Community ecological study on the reduction of soil antimony bioavailability by SRB-based remediation technologies

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were effective in stabilizing Sb. However, the influence of electron donors and acceptors during SRB remediation, as well as the ecological principles involved, remained unclear. In this study, Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 7757 was utilized to stabilize soil Sb within microcosm. Humic acid (HA) or sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) were employed to enhance SRB capacity. The SRB+HA treatment exhibited the highest Sb stabilization rate, achieving 58.40%. Bacterial community analysis revealed that SRB altered soil bacterial diversity, community composition, and assembly processes, with homogeneous selection as the predominant assembly processes. When HA and Na₂SO₄ significantly modified the stimulated microbial community succession trajectories, shaped the taxonomic composition and interactions of the bacterial community, they showed converse effect in shaping bacterial community which were both helpful for promoting dissimilatory sulfate reduction. Na₂SO₄ facilitated SRB-mediated anaerobic reduction and promoted interactions between SRB and bacteria involved in nitrogen and sulfur cycling. The HA stimulated electron generation and storage, and enhanced the interactions between SRB and bacteria possessing heavy metal tolerance or carbohydrate degradation capabilities.