Microbiology of an abandoned Pb–Zn mine: Impact on environmental metal contamination

• Hydrozincite exhibits significant control on heavy metal mobility in other abandoned mining sites. No morphological similarity between biomineralized hydrozincite and Victoria Mine. Microbiological effects attenuation aqueous geochemistry are negligible. Microbial growth patterns community structure represent oligotrophic conditions. Large-scale Zn, Pb, Cu, Fe Ag ceased over 70 years ago the Aran Valley (Catalonia, Spain). Some of relics (e.g. tunnels, processing facilities tailings dumps) exhibit elevated concentrations metals associated water systems, thus posing a health risk neighboring ecosystem. In this study, largest underground zinc mine area was chosen as field site to showcase processes affecting environment. The precipitation (Zn 5 (CO 3 ) 2 (OH) 6 that occurs along walls ground galleries where flows serves Ni, Cd) polishing mechanism. We focus microbiology at its potential impact mobility. DNA sampled from several locations inside outside subsequently sequenced. This is used further determine relative diversity each make comparisons indoor outdoor locations. By way sequencing local communities, microbial batch experiments, samples known be product biomineralization, it confirmed mineral forms abiotically mine. Graphical Abstract. .