Functional genes of ammonia oxidizing microorganisms in sediments of western Antarctic lakes

In this study, we collected 21 sediment samples from 7 lakes in western Antarctica, to investigate the abundance and niche differentiation of comammox and other ammonia oxidizers in Antarctic lake sediments. Specifically, our main objectives were (1) to investigate the distribution patterns and community structure of comammox and other ammonia oxides (AOA, AOB) in Antarctic lake sediments, (2) to study environmental factors that affect their distribution and community structure, and (3) to investigate the ecological niche preferences of ammonia oxidizers in Antarctic lake sediments. This study will enhance our understanding of nitrogen transformation processes and their distribution patterns in sediments of Antarctic lakes.

本研究从南极西部7个湖泊中共采集21份沉积物样本，旨在探究南极湖泊沉积物中完全氨氧化菌（comammox）及其他氨氧化微生物的丰度与生态位分化特征。具体而言，本研究的核心目标包括：1）探明南极湖泊沉积物中完全氨氧化菌及其他氨氧化微生物（氨氧化古菌AOA、氨氧化细菌AOB）的分布模式与群落结构；2）解析影响其分布与群落结构的环境驱动因子；3）探究南极湖泊沉积物中氨氧化微生物的生态位偏好。本研究将深化我们对南极湖泊沉积物中氮转化过程及其分布规律的认知。