ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Microbial Zonation Mechanism and Low-Cost
Restoration Strategy of Iron and Manganese
Cycle in Riverbank Filtration System Based
on Multi-Omics: An Empirical Study of
Three-Level Redox Gradient Model
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1
School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
2
Syneos Health Inc. Ltd, Shanghai 200040, China
Submission date: 2025-07-17
Final revision date: 2025-08-12
Acceptance date: 2025-08-23
Online publication date: 2025-12-01
Corresponding author
Wenlong Liu
School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
Jun Pan
School of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Shenyang Jianzhu University, Shenyang 110168, China
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ABSTRACT
This study elucidates how riverbank filtration alters hyporheic zone hydrodynamics and redox
conditions to drive Fe²⁺/Mn²⁺ transformations via microbial processes. It aims to quantify the spatial
heterogeneity of Fe²⁺/Mn²⁺ cycling microbial metabolism and metal migration in the riverside filtration
system; then, a three-layer redox gradient model and repair strategy with engineering applicability
are established. The purpose is to provide a theoretical basis for microbial regulation to reduce heavy
metal pollution. Multi-omics analyses (16S rRNA sequencing, hydrogeochemistry, metagenomics)
in the Liaohe River revealed, in shallow zones (0-17 m), Proteobacteria (38.7%) and iron-reducers
(Geobacter) correlated with Fe²⁺ (R² = 0.83), indicating dissimilatory iron reduction dominates iron
mobilization. In deep zones (17-350 m), sulfate-reducers (Desulfobacca) generated S²⁻ to precipitate
Mn²⁺/Fe²⁺ (removal: 40-60%). A novel three-tier microbial redox-driven zonation model delineated
O₂/NO₃⁻-reducing (0-5 m), Fe³⁺/Mn⁴⁺-reducing (5-17 m), and SO₄²⁻-reducing zones (17-350 m) with 85%
prediction accuracy at the same latitude. Field implementations reduced treatment costs versus chemical
methods, proving scalability for developing regions.