Electron shuttling promotes denitrification and mitigates nitrous oxide emissions in lakes

Kang Song (), Yanlin Xiao, Yuren Wang, Min Deng (), Shuni Zhou, Yongxia Huang, Senbati Yeerken, Lu Li and Fengchang Wu ()
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Kang Song: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yanlin Xiao: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yuren Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Min Deng: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shuni Zhou: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Yongxia Huang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Senbati Yeerken: Xinjiang University
Lu Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Fengchang Wu: Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Eutrophication is an emerging global issue that is becoming increasingly severe due to the rising nutrient inputs and limited availability of electron donors for nitrogen removal. In sediments where redox conditions fluctuate dramatically, extracellular electron transfer (EET) critically supports microbial metabolism. However, the biogeochemical significance of EET-coupled denitrification and its EET mechanisms remain unclear. Here, through field investigations and laboratory 15N isotope experiments, we reveal that humic substance (HS)-mediated electron shuttling significantly enhances denitrification primarily by stimulating bacterial outer membrane c-type cytochrome. Specifically, EET mitigates the emission of greenhouse gas nitrous oxide by enriching nosZII-type reducers. Notably, the efficacy of exogenous HS amendment attenuates in sediment with high native HS concentration. Metagenomic binning further reveals multiple cytochromes forming a complete EET-coupled denitrification electron transport chain. Our findings elucidate the microbial mechanisms underlying electron shuttling-driven denitrification in lakes, thereby expanding the understanding of biogeochemical cycles.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63601-0

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