MINERÍA la mejor puerta de acceso al sector minero EDICIÓN 586 / JULIO 2026 10 The results showed that the pristine soils exhibited acidic characteristics (pH 4.5) and harbored acid-tolerant microorganisms involved in nitrogen and carbon cycling, as well as in humus formation. Two groups of organic topsoil were evaluated. The first group exhibited more acidic conditions (pH 3.9-4.7) due to its storage conditions (in DMO), lack of aeration, and a clay loam texture. Acidophilic and denitrifying microorganisms were identified in this group. The second group exhibited less acidic conditions (pH 6.53), had been aerated every other day for two weeks, and had a sandy loam texture. This group contained aerobic microorganisms, nitrogen-fixing microorganisms, organic matter degraders, nutrient-solubilizing microorganisms, and metabolite-producing microorganisms that enhance soil fertility. The mature technosol exhibited moderately alkaline characteristics (pH 7.7) and contained microorganisms involved in lignocellulose decomposition, nutrient mineralization, and the regeneration of soil fertility. Areas reclaimed using technosol had been under vegetation cover for eight months and exhibited slightly acidic conditions (pH 6.5). These areas also harbored a heterogeneous microbial community, dominated by genera associated with sulfur, carbon, and nitrogen cycling, as well as with heavy metal bioremediation and the degradation of organic compounds. The study results provide a basis for implementing new strategies focused on the use of beneficial microorganisms, including Bacteroides, Bradyrhizobium, Cellulomonas, Flavihumibacter, Flavobacterium, Geobacter, Nitrosococcus, Nitrosospira, Nitrosovibrio, and Rhizobium, to improve soil fertility during the closure of mine components. In addition, the results obtained for aerated organic topsoil demonstrated that physical aeration through periodic turning prior to use significantly improves its physicochemical and microbial characteristics by increasing soil pH and restoring the fertilization capacity lost during storage in DMOs. This latter finding is particularly significant, as many stockpiled topsoils are either discarded or applied directly in remediation activities without prior treatment, resulting in prolonged acid runoff following mine closure. The results indicate that this effect can be mitigated by aerating the topsoil before its application. This research was published in the Q1 journal PLOS ONE under the title “Assessing Microbial Diversity in OpenPit Mining: Metabarcoding Analysis of Soil and Pit Microbiota Across Operational and Restoration Stages”. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320923 En el caso de los suelos orgánicos (topsoils) se estudiaron dos grupos, uno de condiciones más ácidas, con pH 3.9 – 4.7, debido a su condición de almacenamiento (en DMO), sin aireación, y de textura franco-arcilloso, en el cual se identificaron microorganismos acidófilos y desnitrificantes. Y un segundo grupo, de condiciones menos ácidas, con pH 6.53, aireado de forma interdiaria durante dos semanas, y de textura franco-arenoso, en el cual se identificaron microorganismos aerobios, fijadores de nitrógeno, degradadores de materia orgánica, solubilizadores de nutrientes y productores de metabolitos que mejoran la fertilidad del suelo. El tecnosol maduro, tuvo características moderadamente alcalinas con pH 7.7 y se identificaron microorganismos que participan en la descomposición de la lignocelulosa, la mineralización de nutrientes y la regeneración de la fertilidad de los suelos. Las áreas cerradas con tecnosol tuvieron cobertura vegetal de ocho meses y características ligeramente ácidas con pH 6.5, donde además se identificó una comunidad microbiana heterogénea, con la predominancia de géneros relacionados con el ciclo del azufre, carbono y nitrógeno, así como con procesos de biorremediación de metales pesados y degradación de compuestos orgánicos.
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