Effects of hydropower dam construction on sulfur distribution and sulfate-reducing prokaryotes assemblage

Abstract

River damming is significant for hydropower production, but also alters the ecological conditions, and especially affects the microbial community. Sulfate-reducing prokaryotes (SRPs) make vital contributions to biogeochemical sulfur cycle, but the information on the effects of dam construction on the SRPs assemblage are unclear. Here, a comprehensive survey was conducted by collecting water and sediment samples along horizontal and vertical profiles from six sites at the Xiaowan Reservoir on the Lancang River, China. We used 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and qPCR assay with dsrB gene to study the composition and activity of SRPs. The results indicated that river damming accumulated nutrients in the middle layer of the reservoir, and the impoundment provided an anaerobic and high nutrient available environment, which is beneficial for the survival of SRPs. The abundance and diversity of SRPs in water and sediments at the bottom of the reservoir were higher than those in the other sites. The network analyses revealed a synergistic effect between SRPs and other dominant bacteria in water column, which was more complex than in sediments. Moreover, a relatively higher sulfate reduction activity was found in the middle and lower layers of the water profile according to dsrB gene analysis.