Exploring the Impact of Goaf Water on Maize Growth from a Microbial Perspective
Goaf water (GW), formed by water accumulation in coal mine goafs, poses ecological risks due to its pollutant content. While previous studies focused on physicochemical properties, microbial community dynamics and their effects on plants remain underexplored. Maize (Zea mays L.) is sensitive to water quality changes, making it a suitable model for ecological risk assessment. This study investigated GW samples from a coal mine in Yangquan, Shanxi Province, using metagenomic sequencing to analyze microbial communities and maize seed cultivation experiments to evaluate growth effects. Results demonstrated that GW significantly inhibited maize growth, particularly lower-depth samples. Microbial diversity and composition varied markedly with depth; lower-depth GW enriched distinct microbial species potentially influencing plant growth. These microbes may regulate plant development through metabolic pathway modulation. The study elucidates the complex impacts of GW microbial communities on plant growth and emphasizes their importance in ecological risk assessment of GW.