Microbial mediation in phosphorus cycling in Aquatic Environments: Natural Processes and Human Impacts

Phosphorus cycling in aquatic ecosystems is fundamental to Earth’s habitability, with microorganisms playing central roles in regulating bioavailability and biogeochemical transformations. Recent advancements employing multi-omics techniques and advanced biogeochemical modeling have expanded our understanding of the phosphorus cycle, uncovering complexities such as microbial phosphorus uptake strategies, cellular allocation, and community interactions.
However, the magnitude and specific pathways through which anthropogenic activities, ranging from nutrient loading to climate change - impact microbial phosphorus transformations remain poorly characterized. While our primary focus is on aquatic environments, we also consider terrestrial and engineered systems where their influence directly or indirectly alters aquatic phosphorus cycling dynamics. This broader lens is essential to comprehensively understanding source-to-sink pathways and feedbacks across ecosystem boundaries.
This Research Topic aims to explore microbial processes underpinning phosphorus cycling while specifically evaluating how human activities influence these processes across diverse aquatic systems. It will investigate critical questions such as how microbial communities respond and adapt to anthropogenic disturbances, what mechanisms microorganisms utilize to modulate phosphorus bioavailability, and which sustainable technologies or practices can mitigate negative human-induced impacts. Additionally, this collection will highlight recent advances in microalgal biotechnology and other microbial-driven biotechnological solutions aimed at enhancing phosphorus recovery and recycling. By synthesizing cutting-edge research from microbial ecology, omics-driven insights, biogeochemical modeling, and applied biotechnology, the goal is to provide actionable knowledge for sustainable management of phosphorus resources in the context of escalating anthropogenic pressures.
Efforts to deepen our understanding of microbial roles in phosphorus cycling and the impacts of human activities on these processes are crucial for enhancing management practices and supporting sustainability in aquatic ecosystems. To achieve this, we invite contributions on a variety of themes including:
• Advances in omics technologies for studying microbial phosphorus processing
• Biogeochemical modeling of phosphorus cycling in aquatic ecosystems
• The role of microalgae and other microbial processes in phosphorus biotechnology and sustainability
• The impact of human activities on microbial phosphorus allocation in aquatic environments.
• Innovative methods for enhancing phosphorus recycling in aquatic environments
• Cross-system phosphorus fluxes, including impacts of long-term phosphate use in soils and agricultural runoff on aquatic microbiomes
• Biological wastewater treatment and the aquatic phosphorus cycle
• Anthropogenic influences on microbial regulation of phosphorus across environmental interfaces