Distribution of functional microorganisms and its significance for iron, sulphur, and nitrogen cycles in reservoir sediments

The biogeochemical cycles of sulphur(S),iron(Fe)and nitrogen(N)elements play a key role in the reservoir ecosystem.However,the spatial positioning and interrelationship of S,Fe and N cycles in the reservoir sediment profile have not been explored to a greater extent.Here,we measure the gradients of Fe^(2+),SO_(4)^(2-),NO_(3)^(-),NH_(4)^(+),DOC,TC and TN in the pore water of the sediment,and combining the vertical distribution of the functional microorganisms involved in S,Fe and N cyclings in the sediments to determine the redox stratification in the sediment.It is found that the geochemical gradient of S,Fe and N of the reservoir sedimentary column is mainly defined by the redox process involved in the related functional microorganisms.According to the type of electron acceptor,the sediment profile is divided into 3 redox intervals,namely aerobic respiration(0–10 cm),denitrification/iron reduction(10–28 cm)and sulfate reduction(28–32 cm).In the aerobic respiration zone,NH_(4)^(+)is oxidized by aerobic AOB to NO_(3)^(-)(0–5 cm),and Fe^(2+)is oxidized by microaerobic FeRB to Fe^(3+)(3–10 cm).In the denitrification/iron reduction zone,Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas,as the dominant NRB genera,may use nitrate as an electron acceptor to oxidize Fe^(2+)(11–16 cm).The dominant genera in SOB,such as Sulfururvum,Thiobacillus and Thioalkalispira,may use nitrate as an electron acceptor to oxidize sulfide,leading to SO_(4)^(2-)accumulation(14–24 cm).In the sulfate reduction zone,SO_(4)^(2-)is reduced by SRB.This study found that functional microorganisms forming comprehensive local ecological structures to adapt to changing geochemical conditions,and which would be potentially important for the degradation and preservation of C and the fate of many nutrients and contaminants in reservoirs.

Characteristics of Heavy Metal Circulation in Biosphere

In order to control heavy metal pollution effectively, this paper reviews heavy metal source and transport characteristics in heavy metal circulation in bio- sphere, including geochemical cycle and biological cycle of heavy metals. The inter- body of geochemical cycle of heavy metals includes soil, gas as well as water body, and the interbody of biological cycle of heavy metals includes environment, plant, microorganisms and animals. As to macro-cycle, transportation character in each interbody is different. Heavy metal circulation in different interbody interacts with each other and is in dynamic balance. Heavy metals in soil include two parts, i.e. active and inert forms, which are in dynamic equilibrium. This equilibrium may be affected by different physicochemical factors. Heavy metal content at different soil depth reflects historical accumulation level of heavy metal. In contrast to agri- cultural eco-system itself, industrial and urban activities are of great menace. Fluvial transport and atmospheric input are significant pathways of heavy metal circulation. Sludge plays an accumulative role of heavy metals, and can release its heavy met- als to water body causing secondary pollution. Balance of heavy metal immobiliza- tion and release is interrupted by physicochemical characters and microbial activity. Temperature can influence atmospheric heavy metal content, and volatile heavy meal precipitation is an indLspensable source in soil and water body. In regard to micro-cycle, plants is the main part in heavy metal cycle, microorganisms play roles in accelerator and animals in recipient. Specific transportation and assigned location of heavy metal in plants are adopted to keep internal heavy metal equilibrium.