16S rRNA gene sequencing of microbial communities under low dissolved oxygen in the Niuwan section of Xijiang River, China

This study investigates the structural and functional responses of riverine microbial communities to low dissolved oxygen (DO) stress. Water samples were collected from 12 distinct locations along both banks of the Niuwan section in the Xijiang River, China, capturing spatial heterogeneity in a hypoxia-prone freshwater ecosystem. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we aim to characterize the bacterial and archaeal community composition, identify key taxa associated with varying DO levels, and elucidate potential biogeochemical processes, particularly those linked to nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition under oxygen-deficient conditions. The findings are expected to enhance our understanding of microbial ecological dynamics in stressed aquatic environments and provide insights into the microbiome indicators of water quality deterioration.