In this study, the microbial activity and functional diversity of microbial communities in
eroded soils from an abandoned
Pb, Zn, Ag mine were evaluated. The results showed both total and soluble metal loadings in these soils increased with proximity to the mine reserve. Indictors of soil microbial features varied significantly because of soil and water loss stress. Soil microbial biomass and viable population size (plant counts) were negatively affected by erosion levels, but the size of soil basal respiration rate and microbial metabolic quotients were positively influenced by the enhanced erosion strength. Microbial community structure also changed with increasing erosion, as indicated by Biolog data and principal component analysis of Biolog community metabolic profiles. Soil microbial metabolic profiles (AWCD) values, community richness and diversity index in minesoils decreased remarkably as compared with adjacent uneroded mine soils (P<0.001). It was suggested that the decline of soil microbial community functional diversities would occur in the soils affected by loss of water and soils from mine areas, decreased microbial number used energy carbon and utilization ability of microbial communities for carbon substrates. So the
microbial activities and community functional diversities can effectively indicate soil environmental quality transition from mine eroded area to uneroded conditions.