Abstract
Mangrove trees generally play important roles in protecting intertidal ecosystems. The mangrove root-associated sediments provide a repertoire of microbial communities that contribute to pivotal ecological functions in the system. In the present study, we used the high-throughput sequencing and PICRUSt-predicted functional information (based on 16S/18S rDNA profiles) to investigate the bacterial, archaeal, and fungal communities in two mangrove systems, located in the estuary of the Jiulong River (China), with different contaminated conditions and frequencies of human activity. Diverse distribution patterns for microbial communities were observed in six sediment samples collected from the two survey areas, which were found to be related mainly to the substrates in mangrove sediments. The sediments were predominated by relatively higher ratios of heterotrophic bacteria that participated in the degradation of organic matters, including phylum of Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, Desulfobacterota, and Proteobacteria. In addition, Crenarchaeota and Ascomycota presented the highest abundances of archaea and fungi, respectively. The relatively high concentrations of calcium, nitrogen, magnesium, and phosphorus in mangrove sediments correlated significantly with the microbial communities. In addition, although the potential functions were similar in the two sites based on COG and KEGG pathways, the abundances of enzymes involved in the degradation processes of cellulose and hemicellulose and the metabolism of nitrogen and sulfur presented distinctions. These results provide insights into the environmental conditions shaping microbial assemblies of the mangrove sediments under the impacts of human activities; for instance, a more abundant amount of calcium was found in urban areas in this study.
Highlights
Introduction published maps and institutional affilThe intertidal ecosystems are generally known as the interacted regions of the ocean, atmosphere, and terrestrial environments and are believed to be the most momentous coastal habitats in view of their biological productivity and economic value [1]
The KC-U site was located in the urban area and presented high correlations with calcium (Figure 2C). These results suggest the possibility that the microbiome communities of mangrove sediments might be influenced indirectly by human activities, which resulted in more discharge of calcium near the urban area
This study revealed the main prokaryotic and eukaryotic groups participating in the degradation of organic compounds and absorbing most of the substrates in mangrove sediments under different contaminated conditions and frequencies of human activities
Summary
The intertidal ecosystems are generally known as the interacted regions of the ocean, atmosphere, and terrestrial environments and are believed to be the most momentous coastal habitats in view of their biological productivity and economic value [1]. Mangroves are well known as the dominant flora in intertidal zones such as coastal lagoons, coastlines, and estuaries, where the hydrological conditions are relatively complicated [2,3]. The unique characteristics of mangroves provide them the ability to accommodate the dynamic environments of intertidal regions and, in addition, to protect coastal environments, aquacultures, and living conditions for numerous organisms [4]. Mangrove sediments and trees along the coastlines have been planted to efficiently absorb most of the substrates possessed in contaminated soils and wastewater over the last 40 years [5–7]. Mangrove sediments and trees along the coastlines have been planted to efficiently absorb most of the substrates possessed in contaminated soils and wastewater over the last 40 years [5–7]. iations.
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