Nitrous oxide reductase gene (nosZ) and N_2O reduction along the littoral gradient of a eutrophic freshwater lake

Lake littoral zones are characterized by heterogeneity in the biogeochemistry of nutrient elements. This study aimed to explore the relationship between the nitrous oxide reductase gene （nosZ）-encoding denitrifier community composition/abundance and N2O reduction. Five samples （deep sediment, near-transition sediment, transition site, near-transition land and land soil） were collected along a littoral gradient of eutrophic Baiyangdian Lake, North China. To investigate the relationship between the nosZ-encoding denitrifier community structure and N20 reduction, the nosZ-encoding denitrifier community composition/abundance, potential denitrification rate （DNR） and potential N20 production rate （pN20） were investigated using molecular biological technologies and laboratory incubation experiments. The results showed that the average DNR of sediments was about 25 times higher than that of land soils, reaching 282.5 nmol N/（g dry weight （dw）.hr） and that the average pN20 of sediments was about 3.5 times higher than that of land soils, reaching 15.7 nmol N/（g dw-hr）. In the land area, the nosZ gene abundance showed a negative correlation with the N20/（N20＋N2） ratio, indicating that nosZ gene abundance dominated N20 reduction both in the surface soils of the land area and in the soil core of the transition site. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the nosZ sequences recovered from sediment clustered closely with the isolates Azospirillum largimobile and Azospirillum irakense affiliated to Rhodospirillaceae in alpha-Proteobacteria, while about 92.3% （12/13） of the nosZ sequences recovered from land soil affiliated to Rhizobiaceae and Bradyrhizobiaceae in a-Proteobacteria. The community composition of nosZ gene-encoding denitrifiers appeared to be coupled with N20 reduction along the littoral gradient.

Performance of pond–wetland complexes as a preliminary processor of drinking water sources

Shijiuyang Constructed Wetland（110 hm^2） is a drinking water source treatment wetland with primary structural units of ponds and plant-bed/ditch systems. The wetland can process about 250,000 tonnes of source water in the Xincheng River every day and supplies raw water for Shijiuyang Drinking Water Plant. Daily data for 28 months indicated that the major water quality indexes of source water had been improved by one grade. The percentage increase for dissolved oxygen and the removal rates of ammonia nitrogen, iron and manganese were 73.63%, 38.86%, 35.64%, and 22.14% respectively. The treatment performance weight of ponds and plant-bed/ditch systems was roughly equal but they treated different pollutants preferentially. Most water quality indexes had better treatment efficacy with increasing temperature and inlet concentrations. These results revealed that the pond–wetland complexes exhibited strong buffering capacity for source water quality improvement. The treatment cost of Shijiuyang Drinking Water Plant was reduced by about 30.3%. Regional rainfall significantly determined the external river water levels and adversely deteriorated the inlet water quality, thus suggesting that the ＂hidden＂ diffuse pollution in the multitudinous stream branches as well as their catchments should be the controlling emphases for river source water protection in the future. The combination of pond and plant-bed/ditch systems provides a successful paradigm for drinking water source pretreatment. Three other drinking water source treatment wetlands with ponds and plant-bed/ditch systems are in operation or construction in the stream networks of the Yangtze River Delta and more people will be benefited.

Diffuse pollution: A hidden threat to the water environment of the developing world

This Special Section collects eight articles from the 16th IWA International Conference on Diffuse Pollution and Eutrophication （16th DIPCON）, which was held in Beijing on 18 to 23 August, 2013. These articles focus on the diffuse pollution problems encountered in the development process.

Ecological wetland paradigm drives water source improvement in the stream network of Yangtze River Delta

Jiaxing created a precedent using bypass riparian marshes to purify micro-polluted water sources in China.Pond-wetland complex with constructed root channel technology becomes a paradigm which can be analogized as"human-body wetland model"based on bionics or biomimetics.Heterogeneous plant-bed/ditch system with highly active land/water ecotone interfaces,especially meandering boundaries,breeds many biochemical reactions"living areas".Optimization of hydraulic regulation promotes redox environment alternations and wetland treatment efficiency.Here we reported a series of upgrades and performances in Guanjinggang wetland after the Shijiuyang prototype.Morphological reform of plant-bed/ditch system played a vital role.Spatially root channel zone was main force of wetland purification,and temporally the treatment effect was higher in low-temperature seasons indicating non-temperature dependent mechanisms worked.Water pollution comprehensive index improved steadily from IV to III,and comprehensive pollution load was reduced by ca.40%–60%.Comprehensive evaluation function value further showed the gradients purification effect of the upgraded wetland.Ecological wetlands ameliorated source water quality,and reduced drinking water treatment reagents,thereby bringing about economic benefits.Through wetlands operation,people can see how the micro-polluted surface water becomes clear and clean,so promoting a significant social benefit.As a viable component of urban green space,wetlands could beautify regional eco-environment,freshen the air,increase urban ecological taste,and enhance the eco-environmental protection publicity.Thus,the multifunctional service values and indirect benefits are substantial.Jiaxing ecological wetlands provide a typical paradigm for water pollution remediation in developing countries and plays a leading role in technology engineering radiation effect.

Microbial Diversity of Planctomycetes and Related Bacteria in Wetlands with Different Anthropogenic Disturbances

The diversity of Planctomycetes and related bacteria in 3 types of freshwater wetlands with different anthropogenic disturbances were investigated by cloning and sequencing PCR-amplified partial 16S rRNA genes. Three clone libraries were constructed using 16S rRNA-targeted forward PCR primer specific for Planctomycetales and general bacterial reverse primer. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences defined 95 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) with 163 sequences. The clone libraries covered a wide microbial diversity of Proteobacteria and the Planctomycetes-Verrucomicrobia-Chlamydiales (PVC) superphylum. The majority of the OTUs were related to the phylum of Planctomycetes (33 OTUs), Proteobacteria (22 OTUs) and Verrucomicrobia (22 OTUs). Four known genera from the Planctomycetes phylum were all detected. The genus Pirellula (18 OTUs) dominated the Planctomycetes community, but different patterns of distribution were observed in the wetlands. The littoral wetlands of Baiyangdian Lake with the least anthropogenic disturbances covered more species and showed the highest biodiversity. However, the Jiaxing paddy fields with the highest anthropogenic disturbances showed a higher biodiversity than that in the riparian wetlands of the North Canal. Bacteria distantly related to anammox bacteria were also detected with a small proportion (4 OTUs). It showed that wetlands hold a great biodiversity of phyla Planctomycetes and related bacteria; furthermore, there is ample opportunity to discover novel phylotypes of Planctomycetes in the wetland ecosystems.