Evaluation of changes in the microbial community structure in the sediments of a constructed wetland over the years

This study presents the results of the long term (2007–2014) monitoring of the microbial community structure in the surface sediments of the H-02 constructed wetland system, which was built on the Savannah River Site in Aiken, SC, USA, to treat the waste water generated at the Tritium facility. Microbial community structure provides valuable information about the functioning of constructed wetlands and helps understand the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and contaminants. Phospholipids fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and qPCR were used to identify major bacterial phyla in the sediments. The physiochemical properties of the sediments were also used to deduce potential effects on the microbial community structure over the years. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were the most dominant bacterial groups, and their prevalence was progressively increasing throughout the years most likely on the account of methane producers. Concentrations of trace metals (copper and zinc) were negatively associated with methane producers and oxidizer while positively correlated with SRB. Overall, the H-02 wetland system was efficient in immobilizing copper and zinc through the anaerobic respiration of sulfate by SRB and minimizing methane emission through the progressive elimination of methane producers by SRB and Geobacter. The aim of this study was to monitor the changes in the microbial community structure in the surface sediments of a constructed wetland during the first 7 years of operation.