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Nitrogen Transformations and Diversity of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in a Desert Ephemeral Stream Receiving Untreated Wastewater

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Abstract

Levels of inorganic nitrogen species (ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate), ammonia oxidation potential (AOP), and diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were studied in the sediments of a 50-km-long segment of an ephemeral stream in the Negev desert, receiving untreated wastewater. Water analysis in downstream sampling points showed reductions of 91.7% in biological oxygen demand, 87.7% in chemical oxygen demand, 73.9% in total nitrogen, and 72.8% in total ammonia nitrogen. Significant AOP levels in the sediment were detected mainly in the fall and spring seasons. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of AOB 16S rRNA gene fragments showed that in most sampling points, the streambed was dominated by Nitrosospira cluster 3 strains similar to those dominating the stream bank’s soils and sediments in nearby springs. Nitrosomonas strains introduced by discharged wastewater and others dominated some sections of the stream characterized by high organic carbon levels. The results suggest that climatic conditions in the Negev desert select for AOB belonging to Nitrosospira cluster 3, and these conditions dominate the aquatic environment effect along most of the stream sections. In addition, the nitrification–denitrification processes were not sufficient to reduce nitrogen levels in the sediment and prevent the eutrophication of some sections of the stream ecosystem. Thus, the discharge of high nitrogen wastewater into desert streams should be done carefully as it may endanger the already fragile ecosystem.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Middle East Research and Cooperation (MERC) Program of the U.S. Agency for International Development: Buraeu for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade. Project number M23-019.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Max-Planck-Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Str, 35043, Marburg, Germany

    Roey Angel

  2. THAL Group, 54 Ibn Gvirol St, Tel Aviv, 64364, Israel

    Lior Asaf

  3. Department of Environmental Hydrology and Microbiology, Zukerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede Boqer Campus, 84990, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel

    Zeev Ronen & Ali Nejidat

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  1. Roey Angel
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  2. Lior Asaf
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Correspondence to Ali Nejidat.

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Angel, R., Asaf, L., Ronen, Z. et al. Nitrogen Transformations and Diversity of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in a Desert Ephemeral Stream Receiving Untreated Wastewater. Microb Ecol 59, 46–58 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-009-9555-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-009-9555-3

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