Several physicochemical approaches used as tertiary treatment or sludge stabilization processes have recently been explored for the elimination of contaminants of emerging concerns (CECs) and trace organic contaminants (TrOCs). While often efficient at removing target organic contaminants, these technologies have various limitations which might impede their implementation. These limitations include high implementation and operation costs and the production of toxic by-products that can offset the benefits of removing the parent compound. Consequently, water utilities continue to seek a feasible, economical and sustainable solution to eliminate trace contaminants.

Fungi and their enzymatic systems have shown great potential for the transformation of a wide range of organic contaminants. Fungi possess a high capability to use different xenobiotic compounds as a source of carbon and energy. The most urgent examples in need of being address include microplastics, antibiotics, metals and pharmaceutical active compounds, among others. Most published studies dealing with CECs and TrOCs fate after fungal/enzyme- treatment have not been performed under conditions encountered in wastewater treatment plants. As a result, the elimination mechanisms of these contaminants, as the (eco)toxicity of the treated medium, is not well documented.

This Research Topic invites authors to share Original Research Articles and Reviews that explore the utilization and valorization of fungi and their enzymes for the elimination of contaminants of emerging concerns as well as trace organic contaminants. We welcome research dealing with:
• Elimination of TrOCs and CECs from aqueous solution or municipal, hospital or industrial streams using whole fungi or their enzymes
• Elimination of TrOCs and CECs from wastewater treatment plant sludges or biosolids using whole fungi or their enzymes
• Identification of the elimination mechanisms involved
• Transformation mechanisms, reaction products generated and (eco)toxicity of the treated effluents/solutions
• Interaction between different contaminants present in the stream during the enzymatic or fungal treatment
• Impact of the water constituents on the enzymatic or fungal treatment
• Enzyme immobilization; Bioreactor design and operation
• Fungal genomics and other omics technologies related to pollutant biodepletion
• Catabolic and detoxification pathways of fungi
• Other related topics.

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Frontiers in Fungal Biology

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