Water scarcity and pollution pose significant challenges worldwide, necessitating effective wastewater management. Traditional wastewater treatment methods often rely on energy-intensive and expensive technologies, which may not be sustainable in the long run. Therefore, there is increasing interest in exploring nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and the utilization of wastewater byproducts, aiming to achieve more sustainable and ecologically friendly approaches.
Nature-based solutions leverage natural processes and ecosystems to treat wastewater through various approaches, such as based on bioremediation, and microbial consortia, using constructed wetlands and biofiltration systems,. For instance, constructed wetlands mimic natural wetland ecosystems and take advantage of plants, microorganisms, and media to remove pollutants through biological, physical, and chemical processes. Nature-based solutions also offer additional benefits beyond wastewater treatment, as seen from wetland systems that can provide habitats for diverse plant and animal species, support biodiversity, and improve water quality in surrounding ecosystems. Bioremediation uses plants to uptake and accumulate pollutants, effectively removing them from the environment. These approaches not only treat wastewater, but also contribute to ecological restoration and conservation efforts. Moreover, wastewater byproducts, such as biosolids, contain valuable nutrients and organic matter that can be harnessed for agricultural fertilization, bioenergy production, and soil improvement. Transforming these byproducts into valuable resources promotes circular economy principles and reduces dependence on non-renewable resources.
In light of these considerations, further research is needed to explore and optimize nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and valorisation of byproducts.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the effectiveness, scalability, and environmental impacts of nature-based solutions approaches for wastewater treatment, providing insights into their potential for bioremediation and resource recovery. We are also keen to see manuscripts that address the challenges and opportunities associated with the utilization of wastewater byproducts, providing insights into their economic viability, environmental benefits, and potential barriers for implementation.
Specific themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Design, optimization, and performance evaluation of nature-based systems for wastewater treatment based on bioremediation, using for example constructed wetlands and biofiltration approaches.
2. Microbial ecology and biogeochemical processes in nature-based systems for wastewater treatment.
3. Application of emerging technologies and innovative approaches for the valorisation of byproducts, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, composting, and resource recovery.
4. Assessment of the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and byproduct utilization.
5. Integration of nature-based systems into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure for enhanced performance and resource efficiency.
6. Policy and regulatory frameworks for promoting the adoption of nature-based solutions and the sustainable use of wastewater byproducts.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and opinion papers that contribute to the knowledge base and promote the understanding and implementation of sustainable approaches in wastewater management. Manuscripts should provide novel insights, present robust methodologies, and highlight practical implications for the field.
Keywords:
Wastewater Treatment, Bioremediation, Eco-friendly Solutions, Green Technologies, Water Reuse, Phytoremediation, Constructed Wetlands, Pollution Control, Resource Recovery
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.
Water scarcity and pollution pose significant challenges worldwide, necessitating effective wastewater management. Traditional wastewater treatment methods often rely on energy-intensive and expensive technologies, which may not be sustainable in the long run. Therefore, there is increasing interest in exploring nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and the utilization of wastewater byproducts, aiming to achieve more sustainable and ecologically friendly approaches.
Nature-based solutions leverage natural processes and ecosystems to treat wastewater through various approaches, such as based on bioremediation, and microbial consortia, using constructed wetlands and biofiltration systems,. For instance, constructed wetlands mimic natural wetland ecosystems and take advantage of plants, microorganisms, and media to remove pollutants through biological, physical, and chemical processes. Nature-based solutions also offer additional benefits beyond wastewater treatment, as seen from wetland systems that can provide habitats for diverse plant and animal species, support biodiversity, and improve water quality in surrounding ecosystems. Bioremediation uses plants to uptake and accumulate pollutants, effectively removing them from the environment. These approaches not only treat wastewater, but also contribute to ecological restoration and conservation efforts. Moreover, wastewater byproducts, such as biosolids, contain valuable nutrients and organic matter that can be harnessed for agricultural fertilization, bioenergy production, and soil improvement. Transforming these byproducts into valuable resources promotes circular economy principles and reduces dependence on non-renewable resources.
In light of these considerations, further research is needed to explore and optimize nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and valorisation of byproducts.
This Research Topic aims to delve into the effectiveness, scalability, and environmental impacts of nature-based solutions approaches for wastewater treatment, providing insights into their potential for bioremediation and resource recovery. We are also keen to see manuscripts that address the challenges and opportunities associated with the utilization of wastewater byproducts, providing insights into their economic viability, environmental benefits, and potential barriers for implementation.
Specific themes of interest include, but are not limited to:
1. Design, optimization, and performance evaluation of nature-based systems for wastewater treatment based on bioremediation, using for example constructed wetlands and biofiltration approaches.
2. Microbial ecology and biogeochemical processes in nature-based systems for wastewater treatment.
3. Application of emerging technologies and innovative approaches for the valorisation of byproducts, including anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, composting, and resource recovery.
4. Assessment of the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment and byproduct utilization.
5. Integration of nature-based systems into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure for enhanced performance and resource efficiency.
6. Policy and regulatory frameworks for promoting the adoption of nature-based solutions and the sustainable use of wastewater byproducts.
We welcome original research articles, reviews, perspectives, and opinion papers that contribute to the knowledge base and promote the understanding and implementation of sustainable approaches in wastewater management. Manuscripts should provide novel insights, present robust methodologies, and highlight practical implications for the field.
Keywords:
Wastewater Treatment, Bioremediation, Eco-friendly Solutions, Green Technologies, Water Reuse, Phytoremediation, Constructed Wetlands, Pollution Control, Resource Recovery
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.