Coupling effect of DOM and microbe on arsenic speciation and bioavailability in tailings soil after the addition of different biologically stabilized sludges

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and microbes co-mediate the transformation of heavy metals in soil. However, few previous studies have investigated the effects of interaction between DOM and microbes on the transformation and bioavailability of heavy metals in tailings soil at the molecular level after the addition of organic wastes. This study used co-occurrence network analysis based on Fourier-transform ion cyclone resonance mass spectrometry and high-throughput sequencing to investigate the molecular mechanisms of different bio-stabilized sludge addition on arsenic fraction transformation and bioavailability in tailings soil. It was found that sludge amendments decreased the arsenic bioavailable fraction from 3.62% to 1.74% and 1.68% and promoted humification of DOM in soil. The extra inorganic salt ions introduced with sludge desorb the adsorbed As(V) into soil solution. Specifically, bio-stabilized sludge increased the contents of labile compounds that provided nutrients for microbial metabolism and shaped the microbial community composition into a more copiotrophic state, which increased the abundance of As(V)-reducing bacteria and then converted the As(V) into As(III) and precipitated as As2S3. This work innovatively explores the transformation mechanisms of As fractions through the perspectives of microbial community and DOM molecular characterization, providing an important basis for the remediation of As-contaminated soil using biosolids. [Display omitted] •Synergistic role of DOM and microbe in arsenic transformation was revealed.•Sludge amendment decreased bioavailability of As and promoted humification of DOM.•Copiotrophic bacteria contributed to delignification of DOM transformation.•Bioavailable As was stabilized in the form of As2S3 and residual fractions.•Proteins and amino sugar promoted the reproduction of As(V)-reducing bacteria.