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Research article2009Peer reviewedOpen access

Structure and function of denitrifying and nitrifying bacterial communities in relation to the plant species in a constructed wetland

Ruiz-Rueda, Olaya; Hallin, Sara Gates; Baneras, Lluis

Abstract

The community structure and potential activities of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria were studied in the rhizosphere of Typha latifolia and Phragmites australis present in a free water system constructed wetland (CW). Potential nitrate reduction and nitrification activities were shown to be significantly higher in the rhizosphere when compared with the nonvegetated sediment. Higher rates were generally obtained for P. australis. The community structure of denitrifying bacteria in the rhizosphere differed from that found at the bulk sediment, as revealed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the nitrous oxide reductase encoding gene nosZ. Results also show a greater nosZ genotype diversification and suggest a plant species effect in rhizosphere samples obtained during events of low hydraulic retention times. Ammonia-oxidizing communities were less complex on the basis of PCR-DGGE analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. Retrieved sequences were all related to Nitrosomonas marina and Nitrosomonas ureae, being both present in rhizosphere and bulk sediment regardless of environmental changes. The results demonstrate the effect of vegetation on the functioning and structure of bacterial communities involved in the removal of nitrogen in the treatment cells of a CW and point to the use of vegetation coverage to promote nitrification or denitrification in particular areas.

Keywords

denitrifying bacteria; vegetation; rhizosphere; nosZ gene; constructed wetland

Published in

FEMS Microbiology Ecology
2009, Volume: 67, number: 2, pages: 308-319
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

    Sustainable Development Goals

    SDG6 Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

    UKÄ Subject classification

    Microbiology
    Ecology

    Publication identifier

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-6941.2008.00615.x

    Permanent link to this page (URI)

    https://res.slu.se/id/publ/61651