Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas
Coal gangue, a primary byproduct of coal mining, causes significant environmental harm due to its improper utilization. This research proposes integrating microalgae with coal gangue-derived ecological products to improve soil conditions in ecologically vulnerable coal-mining regions. A field-scale...
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MDPI AG
2025-06-01
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| author | Shuyu Yu Jinning Li Dandan Du Hao Li Jiayong Hao Zedong Teng Xiang Ji |
| author_facet | Shuyu Yu Jinning Li Dandan Du Hao Li Jiayong Hao Zedong Teng Xiang Ji |
| author_sort | Shuyu Yu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Coal gangue, a primary byproduct of coal mining, causes significant environmental harm due to its improper utilization. This research proposes integrating microalgae with coal gangue-derived ecological products to improve soil conditions in ecologically vulnerable coal-mining regions. A field-scale experiment at the Jintong Coal Mine tested soils amended with varying proportions of a coal gangue ecological matrix (0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%), with and without microalgae inoculation. The results demonstrated that coal gangue addition caused undesirable soil pH decreases (11.30~42.20%) while increasing total dissolved solids (506.88~524.93%) and organic matter (8.51~46.81%). These effects were mitigated by the presence of microalgae. Microalgae play a role in regulating soil nutrient profiles, enhancing enzymatic activities, and modulating the microbial community structure. For example, they restored catalase activity under the stress imposed by coal gangue and stimulated urease activity at higher coal gangue proportions. Plant growth trials revealed that adding 30% coal gangue or combining coal gangue with microalgae significantly promoted the growth of <i>Medicago sativa</i> L. In summary, coupling the coal gangue ecological matrix with microalgae effectively enhances soil quality. Maintaining the coal gangue addition at 30% or less in conjunction with microalgae application represents an optimal approach for soil improvement in mining areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aca708b9408d4243a1edffbec0440d2f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-aca708b9408d4243a1edffbec0440d2f2025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372025-06-0114774110.3390/biology14070741Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining AreasShuyu Yu0Jinning Li1Dandan Du2Hao Li3Jiayong Hao4Zedong Teng5Xiang Ji6College of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaCollege of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaCollege of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, ChinaOrdos Dongsheng District Environmental Protection Management Co., Ltd., Ordos 017000, ChinaSchool of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaCollege of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010010, ChinaCoal gangue, a primary byproduct of coal mining, causes significant environmental harm due to its improper utilization. This research proposes integrating microalgae with coal gangue-derived ecological products to improve soil conditions in ecologically vulnerable coal-mining regions. A field-scale experiment at the Jintong Coal Mine tested soils amended with varying proportions of a coal gangue ecological matrix (0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%), with and without microalgae inoculation. The results demonstrated that coal gangue addition caused undesirable soil pH decreases (11.30~42.20%) while increasing total dissolved solids (506.88~524.93%) and organic matter (8.51~46.81%). These effects were mitigated by the presence of microalgae. Microalgae play a role in regulating soil nutrient profiles, enhancing enzymatic activities, and modulating the microbial community structure. For example, they restored catalase activity under the stress imposed by coal gangue and stimulated urease activity at higher coal gangue proportions. Plant growth trials revealed that adding 30% coal gangue or combining coal gangue with microalgae significantly promoted the growth of <i>Medicago sativa</i> L. In summary, coupling the coal gangue ecological matrix with microalgae effectively enhances soil quality. Maintaining the coal gangue addition at 30% or less in conjunction with microalgae application represents an optimal approach for soil improvement in mining areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/741coal ganguemicroalgaecoupling effectmining area reclamationsoil improvement |
| spellingShingle | Shuyu Yu Jinning Li Dandan Du Hao Li Jiayong Hao Zedong Teng Xiang Ji Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas Biology coal gangue microalgae coupling effect mining area reclamation soil improvement |
| title | Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas |
| title_full | Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas |
| title_fullStr | Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas |
| title_full_unstemmed | Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas |
| title_short | Coal Gangue Ecological Matrix Coupled with Microalgae for Soil Improvement and Plant Growth in Reclaimed Mining Areas |
| title_sort | coal gangue ecological matrix coupled with microalgae for soil improvement and plant growth in reclaimed mining areas |
| topic | coal gangue microalgae coupling effect mining area reclamation soil improvement |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/14/7/741 |
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