Journal Article

Effects of metal contamination with physicochemical properties on the sediment microbial communities in a tropical eutrophic-hypereutrophic urban reservoir in Brazil

Benassi, Roseli Frederigi, Gregoracci, Gustavo Bueno, da Silva, Karine Mirelle Rodrigues, Pierangeli, Gabrielle Maria Fonseca, Coelho, Lucia Helena Gomes, Domingues, Mercia Regina

2023

Overview

We investigated the effects of metals and physicochemical variables on the microbes and their metabolisms in the sediments of Guarapiranga reservoir, a tropical eutrophic-hypereutrophic freshwater reservoir located in a highly urbanized and industrialized area in Brazil. The metals cadmium, copper, and chromium showed minor contribution to changes in the structure, composition, and richness of sediment microbial communities and functions. However, the effects of metals on the microbiota are increased when taken together with physicochemical properties, including the sediment carbon and sulfur, the bottom water electrical conductivity, and the depth of the water column. Clearly, diverse anthropic activities, such as sewage discharge, copper sulfate application to control algal growth, water transfer, urbanization, and industrialization, contribute to increase these parameters and the metals spatially in the reservoir. Microbes found especially in metal-contaminated sites encompassed Bathyarchaeia , MBG-D and DHVEG-1, Halosiccatus , Candidatus Methanoperedens, Anaeromyxobacter , Sva0485, Thermodesulfovibrionia , Acidobacteria , and SJA-15, possibly showing metal resistance or acting in metal bioremediation. Knallgas bacteria, nitrate ammonification, sulfate respiration, and methanotrophy were inferred to occur in metal-contaminated sites and may also contribute to metal removal. This knowledge about the sediment microbiota and metabolisms in a freshwater reservoir impacted by anthropic activities allows new insights about their potential for metal bioremediation in these environments. Graphical Abstract

• Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Acidobacteria / Algae / Algal growth / Ammonification / Anaeromyxobacter / Aquatic Pollution / Bacteria / Bathyarchaeia / Bioremediation / Bottom water / Brazil / Cadmium / Candidatus Methanoperedens / carbon / Chromium / Contamination / Copper / copper sulfate / Earth and Environmental Science / Ecotoxicology / Electrical conductivity / Electrical resistivity / Environment / Environmental Chemistry / Environmental Health / Environmental Monitoring / Environmental science / Eutrophic environments / Eutrophication / freshwater / Geologic Sediments - chemistry / Halosiccatus / Heavy metals / Industrial areas / industrialization / metal tolerance / Metals / Metals - analysis / Metals, Heavy - analysis / Microbial activity / Microbiomes / Microbiota / Microorganisms / nitrates / Physicochemical properties / Research Article / Reservoirs / Sediments / Sewage / Sulfates / Sulfur / Thermodesulfobacteria / Urbanization / Waste Water Technology / Water / Water circulation / Water column / Water depth / Water Management / Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis / Water Pollution Control / Water transfer