Critical Review of Polyphosphate and Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms for Agricultural Water Quality Management

Critical Review of Polyphosphate and Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms for Agricultural Water Quality Management

Despite ongoing management efforts, phosphorus (P) loading from agricultural landscapes continues to impair water quality. Wastewater treatment research has enhanced our knowledge of microbial mechanisms influencing P cycling, especially regarding microbes known as polyphosphate accumulating organis...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental science & technology 2021-03, Vol.55 (5), p.2722-2742
Main Authors: Saia, Sheila M, Carrick, Hunter J, Buda, Anthony R, Regan, John M, Walter, M. Todd
Format: Article
Language:eng
Subjects:
Agricultural land
Agricultural research
Agricultural wastes
Agriculture
Anoxic conditions
Aquatic habitats
Bioaccumulation
Bioreactors
Cycles
Environmental management
Interdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary studies
Microorganisms
Phosphorus
Polyphosphates
Quality management
Terrestrial environments
Waste Water
Wastewater treatment
Water management
Water Quality
Water quality management
Water treatment
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Summary:Despite ongoing management efforts, phosphorus (P) loading from agricultural landscapes continues to impair water quality. Wastewater treatment research has enhanced our knowledge of microbial mechanisms influencing P cycling, especially regarding microbes known as polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) that store P as polyphosphate (polyP) under oxic conditions and release P under anoxic conditions. However, there is limited application of PAO research to reduce agricultural P loading and improve water quality. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to identify articles in Web of Science on polyP and its use by PAOs across five disciplines (i.e., wastewater treatment, terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and agriculture). We also summarized research that provides preliminary support for PAO-mediated P cycling in natural habitats. Terrestrial, freshwater, marine, and agriculture disciplines had fewer polyP and PAO articles compared to wastewater treatment, with agriculture consistently having the least. Most meta-analysis articles did not overlap disciplines. We found preliminary support for PAOs in natural habitats and identified several knowledge gaps and research opportunities. There is an urgent need for interdisciplinary research linking PAOs, polyP, and oxygen availability with existing knowledge of P forms and cycling mechanisms in natural and agricultural environments to improve agricultural P management strategies and achieve water quality goals.
ISSN:0013-936X
1520-5851