About this Research Topic
Please note that Microbiotechnology does not consider descriptive studies solely based on amplicon (e.g. 16S rRNA) profiles. Contributions should be driven by a clear hypothesis and experimentation, and provide insights into the microbiological system or process being studied.
Over the past few decades, we have encountered significant obstacles concerning the availability of uncontaminated drinking water and the proper management of wastewater to prevent harm to our water sources and the environment. In this context, wastewater treatment represents an essential step to promote sustainable development and safeguard the environment, resulting in enhancing water conservation, promoting water recycling, and fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. While conventional wastewater treatment systems are effective in eliminating organic contaminants, they suffer from drawbacks, such as high energy requirements and limited ability to eliminate non-readily biodegradable organic compounds. Furthermore, due to the increasingly stringent effluent requirements imposed on municipal treatment plants, water regulatory organization allocates greater resources towards the development and implementation of advanced technology for the remediation of wastewater. Consequently, the quality of the wastewater has significantly improved, creating new prospects and options for reusing it in agriculture, industry, street cleaning, or recreational activities.
The identification of an increasing quantity of recalcitrant organic pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, personal care products, surfactants, and industrial additives), even at low concentrations (μg/L or ng/L), in water bodies remains a major concern owing to their long lifetime in the environment and the unclear consequences they may have on ecosystems and human well-being. Consequently, continuing research is presently prioritizing the development of efficient methods to tackle this particular type of pollution. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have garnered more interest in comparison to traditional wastewater treatment technologies for their capability to remove organic contaminants and produce value-added products and sustainable energy. The hallmark of a BES bioreactor is the ability of microorganisms to act as biocatalysts on either the cathode and/or anode to achieve a high oxidation/reduction of organic pollutants. Recently, researchers have shown interest in the use of BES as a promising alternative for wastewater treatment.
The Special Issue aims to gather the latest research, innovations, and advances in the bioelectrochemical degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. We invite authors to submit original research and review manuscripts that will enhance our understanding of this emerging technology and its potential application in solutions that aim to mitigate the growing problem of wastewater pollution. This special issue covers, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- Electron transfer in bioelectrochemical systems
- Electrode composition: synthesis and modifications
- Microbial communities structure and metabolic pathways associated with organic wastewater biodegradation
- Optimization of cell design and operation
- Use of metabolic engineering to enhance degradation of wastewater
Submissions exploring the integration of bioelectrochemical systems with other treatment processes and examining the environmental and economic impacts of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment are encouraged.
Over the past few decades, we have encountered significant obstacles concerning the availability of uncontaminated drinking water and the proper management of wastewater to prevent harm to our water sources and the environment. In this context, wastewater treatment represents an essential step to promote sustainable development and safeguard the environment, resulting in enhancing water conservation, promoting water recycling, and fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. While conventional wastewater treatment systems are effective in eliminating organic contaminants, they suffer from drawbacks, such as high energy requirements and limited ability to eliminate non-readily biodegradable organic compounds. Furthermore, due to the increasingly stringent effluent requirements imposed on municipal treatment plants, water regulatory organization allocates greater resources towards the development and implementation of advanced technology for the remediation of wastewater. Consequently, the quality of the wastewater has significantly improved, creating new prospects and options for reusing it in agriculture, industry, street cleaning, or recreational activities.
The identification of an increasing quantity of recalcitrant organic pollutants (e.g., pharmaceuticals, personal care products, surfactants, and industrial additives), even at low concentrations (μg/L or ng/L), in water bodies remains a major concern owing to their long lifetime in the environment and the unclear consequences they may have on ecosystems and human well-being. Consequently, continuing research is presently prioritizing the development of efficient methods to tackle this particular type of pollution. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have garnered more interest in comparison to traditional wastewater treatment technologies for their capability to remove organic contaminants and produce value-added products and sustainable energy. The hallmark of a BES bioreactor is the ability of microorganisms to act as biocatalysts on either the cathode and/or anode to achieve a high oxidation/reduction of organic pollutants. Recently, researchers have shown interest in the use of BES as a promising alternative for wastewater treatment.
The Special Issue aims to gather the latest research, innovations, and advances in the bioelectrochemical degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants. We invite authors to submit original research and review manuscripts that will enhance our understanding of this emerging technology and its potential application in solutions that aim to mitigate the growing problem of wastewater pollution. This special issue covers, but is not limited to, the following topics:
- Electron transfer in bioelectrochemical systems
- Electrode composition: synthesis and modifications
- Microbial communities structure and metabolic pathways associated with organic wastewater biodegradation
- Optimization of cell design and operation
- Use of metabolic engineering to enhance degradation of wastewater
Submissions exploring the integration of bioelectrochemical systems with other treatment processes and examining the environmental and economic impacts of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment are encouraged.
Keywords: Bioelectrochemical System, Wastewater Treatment, Recalcitrant Organic Pollutants, Electroactive Bacteria, Environmental Sustainability
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
