Impact of anthropogenic activities on bacterial community diversity in a coastal city: A case study from Shantou

Abstract

Bacterial communities in coastal environments are significantly influenced by human activities, serving as key indicators of ecological health and water quality. This study examines the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the diversity of bacterial communities within the coastal sands of Shantou, China, a rapidly developing tourist destination. We collected sand samples from four beaches with varying levels of human activity and analyzed their physicochemical properties, including pH, salinity, nitrate concentration, and available phosphorus. Bacterial community compositions were assessed using cluster heat maps to identify species distributions across multiple taxonomic levels. The results showed consistent pH levels but varied salinity and nutrient concentrations corresponding to the intensity of human activity. Notably, elevated nitrate levels at tourist-heavy sites suggested a direct link between tourism and coastal nitrogen dynamics. Five bacterial taxa were identified as potential pollution indicators, Woeseia and Pseudomonas were consistently abundant across all studied sites. Comparative analysis revealed distinct contamination patterns, with some sites showing significant microbial community shifts. These findings highlight the need for effective management strategies to mitigate the adverse effects of human activities on coastal bacterial biodiversity and ecosystem health.