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Lin K, Jian J, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Li S, Zhao Y, Xu H. Study on Plant-blanket to reduce heavy metal migration caused by precipitation and to improve the soil environment of pyritic tailings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 939:173376. [PMID: 38795991 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
The increasing demand for mineral resources due to industrial development has led to significant tailings pollution during the mineral extraction process. In the southwestern region of China, a large amount of pyritic tailings containing pyrite cinder easily leaches heavy metals and other pollutants when exposed to precipitation, resulting in widespread soil contamination. Effective remediation methods are urgently needed to address this issue. This study utilized naturally occurring Plant-blanket formed by the symbiosis of moss and herbaceous plants on pyritic tailings as restoration material. Through leaching experiments and staining tracer techniques, the study investigated the ability of Plant-blanket to reduce the migration of heavy metals from pyrite cinder to soil under the influence of precipitation and its role in improving the soil environment. The results showed that within 12 h, the Plant-blanket could absorb water equivalent to 206.9 % of its own weight and had good water retention ability. It reduced the stained area ratio of soil horizontal and vertical profiles after precipitation leaching by a maximum of 76.08 % and 46.41 %, respectively, and improved the pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), bulk density, and water content of soil at different depths. In addition, after being covered by Plant-blanket, the migration of Cd and Cu was reduced by a maximum of 44.35 % and 55.77 % respectively, and it increased the diversity and abundance of bacterial communities, promoting the recovery of soil microbial ecological functions. These findings indicate that Plant-blanket can regulate water and improve soil environment, and has certain control ability on the migration of Cd and Cu produced by pyritic tailings. Meanwhile, Plant-blanket plays an important role in improving the soil environment in mining areas and promoting ecosystem restoration, providing valuable reference for further exploration of ecological restoration of tailings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangkai Lin
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Jiannan Jian
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yumei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yikai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Shiyao Li
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Yun Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Heng Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, Sichuan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environment Protection, Soil ecological protection and pollution control, Sichuan University & Department of Ecology and Environment of Sichuan, Chengdu 61006510, Sichuan, PR China.
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Mao W, Wu Y, Li Q, Xiang Y, Tang W, Hu H, Ji X, Li H. Seed endophytes and rhizosphere microbiome of Imperata cylindrica, a pioneer plant of abandoned mine lands. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1415329. [PMID: 39113844 PMCID: PMC11303138 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1415329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Some plant-associated microorganisms could improve host plants biotic and abiotic stress tolerance. Imperata cylindrica is a dominant pioneer plant in some abandoned mine lands with higher concentrations of heavy metal (HM). To discover the specific microbiome of I. cylindrica in this extreme environment and evaluate its role, the microbiome of I. cylindrica's seeds and rhizosphere soils from HM heavily contaminated (H) and lightly contaminated (L) sites were studied. It was found that HM-contamination significantly reduced the richness of endophytic bacteria in seeds, but increased the abundance of resistant species, such as Massilia sp. and Duganella sp. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis showed that both Massilia sp. and Duganella sp. showed a significant positive correlation with Zn concentration, indicating that it may have a strong tolerance to Zn. A comparison of the microbiome of rhizosphere soils (RS) and adjacent bare soils (BS) of site H showed that I. cylindrica colonization significantly increased the diversity of fungi in rhizosphere soil and the abundance of Ascomycota associated with soil nutrient cycling. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient analysis showed that Ascomycota was positively correlated with the total nitrogen. Combined with the fact that the total nitrogen content of RS was significantly higher than that of BS, we suppose that Ascomycota may enhance the nitrogen fixation of I. cylindrica, thereby promoting its growth in such an extreme environment. In conclusion, the concentration of HM and nutrient contents in the soil significantly affected the microbial community of rhizosphere soils and seeds of I. cylindrica, in turn, the different microbiomes further affected soil HM concentration and nutrient contents. The survival of I. cylindrica in HM severely contaminated environment may mainly be through recruiting more microorganisms that can enhance its nutrition supply.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqin Mao
- Life Science and Technology and Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Ying Wu
- The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Qiaohong Li
- The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
| | - Yingying Xiang
- The Affiliated Yanan Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wenting Tang
- Life Science and Technology and Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Haiyan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiuling Ji
- Life Science and Technology and Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Haiyan Li
- Life Science and Technology and Medical Faculty, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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Mishra S, Zhang X, Yang X. Plant communication with rhizosphere microbes can be revealed by understanding microbial functional gene composition. Microbiol Res 2024; 284:127726. [PMID: 38643524 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2024.127726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Understanding rhizosphere microbial ecology is necessary to reveal the interplay between plants and associated microbial communities. The significance of rhizosphere-microbial interactions in plant growth promotion, mediated by several key processes such as auxin synthesis, enhanced nutrient uptake, stress alleviation, disease resistance, etc., is unquestionable and well reported in numerous literature. Moreover, rhizosphere research has witnessed tremendous progress due to the integration of the metagenomics approach and further shift in our viewpoint from taxonomic to functional diversity over the past decades. The microbial functional genes corresponding to the beneficial functions provide a solid foundation for the successful establishment of positive plant-microbe interactions. The microbial functional gene composition in the rhizosphere can be regulated by several factors, e.g., the nutritional requirements of plants, soil chemistry, soil nutrient status, pathogen attack, abiotic stresses, etc. Knowing the pattern of functional gene composition in the rhizosphere can shed light on the dynamics of rhizosphere microbial ecology and the strength of cooperation between plants and associated microbes. This knowledge is crucial to realizing how microbial functions respond to unprecedented challenges which are obvious in the Anthropocene. Unraveling how microbes-mediated beneficial functions will change under the influence of several challenges, requires knowledge of the pattern and composition of functional genes corresponding to beneficial functions such as biogeochemical functions (nutrient cycle), plant growth promotion, stress mitigation, etc. Here, we focus on the molecular traits of plant growth-promoting functions delivered by a set of microbial functional genes that can be useful to the emerging field of rhizosphere functional ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandhya Mishra
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan 666303, China.
| | - Xianxian Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan 666303, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaodong Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tropical Forest Ecology, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Yunnan 666303, China.
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Wang S, Yuan X, Li T, Yang J, Zhao L, Yuan D, Guo Z, Liu C, Duan C. Changes in soil microbe-mediated carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling during spontaneous succession in abandoned PbZn mining areas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:171018. [PMID: 38378054 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
The mechanism through which soil microorganisms mediate carbon and nutrient cycling during mine wasteland restoration remained unknown. Using soil metagenome sequencing, we investigated the dynamic changes in soil microbial potential metabolic functions during the transition from biological soil crusts (BSC) to mixed broad-conifer forest (MBF) in a typical PbZn mine. The results showed soil microorganisms favored carbon sequestration through anaerobic and microaerobic pathways, predominantly using efficient, low-energy pathways during succession. Genes governing carbon degradation and aerobic respiration increased by 19.56 % and 24.79 %, respectively, reflecting change toward more efficient and intensive soil carbon utilization in late succession. Nitrogen-cycling genes mediated by soil microorganisms met their maximum influence during early succession (sparse grassland, SGL), leading to a respective increase of 75.29 % and 76.81 % in the net potential nitrification rate and total nitrogen content. Mantel and correlation analyses indicated that TOC, TN, Zn and Cd contents were the main factors affecting the soil carbon and phosphorus cycles. Soil AP content emerged as the primary influencer of genes associated with the nitrogen cycle. These results shed light on the dynamic shifts in microbial metabolic activities during succession, providing a genetic insight into biogeochemical cycling mechanisms and underscoring crucial factors influencing soil biogeochemical processes in mining regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sichen Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Xinqi Yuan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Ting Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Luoqi Zhao
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Duanyang Yuan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Zhaolai Guo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Chang'e Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China
| | - Changqun Duan
- Yunnan Key Laboratory for Plateau Mountain Ecology and Restoration of Degraded Environments, School of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China; Yunnan International Joint Research Center of Plateau Lake Ecological Restoration and Watershed Management, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
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Wang YW, Bai DS, Luo XG, Zhang Y. Effects of Setaria viridis on heavy metal enrichment tolerance and bacterial community establishment in high-sulfur coal gangue. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 351:141265. [PMID: 38246497 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Plant enrichment and tolerance to heavy metals are crucial for the phytoremediation of coal gangue mountain. However, understanding of how plants mobilize and tolerate heavy metals in coal gangue is limited. This study conducted potted experiments using Setaria viridis as a pioneer remediation plant to evaluate its tolerance to coal gangue, its mobilization and enrichment of metals, and its impact on the soil environment. Results showed that the addition of 40% gangue enhanced plant metal and oxidative stress resistance, thereby promoting plant growth. However, over 80% of the gangue inhibited the chlorophyll content, photoelectron conduction rate, and biomass of S. viridis, leading to cellular peroxidative stress. An analysis of metal resistance showed that endogenous S in coal gangue promoted the accumulation of glutathione, plant metal chelators, and non-protein thiols, thereby enhancing its resistance to metal stress. Setaria viridis cultivation affected soil properties by decreasing nitrogen, phosphorus, conductivity, and urease and increasing sucrase and acid phosphatase in the rhizosphere soil. In addition, S. viridis planting increased V, Cr, Ni, As, and Zn in the exchangeable and carbonate-bound states within the gangue, effectively enriching Cd, Cr, Fe, S, U, Cu, and V. The increased mobility of Cd and Pb was correlated with a higher abundance of Proteobacteria and Acidobacteria. Heavy metals, such as As, Fe, V, Mn, Ni, and Cu, along with environmental factors, including total nitrogen, total phosphorus, urease, and acid phosphatase, were the primary regulatory factors for Sphingomonas, Gemmatimonas, and Bryobacter. In summary, S. viridis adapted to gangue stress by modulating antioxidant and elemental enrichment systems and regulating the release and uptake of heavy metals through enhanced bacterial abundance and the recruitment of gangue-tolerant bacteria. These findings highlight the potential of S. viridis for plant enrichment in coal gangue areas and will aid the restoration and remediation of these environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wang Wang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | | | - Xue-Gang Luo
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Engineering, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China; Engineering Research Center of Biomass Materials, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, 621010, China.
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Cheng K, Li X, Tong M, Jong MC, Cai Z, Zheng H, Xiao B, Zhou J. Integrated metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses reveal bacterial micro-ecological mechanisms in coral bleaching. mSystems 2023; 8:e0050523. [PMID: 37882797 PMCID: PMC10734480 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00505-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Coral reefs worldwide are facing rapid decline due to coral bleaching. However, knowledge of the physiological characteristics and molecular mechanisms of coral symbionts respond to stress is scarce. Here, metagenomic and metaproteomic approaches were utilized to shed light on the changes in the composition and functions of coral symbiotic bacteria during coral bleaching. The results demonstrated that coral bleaching significantly affected the composition of symbionts, with bacterial communities dominating in bleached corals. Through differential analyses of gene and protein expression, it becomes evident that symbionts experience functional disturbances in response to heat stress. These disturbances result in abnormal energy metabolism, which could potentially compromise the health and resilience of the symbionts. Furthermore, our findings highlighted the highly diverse microbial communities of coral symbionts, with beneficial bacteria providing critical services to corals in stress responses and pathogenic bacteria driving coral bleaching. This study provides comprehensive insights into the complex response mechanisms of coral symbionts under heat stress from the micro-ecological perspective and offers fundamental data for future monitoring of coral health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Cheng
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyang Li
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Mengmeng Tong
- Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mui-Choo Jong
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhonghua Cai
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Huina Zheng
- Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Baohua Xiao
- Shenzhen Institute of Guangdong Ocean University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin Zhou
- Shenzhen Public Platform for Screening and Application of Marine Microbial Resources, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Shan S, Wei Z, Cheng W, Du D, Zheng D, Ma G. Biofertilizer based on halotolerant microorganisms promotes the growth of rice plants and alleviates the effects of saline stress. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1165631. [PMID: 37362923 PMCID: PMC10288287 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1165631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term soil salinization easily contributes to soil hardness, soil nutrient imbalance, and soil microbial diversity reduction, resulting in low rice yields in the salinized fields, and microbial remediation is one of the important measures to improve salinized soil. To verify the effect of biofertilizer based on halotolerant microorganisms on promoting rice growth and alleviating saline stress, this study discussed the effects of biofertilizer on soil microbial diversity and community structure and analyzed the correlation between the formation of microbial community structure and soil nutrient factors in the salinized field. The result, in comparison with applying inorganic fertilizer (referred to as CK), showed that notably increased soil available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and rice paddy yield (p < 0.05) and significantly decreased soil electrical conductivity (p < 0.05) were achieved via biofertilizer (referred to as G2). Additionally, the application of biofertilizer contributes to the increase in soil microbial diversity and reorganization of microbial community structure, and through the analysis of linear discriminant analysis effect size, a notable difference in relative abundance was found in 13 genera, 6 families, and 3 orders between the control group and experimental groups (p < 0.05), and by linear discriminant analysis, Desulfomonas was further identified as the differentiated indicator. The redundancy analysis showed that available phosphorus and cation exchange capacity were the key environmental factors that affected microbial community structure and composition. Through bacterial functional prediction, increased rhizosphere soil bacterial metabolism, enzyme activity, membrane transport, and other potential functions were achieved by applying biofertilizer. Therefore, the application of biofertilizer could significantly alleviate rice growth stress and increase nutrient supply capacity in saline soil. These findings provide theoretical support for soil microbial improvement technology in the salinized field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiping Shan
- Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhongwei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Dongxia Du
- Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | | | - Guohui Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Hybrid Rice, Hunan Hybrid Rice Research Center, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
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Zhang S, Li T, Hu J, Li K, Liu D, Li H, Wang F, Chen D, Zhang Z, Fan Q, Cui X, Che R. Reforestation substantially changed the soil antibiotic resistome and its relationships with metal resistance genes, mobile genetic elements, and pathogens. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 342:118037. [PMID: 37178462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Revealing the effects of reforestation on soil antibiotic resistome is essential for assessing ecosystem health, yet related studies remain scarce. Here, to determine the responses of the soil antibiotic resistome to reforestation, 30 pairs of cropland and forest soil samples were collected from southwestern China, a region with high environmental heterogeneity. All the forests had been derived from croplands more than one decade ago. The diversity and abundance of soil antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), metal resistance genes (MRGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and pathogens were determined by metagenomic sequencing and real-time PCR. The results showed that reforestation significantly increased soil microbial abundance and the contents of Cu, total carbon, total nitrogen, total organic carbon, and ammonium nitrogen. Nevertheless, it decreased the contents of soil Zn, Ba, nitrate nitrogen, and available phosphorus. The main soil ARGs identified in this region were vancomycin, multidrug, and bacitracin resistance genes. Reforestation significantly increased the soil ARG abundance by 62.58%, while it decreased the ARG richness by 16.50%. Reforestation exerted no significant effects on the abundance of heavy metal resistance genes and pathogens, but it doubled the abundance of MGEs. Additionally, reforestation substantially decreased the co-occurrence frequencies of ARGs with MRGs and pathogens. In contrast, the correlation between ARGs and MGEs was greatly enhanced by reforestation. Similarly, the correlations between soil ARG abundance and environmental factors were also strengthened by reforestation. These findings suggest that reforestation can substantially affect the soil antibiotic resistome and exerts overall positive effects on soil health by decreasing ARG richness, providing critical information for assessing the effects of "grain for green" project on soil health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Zhang
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Ting Li
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China; College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jinming Hu
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Kexin Li
- Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130102, China
| | - Dong Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650091, China
| | - Haixia Li
- Faculty of Land Resource Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650093, China
| | - Fang Wang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Danhong Chen
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Zejin Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiuping Fan
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Xiaoyong Cui
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Rongxiao Che
- Institute of International Rivers and Eco-security, Yunnan Key Laboratory of International Rivers and Transboundary Eco-Security, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China.
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