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Environments
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Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment
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Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment

A special issue of Environments (ISSN 2076-3298).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2026) | Viewed by 8309

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Mihaela Kirilova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
2. Clean & Circle Center of Competence, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: molecular and fluorescence-based monitoring of activated sludge and biofilms; modeling of water detoxification processes; control and assessment of biogas-producing microbial communities; bioaugmentation strategies for wastewater and pollution treatment
Prof. Dr. Yana Topalova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
2. Clean & Circle Center of Competence, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: biological wastewater treatment; biological and biotechnological indicators for monitoring and assessment; microbiological control of removal of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and toxic pollutants; wastewater treatment management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Naresh Singhal

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
Interests: metagenomics; metaproteomics; metabolomics; antimicrobial resistance; wastewater treatment; nitrous oxide emissions; emerging contaminants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wastewater treatment is of critical importance in today’s world, which is increasingly being affected by climate change and global pollution as a result of xenobiotics. In addressing these challenges, the scientific community must prioritize the integration of treatment technologies within the living environment that are composed of the organisms and the communities that they form. The majority of these technologies are based on the function of biological systems such as activated sludge, biofilms, and others. Thus, living biological components are, in fact, integral and key elements of wastewater treatment technologies. Organisms and biocenoses also represent an independent domain for the innovation and improvement of control and management mechanisms.

The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a platform for publishing studies focused on pollution treatment technologies that involve biological components, with a particular focus on their relationship to environmental communities, including river and marine micro- and macroorganisms communities, as well as all communities of the ecosystems in direct or indirect contact with wastewater treatment facilities. This Special Issue will also highlight innovations in the field of the bio-management of purification processes and the control of communities both within and beyond treatment infrastructure. This includes innovative management strategies, novel applications of existing standards, and their enhancement and integration with other environmental and technological management systems.

Topics of interest to readers in the field also include new and specialized methods for monitoring and controlling the described biological processes, using approaches from ecology, microbiology, and genetics. Particular attention will be paid to the relationships within the communities and between deferent levels in the biocenoses (e.g., micro- and metafauna and bacterial segments). This Special Issue will also welcome a range of studies in the field of the biological remediation of polluted natural resources.

Dr. Mihaela Kirilova
Prof. Dr. Yana Topalova
Prof. Dr. Naresh Singhal
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Environments is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 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

  • wastewater treatment technologies
  • biological control of waste and wastewater treatment
  • biomanagement of purification technologies
  • community relationships in biodegradation processes
  • xenobiotics
  • detoxification
  • activated sludge
  • biofilms

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2512 KB  
Article
Palm Oil Fuel Ash-Enhanced Biofilm Reactor: Performance and Microbial Dynamics in POME Treatment
by Pei Ling Soo, Lai Peng Wong, Mohammed J. K. Bashir, Xinxin Guo and Yuansong Wei
Environments 2026, 13(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13010022 - 1 Jan 2026
Viewed by 906
Abstract
The rapid growth of the palm oil industry produces large amounts of palm oil mill effluent (POME), which contains high organic content and is challenging to treat using conventional ponding systems. These traditional systems often fail to meet discharge standards for biochemical oxygen [...] Read more.
The rapid growth of the palm oil industry produces large amounts of palm oil mill effluent (POME), which contains high organic content and is challenging to treat using conventional ponding systems. These traditional systems often fail to meet discharge standards for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). This study tested anaerobic biofilm reactors enhanced with biochips and chemically treated palm oil fuel ash (TPOFA) to improve POME degradation and biogas production. Two 3 L reactors were operated at the same feed-to-microorganism (F/M) ratio: a control (C) and a combination of both (P + B). Biochips helped microbes attach and form biofilms, while TPOFA acted as an adsorbent, creating better conditions for anaerobic breakdown. The P + B reactor outperformed others, achieving over 95% COD removal, high microbial biomass (MLVSS: 24,500 mg/L), and the highest biogas yield at 917 mL per day. Microbial analysis showed dominant groups, including phyla groups of Halobacterota, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes. Class Methanosarcina in archaeal phylum of Halobaterota was key in converting acetate to methane. Bacteroidota primarily aided organic matter breakdown and nutrient removal, while Firmicutes supported hydrolysis and electron transfer. Less abundant Desulfobacterota also helped by interacting with methanogenic archaea. Overall, combining biochips with TPOFA in anaerobic biofilm reactors offers an effective, sustainable method for treating POME and recovering renewable energy through biogas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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17 pages, 1291 KB  
Article
Plasma-Assisted Valorization of Liquid Digestate from the Ravda Wastewater Treatment Plant: Microbiological and Chemical Aspects
by Yoana Sofronieva, Irina Schneider, Yovana Todorova, Nora Dinova, Magdalena Bogdanova, Ivaylo Yotinov, Todor Bogdanov, Evgenia Benova and Yana Topalova
Environments 2026, 13(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13010015 - 29 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 724
Abstract
Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge generates large volumes of liquid digestate, which is often returned to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to the presence of pathogens and pollutants, limiting its safe reuse in agriculture. This study evaluated plasma-based post-treatment as a method to [...] Read more.
Anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge generates large volumes of liquid digestate, which is often returned to wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) due to the presence of pathogens and pollutants, limiting its safe reuse in agriculture. This study evaluated plasma-based post-treatment as a method to improve the sanitary quality of digestate. The liquid phase from mesophilic digesters at WWTP “Ravda” was treated for 5 min using two plasma sources, the β-device and the Surfaguide WR340 (SAIREM, Décines-Charpieu, France). Disinfection effectiveness was assessed for aerobic and anaerobic heterotrophs, fecal and total coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp., and Clostridium sp. Physicochemical parameters measured included pH, COD, NH4+, NO2−, NO3−, and PO43−. The β-device achieved partial disinfection, with reductions ranging from 16.3% to 89.8% for different microbial groups, whereas coliforms persisted and Clostridium sp. reappeared. The Surfaguide produced near-complete disinfection, eliminating coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella sp., and Clostridium sp., and markedly reduced microbial diversity. Both treatments caused slight pH increases, COD decreases, release of NH4+ and PO43−, and rises in NO2− and NO3−. Plasma-based disinfection, particularly with the Surfaguide, effectively improves the sanitary quality of the digestate and modifies its chemical properties, supporting the potential for sustainable digestate valorization and its safe reuse in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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25 pages, 4872 KB  
Article
Cold Plasma as an Innovative Tool for Wastewater Pre-Treatment and Post-Treatment at Ravda WWTP: Bioindication by Means of Microbial Metabolic Potential
by Magdalena Bogdanova, Ivaylo Yotinov, Yana Topalova, Nora Dinova, Mihaela Kirilova, Todor Bogdanov, Plamena Marinova and Evgenia Benova
Environments 2026, 13(1), 12; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13010012 - 25 Dec 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1443
Abstract
This study investigates the effectiveness of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment for improving the microbiological and physicochemical quality of wastewater generated in tourism-affected coastal regions. Experiments were performed on influent and effluent samples from the Ravda Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) collected in April, [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effectiveness of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment for improving the microbiological and physicochemical quality of wastewater generated in tourism-affected coastal regions. Experiments were performed on influent and effluent samples from the Ravda Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) collected in April, August, and November 2024, representing different seasonal loading conditions. The plasma pre-treatment of influent aimed to minimize toxic micropollutants that inhibit activated sludge activity, reduce pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, and enhance oxidative potential before biological processing. The post-treatment of effluent focused on the elimination of residual pathogens, mainly Enterobacteriaceae, and the oxidative degradation of xenobiotics resistant to conventional treatment. Combined fluorescent (CTC/DAPI) and culture-based analyses were used to assess microbial viability and activity. Plasma exposure (1, 3 and 5 min) caused measurable changes in metabolic potential and bacterial abundance across all sampling periods. The results demonstrate that 1 min CAP treatment does not increase pathogen removal, but enhances oxidation capacity of the influent, while 3 min of CAP treatment ensures the disinfection of the effluent. Both can be combined to improve the effluent safety prior to Black Sea discharge. CAP is showing strong potential as a sustainable technology for wastewater management in tourism-intensive coastal zones. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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25 pages, 1880 KB  
Article
Effects of Pollutants in Urban Wastewater on Rhizoplane Microbial Communities in Constructed Wetlands: Resistance and Resilience of Macrophyte-Associated Microbiomes
by Paolo Piccolo, Annamaria Gentile, Angela Cicatelli, Francesco Guarino and Stefano Castiglione
Environments 2025, 12(11), 414; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12110414 - 2 Nov 2025
Viewed by 862
Abstract
The impact of pollutants in urban wastewater on Constructed Wetlands (CWs) rhizoplane microbial communities remains quite understudied. Our study explores how civil wastewater influences the structure and ecological stability of rhizoplane microbial communities associated with three macrophytes: Nerium oleander L., Arundo donax L., [...] Read more.
The impact of pollutants in urban wastewater on Constructed Wetlands (CWs) rhizoplane microbial communities remains quite understudied. Our study explores how civil wastewater influences the structure and ecological stability of rhizoplane microbial communities associated with three macrophytes: Nerium oleander L., Arundo donax L., and Juncus conglomeratus L. in simulated conditions as in the case of CWs. Therefore, a pot experiment was set up, using wastewater repeated exposure of the three macrophytes, to assess the microbial (bacteria and fungi) resistance and resilience by means of next-generation sequencing. The results showed that all three macrophytes contributed to pollutant removal; however, the effects on microbial communities were taxon-specific. In general, the rhizobacterial community exhibited moderate resilience and low resistance to wastewater, indicating a partial recovery post-disturbance. The fungal community showed high resistance (ResI = 0.99), in contrast with limited resilience (RI < 1), suggesting a stable but less dynamic response to the wastewater exposure. Effluent repeated addition positively influenced the relative abundance of certain bacteria taxonomical groups, specifically Firmicutes and Actinobacteria, but also of some fungal taxa. Our findings underscore the key role of microbial communities in CWs, where complementary resistance and resilience strategies contribute to system stability, plant health, and pollutant attenuation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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12 pages, 1708 KB  
Article
Baccilus amyloliquefacins Strains Isolated in a Wastewater Treatment Plant: Molecular Identification and Amylase/Protease Production Capacity
by Jean Jules Nana Ndangang, Alain-Martial Sontsa-Donhoung, Elvire Hortense Biye, Dumitra Raducanu, Narcis Barsan, Anne Ayo, Guy Valerie Djumyom Wafo, Emilian Mosnegutu, Valentin Nedeff, Christelle Kebassa Nkwefuth, Florin-Marian Nedeff, Mirela Panainte-Lehadus, Dana Chițimus and Ives Magloire Kengne Noumsi
Environments 2025, 12(11), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12110412 - 2 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1154
Abstract
This study centred on isolating and characterizing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains derived from wastewater sludge to assess their potential for sludge treatment. Samples were collected from the Etoa wastewater sludge treatment plant in Yaounde, Cameroon. The isolates were obtained on nutrient agar medium and [...] Read more.
This study centred on isolating and characterizing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains derived from wastewater sludge to assess their potential for sludge treatment. Samples were collected from the Etoa wastewater sludge treatment plant in Yaounde, Cameroon. The isolates were obtained on nutrient agar medium and were identified through morphological and biochemical characterization, followed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. The sequences showed 99–100% similarity with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strains in the NCBI database. The isolates exhibited significant in vitro enzymatic activities, including catalase, amylase, and protease production, indicating their ability to degrade hydrogen peroxide starch and proteins, respectively. The results confirmed the in vitro potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens as a promising microbial agent for organic matter degradation in wastewater sludge. Although the findings were limited to laboratory conditions, they provided a foundation for future pilot-scale or in situ studies aimed at validating their practical efficiency. This research contributes to the development of microbial-based and eco-efficient strategies for sustainable sludge management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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20 pages, 4021 KB  
Article
Poultry Slaughterhouse Wastewater Treatment by Green Algae: An Eco-Friendly Restorative Process
by Elvira E. Ziganshina, Ksenia A. Yureva and Ayrat M. Ziganshin
Environments 2025, 12(9), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12090331 - 18 Sep 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1613
Abstract
Poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) affects environmental and economic issues, and the introduction of modern treatment technologies, including microalgae-based ones, is strictly necessary. In this study, bioremediation of unsterilized PSW by several algal representatives of the genera Chlorella, Tetradesmus, Desmodesmus, and [...] Read more.
Poultry slaughterhouse wastewater (PSW) affects environmental and economic issues, and the introduction of modern treatment technologies, including microalgae-based ones, is strictly necessary. In this study, bioremediation of unsterilized PSW by several algal representatives of the genera Chlorella, Tetradesmus, Desmodesmus, and Neochloris was investigated. All microalgae grew in original wastewater, and the elevated N, P, and S levels in PSW allowed the microalgae to increase the biomass yield (from 2.44–3.15 to 2.73–4.42 g L−1). Modification of PSW for cultivation of microalgae made it possible to obtain biomass with a high content of valuable metabolites. The highest protein content was observed in cells of cultures of Chlorella sorokiniana and Neochloris sp. (26% and 33% of the final dry weight, respectively). At the same time, starch and lipids were also accumulated in the algal cells at substantial levels in both original and modified PSW. With the growth of algae, a decrease in the relative abundance of members of Arcobacteraceae and Clostridium, which include pathogens, was also observed. At the same time, PSW contained a variety of bacteria capable of stimulating the growth of microalgae. Thus, integrating microalgae into the treatment of PSW will reduce the negative impact of such wastewaters on the environment and improve the sanitary indicators. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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Review

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26 pages, 716 KB  
Review
Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter spp. and Lytic Bacteriophages in Hospital Wastewater—A Five-Year Narrative Review
by Catalin Gabriel Smarandache, Madalina Irina Mitran, Cristina Iulia Mitran, Cristiana Cerasella Dragomirescu, Gabriela Loredana Popa, Andrei Alexandru Muntean and Mircea Ioan Popa
Environments 2026, 13(4), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13040202 - 5 Apr 2026
Viewed by 578
Abstract
In recent decades, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become an increasingly urgent public health concern. The uncontrolled use of antibiotics, along with inadequate implementation of prevention and control measures, is the primary factor contributing to this issue. The hospital environment is a major source of [...] Read more.
In recent decades, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have become an increasingly urgent public health concern. The uncontrolled use of antibiotics, along with inadequate implementation of prevention and control measures, is the primary factor contributing to this issue. The hospital environment is a major source of multidrug-resistant bacteria, and in recent years, there has been growing concern about hospital wastewater, which acts as a significant reservoir for these bacteria and their resistance genes. This situation leads to the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the environment. One particular concern is Acinetobacter, especially Acinetobacter baumannii, which has emerged as a pathogenic threat in healthcare-associated infections. This bacterium is found in high densities in hospital wastewater. Most strains of A. baumannii express resistance not only to carbapenems but also to several other classes of antibiotics, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. These strains must be combated through effective measures. Bacteriophages represent a potential mitigation strategy for antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter spp. originating from hospital wastewater. This review summarizes studies from online databases regarding the identification and characterization of Acinetobacter strains in hospital wastewater worldwide, and presents progress in isolating and characterizing bacteriophages against A. baumannii found in hospital wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Wastewater Bio-Management: Microbial Community Relationships, Monitoring and Assessment)
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