Highly decomposed organic carbon mediates the assembly of soil communities with traits for the biodegradation of chlorinated pollutants

To improve biodegradation strategies for chlorinated pollutants, the roles of soil organic matter and microbial function need to be clarified. It was hypothesised that degradation specific fractions in soils enhance community metabolic capability degrade pollutants. This field study used historic records dieldrin concentrations since 1988 established relationships between dissipation carbon together with bacterial fungal diversity surface Kurosol Chromosol. Sparse partial least squares analysis linked activities associated highly decomposed fraction. Dieldrin dissipation, after three decades natural attenuation, increased species fitness decomposition recalcitrant substrates including synthetic These capabilities were fraction, an important driver function. Common traits among taxonomic groups enriched samples high included their slow growth, large genome complex metabolism which supported notion evolved energy-low environment. The findings provide new perspectives bioremediation suggest management should aim at stimulating decomposed, fine