eDNA-based assessment of microbial dynamics in response to persistent contaminants and degraded water quality in a hypereutrophic urban reservoir

Abstract

Urban freshwater ecosystems are increasingly exposed to mixtures of pollutants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). However, their ecological effects remain poorly understood, especially in tropical regions with limited sanitation infrastructure. This study investigated PFAS contamination, water quality, and microbial community structure in Pampulha Lake, a tropical urban reservoir in southeastern Brazil. Spatiotemporal patterns in prokaryotic and eukaryotic diversity were assessed over a year (2022–2023) using environmental DNA metabarcoding of 16S and 18S rRNA genes by integrating taxonomic data with PFAS concentrations and water quality. Physicochemical and multivariate analyses revealed strong seasonal and spatial heterogeneity, influenced by eutrophication, hydrological variability, and pollution gradients. Among the seven PFAS detected above quantification limits, PFBS and PFOA were the most common. Prokaryotic communities showed significant correlations with PFAS, especially with sulfonated forms, while eukaryotic communities were more stable. Diversity patterns highlighted microbial community sensitivity to environmental stress. Overall, results indicate that PFAS influenced microbial assemblages, supporting their inclusion in monitoring frameworks, and eDNA was proved effective for assessing ecological risks in tropical urban reservoirs.