are extremely important for sustainable vegetation restoration in bauxite residue disposal areas. However, the establishment and succession of microbial communities driven by plant colonization-mediated improvements in the physicochemical properties of bauxite residues remain poorly understood. Thus, in this study, we determined the saline-alkali properties and dissolved organic matter (DOM) components under plant growth conditions and explored the microbial community diversity and structure using Illumina high-throughput sequencing. The planting of Elymus dahuricus (E. dahuricus) in the bauxite residue resulted in a significant decrease in total alkalinity (TA), exchangeable Na, and electrical conductivity (EC) as well as the release of more tryptophan-like protein compounds and low-molecular-weight humic substances associated with biological activities into the bauxite residue substrate. Taxonomical analysis revealed an initial-stage bacterial and fungal community dominated by alkaline-tolerant Actinobacteriota, Firmicutes, and Ascomycota, and an increase in the relative abundances of the phyla Bacteroidota, Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gemmatimonadota. The biological activities of phylum Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, and Gemmatimonadota were significantly associated with protein-like and UVA-like humic substances. As eutrophic bacteria, Proteobacteria participate in the transformation of humic substances and can not only utilize small molecules of organic matter and convert them into humic substances but also promote the gradual conversion of humic acids into simple molecular compounds. Our results suggest that plant roots secrete organic matter and microbial metabolites as the main biogenic organic matter that participates in the establishment and succession of the microbial community in bauxite residues. Root length affects bacterial and fungal diversity by mediating the production of protein-like substances.

Long-term weathering difference in soil-like indicators of bauxite residue mediates the multifunctionality driven by microbial communities

Long-term weathering enhances the stability of ecosystem services and alters the microbiome, however, its influences on the relationship between microbial diversity and multifunctionality are still poorly understood. Hereby, 156 samples (0–20 cm) from five artificially divided functional zones including central bauxite residue zone (BR), the zone near residential area (RA), the zone near dry farming area (DR), the zone near natural forest area (NF), and the zone near grassland and forest area (GF) were collected in a typical disposal area to determine the heterogeneity and development of biotic and abiotic properties of bauxite residue. Residues in BR and RA exhibited higher values of pH, EC, heavy metals, and exchangeable sodium percentage compared to those in NF and GF. Our results showed a positive correlation between multifunctionality and soil-like quality during long-term weathering. Microbial diversity and microbial network complexity responded positively to multifunctionality within the microbial community, which was parallel with ecosystem functioning. Long-term weathering promoted oligotrophs-dominated bacterial assemblages (mostly Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi) and suppressed copiotrophs (including Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota), while the response of fungal communities was lower. Rare taxa from bacterial oligotrophs were particularly important at the current stage for maintaining ecosystem services and ensuring microbial network complexity. Our results underscore the significance of microbial ecophysiological strategies in response to changes in multifunctionality during long-term weathering, and highlight the necessity of conserving and augmenting the abundance of rare taxa to ensure the stable provision of ecosystem functions in bauxite residue disposal areas.

Root architectures differentiate the composition of organic carbon in bauxite residue during natural vegetation

Understanding plant root architectures induced changes in organic carbon accumulation and conversion is critical to predicting carbon cycling and screening appropriate plant species for ecological restoration on bauxite residue disposal areas. According to the ecological investigation of a weathered bauxite residue disposal area, three plants with different root architectures including Artemisia lavandulaefolia (A. lavandulaefolia), moss, and Zanthoxylum simulans (Z. simulans) were selected to investigate the rhizosphere effects on the composition and structure of organic carbon in bauxite residue. The physic-chemical properties, the contents and structure of different organic carbon fractions, and microbial communities of bauxite residue from rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere were analyzed. Plant growth decreased the saline-alkalinity, increased the contents of total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon, whilst enhancing the enzymatic activities of bauxite residue. Meanwhile, the rhizosphere effects had significant effects on the accumulation and stabilization of organic carbon in bauxite residue. A. lavandulaefolia had the strongest rhizosphere effects on the composition and structure of total organic carbon and dissolved organic carbon, whilst moss was more effective on the accumulation of particulate organic carbon in bauxite residue. Plant growth and root architecture changed the abundance of specific functional microorganisms and the complexity of microbial co-occurrence networks, thus elevating organic carbon levels in bauxite residue. During natural vegetation encroachment, rhizosphere exciting effects of the salt-tolerated plants could change the composition and structure of organic carbon fractions due to the comprehensive effectiveness of the improvement of physic-chemical properties and microbial communities. The findings improve our understanding of the responses of sequestration and stabilization of organic carbon pools to ecological restoration on bauxite residue disposal areas.

Neutralization and Improvement of Bauxite Residue by Saline-Alkali Tolerant Bacteria.

The high salt-alkalinity of bauxite residue (BR) hinders plant growth and revegetation of bauxite residue disposal areas (BRDA), which cause serious potential environmental and ecological risks. Bioneutralization is a promising method for improving the properties of BR and plant colonization. In the present study, a strong saline-alkali tolerant bacteria (ZH-1) was isolated from aged BR and identified as Bacillus sp. The medium of ZH-1 was optimized by orthogonal tests, and ZH-1 could decrease the medium pH from 11.8 to 6.01 (agitated culture) and 6.48 (static culture) by secretion of citric acid, oxalic acid and tartaric acid. With the inoculation of ZH-1, the pH of BR decreased from 11.6 to 8.76, and the water-soluble salt in BR increased by 68.11%. ZH-1 also changed the aggregate size distribution of BR, the mechanical-stable aggregates and water-stable aggregates increased by 18.76% and 10.83%, respectively. At the same time, the stability of the aggregates obviously increased and the destruction rate decreased from 94.37% to 73.46%. In addition, the microbial biomass carbon increased from 425 to 2794 mg/kg with the inoculation of ZH-1. Bacterial community analysis revealed that Clostridia, Bacilli, Gammaproteobacteria, Betaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria were the main classes in the naturalized BR, and the inoculation of ZH-1 increased the diversity of bacteria in the BR. Overall, ZH-1 has great potential for neutralization and improvement the properties of BR and may be greatly beneficial for the revegetation of BRDA.

Dynamic Variations of Soil-Formation Indicators in Bauxite Residue Driven by the Integration of Waste Solids and Microorganisms.

Soil-formation process is critical to ecological rehabilitation on bauxite residue disposal areas. In this study, a soil column experiment was taken to assess the dynamic variations of soil-formation indicators in bauxite residue driven by the integration of waste solids and microorganisms. Results showed that the combination of waste solids and microorganisms significantly decreased the alkalinity, accumulated organic carbon content, and improved aggregate stability of bauxite residue. Compared with waste solids treatments, the addition of acid-producing microorganisms enhanced the changes of soil-formation indicators. The integration of waste solids and microorganisms increased the content of aliphatic carbon, presenting low thermal stability in the residues. The integration of waste solids and microorganisms provides a potentially effective method for soil formation and ecological remediation on bauxite residue disposal areas.

Natural Vegetation Encroachment Improves Nutritional Conditions of Bauxite Residue Disposal Area.

The deficiencies of certain nutrients limit plant growth in bauxite residue disposal areas. In this study, residue samples at different depths (0-2cm, 2-10cm, 10-20cm, 20-40cm, and 40-60cm) and stacking ages were collected to analyze the changes of nutritional conditions following natural vegetation encroachment processes. With the encroachment of natural vegetation, the nutrient componentsimprovedgreatly. The contents oforganic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorus increased from5.6 g/kg to 10.8 g/kg, 0.07 g/kg to 0.73 g/kg, and 6.3 mg/kg to 24.9 mg/kg, respectively. With the increase of natural weathering time, microbial carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus increased significantly. Natural weathering process andvegetation encroachment improved the circulation and accumulation of nutrient substances in bauxite residues.

Migration of Alkaline Constituents and Restoration Evaluation in Bauxite Residue Disposal Areas.

Bauxite residue is a highly alkaline waste from alumina refining, and ismainly disposed by stacking with high environmental risks. Here, the migration of alkaline constituents and the restoration evaluation with phosphogypsum were discussed by soil column experiments to investigate the alkaline regulation in bauxite residue disposal areas (BRDAs). The pH, free alkali, exchangeable sodium in the top layer (0-25cm depth) covered with BR and phosphogypsum mixtures were reduced from 10.89 ± 0.02, 285.45 ± 21.15mmol/kg, 385.63 ± 30.34mg/kg to 9.00 ± 0.50, 12.50 ± 1.50mmol/kg, 97.00 ± 10.50mg/kg. For the sublayers, including depths of 35, 45, 55cm, these values dropped to 9.86, 10.06, 10.03; 38.23, 86.12, 148.00mmol/kg; 152.90, 246.00, 305.00mg/kg, respectively. These results indicated alkaline indicators for phosphogypsum amended BR declined dramatically, and the parameters for sublayers were also decreased due to the migration of alkaline constituents. The physicochemical properties for amended BR could meet the conditions for plant growth. This research provided a reference for alkalinity regulation in BRDAs by phosphogypsum.

Novel Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria Isolated from Bauxite Residue: The Application for Revegetation.

Microbial inoculation with appropriate inorganic-organic amendments is a promising strategy for ecological rehabilitation at bauxite residue disposal areas. Nevertheless, research on screening suitable plant growth-promoting bacteria with tolerance to highly sodic-alkalinity is very limited in the literature. In this study, novel plant growth-promoting bacteria isolated from bauxite residue were used to investigate their potential for revegetation. Under high saline-alkalinity stress, inoculation of Z18 and Z28 increased the activity of antioxidative enzymes, whilst improving chlorophyll and carotenoid contents in ryegrass. Inoculation of the selected strains greatly reduced damage to organelles in ryegrass as observed by transmission electron microscopy. Based on 90-day soil incubation, inoculated strains improved physicochemical properties of bauxite residue and improved plant growth. These findings suggest that Z18 and Z28 may be selected as potential strains for vegetation establishment, aiding microbial remediation at bauxite disposal areas.

Improvements on physical conditions of bauxite residue following application of organic materials

Soil formation and ecological rehabilitation is the most promising strategy to eliminate environmental risks of bauxite residue disposal areas. Its poor physical structure is nevertheless a major limitation to plant growth. Organic materials were demonstrated as effective ameliorants to improve the physical conditions of bauxite residue. In this study, three different organic materials including straw (5% W/W), humic acid (5% W/W), and humic acid-acrylamide polymer (0.2% and 0.4%, W/W) were selected to evaluate their effects on physical conditions of bauxite residue pretreated by phosphogypsum following a 120-day incubation experiment. The proportion of 2-1 mm macro-aggregates, mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GWD) increased following organic materials addition, which indicated that organic materials could enhance aggregate stability. Compared with straw, and humic acid, humic acid-acrylamide polymer application had improved effects on the formation of water-stable aggregates in the residues. Furthermore, organic materials increased the total porosity, total pore volume and average pore diameter, and reduced the micropore content according to nitrogen gas adsorption (NA) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) analysis, whilst enhancing water retention of the residues based on water characteristic curves. Compared with traditional organic wastes, humic acid-acrylamide polymer could be regarded as a candidate according to the comprehensive consideration of the additive amount and the effects on physical conditions of bauxite residue. These findings could provide a novel application to both Ca-contained acid solid waste and high-molecular polymers on ecological rehabilitation at disposal areas.

Effect of phosphogypsum on saline-alkalinity and aggregate stability of bauxite residue

A column experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of phosphogypsum (PG) on the saline- alkalinity, and aggregate stability of bauxite residue. Results showed that: with increasing leaching time, the concentrations of saline-alkali ions decreased while the concentration increased in bauxite residue leachate; compared with CK (control group) treatment, pH, electric conductivity (EC), exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), and exchangeable Na+ content of bauxite residue were reduced following PG treatment; average particle sizes in aggregates following CK and PG treatments were determined to be 155 and 193 nm, respectively. SR-μCT test results also confirmed that bauxite residue following PG treatment acquired larger aggregates and larger pore diameter. These results indicate that the PG treatment could significantly modulate the saline-alkalinity, and simultaneously enhance aggregate stability of bauxite residue, which provides a facile approach to reclaim bauxite residue disposal areas.

Integrating column leaching experiments and geochemical modelling to predict the long-term alkaline stability during erosion process for gypsum amended bauxite residue

Gypsum amendment is widely used to resolve alkalinity issues and implement sustainable management for bauxite residue disposal areas (BRDAs). Amended BRDAs under natural conditions suffer from long-term erosion processes. Nevertheless, the effect of erosion on amendment efficacy is rarely assessed. In this study, by integrating the geochemical modelling of PHREEQC and column leaching experiments, the dissolution of alkaline solids in bauxite residue (BR) and gypsum amendment, as well as their environmental behaviors, were determined through a 1-year simulated rainfall leaching experiment. The PHREEQC simulation results demonstrated that Na+ ion strength, CO2 partial pressure and rainfall, all affected the saturation index (SI) of calcite significantly and accelerated its corrosion, leading to the dissolution of gypsum and calcite in a relatively stable state. However, Na+ ion strength and rainfall significantly acted on the SI of gypsum, which lead to loss of Ca2+ and reduction of alkaline stability. In addition to the effects of Na+ and Ca2+ on the saturation concentration of gypsum and calcite solution, Na+ and Ca2+ also exhibited significant effects on the equilibrium of chemical species reactions. The column results confirmed that stability of gypsum and calcite was consistent with the simulation results of PHREEQC in the BRDAs environment. Furthermore, multiple linear regressions revealed differences in combined contributions of rainwater and atmospheric CO2 on the stability of calcite and gypsum. The PHREEQC simulation provides a new approach to predict long-term alkaline stability of BR as well as to establish sustainable remediation on BRDAs during erosion process.

Long term natural restoration creates soil‐like microbial communities in bauxite residue: A 50‐year filed study

AbstractEcological reconstruction on bauxite residue (tailings) disposal areas is regarded as an effective approach to eliminate potential environmental risks. Establishment of microbial communities and associated functions may improve physical and chemical properties, and may stimulate soil formation in bauxite residue. Spontaneous colonization at a disposal area in Shandong Province, China, over 50 years, indicated that natural weathering can ameliorate residues, and in turn, support the establishment of vegetation communities. Residue samples were collected from unrestored, poorly restored and well restored areas to investigate the development of microbial communities and associated functions. Microbiota significantly developed after long term natural restoration. Microbial biomass, respiration and enzyme activities significantly increased in restored bauxite residue, whereas the metabolic quotient significantly decreased. In addition, the long‐term natural restoration significantly shaped the microbial structure from alkalophilic and halophilic assemblages (Firmicutes and Actinobacteria) to neutrophilic assemblages (Acidobacteria and Planctomycetes). Both microbial communities and associated functions in well restored residue had high similarity with that in natural soil, indicating that long term restoration created diverse soil‐like microbial communities and functions. Redundancy analysis (RDA) revealed that TN, followed by Na+, ESP, SOC, AP and pH were the major influence factors in the development of microbial communities in bauxite residue. These findings provide us a biogeochemical perspective to reveal soil formation in bauxite residue and suggest that nutrient supplement and regulation of salinity‐alkalinity may benefit for the establishment of microbial communities and functions in bauxite residue.

Appropriate human intervention stimulates the development of microbial communities and soil formation at a long-term weathered bauxite residue disposal area

Bauxite residue discharged to disposal areas, which could generate environmental pollution issues. Long-term natural restoration may improve the physicochemical properties of the residues, in turn supporting vegetation establishment, and effectively managing pollution. Nevertheless, the effects of short-term human intervention on soil formation in the weathered disposal areas are still relatively unknown. Thus, residue samples with different depths from different regions including no vegetation, sparse vegetation, complete vegetation coverage, and complete vegetation coverage following sewage sludge treatment were selected to analyze microbial community using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology and evaluate soil formation process. Long-term weathering changed pH, the fraction of water-stable aggregates and nutrient concentrations, whilst promoting Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Planctomycete populations. Sewage sludge addition enhanced aggregate stability and significantly changed microbial community diversity. Sewage sludge application enriched the relative abundances of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whilst decreasing the relative abundance of Acidobacteria, which may be due to variation in environmental factors. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that pH and EC were the main factors affecting microbial structure, followed by organic carbon content and aggregate stability. The results enhance the understanding of soil formation in bauxite residue and reveal the potential benefit of human intervention in ecological reconstruction at disposal areas.

Constructed wetlands for the treatment of bauxite residue leachate: Long term field evidence and implications for management

Alkaline leachate from bauxite residue disposal areas is likely to require treatment for post-closure. Traditional treatment methods are not attractive in the long-term due to management requirement, energy input and operational logistics and passive approaches offer an alternative approach. Constructed wetlands are widely cited as a potential treatment option but there is limited data on long term field-scale applications.Treatment of alkaline residue leachate was assessed over a 52 month period and showed effective pH reductions from ca. pH 11.2 (inflow) to 7.2 (outflow). Trace element content measured during the 4th year of operation demonstrated effective reduction in trace element (Al 17,256 μg/l to 330 μg/l; V 140 μg/l to 13 μg/l) with no evidence of toxicity in test species Vibrio fischeri, Skeletonema costatum, Tisbe battagliai and Oncorhynchus mykiss in the wetland outflow. Sediment analysis found some increases in trace element content but no evidence of accumulation in Phragmites was found in vegetation sampling.Longevity and management requirements for constructed wetland treating alkaline bauxite residue leachate are more likely to be impacted from increases in soil Na and pH. Increases are more evident in front sections of wetland but it is proposed that loading to wetlands can be decreased by incorporation of other passive technologies within the overall treatment approach and by feeding different sections of the wetlands on a cyclical basis.

Improvement of aggregate‐associated organic carbon and its stability in bauxite residue by substrate amendment addition

AbstractBauxite residue has extreme alkalinity, poor aggregate stability, and low organic carbon content, which limits plant growth on large expanses of bauxite residue disposal areas. Soil formation of bauxite residue is one of the effective approaches to transform bauxite residue into a soil‐like medium for revegetation. In order to improve aggregate stability and organic carbon content in the short term, addition of substrate amendments is crucial to accelerate soil formation of bauxite residue. Nevertheless, the effect of different amendments on the stability, organic and humic substances distribution in bauxite residue aggregate is unclear. Therefore, a column experiment was used to investigate the distribution and stability of aggregate, and aggregate‐associated carbon by adding phosphogypsum and vermicompost (PVC), and biosolids and microorganism (BSM). The average particle sizes of CK (control check), PVC, and BSM treatments were observed to be ~114, ~157, and ~188 nm, respectively. Compared with CK treatment, the contents of organic carbon, humic acid, and fulvic acid following PVC treatment increased by 1.65, 1.59, and 1.57 times, respectively, and the increased contents of organic carbon, humic acid, and fulvic acid following BSM treatment reached 2.90, 2.69, and 2.60 times, respectively. Results demonstrated that amendment additions enhanced aggregate stability and carbon sequestration, but the effects of BSM treatment were better than those of PVC treatment. The findings offer an evidence that BSM treatment is a feasible approach to accelerate soil formation of bauxite residue, which shows promising applications to reclaim bauxite residue disposal areas.

Simulation study for the formation of alkaline efflorescence on bauxite residue disposal areas following the phosphogypsum addition

Bauxite residue is a solid, highly alkaline byproduct generated in the alumina refining process. The process that forms the fine white salt deposits on the surface of bauxite residue disposal areas (BRDAs) following prolonged dry periods, and which also forms on products made from reused residues (sintered bricks, etc.), is known as efflorescence. It not only seriously affects the utilization of bauxite residue in building materials, but also creates potential dust pollution around the BRDAs, which means it would require sustained and intensive resources to manage and transform its alkalinity. Through a laboratory simulation experiment using soil leaching columns, we show that the extent of bauxite residue efflorescence is affected by many factors, including porosity, initial water content, bauxite residue particle size. The main soluble mineral precipitates of efflorescence are Na2CO3 and NaHCO3. Addition of phosphogypsum, a common amendment to reduce dispersion and promote removal of Na+ through leaching, shifted the composition of effloresced salts to favor Na2SO4·10H2O. SEM and Na K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES)spectroscopy demonstrated that free alkali migrates to the residue surface to precipitate as a uniform agglomerate in the efflorescence process, which also changes the chemical form of Na-containing minerals in the bauxite residue and the mesoscale spatial distribution of Na (soft X-ray scanning transmission microscopy imaging). Free alkali migration with water is the main driver of efflorescence, and this work also demonstrated that phosphogypsum can reduce the generation of alkaline efflorescence for ameliorating alkaline dust pollution from bauxite residue.

Ecological Stoichiometry of Microbial Biomass Carbon, Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Bauxite Residue Disposal Areas

Ecological succession by microbial activity on bauxite residue disposal areas (BRDAs) would accumulate nutrients and convert the residue into a soil-like material. However, the role of microorganisms in nutrient cycling remains elusive on BRDAs. Carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) ecological stoichiometry is a critical indicator of nutrient cycling in an ecosystem. In order to investigate the changes in nutrients following long-term natural weathering process, the contents of C, N, P, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN), and phosphorus (MBP) were measured in chronological stacks of bauxite residue. Deeply, their ecological stoichiometric characteristics were analyzed. Compared to freshly stacked residue, organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (AP) have increased 89%, 1640%, and 369% after 20 years, respectively. The C/N in 20-year-old residue (BR20) is 12.41, which close to the mean range of soil C/N in China. Bauxite residue C/P and N/P increased significantly with the stacking age increased. MBC/MBN decreased from 6.75 to 4.52 after stacked for 5 years, whilst MBC/MBP increased from 23.74 to 59.16 with stacking age. Data analysis of C, N, P and MBC, MBN, MBP in bauxite residue correlated significantly, indicating that microbial biomass can be used as a biological indicator to evaluate bauxite residue quality. This study revealed that BRDAs ecosystem development reaches homeostasis gradually, whilst CNP and MBCNP substrate ratio can be used as an effective tool to explore the mechanism of nutrient cycling.

The dynamic development of bacterial community following long-term weathering of bauxite residue

Bauxite residue is the industrial waste generated from alumina production and commonly deposited in impoundments. These sites are bare of vegetation due to the extreme high salinity and alkalinity, as well as lack of nutrients. However, long term weathering processes could improve residue properties to support the plant establishment. Here we investigate the development of bacterial communities and the geochemical drivers in bauxite residue, using Illumina high-throughput sequencing technology. Long term weathering reduced the pH in bauxite residue and increased its nutrients content. The bacterial community also significantly developed during long term weathering processes. Taxonomic analysis revealed that natural weathering processes encouraged the populations of Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria and Planctomycetes, whereas reducing the populations of Firmicutes and Actinobacteria. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated that total organic carbon (TOC) was the dominant factors affecting microbial structure. The results have demonstrated that natural weathering processes improved the soil development on the abandoned bauxite residue disposal areas, which also increased our understanding of the correlation between microbial variation and residue properties during natural weathering processes in Bauxite residue disposal areas.