Bacteriophages in Biological Wastewater Treatment Systems: Occurrence, Characterization, and Function

Area of Science:

• Microbial Ecology
• Environmental Microbiology
• Wastewater Engineering

Background:

• Phage-bacteria interactions are key drivers of microbial community structure, dynamics, and function.
• In biological wastewater treatment (BWT), phages can modulate treatment efficiency and effluent quality.
• While the active role of phages in BWT is recognized, significant knowledge gaps exist regarding their diversity, host interactions, and impact in full-scale systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review methods for studying phages in wastewater environments.
• To critically assess the current understanding of phage effects on BWT bacterial communities.
• To identify research gaps and future priorities for phage ecology in BWT.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of phage research methods applicable to wastewater.
• Synthesis of existing studies on phage impacts in BWT.
• Identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions.

Main Results:

• Phages play an active role in shaping BWT microbial communities.
• Current knowledge on phage diversity, host dynamics, and full-scale impacts in BWT is limited.
• Various methods can be adapted for studying phages in wastewater.

Conclusions:

• A deeper understanding of phage ecology in BWT is essential for process improvement.
• Phage research can enhance BWT monitoring, control, and effluent quality.
• Phages hold potential as biocontrol agents in wastewater treatment.