Investigating the microbial community structure and abundance of functional genes responsible for nitrogen processing in stormwater biofilters. Microbial community and functional genes abundance in stormwater biofilters

Stormwater biofiltration systems (also known as biofilters, bioretention, rain gardens) are engineered nature-based solutions, which help mitigate aquatic nitrogen pollution arising from storm runoff. A large scale laboratory experiment was undertaken that measured the microbial community structure to investigate nitrogen processing under two different temperature conditions (2 0C and 15 0C) in the presence of four distinct plant species. DNA metagenomics and 16S profiling were used to quantify the microbial community structure and abundance of functional genes and explain changes in nitrogen cycling processes across the different design (plant type) and operational (temperature) factors.