Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction
Abstract Oil contamination in coastal wetlands jeopardizes these ecosystems and worsens climate warming. Here we analyze 87 metagenomic samples from representative Chinese wetland oilfields and find that genes associated with dissimilatory iron reduction respond to hydrocarbon levels. These genes we...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Communications Earth & Environment |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02062-1 |
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| _version_ | 1823861564320514048 |
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| author | Xiaolin Zhang Wendan Xue Guoliang Wang Jieliang Liang Qi Wang Yuhao Li Wensheng Shu Qixing Zhou |
| author_facet | Xiaolin Zhang Wendan Xue Guoliang Wang Jieliang Liang Qi Wang Yuhao Li Wensheng Shu Qixing Zhou |
| author_sort | Xiaolin Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Oil contamination in coastal wetlands jeopardizes these ecosystems and worsens climate warming. Here we analyze 87 metagenomic samples from representative Chinese wetland oilfields and find that genes associated with dissimilatory iron reduction respond to hydrocarbon levels. These genes were closely linked to the breakdown of organic matter into carbon dioxide and methane, highlighting the potential of dissimilatory iron reduction for degrading stubborn hydrocarbons and altering electron transfer pathways. Notably, Geobacter, a key genus for dissimilatory iron reduction, showed strong correlation with iron(II) production and hydrocarbon degradation. To validate these findings, a targeted enhancement of dissimilatory iron reduction with external iron oxide and Geobacter maximized carbon removal, transforming organic-bound fraction of iron into carbonate-bound fraction. The intensified iron reduction process reduced methane emissions by 38–40% and strengthened microbial interactions by redirecting electron transfer in carbon flow. Our study innovatively mitigates pollution and reduces methane emissions in oil-contaminated wetlands. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-63c6433522064febb1826e7c4d6c7274 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2662-4435 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Communications Earth & Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-63c6433522064febb1826e7c4d6c72742025-02-09T12:56:06ZengNature PortfolioCommunications Earth & Environment2662-44352025-02-016111210.1038/s43247-025-02062-1Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reductionXiaolin Zhang0Wendan Xue1Guoliang Wang2Jieliang Liang3Qi Wang4Yuhao Li5Wensheng Shu6Qixing Zhou7Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversityKey Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversityKey Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversitySchool of Life Sciences, South China Normal UniversityKey Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversityKey Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversitySchool of Life Sciences, South China Normal UniversityKey Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Carbon Neutrality Interdisciplinary Science Center / College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai UniversityAbstract Oil contamination in coastal wetlands jeopardizes these ecosystems and worsens climate warming. Here we analyze 87 metagenomic samples from representative Chinese wetland oilfields and find that genes associated with dissimilatory iron reduction respond to hydrocarbon levels. These genes were closely linked to the breakdown of organic matter into carbon dioxide and methane, highlighting the potential of dissimilatory iron reduction for degrading stubborn hydrocarbons and altering electron transfer pathways. Notably, Geobacter, a key genus for dissimilatory iron reduction, showed strong correlation with iron(II) production and hydrocarbon degradation. To validate these findings, a targeted enhancement of dissimilatory iron reduction with external iron oxide and Geobacter maximized carbon removal, transforming organic-bound fraction of iron into carbonate-bound fraction. The intensified iron reduction process reduced methane emissions by 38–40% and strengthened microbial interactions by redirecting electron transfer in carbon flow. Our study innovatively mitigates pollution and reduces methane emissions in oil-contaminated wetlands.https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02062-1 |
| spellingShingle | Xiaolin Zhang Wendan Xue Guoliang Wang Jieliang Liang Qi Wang Yuhao Li Wensheng Shu Qixing Zhou Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction Communications Earth & Environment |
| title | Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction |
| title_full | Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction |
| title_fullStr | Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction |
| title_short | Biogeochemical coupling of C/Fe in oil-polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction |
| title_sort | biogeochemical coupling of c fe in oil polluted wetlands associated with iron reduction |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-025-02062-1 |
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