Interactions between heavy metals and bacteria in mangroves. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, Shanshan; Peng, Tao; Pratush, Amit; Huang, Tongwang; Hu, Zhong
• Is Part Of: Marine pollution bulletin. Volume 172(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Mangrove -- Heavy metal -- Bacterial communities -- Interaction; Marine pollution -- Periodicals; Marine Biology -- Periodicals; Water Pollution -- Periodicals; Mer -- Pollution -- Périodiques; Publications périodiques; Pollution des mers; Lutte antipollution; Electronic journals; 363.7394
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112846
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0025-326X

Abstract

Abstract: Environmental heavy metal pollution has become a serious problem in recent years. Therefore, our study investigated seven heavy metal-contaminated mangroves (Beihai, Fangchenggang, Hainan, Hongkong, Shenzhen, Yunxiao, and Zhanjiang) in southern China, and found that they were particularly polluted with Zn and Pb. These heavy metals were mainly distributed in the surface sediments of the mangroves. Among these seven mangroves, the Shenzhen mangrove was the most polluted site, whereas the Beihai mangrove was the least polluted. Moreover, the bacterial communities in the mangroves were significantly associated with heavy metal contamination. For instance, Fusibacter was significantly correlated with Pb, Zn, Cu, Co, Ni, Cd, and Ag ( P < 0.05, R = −0.47). Syntrophorhabdus was also significantly correlated with heavy metals (P < 0.05, R = 0.63). Furthermore, Geo-Chip analyses were conducted to demonstrate the involvement of many functional genes in heavy metal transport, particularly Ni transport. Our results also demonstrated that the heavy metals could be transported by various bacteria. For example, Pseudomonas and Burkholderi a were involved in various heavy metal transportation mechanisms, particularly for Ni and Zn, suggesting that these bacteria could be used for heavy metal remediation. Therefore, our study provides insights into the interactions between bacterial communities and heavy metals, which could enable the development of novel mangrove protection strategies. Highlights: The mangroves studied herein were mainly polluted with Pb and Zn. Fusibacter and Syntrophorhabdus were strongly correlated with heavy metals. Several genes involved in heavy metal transport were detected. Pseudomonas and Burkholderi a could be used for heavy metal remediation.