Extremophilic Plants and Microorganisms in Environmental Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to introduce this Special Issue of Sustainability, spotlighting pioneering research on the symbiotic relationship between plants, microbes, and the environment. This Special Issue specifically emphasizes the pivotal roles of halophytes, metallophytes, xerophytes, and extremophilic bacteria in shaping sustainable ecosystems.

In an epoch marked by swiftly shifting climates, both flora and microorganisms face unprecedented environmental pressures, profoundly impacting critical aspects such as biomass production. However, amidst these challenges, extremophilic species—comprising both plants and bacteria—have demonstrated remarkable resilience through the development of intricate physiological, biochemical, and molecular adaptation mechanisms. These adaptations equip them with the unique ability to undertake specialized ecological functions, thereby fostering sustainable ecosystems. For instance, extremophiles offer a spectrum of invaluable contributions ranging from the provision of stable enzymes capable of withstanding extreme temperatures to their utility in vital processes like phytoremediation, desalinization, and bioremediation. Moreover, they serve as reservoirs of bioactive compounds, including secondary metabolites and their derivatives, which hold immense potential for medicinal applications. Additionally, their significance extends to the realm of biofuel and bioenergy production, further underscoring their integral role in advancing sustainability objectives and fostering a bio-based economy. Leveraging these tools enables us, as a race, to address critical challenges for our continuity on our planet, such as combatting climate change.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

1. Phytoremediation;
2. Metallophytes;
3. Soil desalinization;
4. Halophytes;
5. Bioactive compounds from extremophiles;
6. Carbon sequestration by extremophiles;
7. Bioremediation;
8. Microbes in metal recovery;
9. Extremophiles as a bioinoculants;
10. Biofuels and bioenergy.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Aleksandra Koźmińska
Dr. Mohamad Al Hassan
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 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. 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.

• phytoremediation
• metallophytes
• soil desalinization
• halophytes
• carbon sequestration
• bioremediation
• bioinoculants
• biofuels
• bioenergy