Significance of microbial volatiles in ecological health: impact on wetland systems

Constructed wetlands function as natural filters and can significantly remove suspended solids, organic matter, nutrients, and trace metals from polluted water. They are widely recommended as alternative technologies to conventional wastewater treatment in view of their advantages such as cost-effectiveness, low electricity consumption, environment friendliness, and esthetic appeal. The success of a wetland system in removing contaminants has been found to largely depend on the interaction of the wetland plants, their supporting matrix as well as the microbial community. Among these factors, the microbes within the biofilm on the surface of the support media and the rhizosphere region of the wetland plants play a critical role in removing pollutants. These microbes produce secondary metabolites, commonly known as microbial volatiles or microbial volatile organic compound (MVOC), depending on the surrounding environment. These secondary metabolites can help in bacterial plant interactions, bacteria–bacteria interactions, and also bacteria–fungal interactions. This chapter will explore the microbial community in the rhizosphere region of wetland plants as well as discuss the potential role of MVOC produced by these microorganisms in promoting wastewater treatment.