Abstract
DNA sequencing of active cells involved in vermicomposting can clarify the roles of earthworms in regulating functional microorganisms. This study aimed to investigate the effect of earthworms on functional microbial communities in sludge by comparing biodegradation treatments with and without earthworms. PCR and high throughput sequencing based on pretreatment of propidium monoazide (PMA) were used to detect the changes in active bacterial 16S rDNA and eukaryotic 18S rDNA during vermicomposting. The results showed that the nitrate in sludge vermicomposting and control were significantly different from day 10, with a more stable product at day 30 of vermicomposting. Compared with the control, the Shannon indexes of active bacteria and eukaryotes decreased by 1.9% and 31.1%, respectively, in sludge vermicompost. Moreover, Proteobacteria (36.2%), Actinobacteria (25.6%), and eukaryotic Cryptomycota (80.3%) were activated in the sludge vermicompost. In contrast, the control had Proteobacteria (44.8%), Bacteroidetes (14.2%), Cryptomycota (50.00%), and Arthropoda (36.59%). Network analysis showed that environmental factors had different correlations between active bacterial and eukaryotic community structures. This study suggests that earthworms can decrease the diversity of bacterial and eukaryotic communities, forming a specific-functional microbial community and thus accelerating organic matter decomposition during vermicomposting of dewatered sludge.