Microbial communication in saline environments: quorum sensing and the future of anaerobic wastewater treatment (opens in new tab)

Anaerobic treatment of industrial wastewater offers a sustainable and cost-effective approach to reducing environmental contamination while recovering biogas. High-salinity wastewater poses ecological risks and remains difficult to treat due to salt-induced sludge disintegration, volatile fatty acid accumulation, and reduced methane production. Quorum sensing is emerging as a key regulator of microbial activity and system stability under salt stress. This review summarizes salinity-stress inh...