Metabolic traits of sediment bacteria in karst caves in the light of environmental changes.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Karst subterranean systems are vulnerable ecosystems that have not yet been studied adequately at the microbial functional level. Cave sediments deposited over different time periods host diverse microbial communities that play a critical role in nutrient cycling and pollutant degradation.

Methods

In this study, we investigated microbial diversity and metabolic capacity in recently deposited alluvial sediments and an ancient palaeo-river deposit in a karst cave system. Using 16S rRNA gene amplicon metagenomic analysis, community-level physiological profiling (CLPP), and chemical characteristics of the environment, the influence of key environmental factors on microbial community composition and substrate degradation, concentrating particularly upon sediment age,

SUBMITTER: Mulec J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12742472 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature