Microbial communities are sensitive to soilmicro-environments and
easily vary with the alteration of soil chemical properties (Corstanje
et al., 2007). Mining activities are likely to affect the structure and function
of soil microbial communities through altering soil microenvironments,
especially the accumulation of heavy metals (Castillo
and Wright, 2008). Heavy metals have toxic effects on soil microorganisms
(Begonia et al., 2004; Obbard, 2001). They inhibit microbial activities
and change the diversity of microbial communities (Hinojosa et al.,
2004). Soil microbial functioning can be indicated by microbial biomass