Yan Feng, Niu Zhiguang
School of Marine Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China.
Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 6;15(1):24107. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09201-w.
Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, including sewage discharge and tourism-related pollution, which alter microbial diversity and biochemical cycles. This study applied molecular techniques to examine the coral microbial diversity, and metabolite composition of seawater across five sites (A-E) in Dapeng Cove, South China Sea, to assess pollution impacts. Sites A and B, within the yacht tourism area, exhibited high microbial diversity, dominated by Synechococcus and Rhodobacteraceae, with minimal pollution effects. Site C, inside a domestic drainage channel, showed moderate pollution, with elevated nitrite (NO₂) and nitrate (NO₃) levels, microbial taxa linked to organic matter degradation, and increased hydroxy acids and indoles. Sites D and E, located in main sewage channels, experienced severe pollution, characterized by high salinity, low dissolved oxygen, and dominance of pollution-tolerant bacteria such as Exiguobacterium and Tepidibacter. Metabolite analysis revealed elevated fatty acyls, organonitrogen compounds, and amino acids at these sites, highlighting strong anthropogenic influence. Beta diversity analysis (NMDS and ANOSIM) confirmed distinct microbial community structures, while KEGG pathway analysis indicated shifts in metabolic functions, with enrichment in xenobiotic biodegradation and anaerobic respiration in sewage-impacted areas. These findings underscore the detrimental effects of wastewater discharge on microbial ecology and biochemical functions. Urgent interventions, including improved wastewater management and regular environmental monitoring, are recommended to mitigate pollution effects. Future research integrating multi-omics approaches is necessary to evaluate the long-term ecological consequences of pollution and climate variability on coastal microbial communities.
沿海生态系统正日益受到人为活动的威胁，包括污水排放和与旅游相关的污染，这些活动改变了微生物多样性和生化循环。本研究应用分子技术，对中国南海大鹏湾五个地点（A - E）的珊瑚微生物多样性和海水代谢物组成进行了检测，以评估污染影响。位于游艇旅游区内的A和B地点，微生物多样性高，以聚球藻属和红杆菌科为主，污染影响最小。位于生活排水渠道内的C地点，显示出中度污染，亚硝酸盐（NO₂）和硝酸盐（NO₃）水平升高，有与有机物降解相关的微生物分类群，以及羟基酸和吲哚增加。位于主要污水渠道的D和E地点，受到严重污染，其特征是盐度高、溶解氧低，以及耐污染细菌如微小杆菌属和嗜热栖热菌属占主导地位。代谢物分析显示，这些地点的脂肪酰基、有机氮化合物和氨基酸含量升高，突出了强烈的人为影响。β多样性分析（非度量多维尺度分析和相似性分析）证实了不同的微生物群落结构，而京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）通路分析表明代谢功能发生了变化，在受污水影响的区域，异生物质生物降解和厌氧呼吸有所富集。这些发现强调了废水排放对微生物生态学和生化功能的有害影响。建议采取紧急干预措施，包括改善废水管理和定期环境监测，以减轻污染影响。未来有必要整合多组学方法进行研究，以评估污染和气候变异性对沿海微生物群落的长期生态后果。
