Determine PAO contributions to phosphorus cycling in natural and agricultural environments

Determine the contribution of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) to phosphorus cycling in natural environments and specifically in agricultural soils, by characterizing their roles in phosphorus transformations and establishing how they influence phosphorus storage and release within these settings.

Background

Polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) are central to enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in wastewater treatment, where they take up soluble phosphate and store it as intracellular polyphosphate. These engineered systems demonstrate effective phosphorus removal and recovery, highlighting PAOs’ capacity to hyperaccumulate phosphorus.

Beyond engineered contexts, PAOs are present in natural environments, including freshwater systems and sediments, and may influence phosphorus cycling. Evidence from stream biofilms indicates PAO-mediated uptake and release of phosphorus and intracellular polyphosphate storage, suggesting a role in ecosystem phosphorus dynamics. However, the extent and mechanisms of PAO contributions to phosphorus cycling in natural environments, particularly in agricultural soils, remain insufficiently characterized, motivating targeted research to quantify their impact and pathways.

References

Biologically-derived poly-P is ubiquitous in nature, though the contribution of specific PAOs in P cycling in natural environments is not well understood. Understanding the roles of PAOs for phosphorus transformations in natural environments and specifically how PAOs contribute to phosphorus cycling in agricultural soils is an opportunity for future research.

— Transdisciplinary collaborations for advancing sustainable and resilient agricultural systems  (2409.12337 - Bacheva et al., 2024) in Section: Phosphorus recovery from aquatic ecosystems