Effects of Sewage Sludge Compost Amendment on Bacterial Community Structure and Function
In order to clarify the nitrogen metabolism of bacteria using sewage sludge compost (SSC), we conducted a short-term laboratory experiment under controlled temperature and moisture conditions to examine the biochemical reactions triggered by SSC amendment. Two treatments were prepared: one fertilized with SSC (10 w/w%) and the other left unfertilized. After a 10-day acclimation period, both treatments were incubated for 30 days. Several chemical characteristics were determined (n = 3), and amplicon sequencing was performed to analyze bacterial community structures (n = 4). Variations in ammonia and nitrate nitrogen levels suggested that the application of SSC promoted the growth of bacteria involved in nitrification. Shifts in bacterial community structures correlated with the presence or absence of SSC, as well as with nitrate nitrogen levels. PICRUSt2 analysis indicated that SSC application activated multiple nitrogen cycling functions in the soil.