Microbial Ecology and Biotechnology for Sustainable Groundwater Resource Management
A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 5
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Groundwater is a vital global resource, yet it is increasingly threatened by contamination and over-exploitation. Microbial communities play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in groundwater quality, pollutant attenuation, and overall ecosystem health. This Special Issue focuses on leveraging the principles of Microbial Ecology and innovative Biotechnology to ensure the sustainable management and remediation of groundwater resources. We aim to consolidate advanced research that explores microbial functions, community dynamics, and engineered biotechnological solutions for monitoring, protecting, and restoring groundwater quality and quantity. By bridging fundamental microbial science with applied engineering, this issue aims to offer critical insights into developing effective, sustainable, and ecologically sound strategies for this essential yet hidden resource.
The central goal of this Special Issue is to illuminate the integration of microbial ecology and biotechnology to address challenges and promote sustainability in groundwater resource management.
(1) Focus: The primary focus is on understanding the in situ microbial processes that influence groundwater quality (e.g., natural attenuation) and developing biotechnological interventions for contamination remediation, aquifer recharge, and water quality monitoring.
(2) Scope: We invite contributions covering, but not limited to, the following areas:
- Groundwater Bioremediation: Microbial degradation of organic pollutants (e.g., hydrocarbons, pesticides) and transformation of inorganic contaminants (e.g., arsenic, nitrate, heavy metals).
- Aquifer Microbial Ecology: Understanding the structure, function, and dynamics of microbial communities in various aquifer types (e.g., porous, fractured rock) and their role in biogeochemical cycling.
- Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR): Biotechnological strategies to mitigate clogging and improve water quality during MAR operations.
- Microbial Source Tracking (MST): Utilizing microbial markers and biotechnology for identifying contamination sources in groundwater.
- Novel Microbial Technologies: Development of biosensors, gene-based tools, and in situ bio-stimulation/bio-augmentation techniques for groundwater protection and restoration.
(3) Purpose: This Special Issue aims to provide a multidisciplinary platform for researchers and practitioners, fostering the transfer of knowledge from basic microbial ecology to practical, sustainable engineering solutions for the protection and management of global groundwater resources.
(4) While many studies focus on surface water or engineered wastewater systems, this Special Issue provides a unique and timely focus on the subsurface environment. It specifically addresses the complexity of groundwater microbiomes—which operate under low-energy, oligotrophic conditions—and the challenges of implementing in situ biotechnological solutions. By emphasizing the intersection of molecular microbial ecology and sustainable engineering design, it directly contributes to the development of the next generation of ecologically informed and resilient groundwater management strategies, thereby differentiating itself from broader water-focused literature.
Dr. Dong-Hun Kim
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 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. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 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
- groundwater
- microbial ecology
- bioremediation
- aquifer
- sustainable water management
- contaminant attenuation
- biotechnology
- subsurface environment
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.
