Microbial activity in mine tailing dump in South-West Sardinia (Italy)

Abandoned mines represent a major environmental concern worldwide, posing serious risks to human health and ecosystems. In this study, microbial abundance and dehydrogenase activity were evaluated in surface substrates collected from a highly contaminated (Zn, Pb and Cd) tailing dump and in the surrounding areas. The heterotrophic community inside the studied site was found to be severely impaired as compared to control sectors located at the border and outside the tailing dump. The analysis of the microbial community composition by sequencing of the ribosomal genes is currently in progress. Overall, the study will allow us to identify the microbial components most severely affected by the extreme environmental conditions present in the mine tailings.