Freshwater Microbiology and Public Health
A special issue of Limnological Review (ISSN 2300-7575).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 3
Special Issue Editor
Interests: applied and environmental microbiology; one health; antimicrobial resistance; genomics; climate change; environmental pollution; quantitative microbial risk assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, ponds, groundwater sources) are vital for human survival, serving as key sources of drinking water, food, recreation, and livelihoods. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures, such as urbanization, agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and climate change, are profoundly altering the microbiological composition of freshwater bodies. These changes have far-reaching consequences for ecosystem function, biodiversity, and public health. The study of freshwater microbiology is thus central to understanding how microbial communities regulate nutrient cycling, pathogen dynamics, and the spread of microbial pathogens, including antimicrobial-resistant ones, to humans and animals and back to the environment.
This Special Issue aims to bridge the gap between limnology, microbiology, and public health by showcasing cutting-edge research on microbial processes in freshwater environments and their implications for human and animal well-being, and thus the One Health approach. We invite contributions (original research, reviews, communications, and perspectives) that explore the ecological, molecular, and epidemiological dimensions of freshwater microbiomes, from microbial ecology and metagenomics to risk assessment and water-quality management.
Papers may cover, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- Microbial indicators of water quality and ecosystem health;
- The occurrence, persistence, and dissemination of waterborne pathogens and emerging infectious risks;
- Freshwater ecosystems as reservoirs and vehicles for antibiotic resistance in aquatic systems;
- Microbial community responses to climate change and anthropogenic stressors;
- Metagenomic and bioinformatics approaches for freshwater microbiome characterization;
- Innovative monitoring and treatment technologies for safeguarding freshwater resources, including AI (artificial intelligence)-driven approaches;
- Risk assessment and policy frameworks for water safety and management.
By integrating diverse methodological and disciplinary perspectives, this Special Issue will advance our understanding of how freshwater microbial dynamics influence disease emergence, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable development. This Special Issue aims to foster collaboration between environmental microbiologists, ecologists, and public health professionals to better understand and mitigate microbial risks in freshwater systems, a cornerstone for sustainable and healthy societies. It will also provide a platform for researchers, policymakers, and water managers to identify strategies for improving freshwater health and mitigating microbial risks to human and animal populations.
Dr. Akebe Luther King Abia
Guest Editor
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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. Limnological Review is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1000 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
- freshwater microbiology
- public health
- antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
- waterborne pathogens
- microbial ecology
- limnology
- wastewater contamination
- metagenomics
- environmental monitoring
- water quality
- quantitative microbial risk assessment
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
