Microbial Community Dynamics in Groundwater of a Petrochemical Refinery: Influence of BTEX and Dichloroethane Contamination.

This study aimed to explore the microbial communities present in aquifer groundwater at a petrochemical refinery and their relationship with groundwater quality parameters, with a focus on common contaminants such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and dichloroethane (DCA). Groundwater samples were collected from both the source and plume regions to analyze the spatial diversity of the microbial communities utilizing 16S rRNA analysis. The study demonstrated substantial variations in microbial diversity and composition across the sampled sites. The data showed that the operational taxonomic unit count, Shannon index, and Simpson index initially rose before declining with escalating contaminant concentration, suggesting that the level of contaminants significantly influences the abundance and diversity of microbial communities in the phreatic groundwater. Moreover, through SPSS analysis, the study quantitatively established the correlation between the physiochemical characteristics of the groundwater and the microbial community structure. The study disclosed that geochemical parameters, including total alkalinity, ferrous content, and DCA, play a role in shaping the abundance and diversity of microbial communities at the phylum, class, and genus levels. This research contributes to our comprehension of the intricate interplay between microbial communities, particularly those implicated in the biotransformation of benzene and DCA, and their surrounding physiochemical milieu within contaminated zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]