Critical Review of plyphosphate and polyphosphate accumulating organisms for agricultural water quality management

Authors: SAIA, SHEILA - Us Forest Service (FS); CARRICK, HUNTER - Central Michigan University; Buda, Anthony; REGAN, JOHN - Cornell University; WALTER, TODD - Cornell University

Submitted to: Critical Reviews in Environmental Science Technology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/29/2020
Publication Date: 2/9/2021
Citation: Saia, S.M., Carrick, H.J., Buda, A.R., Regan, J.M., Walter, T. 2021. Critical Review of plyphosphate and polyphosphate accumulating organisms for agricultural water quality management. Critical Reviews in Environmental Science Technology. 55(5):2722-2742. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c03566.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c03566

Interpretive Summary: Understanding the role of microbial organisms in phosphorus cycling is an underexplored topic in agricultural research. In this paper, we synthesize the literature on polyphosphate accumulating organisms, focusing mainly on studies in wastewater engineering and natural sciences, where most of the research on these organisms has been done. The review highlights how microbiological methods in wastewater engineering and natural sciences could advance our knowledge of polyphosphate accumulating organisms in agricultural landscapes, including the role these organisms play in phosphorus uptake and release processes in soils and streams.

Technical Abstract: Landscape-scale water quality management strategies for phosphorus (P) rely more on abiotic than biotic (here, microbial) controls. Concurrent work in engineered systems (eg wastewater treatments plants) and natural systems (eg marine waters) enhances our understanding of key microbial controls on P cycling. However, there is limited synthesis and application of this research to agricultural systems (eg field soils) to manage P and improve water quality. Herein, we review microbial-mediated P cycling in engineered and natural systems—focusing on polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). We highlight knowledge gaps and suggest tools to address them. We discuss how a cross-disciplinary view of microbial controls on P cycling may benefit research and P water quality management in engineered, natural, and agricultural systems. The overarching goal of this review is to promote discussion between diverse disciplines for the purpose of identifying PAOs in new environments, informing sustainable P management, and ultimately, improving water quality.