Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from waste treatment through microbiological innovation

Abstract

The emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the treatment of municipal, agricultural and industrial waste occurs in virtually every city on our planet. This is due to various microbial activities at different stages of waste treatment. Traditional treatment methods have a significant environmental impact, producing methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, in addition to demanding high energy input and having low treatment efficiencies. To address these issues, the Australian water and waste sectors are shifting towards the adoption of next-generation, carbon-neutral treatment options. Here I discuss our current knowledge gaps in mitigating GHG emissions from waste streams, with a focus on wastewater treatment plants. I highlight the application of real-time genomics to identify sources of GHG emissions, monitor mitigation efforts, assist process operation and guide plant operations. I also emphasise recent innovations of microbial processes that capture GHG from waste and upgrade them into higher value products. Ultimately, combined effort across disciplines is required to proactively mitigate the global threat of climate change.