Assessing Microbial Diversity in Soil Samples Along the Potomac River: Implications for Environmental Health

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the microbial diversity and community composition of soil samples collected from various sites along the Potomac River within an urbanized region. Our findings revealed the presence of both typical marine soil bacteria and bacterial taxa indicative of urbanization and waste runoff. We observed significant variations in microbial community structure and diversity across different sampling sites, highlighting the influence of environmental factors on microbial abundance and diversity. Through taxon set analysis, we identified shared taxa strongly associated with agricultural pollution, organochlorine pesticide contamination, and bromochloromethane pollution. Additionally, the study revealed potential disparities in human impact, water retention, and tidal/current effects among the soil samples. These insights carry significant implications for understanding the consequences of urbanization on soil microbial communities along the Potomac River and can inform strategies for managing and preserving these ecosystems. Further research is warranted to elucidate the effects of soil health and microbial diversity in this region.