Field-Scale AMD Remediation: Microbial Community Dynamics and Functional Insights in Biochemical Passive Reactors

Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated during coal mining activities is characterized by low pH, high concentrations of dissolved metals and metalloids, and elevated sulfate levels, all of which significantly impact surrounding ecosystems. Scaling up biochemical passive reactor (BPR) models represents a promising approach for the in-situ bioremediation of AMD. While numerous laboratory-scale studies have described the taxonomic and functional composition of microbial communities in BPRs - typically dominated by (ligno)cellulolytic organisms and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) - it remains unclear whether this composition is maintained at the field-pilot scale under environmental conditions. To address this gap, 16S rRNA metabarcoding and shotgun metagenomics analyses were performed to characterize the taxonomic and functional diversity of microbial communities in BPRs within a multi-unit field-pilot system. The results revealed that bioremediation effectiveness was driven by syntrophic interactions among hydrolytic, fermentative, and sulfate-reducing bacteria, aligning with laboratory-scale observations. While community composition shifts altered specific taxa, core operational dynamics remained preserved.