Variation of microbial communities and functional genes during the biofilm formation in raw water distribution systems and associated effects on the transformation of nitrogen pollutants

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the variation of microbial communities and functional genes during the biofilm formation in raw water distribution systems without prechlorination and associated effects on the transformation of nitrogen pollutants by using a designed model pipe system. The results showed the transformation of nitrogen pollutants was obvious during the biofilm formation. The richness and diversity of the microbial communities changed significantly. The higher abundance of Nitrospirae in biofilm samples significantly contributed to biological nitrification. In particular, the stable content of Bacteroidetes in the biofilm and soluble microbial products released by the biomass might have enhanced the increase in dissolved organic nitrogen. In addition, the variation tendency of nitrogen functional gene abundances and their strong effects on NH4+-N, NO2−-N, and NO3−-N transformation were clearly observed. These findings provide new insights into the evolution of microbial communities and functional genes during the initial operation period of real-world raw water distribution pipes and highlight management and possible safety issues in the subsequent water treatment process.