Microbial diversity in ferruginous duricrust soils from the Iron Quadrangle

The study aimed to investigate the bacterial diversity in ferruginous duricrust (canga) soils from Serra da Piedade (Iron Quadrangle, MG, Brazil) using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. A total of 18 soil samples were analyzed to assess microbial composition and potential metabolic functions, with a focus on how physicochemical variables (especially iron, aluminum, pH, and organic matter) shape community structure. The research also sought to identify poorly characterized lineages with relevant metabolic potential, contributing to a better understanding of how microbial communities respond to geochemical gradients in iron-rich environments.