Molecular Characterization of Distinct Fungal Communities in the Soil of a Rare Rarth Mining Area
Abstract The exploitation of ion absorbed rare earth elements (REEs) has caused serious ecological destruction and environmental pollution. Effect on soil fungal structure and diversity caused by mining activities are usually ignored, although fungi are 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 analysis. Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, Glomeromycota and unclassified fungi were the most abundant phyla in the mining soils. Organic matter, TC and TN contents, but not pH or REEs contents, were the vital factors to determine soil fungal abundances and diversities. Fungal community structures were stable after leaching practice, but nutrition contents significantly and positively contributed to fungal abundances and diversities. Fungi could mediate the interaction between species to enhance their ability to resist the harsh environment of REEs toxicity or ammonium caused by in-situ leaching practice. Saprotroph in phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungal trophic mode in the mining soils, and they played a critical role in nutrient cycling, transformation processes and reducing metal toxicity. Symbiotrophs of phyla Glomeromycota contributed to soil aggregation and slowing down nutrient losses after in-situ leaching practice.