Journal of Environmental Biology

16S rRNA gene sequence-based metagenomics assessment of microbial community structure and hospital wastewater chemical impacts on urban river

R.S. Thakur¹, A.K. Singh¹, R.S. Dhanwar¹, T.D. Lodha³, B.S. Lopes^4,5, S.S. Donde² and O. Prakash¹*     

¹Symbiosis Centre for Climate Change and Sustainability, Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune-412 115, India

²Department of Chemistry, Earth Science and Environmental Science, BCC, City University of New York, 10017, New York

³Department of Bioenergy, Agharkar Research Institute, Pune-411 004, India

⁴School of Health and Life Sciences, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, TS1 3BX, UK

⁵National Horizons Centre, Teesside University, Darlington, DL1 1HG, UK 

Received: 16 January 2026                   Revised: 11 March 2026                   Accepted: 19 March 2026

*Corresponding Author Email : prakas1974@gmail.com                     *ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6568-0567

Abstract

Aim: To assess the impact of hospital wastewater–associated contamination on the microbial diversity and community structure of sediments in urban river systems.

Methodology: Sediment samples were collected from hospital-contaminated urban river sites. Physico-chemical characteristics of sediments, including pH, total organic carbon, and heavy metal concentrations, were determined using standard protocols. The Composition and diversity microbial community were analysed by 16S rRNA gene–based metagenomics.

Results: The results showed substantial variation in sediment microbial diversity, which is correlated with the sediment chemistry and geographical locations of the sampling sites. A significant variations were also reported in pH, heavy metals, total viable bacterial count, and total organic carbon in the test sediments.

Interpretation: The results demonstrate that hospital-associated contamination plays a critical role in shaping microbial communities in urban river sediments. Alterations in the microbial structure may influence key ecosystem processes, such as nutrient cycling and organic matter degradation, and pose risks to the ecosystem and public health. The findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and improved management of hospital wastewater discharges to protect the urban aquatic ecosystems.

Key words: Hospital wastewater, Heavy metals, Microbial community, River sediments

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