Abstract

Urban lakes are vital ecological assets that provide water storage, biodiversity support, microclimate regulation, and recreational value. However, rapid urbanization, untreated wastewater discharge, and anthropogenic pressures have severely degraded their water quality. Microbial communities, due to their diverse metabolic capabilities, play a pivotal role in pollutant degradation, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem restoration. This review synthesizes current knowledge on urban lake pollution sources, the ecological significance of microbial communities, and biotechnological approaches—particularly the use of constructed wetlands (CWs) and floating treatment wetlands (FTWs)—for urban lake remediation. Case studies and recent advances in microbial bioremediation are discussed, with emphasis on integrating nature-based solutions into urban water management policies in India.

Key words: Urban lakes, microbial remediation, constructed wetlands, floating treatment wetlands, eutrophication, wastewater treatment, India, nature-based solutions