Genome-Resolved Metagenomic Insights into Aquifer Microbiome Adaptations
Following Two Decades of Neutral In-Situ Leaching
Abstract
Neutral in-situ leaching (ISL) is a prominent technique for extracting
uranium (U) from sandstone-type U deposits. However, the intricate
biogeochemical processes and associated microbial communities in
environments subjected to prolonged neutral in-situ U leaching remain
insufficiently understood. Here, capitalizing on groundwater samples
collected from an area subjected to two decades of ISL (Undergoing-ISL)
and a background aquifer (Pre-ISL) at the Qianjiadian U mining site (the
first CO2+O2 ISL site located in the Songliao Basin of northern China)
we investigate the responses of aquifer microbiomes to CO2+O2 ISL using
genome-resolved metagenomics resulting in a total of 315 good-quality
bacterial metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and 5 archaeal genomes.
Five putative keystone MAGs were identified based on their high
connection degree and low betweenness centrality within the
co-occurrence network of reconstructed MAGs, notably highlighting the
prevalence of microorganisms involved in sulfur, ammonium, and Fe(Ⅱ)
oxidation, which are integral to facilitating U(Ⅳ) oxidation during
CO2+O2 ISL. In particular, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria and Fe(Ⅱ)-oxidizing
bacteria (Rhodoferax and SHZL01) played a key role in U mobilization
during long-term neutral ISL. These findings enhance our understanding
of subsurface microbial ecology and hold significant implications for
bioremediation strategies and groundwater management in regions affected
by mining.