Exploring Soil Microbiomes Through Metagenomic Analysis: Taxonomy and Function

Abstract Soil metagenomics is a rapidly advancing approach that enables the exploration of soil microbial communities without the need for cultivation, providing valuable insights into their diversity, metabolic functions, and ecological roles. In this study, we utilized metagenomic analysis of soil samples retrieved from the MGnify database (project ID: PRJDB5367), using 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. A comprehensive analysis was performed on the Galaxy Server platform. The results identified several key bacterial taxa, including Gammaproteobacteria, Streptosporangium longisporum, and Sporomusa. Sporomusa, a strictly anaerobic genus important for nutrient cycling, bioremediation, and interactions with heavy metals, was abundant in both datasets, comprising 15% of the microbial community. Streptosporangium longisporum, a filamentous actinomycete, was present at 9% and 6% in datasets 1 and 2, respectively. Gammaproteobacteria, which accounted for 9% and 6% of the communities, play a significant role in the degradation of organic pollutants and serve as bioindicators of environmental contamination. Other notable species, including Brevibacillus borstelensis and Sphaerisporangium viridialbum in dataset 2, and Thermosipho africanus in dataset 1, showcased the diverse metabolic capacities within the soil microbiome. Comparative analysis between datasets revealed variations in species abundance, highlighting the influence of environmental factors on microbial community composition. This study emphasizes the importance of metagenomics in understanding soil ecosystems and provides deeper insights into microbial functions related to nutrient cycling, bioremediation, and ecosystem health. It also sets the stage for future functional metagenomic research to further explore the complex interactions within these vital microbial communities. Keywords: Metagenomic, soil microbiome, 16S rDNA gene sequencing, bacterial diversity, bioremediation.