Environmental Microbiomes in Pollution Mitigation: From Waste Management to Ecosystem Health

Environmental microbiomes play a pivotal role in shaping the resilience and functioning of ecosystems under increasing anthropogenic pressures. Microbial communities are key drivers in the transformation, detoxification, and recycling of pollutants, making them indispensable for mitigating environmental contamination. Recent studies have highlighted the significant capacity of microbiomes to adapt and respond to pollutants across soil, aquatic, and engineered environments, opening up possibilities for ecosystem restoration. Despite recent advancements, there remains a need for in-depth study on the complex interactions within microbiomes and their pollutant transformation pathway. This Research Topic aims to explore cutting-edge advances in understanding and harnessing environmental microbiomes for pollution mitigation and sustainable waste management. By examining microbial mechanisms responsible for degrading, transforming, or immobilizing pollutants, we seek to uncover how these communities contribute to maintaining ecosystem stability under toxic stress. Furthermore, we encourage the development of innovative microbiome-based technologies for waste valorization, ultimately reducing the risks associated with industrial waste, agricultural residues, and urban pollutants.To further gather insights into harnessing microbiomes for improved environmental outcomes, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Microbiome-mediated degradation of organic and inorganic pollutants• Microbial community dynamics in contaminated soils, sediments, and aquatic systems• Role of microbiomes in industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste management• Interactions between microbiomes and emerging contaminants, including plastics and pharmaceuticals• Eco-toxicological assessments of microbiome-driven remediation processes• Development of microbiome-inspired biotechnologies for ecosystem restorationSubmissions of original research, reviews, and perspectives are encouraged to elucidate the dynamic roles environmental microbiomes play in advancing pollution mitigation strategies and ecosystem health. Topic editors: Beini Gong, Chi Zhang, Ivana Radojevic Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76140/environmental-microbiomes-in-pollution-mitigation-from-waste-management-to-ecosystem-health