Molecular Microbiology Research 2024, Vol.14, No.3, 131-140 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mmr 135 and metabolisms, community assembly, and the influence of human activities on aquatic microbiomes (Grossart et al., 2019). The structure of microbial food webs can be significantly modified by climatic conditions, with warmer years favoring smaller organism interactions and intensifying trophic cascades, potentially shifting energy circulation from highly productive herbivorous food webs to less productive microbial food webs (Trombetta et al., 2020). Furthermore, the interactions between microplastics and aquatic organisms, such as fish and invertebrates, can have variable effects on feeding, growth, reproduction, and survival, with potential ramifications throughout the food web (Foley et al., 2021). 6 Technological Applications in Water Treatment 6.1 Bioremediation techniques 6.1.1 Principles of bioremediation Bioremediation leverages the natural metabolic processes of microorganisms to degrade or detoxify pollutants in contaminated environments. This eco-friendly and cost-effective approach utilizes various microbes, including bacteria, fungi, and algae, to break down contaminants into less harmful substances. The process can be applied in situ (at the contamination site) or ex situ (off-site) using engineered bioreactors to optimize conditions for microbial activity (Dangi et al., 2018; Tekere, 2019; Koure et al., 2021; Sarhan, 2023). 6.1.2 Applications in contaminated water bodies Microbial bioremediation has been successfully applied to treat industrial wastewater, including effluents from textile mills and other industries contaminated with heavy metals and organic pollutants. Techniques such as bioaugmentation (adding specific strains of microbes) and biostimulation (enhancing the growth of indigenous microbes by adding nutrients) are commonly used to improve the efficiency of pollutant degradation (Gür et al., 2021; Saleem et al., 2022; Sarhan, 2023). Algae-based bioremediation is particularly effective for removing organic contaminants and emerging pollutants like pharmaceuticals from water bodies (Xiong et al., 2018; Rempel et al., 2021; Touliabah et al., 2022). 6.1.3 Case studies and success stories Several case studies highlight the success of microbial bioremediation in various contexts. For instance, the use of microalgae and cyanobacteria has shown promising results in removing a wide range of organic pollutants from wastewater, making it a sustainable alternative to conventional treatment methods (Rempel et al., 2021; Touliabah et al., 2022). Additionally, the application of engineered bioreactors has enhanced the degradation of pollutants in industrial effluents, demonstrating the potential of bioremediation in large-scale water treatment (Arregui et al., 2019; Tekere, 2019) (Figure 2). 6.2 Constructed wetlands and biofilters Constructed wetlands and biofilters are engineered systems that mimic natural wetlands to treat contaminated water. These systems utilize plants, soil, and microbial communities to remove pollutants through physical, chemical, and biological processes. The integration of microbial bioremediation within these systems enhances their efficiency in degrading organic and inorganic contaminants, providing a sustainable solution for water purification (Dangi et al., 2018; Saleem et al., 2022; Sarhan, 2023). 6.3 Innovations in microbial water purification Recent advancements in microbial water purification include the development of genetically modified microorganisms and microbial consortia to enhance pollutant degradation. Techniques such as metabolic engineering and systems biology are being employed to optimize microbial pathways for more efficient bioremediation. Additionally, the immobilization of enzymes like laccases on novel biocatalytic materials has improved their stability and reusability, making them more effective for large-scale water treatment applications (Dangi et al., 2018; Xiong et al., 2018; Arregui et al., 2019).
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