Illegal gold mining filters soil bacterial communities and enhances mercury mobility across Brazilian biomes: A multi-season study

Key Points

• Mercury mobility increases in soil due to illegal gold mining, affecting local ecosystems.
• Soil bacterial communities show significant shifts in composition across various Brazilian biomes.
• Multi-season data collection provides robust insights into the environmental impact of mining activities.
• Findings suggest urgent need for regulation to protect ecosystem health and mitigate contamination.