Preparation of Coal Gangue-Based Artificial Soil and Investigation of the Mechanism of Aggregate Structure Formation

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments to the Authors:
The authors of this paper in order to address the coal gangue critical environmental challenge, they propose a novel process that includes the conversion of coal gangue into coal gangue-based artificial soil by using a microbial treatment method. However, some details should be considered by the authors:

COMMENT: Page 3, lines 94-95, “Previous studies have indicated that FA plays … ”: Relevant references could also be added here.

COMMENT: Page 6, Table 3 & Fig. 3: Photos of the static contact angle of water could be added for all samples shown in Table 3.

COMMENT: Page 9, line 276 & Fig. 7: Numerical values about the particle sizes (average) could be added.

COMMENT: Page 9, lines 335-337: Can these alkaline substances be detected by infrared spectroscopy? If yes, which are their characteristic infrared peaks? Please comment.

The reported data and the results support the authors conclusions. Therefore, I think that this paper is suitable for publication.

Author Response

请参阅附件。

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors, I have read your article and propose several comments for improving the manuscript: 1) define all abbreviations (e.g., CG, LMA, CMA) upon first use in the abstract or introduction to ensure reader comprehension; 2) provide more specifics about the microbial strains used in LMA and CMA, including their sources and concentrations, to enhance reproducibility; 3) include statistical significance tests (e.g., p-values) for comparisons between treatments to strengthen the validity of the results; 4) clearly describe the control group(s) used in the experiments to benchmark the improvements attributed to treatments; 5) specify the number of replicates for each experimental condition to demonstrate reliability; 6) add error bars to figures (e.g., Figures 1, 2, 6) to indicate variability in the data; 7) include scale bars in SEM images (Figure 10) to provide context for the microstructural observations; 8) address potential limitations of the study, such as the short incubation period (35 days) and its impact on long-term soil stability; 9) discuss how the lab-scale results might translate to real-world field conditions, including scalability and environmental factors; 10) compare the properties of CGAS (e.g., bulk density, WHC) with those of natural soils to highlight practical relevance; 11) enhance Figure 11 with more detailed labels or annotations to clarify the aggregate formation stages; 12) elaborate on the chemical pathways involved in OM and HA formation, possibly with reaction equations or diagrams; 13) propose future research directions, such as long-term studies on CGAS performance under varying climatic conditions; 14) discuss the environmental implications of using FA, including potentially leaching heavy metals or other contaminants.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Manuscript Review

Title: Preparation of Coal Gangue-Based Artificial Soil and Investigation of the Mechanism of Aggregate Structure Formation

The reviewer is satisfied with the manuscript. Given that it is detailed, precise, and clearly written, the discussion will be conducted in general terms, as no specific errors were identified. I have no additional recommendations for improving the manuscript, as it already contains all the necessary elements.

The manuscript presents a high-quality study on the conversion of coal gangue into artificial soil using microorganisms. The authors have clearly described the experimental approach, analyzed key parameters influencing aggregate formation, and provided relevant conclusions on the potential of this method in sustainable waste management.

The methodology is adequately described, the results are clearly presented (figures appropriately illustrate the findings), and the discussion is thorough. The manuscript is professionally written and logically structured. All presented data are relevant and supported by appropriate literature. The conclusions are consistent with the obtained results and emphasize the practical application of the research. The references used are recent and suitable for this field, with no apparent shortcomings in this aspect.

The manuscript is well-prepared, with no identified deficiencies requiring revision. I recommend its acceptance for publication in its current form.

Recommendation: Accept without revision. Congratulations to the authors.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

I think that this version of the article can be published in the journal.