Prokaryotic viruses impact functional microorganisms in nutrient removal and carbon cycle in wastewater treatment plants

As one of the largest biotechnological applications, activated sludge (AS) systems in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) harbor enormous viruses, with 10-1,000-fold higher concentrations than in natural environments. However, the compositional variation and host-connections of AS viruses remain poorly explored. Here, we report a catalogue of similar to 50,000 prokaryotic viruses from six WWTPs, increasing the number of described viral species of AS by 23-fold, and showing the very high viral diversity which is largely unknown (98.4-99.6% of total viral contigs). Most viral genera are represented in more than one AS system with 53 identified across all. Viral infection widely spans 8 archaeal and 58 bacterial phyla, linking viruses with aerobic/anaerobic heterotrophs, and other functional microorganisms controlling nitrogen/phosphorous removal. Notably, Mycobacterium, notorious for causing AS foaming, is associated with 402 viral genera. Our findings expand the current AS virus catalogue and provide reference for the phage treatment to control undesired microorganisms in WWTPs.

Automated summary

This study presents a catalogue of approximately 50,000 prokaryotic viruses from six WWTPs, significantly increasing the known diversity of AS viruses. Most viral genera are found in multiple AS systems, spanning various archaeal and bacterial phyla, and linked with functional microorganisms controlling nitrogen/phosphorous removal. Notably, Mycobacterium, associated with AS foaming, is connected with 402 viral genera. These findings expand the current AS virus catalogue and provide insights for phage treatment in controlling undesired microorganisms in WWTPs.