Origin, distribution and spatial characteristics of dissolved organic matter in the Heilongjiang River

The Heilongjiang River Basin is a vast area with significant DOM sources and composition differences. The mechanism of DOM degradation under spatial variation remains unclear. This research investigated the degradation characteristics of DOM in different watersheds of the Heilongjiang River. DOM levels were higher in midstream waters, while DOM degradation rates were higher in midstream and downstream waters. The parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) results showed that the upstream amino acid fraction was significantly depleted, the midstream was dominated by the degradation of DOM of terrestrial origin, and the downstream humic acid fraction was decreased considerably. Gene sequencing results indicated that the upstream, middle, and downstream water bodies' microbial community composition and structure differed significantly. The network analysis results revealed microorganisms in upstream water bodies mainly utilized amino acid-like substances and small molecule humic acids. Microorganisms in the middle and lower reaches of the water column were characterized by the utilization of humic acid-like fractions. In this study, we further screened the key driving microorganisms (e.g., Flavobacterium and Lacibacter) responsible for the difference in the DOM utilization function of upstream-to-midstream and midstream-to-downstream microorganisms in the Heilongjiang River. These findings will help identify the cycling process of DOM under spatial variation and predict the succession pattern of microbial communities.