show Abstracthide AbstractThis study aims to investigate the impact of heavy metals on microbial communities in the soils of carbonaceous rock deposits in selenium-rich areas. The structure and function of microbial communities in carbonaceous rock environments are regulated by various environmental factors, with heavy metals exerting a significant influence on these communities. We conducted an in-depth analysis of samples collected from carbonaceous rock deposits using high-throughput sequencing technology and various geochemical methods. The results indicated that heavy metals not only altered the composition of microbial communities but also significantly affected their ecological functions. Further analysis revealed the specific mechanisms by which different types of heavy metals influence microbial communities, providing new insights into microbial adaptation in heavy metal-polluted environments and offering a theoretical basis for bioremediation of heavy metal pollution.