Reviews in Environmental Science and Bio/Technology最新文献

Phosphorus recovery and sustainable nutrient management are increasingly important for agricultural and industrial systems as global phosphate reserves decline. The disruption of the global phosphorus cycle, driven by fertilizer overuse and wastewater discharge, has intensified eutrophication and ecosystem degradation. In biological systems, inorganic phosphate fuels the very essence of life, forming the energetic basis of cellular function. However, fluctuating environmental phosphate conditions compel cells to store this element in the form of polyphosphate inside specialized organelles like acidocalcisomes. Polyphosphate homeostasis varies across microorganisms. Herein, by focusing on yeast and microalgae, this review follows the path of phosphate from its extracellular uptake by high and low affinity transporters (e.g., Pho89 and Pho90 yeast phosphate transporters; and PTA and PTC families of microalgal phosphate transporters) until its polymerization by Vacuolar Transporter Chaperone complex complex, which represents a functionally comparable polyphosphate synthesis mechanism in these two microbial taxa. Despite extensive research, a comparative overview linking molecular mechanisms to environmental bioprocess performance remains limited. Here, we bridge this gap by synthesizing mechanistic, physiological, and ecological insights to assess the potential of both groups as sustainable phosphorus recovery systems. This review synthesizes multi-omics analyses, structural studies, metabolic modeling approaches, and genome engineering strategies to advance understanding of microbial polyphosphate metabolism and its relevance for phosphorus recovery. Collectively, this review identifies key opportunities for leveraging microbial polyphosphate metabolism to advance environmentally resilient and resource-efficient phosphorus recovery technologies.

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The escalating environmental cost of global plastic production is driven by a fundamental misalignment: the complexity of modern polymer chemistry has outpaced the capability of linear waste management infrastructure. Addressing this crisis requires moving beyond fragmented mechanical and thermal solutions to a fully integrated industrial framework that synchronises material innovation with biological discovery. This review articulates a strategic roadmap to transition from a linear disposal model to a robust bio-industrial circular economy, with a predominant focus on the deployment of emerging bio-catalytic and bio-hybrid processing systems. We distinguish between the dual goals of resource recovery (circularity) and safe mineralisation (environmental resilience). Four interdependent pillars essential for this transition are identified: (1) Material design, where “design for degradation” is embedded at the molecular level; (2) Bio-hybrid processing, which supersedes single-mode recycling by synergising biological selectivity with physicochemical throughput (e.g., chemo-biological and photochemical-biological coupling) to handle mixed waste streams; (3) Digital logistics, utilising the “Internet of materials” to enable high-resolution sorting and decentralised processing; and (4) Adaptive policy, where standards are co-developed to verify system compatibility and increased stakeholder engagement. A “paradigm shift” is necessary to align these domains. Only by integrating the material, the process, the data, and the policy can plastic waste be transformed from an environmental liability into a predictable, high-value bio-industrial resource.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are one of such unprecedented issues that significantly disturb both freshwater and seawater and have posed a severe risk to human health, ecological security, and socio-economic growth. The present review primarily emphases on the significant development on the extenuation of HABs using photocatalytic nano-architectonics. The sources and types of numerous algal toxins, their ecological influences, and health risk assessment are discussed. Further, the potential of various advanced functional photocatalytic nano-architectonics such as MOFs, TiO₂-based metal composites, carbon nitrides, COFs, graphene-based materials, zeolitic imidazolate frameworks, porous coordination networks, hybrid composite materials involving self-assembled metal ions/clusters with bridging organic ligands, biochar, etc., for HABs inhibition is explored. Furthermore, the plausible mechanisms of photocatalysts for the obliteration of HAB cells, along with numerous factors affecting the photocatalytic algal inactivation, are also covered. Finally, the review summarizes the discussion on the limitations, challenges, future perspectives, and solutions for further research in this research area.

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Phosphorus is an essential yet limited element that regulates biological productivity and ecological balance within the Earth’s interconnected biogeochemical systems. Its transformations link the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere; however, the absence of a gaseous phase makes phosphorus one of the least mobile nutrients. Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining its bioavailability through mineralization, solubilization, and redox reactions. Geological and biological evidence demonstrates that fluctuations in phosphorus availability have profoundly influenced ocean oxygenation, biological diversification, and ecosystem evolution. Human activities such as mining, deforestation, and fertilizer overuse have intensified phosphorus fluxes, leading to eutrophication, soil depletion, and disruption of natural nutrient cycles. Understanding phosphorus mobilization, storage, and microbial mediation is essential for advancing sustainable nutrient management. In soils and aquatic environments, phosphorus mobility is governed by the interplay between immobilization and microbial mobilization. Immobilization occurs via biological uptake, storage in organic forms, and mineral precipitation as apatite. Mobilization is driven by phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms in the rhizosphere. These microorganisms secrete organic acids, metallophores, and phosphatases that convert insoluble compounds into available orthophosphate. Root exudates and regulatory systems such as the Pho regulon coordinate microbial and plant phosphorus acquisition thus, sustaining soil fertility and productivity. Alkaline and acid phosphatases are enzymes that hydrolyze organophosphorus compounds, releasing orthophosphate. Their structural and mechanistic diversity underpins their ecological versatility. Detailed bioinformatic analysis have identified three classes of bacterial acid phosphatases and at least eight major clades of fungal phosphatases. Beyond their environmental role, these enzymes offer promising applications in biotechnology.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds characterized by strong C–F bonds and unique physicochemical properties, which confer extreme persistence in the environment and resistance to conventional treatment. Their widespread occurrence in water, soil and biota, combined with adverse health effects, has raised major public, scientific and regulatory concern. Remediation strategies are broadly categorized into separation and destructive technologies. Separation approaches, such as adsorption with activated carbon or ion exchange resins and membrane processes like nanofiltration and reverse osmosis, show promising removal efficiency but face challenges related to energy demand, fouling, limited performance for short-chain PFAS and the generation of concentrated waste. Destructive technologies, including electrochemical oxidation, advanced oxidation and biological degradation, aim to mineralize PFAS into less harmful byproducts. While offering potential for permanent remediation, these methods remain limited by high costs, slow kinetics and material instability. Most studies are confined to laboratory-scale experiments under idealized conditions that do not reflect the complexity of contaminated matrices, limiting scalability. Field-scale demonstrations and integrated treatment are increasingly recognized as necessary to bridge this gap. Future research should prioritize hybrid system optimization, cost–benefit analyses and the development of energy-efficient, sustainable approaches targeting both short- and long-chain PFAS. This review critically examines current advances, limitations and perspectives in PFAS remediation, outlining pathways toward scalable solutions for mitigating their environmental and health risks.

Surfactants are widely used in domestic, industrial, and medical sectors, with a growing global market. However, synthetic surfactants pose environmental concerns, as they often enter ecosystems as recalcitrant organic pollutants due to their molecular properties. Residual surfactants persist in the environment, contributing to pollution. These issues highlight the need for safer, sustainable alternatives. Biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers are surface-active agents that reduce surface and interfacial tensions, derived from biological systems or microorganisms and alternative to synthetic surfactants. They can also facilitate environmental remediation, regenerative agriculture, and industrial applications. Key advantages include low toxicity, high biodegradability, potential derivation from renewable resources and domestic, urban and agricultural waste streams, increasing compatibility with circular economy principles. Therefore, they are fundamental to advancing environmental sustainability and allowing industries to transition towards greener solutions, aligning with global goals for zero-pollution objectives. This review highlights the application of these products in the bioremediation of contaminated soils and in enhanced oil recovery. It also addresses production challenges, particularly those related to cost and scalability, emphasizing the use of waste feedstock from strategic industries as a key factor in sustainability. Furthermore, recent advances and new strategies in metabolic, genetic, enzymatic and process engineering are discussed, which aims to optimize production yields and pave the way for broader commercialization. Available studies on biodegradability and toxicological profiles are reviewed to provide context for real-world applications. To support decision-making by managers and policymakers, real case studies are examined, along with a comparative analysis of the performance of biogenic versus synthetic surfactants in soil remediation. Finally, the review outlines current limitations and priority challenges in remediation practices that must be addressed. In conclusion, the successful commercialization and application of biosurfactants and bioemulsifiers will require a dual focus: advancing technological innovation to reduce production costs and aligning with operational demands, while also strengthening safety assessments to deepen understanding of their environmental and health impacts—ensuring their role as scientifically robust and socially responsible solutions.

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