Modest functional diversity decline and pronounced composition shifts of microbial communities in a mixed waste-contaminated aquifer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microbial taxonomic diversity declines with increased environmental stress. Yet, few studies have explored whether phylogenetic and functional diversities track taxonomic diversity along the stress gradient. Here, we investigated microbial communities within an aquifer in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA, which is characterized by a broad spectrum of stressors, including extremely high levels of nitrate, heavy metals like cadmium and chromium, radionuclides such as uranium, and extremely low pH (< 3).

Results

Both taxonomic and phylogenetic α-diversities were reduced in the most impacted wells, while the decline in functional α-diversity was modest and statistically insignificant, indicating a more robust buffering capacity to environmental stress. Differences in functio

SUBMITTER: Fan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12036129 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature