About this Research Topic
Alkaline environments, including soda lakes, springs, and soils, represent extreme environments characterized by high pH levels, often exceeding 9.0, and elevated concentrations of carbonate and bicarbonate ions. Despite their harsh conditions, these ecosystems harbor diverse microbial communities that have evolved unique adaptations to thrive in such environments. These ecosystems offer a rich source of novel enzymes, metabolites, and biopolymers with applications in various industries, including bioremediation, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the microbial ecology and biotechnological potential of alkaline environments and conditions. We seek to deepen our understanding of the microbial diversity, metabolic capabilities, and ecological interactions in these high pH environments. Furthermore, we aim to explore the opportunities for harnessing the unique microbial resources of alkaline ecosystems for innovative biotechnological applications.
We welcome all accepted article types, including Original Research, Reviews and Perspectives, on the following subjects:
• Characterization of microbial communities in alkaline environments using high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic approaches;
• Microbial ecology of anthropogenic alkaline environments such as: wastewater from cement and textile industries; red mud from alumina production; and lime application in agricultural soils;
• Microbial metabolic pathways and enzymatic activities involved in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in alkaline environments;
• Ecological roles of alkaliphilic microorganisms in nutrient cycling, mineral precipitation, and ecosystem resilience in alkaline lakes and sediments;
• Microbial communities in alkaline ecosystems as analogues of ecosystems where life appeared on the primitive earth, indicating origins of life;
• Microorganisms from alkaline ecosystems as sources of novel enzymes for industrial processes, such as lignocellulose degradation, biopolymer synthesis, and biofuel production;
• Further biotechnological applications of these microorganisms in areas such as agriculture, medicine, and wastewater treatment.
This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the microbial ecology and biotechnological potential of alkaline environments and conditions. We seek to deepen our understanding of the microbial diversity, metabolic capabilities, and ecological interactions in these high pH environments. Furthermore, we aim to explore the opportunities for harnessing the unique microbial resources of alkaline ecosystems for innovative biotechnological applications.
We welcome all accepted article types, including Original Research, Reviews and Perspectives, on the following subjects:
• Characterization of microbial communities in alkaline environments using high-throughput sequencing and metagenomic approaches;
• Microbial ecology of anthropogenic alkaline environments such as: wastewater from cement and textile industries; red mud from alumina production; and lime application in agricultural soils;
• Microbial metabolic pathways and enzymatic activities involved in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling in alkaline environments;
• Ecological roles of alkaliphilic microorganisms in nutrient cycling, mineral precipitation, and ecosystem resilience in alkaline lakes and sediments;
• Microbial communities in alkaline ecosystems as analogues of ecosystems where life appeared on the primitive earth, indicating origins of life;
• Microorganisms from alkaline ecosystems as sources of novel enzymes for industrial processes, such as lignocellulose degradation, biopolymer synthesis, and biofuel production;
• Further biotechnological applications of these microorganisms in areas such as agriculture, medicine, and wastewater treatment.
Keywords: Alkaline microbial ecology, Extreme environments high pH, High pH sediment, Alkaline ecosystems, Alkaliphilic microorganisms, Microbial adaptations high pH, Metagenomics in alkaline environments, Biotechnology alkaline sediments
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.
