Abstract
Saline lakes are subject to numerous environmental impacts related to human activities. Pollution is one of the major threats to water bodies, since it produces the increase of nitrogen and sulfur contents, changing the chemical and biological conditions of the ecosystem. Microbially mediated redox processes exert a fundamental control on nutrient and contaminant turnover. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of land use on the microbial communities responsible for N and S turnover in the lacustrine sediments from Pétrola Lake (SE Spain) disturbed by anthropogenic activities (agriculture, farming, mining, and wastewaters). To reach this goal, chemical and molecular tools (sequencing of 16S rDNA gene) were applied. The results showed the influence of land use on the chemistry and microbial community structure of the sediments from the saline lake. Compared to natural conditions, wastewater and mining showed the largest differences in terms of microbial structure as a result of salinity. These findings provide better understanding of how land use affects the water chemistry and the abundance of organisms responsible for nutrient turnover.
Highlights
Saline lakes are subject to numerous environmental impacts, closely related to human activities, which involve important ecological changes
Mining zone showed the highest values of salinity (TDS), SO42- and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)
The high concentrations of DOC measured may be produced by both evapoconcentration processes and the high primary productivity found at the pool
Summary
Saline lakes are subject to numerous environmental impacts, closely related to human activities (e.g. agriculture, mining), which involve important ecological changes. Pollution of saline lakes occurs mainly through of agriculture return flows, wastewater and farming spill outs inputs. These threats, which increase the proportions of nitrogen and sulfur, produce important effects such as decreases in biodiversity which affects to microbiota. Nitrate (NO3−) is a widespread contaminant responsible for water degradation It increases primary production in surface waters and, as a consequence, may lead to oxygen deficiency and further eutrophication of surface water bodies. They recycle nutrients more efficiently and have a high potential to remove compounds from agricultural runoff [2]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
