Molecular ecological networks reveal the spatial-temporal variation of microbial communities in drinking water distribution systems

Microbial activity and regrowth in drinking water distribution systems is a major concern for water service companies.However,previous studies have focused on the microbial composition and diversity of the drinkingwater distribution systems(DWDSs),with little discussion on microbial molecular ecological networks(MENs)in different water supply networks.MEN analysis explores the potentialmicrobial interaction and the impact of environmental stress,to explain the characteristics of microbial community structures.In this study,the random matrix theory-based network analysis was employed to investigate the impact of seasonal variation including water source switching on the networks of three DWDSs that used different disinfection methods.The results showed that microbial interaction varied slightly with the seasons but was significantly influenced by different DWDSs.Proteobacteria,identified as key species,play an important role in the network.Combined UV-chlorine disinfection can effectively reduce the size and complexity of the network compared to chlorine disinfection alone,ignoring seasonal variations,which may affect microbial activity or control microbial regrowth in DWDSs.This study provides new insights for analyzing the dynamics of microbial interactions in DWDSs.

Insights from metagenomic,metatranscriptomic,and molecular ecological network analyses into the effects of chromium nanoparticles on activated sludge system

The objectives of this study were to investigate the influence of chromium nanoparticles(Cr NPs)on the nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance and the bacterial structures of an activated sludge(AS)system.Also,we through molecular ecological networks(MENs)discussed the bacterial interactions.At last we researched the change of the functional genes and their expression patterns related to nitrogen and phosphorus removaT in an AS system.The results showed that long-term exposure to 1 mg/L Cr NPs significantly promoted the denitrifying process and phosphorus removal in the AS system.The relative abundance of denitrifying and phosphorus removal microorganisms,such as Denitratisoma,Thauera,Dechloromonas,and Defluviicoccus,increased significantly.Candidatus Accumulibacter,well-known as polyphosphate-accumulating organisms(PAOs),increased significantly;the relative abundance of Candidatus Competibacter,known as glycogen-accumulating organisms(GAOs),decreased significantly.Furthermore,metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis revealed that most of the genera related to denitrifying and phosphorus removal had greatly increased,according to the quantities of denitrifying and phosphorus genes,and the corresponding transcription likewise greatly increased.Lastly,MENs analysis showed that although the overall network became smaller and looser in the presence of Cr NPs,the microbial connections among members related to nitrogen and phosphorus removal were enhanced.The abundance increases of denitrifiers and PAOs,and their increased transcription of functional genes,together with the enhanced interactions may be associated with the promotion of the denitrifying process and phosphorus removal.

The Synergism between Methanogens and Methanotrophs and the Nature of their Contributions to the Seasonal Variation of Methane Fluxes in a Wetland:The Case of Dajiuhu Subalpine Peatland

Wetland ecosystems are the most important natural methane(CH_(4))sources,whose fluxes periodically fluctuate.Methanogens(methane producers)and methanotrophs(methane consumers)are considered key factors affecting CH_(4)fluxes in wetlands.However,the symbiotic relationship between methanogens and methanotrophs remains unclear.To help close this research gap,we collected and analyzed samples from four soil depths in the Dajiuhu subalpine peatland in January,April,July,and October 2019 and acquired seasonal methane flux data from an eddy covariance(EC)system,and investigated relationships.A phylogenetic molecular ecological networks(pMENs)analysis was used to identify keystone species and the seasonal variations of the co-occurrence patterns of methanogenic and methanotrophic communities.The results indicate that the seasonal variations of the interactions between methanogenic and methanotrophic communities contributed to CH_(4)emissions in wetlands.The keystone species discerned by the network analysis also showed their importance in mediating CH_(4)fluxes.Methane(CH_(4))emissions in wetlands were lowest in spring;during this period,the most complex interactions between microbes were observed,with intense competition among methanogens while methanotrophs demonstrated better cooperation.Reverse patterns manifested themselves in summer when the highest CH_(4)flux was observed.Methanoregula formicica was negatively correlated with CH_(4)fluxes and occupied the largest ecological niches in the spring network.In contrast,both Methanocella arvoryzae and Methylocystaceae demonstrated positive correlations with CH_(4)fluxes and were better adapted to the microbial community in the summer.In addition,soil temperature and nitrogen were regarded as significant environmental factors to CH_(4)fluxes.This study was successful in explaining the seasonal patterns and microbial driving mechanisms of CH_(4)emissions in wetlands.

Eukaryotic microbial distribution pattern and its potential effects on fisheries in the fish reserves of Qiantang River in breeding season

To examine the eukaryotic biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems in the Qiantang River,China,eukaryotic microbes in the river were investigated using 18S rRNA gene sequencing during the breeding season(July to August 2018).Four distinct distribution patterns(1.Jiande;2.Tonglu and Fuyang;3.Jiubao;4.Yanguan)of the microbial community and their potential effects on fishery activities were observed.Results show lower abundances of Dinophyta and Fungi and higher abundances of Cryptophyta and Chlorophyta in Tonglu and Fuyang than those in the other three sections.In addition,the reserves(Tonglu and Fuyang)destabilized the original eukaryotic microbial co-occurrence network.Among all the environmental factors measured,nitrogen(nitrite,nitrate,ammonium),water temperature and total chlorophyll a acted as major driving factors that controlled the eukaryotic microbial distribution.Furthermore,the existence of some algae(e.g.,Chrysophyceae,Cryptophytes,and Chlorophyceae)and fungi(e.g.,Rhizophydium)in Tonglu and Fuyang was beneficial to juvenile fish growth and water quality,although some detrimental species(e.g.,Aphanomyces)needed attention.This study provides further insights into the sustainable protection and utilization of rivers.

Changes of microbiome in response to sugars in a wilt pathogen-infested soil

Sugars are frequently and abundantly found in root exudates,but influence of specific sugars on the fate of soil-borne pathogens,microbiome structure,and particularly microbial interactions are not well understood.A 42-day of microcosm incubation was conducted with two soils:a natural watermelon Fusarium wilt pathogen(i.e.,Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum(FON))-infested soil(Low-FON soil)and the soil further receiving the wilt pathogen inocula(High-FON soil).Both soils were supplemented with four simple sugars before incubation.The results show that,in both soils,FON was enriched by all sugars although co-living with tremendously diverse microbes;and bacterial richness,evenness,and diversity were decreased and bacterial community structure was changed by all sugars.Bacterial richness and evenness were negatively correlated with FON quantity in both Low-FON and High-FON soils,indicating that FON may tend to live in soil with low alpha-diversity.In both Low-FON and High-FON soils,the sugar-spiked networks had more links,higher density,larger modules,and shorter harmonic geodesic distance,suggesting greater potentials for microbial interaction and niche-sharing.The positive links between some of the keystone taxa and FON indicates that these keystone taxa may have promoted FON.This may be one of reasons why FON could proliferate vigorously after sugar supplementation.

Soil microbiome mediated nutrients decline during forest degradation process

Degradation succession in forests is an important and serious land use/cover change problem in ecology,and during these processes soil microbial communities mediate the recycling of most important nutrients.To reveal the effect of degradation succession processes on soil microbial community diversity,structure,and species interrelationships,we collected abundant samples(21 per vegetation type)in broad-leaved forest,coniferous forest,and meadow to observe the microbial community dynamics.The results showed that diversity and structure of soil prokaryotic and fungal communities responded differently to different forest degradation processes,diversity of soil microbial communities increased during degradation processes.Soil microbial communities abundance changes may indicate that prokaryotic communities showed a living strategies change as an ecological adaption to harsh conditions during forest degradation process.While for fungal communities,their abundance changes may indicate that environmental selection pressure and plant selectivity during forest degradation process.Changes in soil prokaryotic communities and fungal communities were both correlated with soil carbon and nitrogen loss.The soil microbial interaction network analysis indicated more complex species interrelationships formed due to the loss of soil nutrients during degradation succession processes,suggesting soil microbial communities might form more complex and stable networks to resist the external disturbance of soil nutrient loss.All results suggested soil microorganisms,including bacteria,archaea and fungi,all involved in the soil nutrient decline during the forest degradation process.