A Comprehensive Review on the Impact of Black-Odorous Water Bodies on the Physiological Ecology of Vallisneria natans and Its Associated Microbial Community

• Published in: Current pollution reports Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 27
• Main Authors: Hamoud, Fares, Bedouh, Yazid, Saili, Linda, Mellouk, Fatma Zohra, Rachedi, Sofiane Ali, Bekhouche, Ines
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Ammonia; Aquatic ecosystems; Aquatic environment; Aquatic life; Aquatic plants; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bacteria; Biodiversity; biofilm; Biofilms; Chemical oxygen demand; Climate change; Cyanobacteria; drugs; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecophysiology; Ecosystems; Effectiveness; Environment; Environmental Law/Policy/Ecojustice; Environmental restoration; Enzymes; Eutrophication; Heavy metals; Industrial Pollution Prevention; macrophytes; Metabolism; Metabolites; microbial communities; Microbiomes; Microbiota; Microorganisms; Microplastics; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Nitrogen; Nutrient cycles; Nutrient uptake; Nutrients; Odors; Oxidative stress; Pesticides; Phosphorus; Physiological ecology; Physiology; Phytoremediation; plant health; Plastic pollution; Pollutants; Pollution; Restoration strategies; Review; Sediments; Sulfide compounds; symbiosis; Topical Collection on Water and Sediment Pollution; Vallisneria; Vallisneria natans; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water quality; Aquatic ecosystem remediation; Vallisneria natans; Physiological ecology; Pollutant microbe interaction; Black odorous water bodies; Biofilm microbial community
• ISSN: 2198-6592; 2198-6592
• DOI: 10.1007/s40726-025-00359-5

Purpose of Review Black-odorous water bodies (BOWBs) pose significant environmental challenges, characterized by excessive nutrients, heavy metals, and organic pollutants that degrade aquatic ecosystems. This review examines the impact of BOWBs on the physiological ecology of Vallisneria natans , a submersed macrophyte known for its phytoremediation potential, and its associated biofilm microbial community. Recent Findings Vallisneria natans interacts symbiotically with biofilm communities, which facilitate nutrient cycling, pollutant degradation, and enhance overall plant health. However, pollutants like heavy metals, microplastics, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides disrupt this symbiotic relationship, leading to oxidative stress, impaired nutrient uptake, and reduced growth. These effects limit the effectiveness of V. natans in natural restoration processes, highlighting the need for targeted remediation strategies. Summary Understanding the complex interactions between V. natans and its biofilm community under the stress of BOWBs is essential for developing effective, eco-friendly restoration strategies. This review identifies key knowledge gaps and proposes future research directions to optimize restoration efforts in degraded aquatic systems.