Researchers from Shandong University, China, have discovered a promising method to mitigate the severe ecological threat posed by red mud, an alkaline industrial waste from aluminum production. In their recent paper published in Plant and Soil (2025), Mingyang Peng and colleagues demonstrated that applying inorganic acids (nitric, hydrochloric, and sulfuric) can significantly improve soil health and promote wheat growth under red mud alkali stress.
Red mud, a byproduct of bauxite refining, is globally accumulated in billions of tons and highly alkaline, often contaminating agricultural soils and disrupting microbial balance. The study revealed that alkali stress reduces soil fertility, suppresses wheat growth, and diminishes microbial diversity in the rhizosphere—the critical soil zone surrounding roots.
By introducing controlled doses of inorganic acids, the researchers enhanced microbial diversity, restored nutrient cycling, and stabilized microbial networks. Key beneficial microbes like Sphingomonas and Mesorhizobium, crucial for nitrogen and phosphorus cycling, were enriched, leading to higher soil fertility and improved wheat performance.
The authors caution that large-scale remediation requires precise control of acid dosage and pH stabilization to prevent secondary pollution. Still, the findings provide valuable insights into eco-friendly remediation strategies for red mud–affected soils.
This research not only improves understanding of red mud’s environmental hazards but also presents a sustainable pathway for agricultural recovery and productivity restoration in contaminated regions.
Reference
Peng, M., Qu, Z., Sun, T., Huang, L., & Li, Z. (2025). Improving soil environment and wheat growth by regulating the rhizosphere soil microbial community through inorganic acid application under red mud alkali stress. Plant and Soil. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-025-07987-2
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