Bacterial communities affected by the Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in sediments collected from six urban lakes in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, China

In our study, sediment samples were collected from six urban lakes in Nanjing in September 2021. These lakes are all located in the densely populated city center and are greatly influenced by human activities. The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technique was employed to characterize the sedimentary bacterial communities. Investigating the impact of PFAS on bacterial populations will offer a more precise assessment of the ever-changing environmental circumstances and potential interactions between sedimentary bacteria and contaminants, which could enhance a more holistic comprehension and evaluation of environmental risks.