Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026

Quantification of Heavy Metals and Other Inorganic Contaminants on the Productivity of Microalgae
Published on: July 10, 2015
Heavy metal spill influences bacterial communities in freshwater sediments
Qingwei Guo1, Ningning Li2, Shuguang Xie3
1South China Institute of Environmental Sciences (SCIES), Ministry of Environment Protection (MEP), Guangzhou, 510655, China.
Abstract:
Bacteria are highly abundant in freshwater sediments and play a crucial role in biogeochemical cycling. Bacterial assemblage is known to be sensitive to heavy metal pollution. However, the shift in freshwater sediment bacterial community after a sudden exposure to heavy metal spill remains unknown. The present study explored the impact of metal (metalloid) spill on sediment bacterial community in a freshwater reservoir. Although sediment bacterial abundance was relatively insensitive to metal (metalloid) spill, bacterial richness, diversity and community structure displayed considerable temporal variations. In addition, the proportions of Proteobacteria Chloroflexi, Nitrospirae, Acidobacteria and Bacteroidetes drastically declined, while a significant enrichment of Firmicutes was observed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
What are Populations and Communities?
Bacterial Signaling
Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
Properties of Transition Metals
Bonding in Metals
Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....

