Objective   Effects of Spanish river carbonatite (SRC) on acidification and metal elements in soil and structure and diversity of microbial community at tea plantations were investigated.

  Method  Changes on pH, heavy metals, and microbial community in the soil under SRC application were monitored for evaluation.

  Result  The field and pot culture experiments showed that SRC addition alleviated acidification and heavy mental pollution in the soil. In the pot culture, low concentration of SRC significantly reduced the contents of Cd and Cu in soil. Whereas, the field experiment showed significant reductions on all tested heavy metals. In comparison to control, SRC addition exerted a significant impact on the microbial community structure in the pot culture, and increased the nutrient contents facilitating the microbial growth in the field test.

  Conclusion   Both field and pot experiments demonstrated the desirable rise on pH, decline on heavy metals content, and improvements on microbial diversity and community structure in the soil by the incorporation of SRC.