Long-term petroleum pollution alters soil microbial communities via electron transfer capacity: Evidence from a 35-year chronosequence

Key Points

• Soil microbial communities undergo significant changes due to petroleum pollution over decades, affecting ecosystem balance.
• A chronosequence study spanning 35 years shows a clear correlation between increased pollution and decreased microbial diversity.
• Analysis of electron transfer capacity highlights a crucial mechanism by which pollutants impact microbial activity.
• These findings suggest long-term ecological consequences of petroleum contamination that may require targeted remediation efforts.