Metagenomic insights into the microbial networks of a 7,12-benz(a)anthraquinone degrading community from a PAH-contaminated soil

Through 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomic sequencing we identified a specialized benz(a)anthraquinone (BaAQ)-degrading subpopulation in a PAH-contaminated soil using sand-in-liquid microcosms. From the microcosms, a BaAQ-degrading microbial consortium was obtained by enrichment in sand-in-liquid cultures with BaAQ as sole carbon source. We combined shotgun metagenomics and metabolomic analysis to elucidate the BaAQ metabolic pathway and to provide an insight into the potential roles and interactions within the consortium members.