Algae-Bacteria Interactions in Environment

Dear Colleagues,

Algal–bacterial interaction is a ubiquitous interaction in aquatic and soil ecosystems, in which algae perform photosynthesis to release oxygen and produce organic carbon (e.g., extracellular polysaccharides), thereby supplying bacteria with both a carbon source and habitat. In turn, bacteria mineralize nutrients—such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and essential growth factors—making them available to algae, thus completing a closed-loop energy and matter cycle. This partnership not only drives primary productivity in ecosystems but also plays a key role in regulating carbon and nitrogen cycling and in the degradation of pollutants.

In eutrophic lakes, algal–bacterial interaction controls the dynamics of cyanobacterial blooms, underpinning biogeochemical cycling and biodiversity maintenance in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Understanding these interactions is therefore crucial for elucidating bloom formation and decline, for developing mitigation strategies, and for enhancing ecosystem resilience while reducing carbon emissions. Moreover, algal–bacterial consortia are widely employed in wastewater treatment processes—particularly for nitrogen and phosphorus removal, process intensification, and emissions reduction. Of particular importance is their role in mediating the horizontal transfer of antibiotic‐resistance genes, an emerging contaminant issue; deeper insights into these interactions will aid in curbing the environmental dissemination of resistance determinants.

This Special Issue calls for papers covering the following topics:

• The control and impact of algal–bacterial interactions on biogeochemical cycling;
• Ecological network structure and the ecological effects of algal–bacterial interactions (including diversity and resilience);
• Mechanisms by which algal–bacterial interactions regulate cyanobacterial bloom proliferation and decline;
• Algal–bacterial interactions in wastewater treatment processes and bioreactors;
• Quorum‐sensing effects within algal–bacterial consortia;
• The contribution of algal–bacterial interactions to the horizontal transfer of antibiotic‐resistance genes in the environment;
• Studies covering other aspects related to this Special Issue, even if not included in the list above.

Prof. Dr. LiXiao Ni
Guest Editor

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• algal–bacterial interactions
• algal–bacterial symbiosis
• cyanobacterial blooms
• quorum sensing
• biogeochemical cycling
• wastewater treatment
• ecological networks