Integrated Assessment of Benthic Bacterial Community Physiology, Structure, and Function Across C, N, P, and S Gradients in Lake Villarrica Sediments, Chile.

ABSTRACT: Benthic bacterial communities play a critical role in nutrient cycling and are highly sensitive to environmental pollution. This study aimed to investigate the physiological, compositional and functional responses of bacterial communities across a range of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) gradients in sediments from Lake Villarrica, Chile. Sediment samples were collected from 5 sites representing a gradient of nutrient pressure from the lake basin (NL < PuB < PoP < SL < VB). Nutrient forms (TC, TN, TP, TS, and OM) were chemically quantified. Community function was assessed via community-level physiological profiles (CLPPs) using Biolog^® EcoPlates (C substrates), PM3B (N substrates), and PM4A (P and S substrates). Function and composition were assessed bas

SUBMITTER: Ruiz-Gil T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12654752 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature