Phenanthrene degradation in soil using biochar hybrid modified bio-microcapsules: Determining the mechanism of action via comparative metagenomic analysis

A strategy involving biochar (BC) hybrid modification was developed to promote the bioremediation effect of degrading bacteria immobilized in layer-by-layer assembly (LBL) microcapsules for the treatment of phenan-threne (PHE) polluted soil. A taxonomic and functional metagenomic approach was used to investigate changes in the microbial community structures and functional gene compositions in the PHE-polluted soil during the bio-remediation process. Biofortification with an initial PHE concentration of 100 mg kg(-1) dry soil in soils using the BC (3%) hybrid LBL bio-microcapsule (BC-LBL, 2.0 g kg(-1) dry soil, 107 colony forming unite cell g(-1) dry soil) was faster; further, a higher PHE degradation efficiency (80.5% after 25 d) was achieved when compared with that by the LBL agent (66.2% after 25 d) used. Sphingomonas, Streptomyces, Gemmatirosa, Ramlibacter, Flavisolibacter, Phycicoccus, Micromonospora, Acidobacter, Mycobacterium and Gemmatimonas were more abundant in BC-LBL treatment than those in LBL one. Functional gene annotation results showed that more gene number with BC-LBL treatment than those with LBL one. More abundant functions in the former were primarily related to the growth, reproduction, metabolism, and transportation of bacteria. BC hybridization promoting PHE degradation by microencapsulated bacteria may be due to the strong adsorption property of BC, which results in the enrichment of the nutrients that needed for bacterial growth and reproduction, as well as enhancing the mass transfer performance of PHE to BC-LBL; Meanwhile, BC could also stimulate and improve the metabolism and membrane transportation of the degrading bacteria, and finally improving the degradation function. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

A strategy involving biochar hybrid modification promotes the bioremediation of phenanthrene-polluted soil by enhancing the degradation efficiency of bacteria immobilized in layer-by-layer microcapsules. Taxonomic and functional metagenomic analysis shows changes in microbial community structures and functional gene compositions during the bioremediation process. Biofortification with biochar hybridized microcapsules resulted in faster degradation of phenanthrene and increased gene numbers related to bacterial growth, metabolism, and transportation functions.