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Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology
Published on: November 5, 2014
A critical review of microbial profiles in black and odorous waters
Zhangmu Jing1, Fanjin Ye2, Xiaoling Liu2
1State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Environment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science, Beijing, 100012, PR China; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798, Singapore.
Abstract:
Black and odorous waters (BOWs) are a serious environmental problem frequently reported over the past few decades. Microorganisms are identified as implementors of the black and odorous phenomenon, which play a crucial role in the decomposition and transformation of pollutants within the BOWs. However, the information on the role of microorganisms in BOWs remains elusive. BOWs are characterized by high concentrations of organic compounds and limited oxygen inputs, which have facilitated the emergence of distinct microbial species. The algae, hydrolytic and fermentative bacterium, sulfate-reducing bacteria, Fe-reducing bacteria and other microorganisms play an important role in the process of blackening and odorization of waters. Studying these specific microbial taxonomies provides valuable insights into their adaptations and contributions to the overall functioning of BOWs. This study comprehensively reviews 1) the microbial community structure, assembly and succession in BOWs; 2) the key microbial profiles involved in BOWs formation; 3) the interspecies interactions process in the BOWs, which are the issues easily overlooked but deserve further research and development.
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