Microbial Community Structure, Metabolic Function, and Phenotypic Characteristics of Sediment in Deep Coal Mine Underground Environment, China

Long-term coal mining has created unique microbial communities in deep mines. Revealing the community structure and metabolic functions underground environment can contribute to a better understanding of mine ecosystem. In this study, we collected sediment samples from producing mines eastern China at depths −400 −1100 m performed high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that most genera degrade organic matter, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, toluene, xylene, etc. The dominant were Hydrogenophaga, Thauera, Pseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Dietzia. Samples divided into roadway (CR) rock (RR) groups according sampling location. differed significantly (p < 0.05) between these two samples, with distribution main CR group showing negative correlation Cu positive temperature. RR different their functions, including membrane transport, metabolism other amino acids, folding, sorting, degradation. Microorganisms high resistance heavy metals, while microorganisms had higher degradation pollutants. Bugbase phenotypic predictions indicated potential pathogenicity sediment, which was mainly contributed by Geothermobacter, Methylophaga, This study deepens environments; however, contamination biological health risks environments require extensive attention.