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Applied Sciences
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Biological Treatment Processes for Wastewater: Latest Advances and Prospects
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Biological Treatment Processes for Wastewater: Latest Advances and Prospects

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 June 2026 | Viewed by 651

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Amir M. Motlagh

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil Engineering, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA
Interests: environmental microbiology; sustainable processes; nutrient recovery; bioinformatics; solid waste management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biological treatment processes are at the heart of modern wastewater management, offering sustainable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions to the growing challenges of water pollution and resource recovery. With the increasing complexity of wastewater compositions and the rising demand for water reuse, innovative biological technologies are being developed and optimized to improve treatment efficiency, minimize environmental impact, and enable the recovery of valuable resources. This Special Issue aims to present together cutting-edge research, novel methodologies, and forward-looking perspectives in the field of biological wastewater treatment. Contributions should explore advances in microbial ecology, bioreactor design, process integration, and monitoring techniques. We also welcome research addressing the integration of biological systems with other treatment methods, the application of biotechnology and omics tools, and assessments of treatment performance under real-world conditions. By showcasing the latest developments and highlighting emerging trends, this Issue seeks to foster a deeper understanding of biological processes and inspire the next generation of sustainable water treatment technologies.

Dr. Amir M. Motlagh
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biological wastewater treatment
  • activated sludge process
  • anaerobic digestion
  • biofilm reactors
  • constructed wetlands
  • resource recovery
  • emerging contaminants
  • biotechnology in wastewater treatment
  • microbial ecology and omics
  • wastewater reuse

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 1380 KB  
Article
The Development and Future-Proofing of Treatment Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions in the UK Water Sector: Southern Water Case Studies
by Pramila Bhandari Phuyal, Joff Edevane and Tao Lyu
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(7), 3135; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16073135 - 24 Mar 2026
Viewed by 367
Abstract
Treatment wetlands (TWs) are increasingly deployed as nature-based solutions for water and wastewater management due to their cost-effectiveness, operational simplicity, and provision of wider ecosystem benefits. The UK has been at the forefront of TW application since the 1980s. This study evaluated their [...] Read more.
Treatment wetlands (TWs) are increasingly deployed as nature-based solutions for water and wastewater management due to their cost-effectiveness, operational simplicity, and provision of wider ecosystem benefits. The UK has been at the forefront of TW application since the 1980s. This study evaluated their development and performance within Southern Water, a water utility in the UK. In total, 35 sewage treatment sites have incorporated TWs since 1991, primarily for tertiary treatment and stormwater overflow control. Performance data were available for 16 sites, comprising 14 horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) and two surface flow (SF) wetlands. HSSF wetlands achieved substantial reductions in TSSs (up to 97%), NH4+ (up to 99%), and BOD5 (up to 92%). The COD removal showed more variance (0–62%) in the studied sites. In contrast, SF wetlands provided moderate reductions in TSSs (17–79%) and COD (36–67%) but were less effective for NH4+ and BOD5 (14–65%). The TWs operated by Southern Water currently serve more than 100,000 people and illustrate the expanding role of such systems in meeting wastewater treatment needs. However, challenges and further research are needed, including risks of media clogging, the evaluation of emerging micropollutants treatment, and inconsistent maintenance. To address these, the study highlights opportunities for innovation through hybrid and aerated designs, advanced monitoring, and a more detailed understanding of plant–microbe interactions. The findings emphasise both the potential and future research needs of TWs and support their continued integration into wastewater management strategies under evolving environmental and regulatory pressures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biological Treatment Processes for Wastewater: Latest Advances and Prospects)
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