Nutrient removal efficacy and microbial dynamics in constructed wetlands using Fe(III)-mineral substrates for low...

This study evaluated the roles of two common sources of Fe(III)-minerals-volcanic rock (VR) and synthetic banded iron formations from waste iron tailings (BIF-W)-in vertical flow-constructed wetlands (VFCWs). The evaluation was conducted in the absence of critical environmental factors, including Fe(II), Fe(III), and soil organic matter (SOM), using metagenomic analysis and integrated correlation networks to predict nitrogen removal pathways. Our findings revealed that Fe(III)-minerals enhanced metabolic activities and cellular processes related to carbohydrate decomposition, thereby increasing the average COD removal rates by 10.7% for VR and 5.90% for BIF-W. Notably, VR improved nitrogen removal by 1.70% and 5.40% compared to BIF-W and the control, respectively. Fe(III)-mineral amendment in bioreactors also improved the retention of denitrification and nitrification bacteria (phylum Proteobacteria) and anammox bacteria (phylum Planctomycetes), with increases of 3.60% and 3.20% using VR compared to BIF-W. Metagenomic functional prediction indicated that the nitrogen removal mechanisms in VFCWs with low C/N ratios involve simultaneous partial nitrification, ANAMMOX, and denitrification (SNAD). Network-based analyses and correlation pathways further suggest that the advantages of Fe(III)-minerals are manifested in the enhancement of denitrification microorganisms. Microbial communities may be activated by the functional dissolution of Fe(III)-minerals, which improves the stability of SOM or the conversion of Fe(III)/Fe(II). This study provides new insights into the functional roles of Fe(III)-minerals in VFCWs at the microbial community level, and provides a foundation for developing Fe-based SNAD enhancement technologies.