Linking microbial community composition to hydrogeochemistry in the western Hetao Basin: Potential importance of ammonium as an electron donor during arsenic mobilization

Xiu, Wei; Lloyd, Jonathan R.; Guo, Huaming; Dai, Wei; Nixon, Sophie L.; Bassil, Naji M.; Ren, Cui; Zhang, Chaoran; Ke, Tiantian; Polya, David A.

doi:10.1016/j.envint.2020.105489

Cited by 69 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 111 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In the same samples, also Fe(III)-reducing bacteria were abundant. NH 4 + oxidation coupled with Fe(III) reduction (i.e., Feammox;Yang et al, 2012) was proposed to be one of the main driving force for arsenic dissolution in groundwater aquifer of Hetao Basin, China (Xiu et al, 2020). In accordance with the present data, NH 4 + oxidation coupled with to Fe(III) reduction could explain part of arsenic dissolution also in the Po Plain.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Adaptation of Microbial Communities to Environmental Arsenic and Selection of Arsenite-Oxidizing Bacteria From Contaminated Groundwaters

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Arsenic mobilization in groundwater systems is driven by a variety of functionally diverse microorganisms and complex interconnections between different physicochemical factors. In order to unravel this great ecosystem complexity, groundwaters with varying background concentrations and speciation of arsenic were considered in the Po Plain (Northern Italy), one of the most populated areas in Europe affected by metalloid contamination. High-throughput Illumina 16S rRNA gene sequencing, CARD-FISH and enrichment of arsenic-transforming consortia showed that among the analyzed groundwaters, diverse microbial communities were present, both in terms of diversity and functionality. Oxidized inorganic arsenic [arsenite, As(III)] was the main driver that shaped each community. Several uncharacterized members of the genus Pseudomonas, putatively involved in metalloid transformation, were revealed in situ in the most contaminated samples. With a cultivation approach, arsenic metabolisms potentially active at the site were evidenced. In chemolithoautotrophic conditions, As(III) oxidation rate linearly correlated to As(III) concentration measured at the parental sites, suggesting that local As(III) concentration was a relevant factor that selected for As(III)-oxidizing bacterial populations. In view of the exploitation of these As(III)-oxidizing consortia in biotechnology-based arsenic bioremediation actions, these results suggest that contaminated aquifers in Northern Italy host unexplored microbial populations that provide essential ecosystem services.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

Adaptation of Microbial Communities to Environmental Arsenic and Selection of Arsenite-Oxidizing Bacteria From Contaminated Groundwaters

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The taxonomic structure of the most abundant genera followed the changes observed at the high taxonomic phyla levels (Supplementary Material SM7). Similar to our study in Nitrastur, Acinetobacter were found to be the most abundant bacteria in groundwater contaminated with arsenic and rich in Fe(III) and As(V)-reducing bacteria (Xiu et al, 2020). Acinetobacter species are widespread in soils and waters affected by natural or anthropogenic arsenic and/or organic pollution, where they are involved in the oxidation of As(III) and can use As(V) for respiration under anoxic conditions (Achour et al, 2007;Cai et al, 2009;Ghosh and Sar, 2013).…”

Section: Prokaryotic Community Structuresupporting

confidence: 83%

“…Acinetobacter species are widespread in soils and waters affected by natural or anthropogenic arsenic and/or organic pollution, where they are involved in the oxidation of As(III) and can use As(V) for respiration under anoxic conditions (Achour et al, 2007;Cai et al, 2009;Ghosh and Sar, 2013). It has been proposed that these bacteria mobilize arsenic through the reductive dissolution of mineral groups of Fe(III)/As(V), thereby also suggesting that the oxidation of ammonia coupled to the reduction Fe(III) (again pointing to the participation of nitrogen cycle intermediaries in this process) in these environments also contributes to arsenic enrichment in reducing aquifers (Xiu et al, 2020). Perlucidibaca is a chemoheterotrophic, facultative aerobic and weakly nitrate-reducing freshwater bacterium associated with hydrocarbon degradation capacity (Song et al, 2008;Lofthus et al, 2020).…”

Section: Prokaryotic Community Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of in situ Remediation With Nanoscale Zero Valence Iron on the Physicochemical Conditions and Bacterial Communities of Groundwater Contaminated With Arsenic

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (nZVI) is a cost-effective nanomaterial that is widely used to remove a broad range of metal(loid)s and organic contaminants from soil and groundwater. In some cases, this material alters the taxonomic and functional composition of the bacterial communities present in these matrices; however, there is no conclusive data that can be generalized to all scenarios. Here we studied the effect of nZVI application in situ on groundwater from the site of an abandoned fertilizer factory in Asturias, Spain, mainly polluted with arsenic (As). The geochemical characteristics of the water correspond to a microaerophilic and oligotrophic environment. Physico-chemical and microbiological (cultured and total bacterial diversity) parameters were monitored before and after nZVI application over six months. nZVI treatment led to a marked increase in Fe(II) concentration and a notable fall in the oxidation-reduction potential during the first month of treatment. A substantial decrease in the concentration of As during the first days of treatment was observed, although strong fluctuations were subsequently detected in most of the wells throughout the six-month experiment. The possible toxic effects of nZVI on groundwater bacteria could not be clearly determined from direct observation of those bacteria after staining with viability dyes. The number of cultured bacteria increased during the first two weeks of the treatment, although this was followed by a continuous decrease for the following two weeks, reaching levels moderately below the initial number at the end of sampling, and by changes in their taxonomic composition. Most bacteria were tolerant to high As(V) concentrations and showed the presence of diverse As resistance genes. A more complete study of the structure and diversity of the bacterial community in the groundwater using automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) and sequencing of the 16S rRNA amplicons by Illumina confirmed significant alterations in its composition, with a reduction in richness and diversity (the latter evidenced by Illumina data) after treatment with nZVI. The anaerobic conditions stimulated by treatment favored the development of sulfate-reducing bacteria, thereby opening up the possibility to achieve more efficient removal of As.

show abstract

“…However, fluctuations in the groundwater table resulting from anthropogenic perturbations or seasonal fluctuations in the Hetao Basin (Guo et al 2013) could cause frequent flooding of the surface sediments. As a consequence, occasional reduction of Fe oxy(hydr)oxides caused by a decreased redox potential may cause As release into porewater/groundwater, as indicated in other area such as Mekong Delta (Guo et al 2013;Van Geen et al 2013;Stuckey et al 2015;Xiu et al 2020).…”

Section: Faciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The in situ produced organic matter is more labile and thus more easily decomposed by microbes compared to terrestrial plant material (Nguyen et al 2005). Microcosm experiments as well as groundwater microbial community studies suggested that microbial reduction of Fe oxy(hydr)oxides and As(V) species cause As to desorb from sediments into groundwater (Li et al 2014;Guo et al 2015;Stolze et al 2019;Xiu et al 2020). Therefore, the reactive organic carbon and peat produced within paleolakes provide an easily available electron source for microbial reduction of Fe oxy(hydr)oxides (McArthur et al 2001;Fendorf et al 2010;Guo et al 2019).…”

Section: Faciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of sedimentation history for As distribution in Late Pleistocene-Holocene sediments in the Hetao Basin, China

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose To understand the impact of geochemical sedimentation history for arsenic (As) distribution in the sediment profiles of the Hetao Basin, we (1) evaluated sediments provenance and variations of weathering intensities, (2) attempted to reconstruct the depositional environments, and (3) explored the As and Fe speciation in the sediments. Combining the information above, different sedimentation facies were distinguished in the vertical profiles. Methods Two sediments cores were drilled up to 80 m depth. Major and trace element compositions, including rare earth elements (REE), were analyzed. Carbon isotope ratios (δ13Corg) of embedded organic matter in the sediments were analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IR-MS). Arsenic and Fe speciation of the sediments were determined by sequential extractions. Results and discussion The similar REE geochemistry of rocks from the Lang Mountains and sediments in the Hetao Basin indicated that the sediments originated from the Lang Mountains. The C/N ratio (~ 4 to ~ 10) in combination with δ13Corg (− 27‰ to −2 4‰) suggested that sediments were mainly deposited in aquatic environments. The unconfined aquifer equaled the lacustrine deposit with less intensive weathering during last glacial maximum (LGM). Here, the As content (average, 5.4 mg kg−1) was higher than in the aquifer sediments below (average, 3.6 mg kg−1). Conclusion Higher content of releasable As in combination with paleolake-derived organic matter aquifer sediments probably contributes to higher groundwater As concentration in the unconfined aquifer. This study provides the first insight into the impact of sedimentation history on As distributions in sediment profiles in the Hetao Basin.

show abstract

Linking microbial community composition to hydrogeochemistry in the western Hetao Basin: Potential importance of ammonium as an electron donor during arsenic mobilization

Cited by 69 publications

References 111 publications

Adaptation of Microbial Communities to Environmental Arsenic and Selection of Arsenite-Oxidizing Bacteria From Contaminated Groundwaters

Adaptation of Microbial Communities to Environmental Arsenic and Selection of Arsenite-Oxidizing Bacteria From Contaminated Groundwaters

Effects of in situ Remediation With Nanoscale Zero Valence Iron on the Physicochemical Conditions and Bacterial Communities of Groundwater Contaminated With Arsenic

Impact of sedimentation history for As distribution in Late Pleistocene-Holocene sediments in the Hetao Basin, China

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About