Microbial communities are vital for nutrient attenuation in surface-flow constructed treatment wetlands (CTWs). We used phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis to describe microbial communities in water, soil, sediment, and fresh humus compartments in six CTWs treating agricultural run-off in the Waikato Region of New Zealand. Sites ranged in their design and not all compartments could be sampled at all sites. Bacteria were the most dominant organisms in all compartments at all sites. The water compartment had less absolute abundance of all organisms, and the least relative abundance of all microbial groups except for total bacteria, at all sites. The water compartment also had a different microbial community composition than the other (more solid) compartments. Microbial communities were consistent across the 6 CTWs regardless of system design. There were more Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria, inferring a greater resistance and less resilience to perturbations suggesting CTW systems may not be able to respond rapidly to fluctuations in nutrient inputs due to the prevalence of K-strategist organisms. Actinomycetes were the least abundant microbial group but their role in CTWs is not clear. There were no correlations between microbial groups and compartment chemical properties. Reaching cleaner water aspirations would be facilitated by assessment of both community composition and function in CTW physical compartments.

微生物群落对于地表水人工湿地（CTW）中的养分衰减至关重要。我们使用磷脂脂肪酸（PLFA）分析来描述新西兰怀卡托地区处理农业径流的六个CTW中水，土壤，沉积物和新鲜腐殖质隔室中的微生物群落。站点的设计各不相同，并非所有隔间都可以在所有站点进行采样。细菌是所有部位所有区室中最主要的生物。除所有细菌外，在所有位置，水室的所有生物的绝对丰度均较低，而所有微生物组的相对丰度最低。水隔室的微生物群落组成也不同于其他（更坚固的）隔室。无论系统设计如何，六个CTW的微生物群落均保持一致。革兰氏阳性菌多于革兰氏阴性菌，这表明其抵抗力更大，对干扰的抵御能力更弱，这表明由于K策略生物的普遍存在，CTW系统可能无法快速响应养分输入的波动。放线菌是最不丰富的微生物，但它们在CTW中的作用尚不清楚。微生物群与车厢化学性质之间没有相关性。通过评估CTW物理隔室中的群落组成和功能，将有助于实现更清洁的饮水愿望。放线菌是最不丰富的微生物，但它们在CTW中的作用尚不清楚。微生物群与车厢化学性质之间没有相关性。通过评估CTW物理隔室中的群落组成和功能，将有助于实现更清洁的饮水愿望。放线菌是最不丰富的微生物，但它们在CTW中的作用尚不清楚。微生物群与车厢化学性质之间没有相关性。通过评估CTW物理隔室中的群落组成和功能，将有助于实现更清洁的饮水愿望。