Copper belt region; Lubumbashi; metal analysis; microbial abundance and diversity; phytoremediation; illumina sequencing
Abstract :
[en] The main objectives of the present study are (1) To determine the dynamics of metal distribution around the main mining site in the Copper Belt City of Lubumbashi, and (2) to establish the soil eukaryotic profile in ecologically different sites. The highest levels of copper and cobalt were found at the remediated tailing and the mining sites with 9447 mg/kg and 1387 mg/kg for copper, and 2228 mg/kg and 817 mg/kg for cobalt, respectively. The total levels of these elements in urban areas located beyond 2 km from the mining site were, in most cases, low and below the levels expected to cause harm to the environment and humans. A close examination of the amplicon sequences revealed that Bigelwiella and Gymnochlora were among the top two most prevalent algae genera at each site. For metazoan populations, Mnemiopsis (48%) was the most dominant genus in the residential site, while Diadegma (41%) was the dominant genus in the agricultural dry land. Pseudosuccinea (23%) was predominant in agricultural wetland and Skrjabinema with 26% was the prevalent genus in the tailing. Soil metal content, pH and organic matter levels were not the driving factors of the variations in eukaryotic compositions and abundance.
Disciplines :
Microbiology
Author, co-author :
Nkongolo, Kabwe; Laurentian University
Banza Mukalay, John ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech > Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech
Lubobo, Antoine K.; University of Lubumbashi
Michael, Paul; Laurentian University
Language :
English
Title :
Critical examination of soil metals distribution in the Copper Belt City of Lubumbashi (D.R. Congo): analysis of soil eukaryotic communities
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