Structural, functional, resistome and pathogenicity profiling of the Cooum river

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• River ecosystem health
• Microbial ecology

Background:

• River ecosystems' health and quality are influenced by microbial communities.
• Specific bacteria like Arcobacter spp., Escherichia spp., and Campylobacter spp. indicate poor water quality.
• Understanding microbial communities in polluted waters is crucial for environmental and human health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the microbiome composition, functions, and metabolic potential of the Cooum River.
• To identify key microbial taxa, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and phages.
• To assess the implications of microbial activities on river health and potential human pathogen transmission.

Main Methods:

• Culture-independent metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches were employed.
• Taxonomic classification of diverse microbes was performed.
• Analysis of microbial metabolic pathways and resistance mechanisms was conducted.

Main Results:

• Abundant microbes identified include Macellibacteroides fermentans, Arcobacter spp., Methanothrix soenhngeii, and Bacteroides graminisolvens.
• Predominant viruses and phages include Caudovirales, Human mastadenovirus C, and various phage families.
• Enriched pathways involve methane, sulfur, and nitrogen metabolism, alongside antimicrobial and metal resistance mechanisms.
• Presence of human pathogens like Yersinia pestis and Escherichia coli suggests potential transmission risks.

Conclusions:

• This study provides the first detailed microbiome analysis of the highly polluted Cooum River.
• The findings elucidate the structure, functions, and metabolic capabilities of the river's microbiome.
• The identified microbial composition and functions highlight significant environmental and public health concerns.