Insight into the shaping of microbial communities in element sulfur-based denitrification at different temperatures

Area of Science:

• Environmental Microbiology
• Water Treatment Technologies
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Nitrate pollution drives eutrophication and ecological disruption.
• Element sulfur-based denitrification (ESDeN) offers a cost-effective, non-carbon-dependent alternative for nitrate removal.
• Understanding microbial community adaptation to temperature is crucial for optimizing ESDeN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the shaping of ESDeN microbial communities under varying temperature conditions.
• To identify key factors influencing microbial community structure and function in ESDeN.
• To elucidate the metabolic strategies of ESDeN communities at different temperatures.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of ESDeN microbial communities across a temperature gradient (10°C to 35°C).
• Analysis of microbial community structure using network analysis.
• Assessment of metabolic pathways related to carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling.

Main Results:

• Microbial communities clustered into high (35°C), middle (20-30°C), and low (10-15°C) temperature groups.
• Dissolved oxygen and temperature synergistically shaped microbial community structure.
• Metabolic profiles shifted from sulfur oxidation at higher temperatures to chemoheterotrophy at lower temperatures.
• Keystone taxa differed across temperature groups, with some lacking direct sulfur oxidation function.

Conclusions:

• Temperature significantly influences ESDeN microbial community structure and function.
• Low temperatures pose challenges to sulfur bioavailability, impacting ESDeN efficiency.
• This study provides insights for developing robust ESDeN processes adaptable to seasonal or regional temperature fluctuations.