Biological Treatment of Emerging Contaminants in Wastewater

Dear Colleagues, 

Emerging contaminants (ECs)—such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, endocrine-disrupting compounds, PFAS, and some industrial chemicals—pose a growing threat to aquatic ecosystems and public health due to their persistence and bioactivity, even at trace concentrations. Conventional wastewater treatment processes often fail to effectively remove these micropollutants, underscoring the need for innovative solutions. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances in technologies for the efficient removal of ECs, with an emphasis on innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions.

We welcome contributions that explore novel biotechnological solutions, such as microbial consortia, enzymatic pathways, constructed wetlands, and biofilm-based systems designed to enhance the removal of ECs from wastewater. Emphasis is placed on enhancing treatment efficiency and practical applicability, understanding the removal mechanisms, and deciphering transformation products and their toxicity. Studies involving multitrophic levels or sequential biological processes, which provide insight into synergistic effects, are of particular interest.

New research papers, reviews, and case reports demonstrating novel biological approaches to remove ECs from wastewater from various sources are welcomed.

This collection aims to provide an overview of current trends and future directions of environmentally sound and scalable biological strategies for mitigating ECs in WWTP effluents, supporting global efforts toward safer water reuse and environmental protection. By bridging fundamental insights and engineering applications, we aim to support the transition of innovative biotechnologies from the laboratory to the field, providing valuable insights for academics, engineers, policymakers, and other stakeholders committed to achieving high-quality treated water and ecosystem preservation.

Dr. Ana Sofia Oliveira
Dr. Catarina Amorim
Dr. Irina Sousa Moreira
Guest Editors

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