Clean water
UNICEF estimates that over 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water. Micro-organisms are responsible for a host of waterborne diseases, but simultaneously offer solutions in purifying water and improving sanitation. Biofertilizers offer promising solutions for reduced nutrient runoff and wastewater recycling. As well as applying microbes to combat the problem, applied microbiologists can use their knowledge of health and disease to reduce cases of waterborne disease.
News
Surprising bacteria discovery links Hawaiʻi’s groundwater to the ocean
A new species of bacteria has been discovered off the coast of Oʻahu, shedding light on how unseen microbial life connects Hawaiʻi’s land and sea ecosystems.
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Long ReadsWhat are we swimming in? The growing need for Microbial Source Tracking
The pandemic changed the way many of us connect with the outdoors. Wild swimming and other aquatic pursuits have seen an increase in public interest since 2020, and with that, a heightened awareness of water quality.
NewsAlgae and water fleas in lakes: Light color influences food webs
Phytoplankton are the basic food source for many aquatic organisms. A new study shows that the light spectrum is more important for these microalgae and for lake ecosystems than previously assumed.
NewsWetland plant-fungus combo cleans up ‘forever chemicals’ in a pilot study
From a greenhouse study, researchers report that moisture-loving yellow flag irises and fungi on their roots are a promising combination for PFAS removal. As part of a constructed wetland, this pair could effectively treat contaminated wastewater.
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‘Cocktails’ of common pharmaceuticals in our waterways may promote antibiotic resistance
New research has shown, for the first time, how mixtures of commonly used medications which end up in our waterways and natural environments might increase the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
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NewsLake Tahoe algae experiment suggests seasonal shifts ahead
As the climate warms and nutrient inputs shift, algal communities in cool, clear mountain lakeswill likely experience seasonal changes, according to a new study. The effects of climate warming were especially pronounced in the colder months.
NewsValorization of soybean-processing wastewater sludge via black soldier fly larvae: performance and bacterial community dynamics
A new study indicates that the valorization of soybean-processing-sourced sludge via black soldier fly larvae was achieved via functionally important BSFL intestinal microbiota, providing an efficient recycling approach for similar waste streams.
NewsComparison of E. coli inactivation by UV222-ADPs and UV254-ADPs in water
A new study investigates advanced disinfection processes (ADPs) that use 222 and 254 nm far-ultraviolet radiation in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium percarbonate (SPC), and persulfate (PDS) to inactivate E. coli in water.
NewsFreshwater snails are an overlooked reservoir of AMR, study reveals
Freshwater snails across Africa and the UK carry bacteria containing a wide range of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, including those predicted to confer resistance against last-resort antibiotics, according to a new study led by AMI members.
NewsWhen faucets rest: hidden microbial risks emerge in hours
Stagnant water in building plumbing systems is a well-known driver of microbial growth and contamination, including L. pneumophila. A new study highlights a short “microbial safety window” of 2–4 hours, after which risks increase significantly.
NewsData-guided bioelectrodes pave way for greener remediation
There is an urgent need to develop data-driven strategies that can accelerate and scale up microbial dechlorination for contaminated environments. Researchers report a new machine learning framework that integrates experimental features with microbial biofilm data to optimize bioelectrodechlorination.
NewsPoultry growers: Have you checked your water lines lately?
Water quality could impact the kind of microbial populations in poultry drinking water lines and lead to the buildup of a biofilm that can harbor pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella, according to a new study.
NewsWastewater plants produce twice as much greenhouse gases as officially estimated
Wastewater plants emit about twice as much greenhouse gas as previously believed, according to a new study. Collectively sewer plants produced 1.9 times the nitrous oxide gas estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency and 2.4 times the methane.
NewsProfessor awarded $3.9 million to fight deadly parasites that threaten children and immunocompromised adults
A multi-institutional team will develop effective drugs that are urgently needed to manage cryptosporidiosis in young children, immunocompromised adults and as a countermeasure to epidemic outbreaks.
NewsDo stranded dolphins have Alzheimer’s disease - and how are cyanobacteria involved?
Scientists have come up with an unusual hypothesis: perhaps dolphins become disoriented by suffering from a form of Alzheimer’s disease. It appears that Alzheimer’s-type neuropathology and disorientation may result from chronic exposure to toxic molecules produced by cyanobacteria.
NewsMicrobial DNA sequencing reveals nutrient pollution and climate change reinforce lake eutrophication
A new study using DNA sequencing of lakebed microbes reveals that nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and climate change amplify each other in ways that profoundly affect the health of lake ecosystems.
NewsRivers’ hidden helpers: microbes that clean up nitrogen pollution across China
A new study has revealed how tiny microbes in rivers and wetlands across China help clean up excess nitrogen pollution, offering fresh insights into the health of freshwater ecosystems and the global nitrogen cycle.
NewsTrojan horse: Amoebae as carriers for human Norovirus and Adenovirus
A new study reveals that common waterborne amoebae can ingest and protect human viruses, extending their environmental persistence. Human norovirus and human adenovirus can enter and persist within FLA.
NewsCholera vaccination campaign launched in Darfur to protect over 1.8 million people
A cholera vaccination campaign kicked off on 21 September 2025 in South Darfur, marking the start of a campaign that aims to reach 1.86 million people aged one year and older with oral vaccines in response to the ongoing outbreak.
NewsSteel sludge transformed into powerful water cleaner for antibiotic pollution
Researchers have developed an innovative way to turn steel industry waste into a low-cost material that can clean antibiotics out of water, offering a promising solution to one of today’s growing environmental challenges.
NewsTraditional herb boosts fish health and immunity, study reveals
A groundbreaking study reveals how the traditional herb Picria fel-terrae (PFL) can significantly improve fish health. When added to fish feed at just 0.1% concentration for six weeks, the herb maintained healthy gut structure while reducing inflammation.
NewsCholera kills more people for second consecutive year, while prevention and treatment available
The World Health Organization (WHO) has published its global cholera statistics for 2024, showing an increase in both the number of people who fell sick and died from the disease. Reported cholera cases rose by 5% and deaths by 50% in 2024 compared to 2023.
NewsPeanut shell biochar composite shows promise for removing antibiotic-resistant bacteria from aquaculture wastewater
Researchers have developed a novel, low-cost catalyst that efficiently removes antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) from aquaculture wastewater, offering a potential new solution to one of today’s most pressing environmental and public health challenges.