Data from: Short-term microbial effects of a large-scale mine-tailing storage facility collapse on the local natural environment

A total of 234 samples were collected from substrates at 3 depths and 1,650,752 sequences were recorded in a geodatabase framework. These data revealed a wealth of information regarding watershed-scale distribution of microbial community members, as well as community composition, structure, and response to disturbance. Substrates associated with the impact zone were distinct chemically as indicated by elevated pH, nitrate, and sulphate.

The microbial community exhibited elevated metabolic capacity for selenate and sulfate reduction and an abundance of chemolithoautotrophs in the Thiobacillus thiophilus/T. denitrificans/T. thioparus clade that may contribute to nitrate attenuation within the affected watershed. The most impacted area (a 6km stream connecting two lakes) exhibited 30% lower microbial diversity relative to the remaining sites. The tailings impoundment failure at Mount Polley Mine has provided a unique opportunity to evaluate functional and compositional diversity soon after a major catastrophic disturbance to assess metabolic potential for ecosystem recovery.

Usage notes

Fall 2014 Mount Polley Metadata The attached file includes recorded field metrics and laboratory analyses for soil and water samples collected following the Mount Polley tailings impoundment failure in August 2014. Worksheet descriptions are provided in the attached readme file and sample naming conventions are embedded within included worksheets.