A critical assessment on the short-term response of microbial relative composition in a mine tailings soil amended with biochar and manure compost

Abstract

Phytomanagement of tailings requires the use of soil conditioners to favour plant establishment, but their benefits on soil microbial composition need to be assessed. The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of two organic amendments, manure compost and biochar, on soil bacterial and fungal composition at metallic mine tailings. The addition of compost caused stronger effects in most of soil parameters and microbial composition than biochar, especially at the initial stage of the experiment. However, the higher dependence on labile organic carbon for some bacterial groups at the treatments containing compost determined their decay along time (Flavobacteriales, Sphingobacteriales) and the appearance of other taxa more dependent on recalcitrant organic matter (Xanthomonadales, Myxococcales). Biochar favoured bacterial decomposers (Actinomycetales) specialised in high lignin and other recalcitrant carbon compounds. Unlike bacteria, only a few fungal orders increased their relative abundances in the treatments containing compost (Sordariales and Microascales) while the rest showed a decrease or remained unaltered. The mix biochar-compost may result the best option to support a more diverse microbial population in terms of soil functionality that is able to decompose both labile and recalcitrant carbon compounds. This may favour the resilience of the system against environmental stressors.

Keywords: Metals; Microbial composition; Mine tailings; Phytostabilization; Soil amendments.