Microbial Metal Mobilization: From Environmental Sustainability to Space Resource Utilization

Microorganisms play a central role in metal mobilization processes, both in natural and engineered environments. Their diverse metabolisms enable processes ranging from bioleaching valuable metals to detoxifying contaminated soils and waters. These microbial strategies provide sustainable alternatives to traditional extraction methods, offering innovative approaches for bioremediation and metal recovery. As the demand for metals grows with technological advancement and urbanization, the exploration of biotechnological solutions for metal recovery from natural deposits and waste reservoirs is gaining increasing attention. Moreover, the study of these microbial processes is expanding beyond Earth, with growing interest in their application for space exploration and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) on extraterrestrial bodies, such as the Moon, Mars, Asteroids, and Icy Moons.

This Research Topic aims to explore the potential of microbial metal mobilization, from sustainable biomining and bioremediation on Earth to novel applications in space environments. Recent advances in omics technologies, synthetic biology, space and environmental microbiology have unveiled new possibilities for utilizing natural or engineered microorganisms and microbial consortia for metal mobilization and recovery. Microbial strategies are increasingly recognised as ecological alternatives to conventional mining, with relevance across terrestrial, anthropogenic, and extraterrestrial contexts. In particular, the application of biomining in microgravity and extraterrestrial conditions is opening pathways to sustainable off-Earth colonization. This Research Topic seeks to gather interdisciplinary contributions able to address the scientific and technological challenges of microbial metal mobilization across diverse environments.

We welcome original research articles focused on microbial mechanisms of metal mobilization, from basic to applied research. Suggested themes include but not limited to:

o Microbial bioleaching and biomining of rare and critical metals
o Microbial ecology, diversity, and consortia in ore and waste environments
o Urban biomining and recycling of electronic and industrial wastes
o Microbe-metal interaction mechanisms in extreme, microgravity, or extraterrestrial conditions
o Genetically engineered microorganisms for targeted metal recovery
o In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) applications in space exploration

Contributions that act as a bridge to environmental microbiology, biotechnology, space science, and sustainability are especially encouraged. This Research Topic seeks to provide a platform for innovative ideas and collaborative approaches that can shape the future of resource utilization on Earth and beyond.

Article types and fees

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

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

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

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Space Microbiology, Resource Sustainability, In-situ Resource Utilization (ISRU), Environmental microbiology, Biorecovery, Bioremediation

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.