WWTP filtermedia metagenomics
This study investigates the microbial community dynamics and functional potential across sand filtration processes in wastewater treatment plants. Metagenomic samples were collected from three municipal wastewater treatment plants (designated as Plant A, Plant B, and Plant C) at six distinct sampling points representing different stages of the sand filtration process: (1) raw plant influent (INF), (2) sand-filter influent (SFI), (3) saturated sand-filter medium before backwash (SFSM), (4) sand-filter backwash water (SFBW), (5) washed sand-filter medium after backwash (SFWM), and (6) sand-filter effluent (SFE). This comprehensive sampling scheme enables the characterization of microbial communities associated with both the water phase and filter media, as well as the impact of backwash operations on microbial ecology. Paired-end sequencing was performed on the Illumina platform to obtain metagenomic data for downstream taxonomic and functional analyses.