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Updated: Dec 7, 2025

Characterization, Quantification and Compound-specific Isotopic Analysis of Pyrogenic Carbon Using Benzene Polycarboxylic Acids BPCA
Published on: May 16, 2016
Microbial community shift via black carbon: Insight into biological nitrogen removal from microbial assemblage and
Yumiao Lu1, Wenlong Zhang1, Yi Li1
1Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, PR China.
Black carbon addition significantly enhances nitrate removal by altering microbial communities. Deterministic processes and keystone bacteria like Sulfuricella drive these ecological shifts for improved environmental restoration.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbial Ecology
- Biogeochemistry
Background:
- Black carbon, such as biochar, is recognized for pollutant removal due to its structure and redox properties.
- The ecological mechanisms governing microbial communities in response to black carbon remain largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the microbial assemblage and functional patterns under black carbon addition.
- To understand the ecological mechanisms driving enhanced nitrate removal.
Main Methods:
- Null model testing to analyze community assembly.
- Network analysis to identify microbial interactions.
- Function prediction to assess metabolic capabilities.
Main Results:
- The modified black carbon system achieved a 46.44% nitrate removal efficiency.
- Both deterministic and stochastic processes significantly influenced microbial assemblage, with deterministic processes dominating (>95%).
- Keystone taxa (Sulfuricella, Allorhizobium, Nitrospira) were identified, stimulating nitrogen removal shifts.
Conclusions:
- Black carbon addition and biotic interactions enhance biological nitrate utilization and removal.
- Deterministic processes are key drivers of microbial community assembly in black carbon systems.
- This study offers insights into bacterial community assembly and biological nitrogen removal from a microbial ecological viewpoint.
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