Influence of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Soil Aggregation and Carbon Sequestration in a Reclaimed Mining Area
Authors: H. Wang, L. Zhang, Y. Li, X. Chen
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in soil aggregation and carbon sequestration, yet their impact in reclaimed mining areas remains underexplored. This study investigated the effects of AMF inoculation on soil aggregate stability, organic carbon fractions, and glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) content in a reclaimed coal mine site. Field experiments were conducted over two years with treatments including AMF inoculation, organic amendment, and a control. Results showed that AMF inoculation significantly increased macroaggregate formation and stability, enhanced soil organic carbon (SOC) and GRSP concentrations, and improved the proportion of recalcitrant carbon pools. The combined application of AMF and organic amendment yielded the highest improvements, with SOC increasing by 32% and aggregate stability by 45% compared to control. These findings highlight the potential of AMF-based bioremediation for accelerating soil restoration and carbon sequestration in degraded mining landscapes, offering a sustainable strategy for ecological rehabilitation.
