Coal Mining Subsidence Impacts Soil Microbial Communities

Research conducted by Shandong Agricultural University in Tai'an, People's Republic of China, has revealed the effects of coal mining subsidence on soil microbial communities in high groundwater level areas. The study, published in Environmental Geochemistry and Health, found that coal mining subsidence significantly alters soil properties and reshapes microbial community structures. The research team collected soil samples from subsidence areas and control areas, analyzing their physicochemical properties and microbial community composition. The findings indicate that soil nutrient content decreased by 7.96-43.95% and soil pH decreased by 6.33% in subsidence areas, while soil water content and bulk density increased. Concurrently, microbial community richness and diversity declined, but the relative abundance of certain microbial taxa, including Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Myxococcota, was higher in subsidence areas.

Key Takeaways:

• Coal mining subsidence significantly alters soil properties and reshapes microbial community structures.
• Soil nutrient content decreased by 7.96-43.95% and soil pH decreased by 6.33% in subsidence areas.
• Soil water content and bulk density increased by approximately 12.63 and 6.04% respectively.
• Microbial community richness and diversity declined by 16.41 and 6.65% respectively.
• The relative abundance of certain microbial taxa, including Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Myxococcota, was higher in subsidence areas.
• Soil available potassium (AK) had a significant direct influence on microbial communities.
• Soil water content (SWC) emerged as the most influential indirect factor.
• Coal mining subsidence, in conjunction with soil physicochemical properties, accounted for 51-72% of the observed variation in microbial communities.

Statistics:

• Soil nutrient content decreased by an average of 25.46% in subsidence areas.
• Microbial community richness declined by an average of 11.53%.
• Microbial community diversity declined by an average of 6.65%.

Sources:

• Effect of coal mining subsidence on soil microbial communities in mining areas with high groundwater levels. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 2025;47(7):245.
• Shandong Agricultural University. (2025). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. June 20, 2025; p 1014.
• Springer. (n.d.). Environmental Geochemistry and Health. www.springer.com; Environmental Geochemistry and Health. www.springerlink.com/content/0269-4042/