Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • Goaf water significantly inhibited maize growth, with lower-depth samples causing more pronounced inhibition, indicating depth-dependent toxicity. • • Metagenomic sequencing revealed distinct microbial community compositions at different depths, with lower-depth water enriching specific taxa potentially linked to plant growth modulation. • • The study highlights the role of microbial metabolic pathways in mediating the effects of goaf water on maize, suggesting that microbial community analysis is crucial for ecological risk assessment. • • Findings underscore the need to consider microbial factors in evaluating the environmental impact of goaf water, beyond conventional physicochemical parameters.
Abstract
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.
1. Introduction
Coal mining generates vast goaf areas where water accumulation forms goaf water (GW), a complex mixture of pollutants and microorganisms. Existing assessments predominantly focus on physicochemical characteristics, overlooking the potential ecological roles of microbial communities. Maize, as a sensitive crop, offers a bioassay for GW toxicity, yet microbial-mediated effects on plant growth remain poorly understood.
This study bridges that gap by integrating metagenomic profiling with maize germination assays, revealing depth-dependent microbial shifts that correlate with growth inhibition. The work provides a microbial perspective on GW ecological risk, suggesting that specific taxa may influence plant development through metabolic interactions, thereby informing more comprehensive risk assessment frameworks.
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YUE Huifeng, WANG Yilin (2026). Exploring the Impact of Goaf Water on Maize Growth from a Microbial Perspective. Environmental Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025040701
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key physicochemical parameters of the goaf water samples that correlate with maize growth inhibition?
The abstract indicates that lower-depth water samples exhibited higher toxicity, but specific physicochemical parameters (e.g., pH, sulfate, heavy metals) are not detailed in the provided text. Further data would be required to establish correlations.
Which specific microbial taxa were enriched in the lower-depth goaf water and how might they affect maize growth?
The abstract mentions that lower-depth water enriched distinct microbial species potentially influencing plant growth, but specific taxa are not listed in the provided text. The study suggests these microbes may modulate metabolic pathways, but detailed mechanisms require access to the full paper.
How was the maize growth inhibition quantified (e.g., root length, shoot length, biomass) and what were the effect sizes?
The abstract states that goaf water significantly inhibited maize growth, but quantitative metrics (e.g., percent inhibition, root/shoot lengths) are not provided in the excerpt. Experimental details are likely in the full paper.
What is the ecological significance of the depth-dependent microbial community shifts in goaf water?
Depth-dependent shifts indicate stratification of microbial functions, with lower depths potentially harboring more anaerobic or metal-tolerant taxa that could influence biogeochemical cycles and plant toxicity. This underscores the need for depth-resolved sampling in risk assessments.
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