Long-term exposure to fly ash leachate enhances the bioavailability of potentially toxic metals and decreases bacterial community diversity in sediments.

The interaction between microorganisms and the physicochemical properties of sediments is the key to maintaining the stability of the ecological environment. However, the effect of fly ash stockpiling on the relationship between sediment bacterial communities and their physicochemical properties remains unclear. In this study, the interactions between geophysical and chemical factors, morphological distribution of potentially toxic metals (PTMs), and bacterial community diversity in sediments affected by long-term ash water seepage were examined.