Metagenomes of Carex aquatilis rhizosphere and root samples from a pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system for the remediation of oil sands process-affected water

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are a complex mixture of organic compounds released during bitumen extraction from mined oil sands that are the main contaminants of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW). The ability of microorganisms to degrade NAs can be exploited for bioremediation of OSPW in constructed wetland treatment systems (CWTS). An in-depth understanding of how biological processes in these systems operate is needed to enhance treatment efficacy. Here, we used shotgun metagenomics to characterize microbial communities and explore NA degradation genes in the rhizosphere and roots of Carex aquatilis plants from a full-scale pilot CWTS of the Alberta Oil Sands region, Canada.