Ecophysiological Traits Underlying the Adaptive Responses of Algae and Cyanobacteria Toward Emerging Contaminants

Aquatic ecosystems face increasing stress from emerging contaminants (ECs), including pharmaceuticals, pesticides, microplastics, and antimicrobial-resistant genotypes. Despite their relatively low concentrations, ECs persist and affect biological processes. Eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria, key primary producers, are particularly affected, with, e.g., photosynthesis and nutrient uptake disrupted. Rising temperatures, shifting precipitation, and eutrophication exacerbate these impacts, influencing bloom dynamics and trophic interactions. To cope, phytoplankton rely on adaptive traits, including i) detoxification mechanisms, ii) metabolic trade-offs, iii) morphological changes, and iv) eco-evolutionary feedbacks. Understanding their responses to ECs, especially in a scenario of climate change and nutrient enrichment is crucial for predicting ecosystem resilience and function in changing aquatic environments.

The goal of this Research Topic is to gather contributions from scientists working on hydrobiology, aquatic microbial ecology and ecotoxicology, by combining cell culture technique; ecotoxicity measurements, biochemical-to-molecular approaches, and measurement of adaptive traits to clarify relevant ecological and evolutionary questions regarding the effects of emerging contaminants (ECs) on aquatic ecosystems as well as their impacts on environmental health. We aim to i) consolidate and expand knowledge on the effects of emerging environmental contaminants on algae and cyanobacteria, ii) examine changes in physiological processes in response to single and combined ECs exposure, and iii) investigate the adaptive traits underlying contaminant-driven eco-evolutionary feedbacks to better understand the long-term implications of pollution on aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning.

Additionally, we aim to address relevant ecological and evolutionary questions regarding the effects of emerging contaminants (ECs) and global change factors (climate and nutrients) on aquatic ecosystems and environmental health. We aim to i) consolidate and expand knowledge on the effects of ECs and global change stressors – such as climate change and nutrient enrichment – on algae and cyanobacteria, ii) examine changes in physiological processes in response to single and combined exposures and environmental shifts, and iii) investigate the adaptive traits underlying contaminant- and climate-driven eco-evolutionary feedbacks. We seek contributions from scientists working in hydrobiology, aquatic microbial ecology, and ecotoxicology, integrating laboratory culture-based or in situ assays, ecotoxicity measurements, biochemical-to-molecular approaches, and adaptive trait analyses. This will enhance our understanding of the long-term implications of pollution, climate change, and nutrient loading on aquatic food webs and ecosystem functioning.

Authors are invited to submit original research articles, reviews, or opinion papers related (but not limited) to the following topics:

1. Cellular, biochemical and molecular responses of algae and cyanobacteria to single and combined emerging contaminants (ECs);
2. Insights into the stressful effect of pollution in phytoplankton from omics technologies;
3. (Eco)toxicological relevance of environmentally-occurring concentrations of ECs;
4. ECs disrupting phytoplankton biotic interactions and chemical communication (info disruptors);
5. Adaptive traits for chemical stress resistance and eco-evolutionary feedback in phytoplankton species;
6. Interaction of ECs and global change (nutrient enrichment and climate) on ecophysiological aspects of algae and cyanobacteria.
7. Impacts of ECs on cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) occurrence and toxicity;
8. Harnessing algal traits on stress tolerance for sustainable ECs bioremediation.

Investigations on all types of Algae and Cyanobacteria are encouraged.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: phytoplankton, toxins, harmful algae, micropollutants, eutrophication

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.