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Using Network Analysis and Predictive Functional Analysis to Explore the Fluorotelomer Biotransformation Potential of
Sheng Dong1, Peng-Fei Yan1, Melissa P Mezzari2
1Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, 214 Riley-Robb Hall, 111 Wing Drive, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.
Environmental Science & Technology
|April 19, 2024
Summary
This study identifies key soil microbes like Variovorax and Rhodococcus involved in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) breakdown. It also reveals potential genes responsible for defluorination, aiding future bioremediation strategies.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Bioremediation
- Environmental chemistry
Background:
- Microbial transformation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is known, but key microorganisms and their roles remain unclear.
- Understanding these microbial roles is crucial for developing effective PFAS remediation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the structure and function of soil microbial communities involved in PFAS biotransformation.
- To identify key microbial genera and functional genes associated with fluorotelomer degradation and defluorination.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on soil microcosms from fluorotelomer biotransformation studies.
- Co-occurrence network analysis was used to identify potential key microbial genera.
- PICRUSt2, a metagenomic prediction tool, was employed to identify functional genes involved in PFAS transformation.
Main Results:
- Genera such as *Variovorax*, *Rhodococcus*, and *Cupriavidus* were identified as potentially important in fluorotelomer biotransformation.
- Functional genes, including those encoding hydrolases and a fluoride-proton antiporter, were predicted to be involved in the defluorination process.
- This study represents the first application of bioinformatics tools like PICRUSt2 to PFAS biotransformation sequencing data.
Conclusions:
- This research provides foundational insights into the microbial players and genetic mechanisms underlying PFAS biotransformation.
- The findings pave the way for developing targeted microbial consortia or strains for enhanced PFAS bioremediation.
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