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Microbial communities are sensitive indicators for freshwater sediment copper contamination.

B Sutcliffe1, G C Hose2, A J Harford3

  • 1Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, 2109, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Australia.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|March 3, 2019
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Summary

Elevated copper concentrations from human activities significantly alter freshwater prokaryote communities and their carbon cycling functions, even at levels below regulatory guidelines.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Freshwater systems worldwide are increasingly contaminated with copper due to anthropogenic activities like mining and agriculture.
  • Prokaryotes are crucial for ecosystem functions, yet their response to copper in freshwater sediments is understudied, with only three prior investigations.
  • Existing sediment quality guideline values (SQGV) may not adequately protect microbial communities from copper toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of varying copper concentrations on prokaryote community structure and function in freshwater sediments.
  • To assess the ecological relevance of copper contamination below established SQGV.
  • To provide a comprehensive analysis of microbial community shifts using advanced molecular and physiological techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Outdoor mesocosms were utilized to simulate freshwater environments with controlled copper spiking.
  • Prokaryote community taxonomic profiles were determined using next-generation high-throughput sequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes (DNA and RNA).
  • Community-level physiological profiling was conducted using Biolog Ecoplates and leaf analogue baiting to assess functional responses.

Main Results:

  • Distinct changes in prokaryote community composition were observed at copper concentrations as low as 46 mg/kg, identified through both DNA and RNA 16S rRNA gene profiling.
  • Elevated copper levels significantly reduced the utilization of carbon substrates by sediment microbial communities.
  • Prokaryote communities colonizing leaf analogues in copper-spiked mesocosms differed markedly from those in control environments.

Conclusions:

  • Copper contamination, even at concentrations below current regulatory guidelines, profoundly impacts freshwater prokaryote community structure and function.
  • Observed alterations in microbial communities and carbon substrate utilization suggest potential disruption of critical ecosystem processes like carbon cycling.
  • The findings highlight the need for revised sediment quality guidelines to better protect vital freshwater microbial ecosystems from copper pollution.