Molecular Characterization of Distinct Fungal Communities in the Soil of a Rare Earth Mining Area

Abstract

The exploitation of ion-absorbed rare earth elements (REEs) has caused serious ecological destruction and environmental pollution. Effects on soil fungal structure and diversity exerted by mining activities are usually ignored, although fungus is one of the most important components in soil ecosystems. In the present research, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and high-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing were conducted to characterize fungal community composition and structure in soil of a rare earth mining area after in situ leaching. Statistical analyses, network, and FUNGuild were used to conduct in-depth analyses. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota were the most abundant phyla in the mining soils. Fungal community structures were stable after leaching practice, but nutrition contents (organic matter, TC, and TN) significantly and positively contributed to fungal abundances and diversities. Saprotrophs in phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungal trophic mode, and they played critical roles in nutrient cycling, transformation processes, and reducing REE toxicity. Symbiotrophs of phyla Glomeromycota contributed to soil aggregation and slowing down nutrient losses after in situ leaching practice. In addition, fungi could regulate the interactions between species to resist the harsh environment of REE toxicity or ammonium caused by in situ leaching practice.

Keywords: Ecological function; Fungal community; High-throughput sequencing; Rare earth mining soil.