Unravelling Microbial Communities Associated with Different Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid Types Undergoing Natural Source Zone Depletion Processes at a Legacy Petroleum Site

Petroleum contaminants are exposed to weathering when released into environment, resulting in the alteration of their chemical composition. Here, we investigated microbial communities through soil profile at an industrial site, which was various petroleum products for over 50 years. The is present as light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL) and undergoing natural source zone depletion (NSZD). Microbial community composition compared contaminant type, concentration, its depth obtained cores. A large population Archaea, particularly Methanomicrobia Methanobacteria indication complex syntrophic relationships methanogens, methanotrophs bacteria were found contaminated Different families enriched across LNAPL types. Results indicate methanogenic or anoxic conditions deeper highly sections cores investigated. weathered, likely formation recalcitrant polar compounds. This research provides insight microorganisms fundamentally associated with LNAPL, throughout a above below water table, NSZD processes legacy site. It advances potential integration effects on bioremediation response physicochemical partitioning components from different