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Dissimilatory nitrate reduction and functional genes in two subtropical rivers, China

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Abstract

Dissimilatory nitrate reduction processes, including denitrification, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), are important pathways of nitrate transformation in the aquatic environments. In this study, we investigated potential rates of denitrification, anammox, and DNRA in the sediments of two subtropical rivers, Jinshui River and Qi River, with different intensities of human activities in their respective catchment, China. Our objectives were to assess the seasonality of dissimilatory nitrate reduction rates, quantify their respective contributions to nitrate reduction, and reveal the relationship between dissimilatory nitrate reduction rates, functional gene abundances, and physicochemicals in the river ecosystems. Our results showed higher rates of denitrification and anammox in the intensively disturbed areas in autumn and spring, and higher potential DNRA in the slightly disturbed areas in summer. Generally, denitrification, anammox, and DNRA were higher in summer, autumn, and spring, respectively. Relative contributions of nitrate reduction from denitrification, anammox, and DNRA were quite different in different seasons. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction rates and gene abundances correlated significantly with water temperature, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), sediment total organic carbon (SOC), NO3-, NH4+, DOC/NO3-, iron ions, and sulfide. Understanding dissimilatory nitrate reduction is essential for restoring nitrate reduction capacity and improving and sustaining ecohealth of the river ecosystems.

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Availability of data and materials

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Funding

This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 32030069, 31720103905).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Binjie Zhao, Xinshuai Li, Yang Wang, Xiang Tan, Wenhua Qi, Hongran Li, Junwei Wei, Wenjun Shi & Quanfa Zhang

  2. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China

    Binjie Zhao, Xinshuai Li, Yang Wang, Wenhua Qi, Hongran Li & Wenjun Shi

  3. Center of Plant Ecology, Core Botanical Gardens, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, China

    Xiang Tan & Quanfa Zhang

  4. Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China

    Junwei Wei

  5. College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China

    Junwei Wei

  6. College of Land and Resources, China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, China

    Yong You

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  1. Binjie Zhao
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  9. Wenjun Shi
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  10. Quanfa Zhang
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Contributions

Conceptualization: Binjie Zhao and Quanfa Zhang; Sampling: Binjie Zhao, Xinshuai Li, and Yang Wang; Formal analysis and investigation: Binjie Zhao, Wenhua Qi, and Hongran Li; Writing—original draft preparation: Binjie Zhao, Xinshuai Li, Yang Wang, Xiang Tan, Wenhua Qi, Hongran Li, Junwei Wei, Yong You, and Wenjun Shi; Writing—review and editing: Binjie Zhao and Quanfa Zhang; Funding acquisition: Quanfa Zhang; Supervision: Quanfa Zhang. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Quanfa Zhang.

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Zhao, B., Li, X., Wang, Y. et al. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction and functional genes in two subtropical rivers, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 68155–68173 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-15197-3

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