Title: In-sight into microbial structure and function of an Eastern Obolo estuarine water using metagenomics

Authors: Uwem O. Edet; Ini Ubi Bassey; Iniobong Ebenge Andy; Rose U.B. Ebana; Udotong Ime Rufus

Addresses: Microbiology Department, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Obong University, Etim Ekpo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria ' Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115 Calabar, Nigeria ' Microbiology Department, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Calabar, PMB 1115 Calabar, Nigeria ' Microbiology Department, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Obong University, Etim Ekpo LGA, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria; Microbiology Department, Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Arthur Jarvis University, Akpabuyo, Cross River State, Nigeria ' Microbiology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Uyo, PMB 1017 Uyo, Nigeria

Abstract: Estuary microbes play several crucial roles that are not fully understood. We utilised metagenomics, a culture-independent technique to evaluate microbial composition and functions in an estuary. Sampling and physicochemical analyses were carried out using standard techniques. Extracted metagenomic DNA was sequenced using next-generation sequencing on the Illumina Miseq platform. In addition to taxonomic analysis, functional genes assessment was carried out using several pipelines for a robust analysis. The result of the physicochemical analysis showed anthropogenic influence on the estuarine water. Structural composition revealed two kingdoms (bacteria and archaea), and the dominant phyla to be firmicutes and proteobacteria. All three pipelines combined showed genes associated with energy metabolisms, post-translational modifications, and environmental information processing. Interestingly, these functions were linked to either proteobacteria (alpha and gamma proteobacteria) or firmicutes. The wide array of energy metabolisms and environmental information processing pathways confirm microbial versatility in an estuary. Evaluation of microbial structure and function as done in this study can infer the status of an ecosystem.

Keywords: metagenomics; bioinformatics; Niger-Delta; estuary; microbial function.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2025.143506

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2025 Vol.36 No.1, pp.111 - 126

Accepted: 06 Jul 2022
Published online: 30 Dec 2024 *

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