Spatiotemporal variation of microbial community structure and physicochemical parameters in grass carp culture ponds

Abstract

Microbes, as an important part of aquaculture ponds, can improve the recirculation of nutrients. This nearly 1-year-long study aimed to understand the factors and mechanisms that cause temporal changes in the concentration of microbiological indicators and nutrient concentration in the grass carp pond water of Chongqing Jiguan Aquaculture Limited. The study was comprised of five sampling campaigns, with samples spaced 2 months apart. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH were measured in the field during sampling, and the concentration of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates were determined afterward in the laboratory. Subsequent analysis of 16s genome sequencing classified microorganisms into 32 phyla and 481 genera and revealed the core composition of the bacterial community for each season. Principal component analysis revealed that pathogens (Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium) are a significant negative correlation with water temperature and a positive correlation with ammonium concentration and dissolved oxygen. Bacillus and Streptomyces population size was negatively correlated with total phosphorus, while Lactobacillus and Bacteroides populations were positively correlated with water temperature and negatively correlated with ammonium salt. These findings reveal a significant relationship between microbial communities and the physicochemical parameters in aquaculture environments, providing a basis for further improving the aquaculture environment.