Editorial: Fundamental and practical advances in bioremediation of emerging pollutants as add-on treatments for polluted waters

Bioremediation offers a promising, sustainable solution by harnessing the vast metabolic potential of microorganisms, plants, and other organisms to degrade or remove harmful chemicals from the environment (Azubuike et al., 2016). However, widespread adoption has been limited by challenges in scalability, specificity, and integration with existing 'black-box' treatment systems (Nandy et al., 2021). This special issue shows recent innovations across a wide-range of bioremediation technologies, emphasizing region-specific and tailored strategies to tackle emerging contaminants in aquatic ecosystems.We are pleased to present a collection of articles highlighting significant progress in the field: While these studies show the potential of bioremediation, contaminants like per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) present significant challenges due to their resistance to degradation (Berhanu et al., 2023). Addressing these persistent pollutants may require advanced physico-chemical pre-treatment processes, adsorption methods, or engineered microbial solutions beyond traditional bioremediation techniques such as synthetic biology (Lu et al., 2020).Collectively, the contributions in this special issue illustrate the important role of bioremediation in sustainable water management. By focusing on practical, scalable, and region-specific solutions, these studies the way for broader applications across various sectors. Studies show the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating microbiology, environmental engineering, and policy-making to develop effective contaminant removal strategies. As editors, we encourage the research community to continue advancing this green technology agenda. Approaches to integrate bioremediation with conventional treatment systems, scale up successful pilots, and tackle challenges posed by persistent contaminants should be prioritized. The advancements highlighted here represent small but notable strides toward that goal, bringing us closer to a sustainable future where water resources are protected and preserved. We look forward to further innovations in this vital field and are confident that a tangible impact on global water quality can be made.