Deciphering the microbial community composition and metabolic potential in soils contaminated by five industrial activities

Microbial communities are a crucial component of soil resources and play keyroles in a variety of biogeochemical processes. However, in the process ofindustrialization, the operation, transformation, relocation and other activities ofchemical companies inevitably make soil microorganisms face harsh and complexpressures from chemical pollutants. Additionally, single-factor biological toxicity testsare difficult to reflect the true situation of contaminated soil environments. In this study,we employed nontarget screening-coupled high-performance chromatography withhigh-resolution mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA Illumina high-throughputsequencing technology along with molecular ecological network analysis to investigateand compare the differences in soil microbial community structure and compositionacross seven distinct contaminated sites in China. Additionally, we explored theinteractions among microbial species and analyzed the correlations betweenmicroorganisms and environmental factors. Phthalates, biphenyls, benzene, polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbon, anilines, and phenols were predominant in soil samples.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons group were typical representative pollutants in soilat seven contaminated sites. Statistical analysis revealed that Comamonas aquatica andDeltaproteobacteria showed significant positive correlations with naphthalene andbenzene substituents. Aniline compounds and high molecular weight PAHs wereprimary drivers reducing soil microbial richness and community complexity. KEGGand COG based functional prediction indicates that soil microbiomes at differentcontaminated sites adapt to chemical pollution and remodel community functionsthroughanintegratedmembrane transport-regulation-catabolism response,characterized by site-specific enrichment of efflux pumps, transport systems, andxenobiotic degradation pathways. This work provides effective information andscientific support for management of emerging contaminants in chemicallycontaminated soil.