Research Article

Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils

Volume: 15 Number: 3 June 30, 2026
  • Oleksandr Bren *
  • Oksana Bren
  • Maria čížková
  • Anastasiia Kolomiiets
  • Jana Kvíderová
  • Sergey Podorozhny
  • Milada Vítová

Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils

Abstract

This study examined microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition across a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils and their relationships with abiotic soil properties. The research was conducted in a single sand pit in Central Europe, representing a case study of a typical regional post-mining environment. Samples were collected in winter, spring, and summer from nine experimental plots representing a 4–43-year chronosequence after mining cessation, and from three control plots where mining did not occur. The microalgal biovolume was higher in recently restored plots and lower in older plots. Although biovolume varied seasonally, seasonal changes in taxonomic composition were limited. Biovolume showed a significant negative correlation with organic matter content in all studied seasons, and a similar pattern was observed for Oscillatoriales and Zygnemales, whereas correlations for other taxa varied among seasons and were not consistently significant. In this study, microalgal characteristics did not provide sufficient information for assessing the restoration of sandy post-mining soils under field conditions. However, the decrease in biovolume along the restoration chronosequence, its negative relationship with organic matter content, and the similar relationships observed for taxa identified in this study suggest directions for further investigation. These findings require verification across multiple post-mining sites.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of the Environment

Project Number

SS0702006

Thanks

We gratefully acknowledge the assistance provided by Kamila Botková, Pavel Klimeš, and Tereza Brzobohatá (Heidelberg Materials) in the implementation of this study. The study was conducted within the framework of The Quarry Life Award – 6th Edition (Heidelberg Materials) at the Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences (RVO67985939). The work was co-financed by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of the Environment from the state budget under the Program Environment for Life (SS0702006) in the framework of the National Recovery Plan from the European Recovery and Resilience Instrument. Oleksandr Bren also received support from the Researchers at Risk-2024 Fellowship (Czech Academy of Sciences) and the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF) Fellowship.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Oleksandr Bren * This is me
0000-0001-7423-9258
Czech Republic

Maria čížková This is me
0000-0002-2328-8583
Czech Republic

Anastasiia Kolomiiets This is me
0000-0001-7849-1135
Czech Republic

Jana Kvíderová This is me
0000-0002-5700-477X
Czech Republic

Sergey Podorozhny This is me
0000-0002-7702-7602
Ukraine

Milada Vítová This is me
0000-0002-0552-3295
Czech Republic

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

January 20, 2026

Acceptance Date

April 13, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 3

APA
Bren, O., Bren, O., čížková, M., Kolomiiets, A., Kvíderová, J., Podorozhny, S., & Vítová, M. (2026). Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(3), 375-386. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1934414
AMA
1.Bren O, Bren O, čížková M, et al. Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils. EJSS. 2026;15(3):375-386. doi:10.18393/ejss.1934414
Chicago
Bren, Oleksandr, Oksana Bren, Maria čížková, et al. 2026. “Microalgal Biovolume and Taxonomic Composition Along a Restoration Chronosequence in Sandy Post-Mining Soils”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (3): 375-86. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1934414.
EndNote
Bren O, Bren O, čížková M, Kolomiiets A, Kvíderová J, Podorozhny S, Vítová M (June 1, 2026) Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 3 375–386.
IEEE
[1]O. Bren et al., “Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 3, pp. 375–386, June 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1934414.
ISNAD
Bren, Oleksandr - Bren, Oksana - čížková, Maria - Kolomiiets, Anastasiia - Kvíderová, Jana - Podorozhny, Sergey - Vítová, Milada. “Microalgal Biovolume and Taxonomic Composition Along a Restoration Chronosequence in Sandy Post-Mining Soils”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/3 (June 1, 2026): 375-386. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1934414.
JAMA
1.Bren O, Bren O, čížková M, Kolomiiets A, Kvíderová J, Podorozhny S, Vítová M. Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils. EJSS. 2026;15:375–386.
MLA
Bren, Oleksandr, et al. “Microalgal Biovolume and Taxonomic Composition Along a Restoration Chronosequence in Sandy Post-Mining Soils”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 3, June 2026, pp. 375-86, doi:10.18393/ejss.1934414.
Vancouver
1.Oleksandr Bren, Oksana Bren, Maria čížková, Anastasiia Kolomiiets, Jana Kvíderová, Sergey Podorozhny, Milada Vítová. Microalgal biovolume and taxonomic composition along a restoration chronosequence in sandy post-mining soils. EJSS. 2026 Jun. 1;15(3):375-86. doi:10.18393/ejss.1934414