Whole-genome resequencing of rhizospheric bacteria from a chlor-alkali Hg-contaminated soil

This study aims to perform whole-genome resequencing of rhizospheric bacteria isolated from a mercury (Hg)-contaminated soil associated with a former chlor-alkali storage site in Saint-Symphorien-sur-Saone, Cote dOr, France (Latitude: 47 5' 5.985'' N, Longitude: 5 19' 44.0322'' E), which was exploited from the 1950s until 2003 for the storage of Hg-contaminated waste. Conducted as part of the EU HORIZON-BIOSYSMO project, the research seeks to characterize the genetic adaptations and functional potential of these bacteria, with particular emphasis on genes and pathways linked to heavy metal resistance, detoxification, and beneficial plant-microbe interactions. The outcomes of this study are highly relevant for advancing our understanding of microbial resilience in long-term contaminated environments and for developing sustainable bioremediation strategies to mitigate the ecological and health impacts of mercury pollution.