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Zhou Z, Huang F, Chen L, Liu F, Wang B, Tang J. Effects of antibiotics on microbial nitrogen cycling and N 2O emissions: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:142034. [PMID: 38615962 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracyclines, and macrolides are the most prevalent classes of antibiotics used in both medical treatment and agriculture. The misuse of antibiotics leads to their extensive dissemination in the environment. These antibiotics can modify the structure and functionality of microbial communities, consequently impacting microbial-mediated nitrogen cycling processes including nitrification, denitrification, and anammox. They can change the relative abundance of nirK/norB contributing to the emission of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the presence of these four antibiotic classes across different environmental matrices and synthesizes current knowledge of their effects on the nitrogen cycle, including the underlying mechanisms. Such an overview is crucial for understanding the ecological impacts of antibiotics and for guiding future research directions. The presence of antibiotics in the environment varies widely, with significant differences in concentration and type across various settings. We conducted a comprehensive review of over 70 research articles that compare various aspects including processes, antibiotics, concentration ranges, microbial sources, experimental methods, and mechanisms of influence. Antibiotics can either inhibit, have no effect, or even stimulate nitrification, denitrification, and anammox, depending on the experimental conditions. The influence of antibiotics on the nitrogen cycle is characterized by dose-dependent responses, primarily inhibiting nitrification, denitrification, and anammox. This is achieved through alterations in microbial community composition and diversity, carbon source utilization, enzyme activities, electron transfer chain function, and the abundance of specific functional enzymes and antibiotic resistance genes. These alterations can lead to diminished removal of reactive nitrogen and heightened nitrous oxide emissions, potentially exacerbating the greenhouse effect and related environmental issues. Future research should consider diverse reaction mechanisms and expand the scope to investigate the combined effects of multiple antibiotics, as well as their interactions with heavy metals and other chemicals or organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zikun Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, PR China
| | - Fuyang Huang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Linpeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, PR China
| | - Fei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Groundwater Conservation of MWR, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, PR China
| | - Bin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recycle, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang, Sichuan, PR China.
| | - Jie Tang
- College of Environment and Civil Engineering, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan, PR China
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McLain NK, Gomez MY, Gachomo EW. Acetaminophen Levels Found in Recycled Wastewater Alter Soil Microbial Community Structure and Functional Diversity. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 85:1448-1462. [PMID: 35507048 PMCID: PMC10167187 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-022-02022-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The practice of using recycled wastewater (RWW) has been successfully adopted to address the growing demand for clean water. However, chemicals of emerging concern (CECs) including pharmaceutical products remain in the RWW even after additional cleaning. When RWW is used to irrigate crops or landscapes, these chemicals can enter these and adjacent environments. Unfortunately, the overall composition and concentrations of CECs found in different RWW sources vary, and even the same source can vary over time. Therefore, we selected one compound that is found frequently and in high concentrations in many RWW sources, acetaminophen (APAP), to use for our study. Using greenhouse grown eggplants treated with APAP concentrations within the ranges found in RWW effluents, we investigated the short-term impacts of APAP on the soil bacterial population under agricultural settings. Using Illumina sequencing-based approaches, we showed that APAP has the potential to cause shifts in the microbial community most likely by positively selecting for bacteria that are capable of metabolizing the breakdown products of APAP such as glycosides and carboxylic acids. Community-level physiological profiles of carbon metabolism were evaluated using Biolog EcoPlate as a proxy for community functions. The Biolog plates indicated that the metabolism of amines, amino acids, carbohydrates, carboxylic acids, and polymers was significantly higher in the presence of APAP. Abundance of microorganisms of importance to plant health and productivity was altered by APAP. Our results indicate that the soil microbial community and functions could be altered by APAP at concentrations found in RWW. Our findings contribute to the knowledge base needed to guide policies regulating RWW reuse in agriculture and also highlight the need to further investigate the effects of CECs found in RWW on soil microbiomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan K McLain
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Melissa Y Gomez
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Emma W Gachomo
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
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3
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Gamoń F, Cema G, Ziembińska-Buczyńska A. The influence of antibiotics on the anammox process - a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:8074-8090. [PMID: 34845633 PMCID: PMC8776664 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17733-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) is one of the most promising processes for the treatment of ammonium-rich wastewater. It is more effective, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than the conventional process currently in use for nitrogen removal. Unfortunately, anammox bacteria are sensitive to various substances, including heavy metals and organic matter commonly found in the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Of these deleterious substances, antibiotics are recognized to be important. For decades, the increasing consumption of antibiotics has led to the increased occurrence of antibiotics in the aquatic environment, including wastewater. One of the most important issues related to antibiotic pollution is the generation and transfer of antibiotic resistance bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Here, we will discuss the effect of short- and long-term exposure of the anammox process to antibiotic pollutants; with a special focus on the activity of the anammox bacteria, biomass properties, community structures, the presence of antibiotic resistance genes and combined effect of antibiotics with other substances commonly found in wastewater. Further, the defense mechanisms according to which bacteria adapt against antibiotic stress are speculated upon. This review aims to facilitate a better understanding of the influence of antibiotics and other co-pollutants on the anammox process and to highlight future avenues of research to target gaps in the knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Gamoń
- Environmental Biotechnology Department, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2A, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Grzegorz Cema
- Environmental Biotechnology Department, Silesian University of Technology, Akademicka 2A, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland
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4
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Pharmaceutical Compounds in Aquatic Environments-Occurrence, Fate and Bioremediation Prospective. TOXICS 2021; 9:toxics9100257. [PMID: 34678953 PMCID: PMC8537644 DOI: 10.3390/toxics9100257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Various contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) have been detected in different ecosystems, posing a threat to living organisms and the environment. Pharmaceuticals are among the many CECs that enter the environment through different pathways, with wastewater treatment plants being the main input of these pollutants. Several technologies for the removal of these pollutants have been developed through the years, but there is still a lack of sustainable technologies suitable for being applied in natural environments. In this regard, solutions based on natural biological processes are attractive for the recovery of contaminated environments. Bioremediation is one of these natural-based solutions and takes advantage of the capacity of microorganisms to degrade different organic pollutants. Degradation of pollutants by native microorganisms is already known to be an important detoxification mechanism that is involved in natural attenuation processes that occur in the environment. Thus, bioremediation technologies based on the selection of natural degrading bacteria seem to be a promising clean-up technology suitable for application in natural environments. In this review, an overview of the occurrence and fate of pharmaceuticals is carried out, in which bioremediation tools are explored for the removal of these pollutants from impacted environments.
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5
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Ruan Y, Cai L, Lu H, Zhang M, Xu X, Li W. Performance of Aerobic Denitrification by the Strain Pseudomonas balearica RAD-17 in the Presence of Antibiotics. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9081584. [PMID: 34442663 PMCID: PMC8398835 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Aerobic denitrification, one of the important nitrate metabolic pathways in biological denitrification, has been attracting increasing interest recently due to its functional advantages. In order to evaluate the effect of antibiotics on aerobic denitrification and guide practical engineering application of aerobic denitrification techniques, we evaluated the performance of aerobic denitrification by the strain Pseudomonas balearica RAD-17 in the presence of ciprofloxacin (CFX) and oxytetracycline (OTC). No significant negative impact on the performance of aerobic denitrification in the presence of CFX or OTC within the range of 50 to 300 μg L-1 was found. Significant degradation of OTC was found within the range of 50 μg L-1 to 300 μg L-1 under aerobic denitrification conditions, while no degradation was found for CFX. Stimulation of cell growth occurred within the investigated range of antibiotics. Under anoxic or aerobic conditions, the addition of CFX or OTC changed the N2O production trend. The results in the present study may play an important role in informing the use of aerobic denitrification techniques in the presence of antibiotics within environmentally relevant concentrations (<1 mg/L).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunjie Ruan
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Bio-Systems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;
- Academy of Rural Development, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Laboratory of Microbial Resources, College of Food Science and Biotechnology, Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou 310035, China;
| | - Huifeng Lu
- Zhejiang Water Healer Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311121, China;
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (X.X.)
- Advanced Environmental Biotechnology Centre, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Xiangyang Xu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (M.Z.); (X.X.)
| | - Wenbing Li
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
- Correspondence:
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Hagberg A, Gupta S, Rzhepishevska O, Fick J, Burmølle M, Ramstedt M. Do environmental pharmaceuticals affect the composition of bacterial communities in a freshwater stream? A case study of the Knivsta river in the south of Sweden. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 763:142991. [PMID: 33121787 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceutical substances present at low concentrations in the environment may cause effects on biological systems such as microbial consortia living on solid riverbed substrates. These consortia are an important part of the river ecosystem as they form part of the food chain. This case study aims to contribute to an increased understanding of how low levels of pharmaceuticals in freshwater streams may influence sessile bacterial consortia. An important point source for pharmaceutical release into the environment is treated household sewage water. In order to investigate what types of effects may occur, we collected water samples as well as riverbed substrates from a small stream in the south of Sweden, Knivstaån, upstream and downstream from a sewage treatment plant (STP). Data from these samples formed the base of this case study where we investigated both the presence of pharmaceuticals in the water and bacterial composition on riverbed substrates. In the water downstream from the STP, 19 different pharmaceuticals were detected at levels below 800 ng/dm3. The microbial composition was obtained from sequencing 16S rRNA genes directly from substrates as well as from cultivated isolates. The cultivated strains showed reduced species variability compared with the data obtained directly from the substrates. No systematic differences were observed following the sampling season. However, differences could be seen between samples upstream and downstream from the STP effluent. We further observed large similarities in bacterial composition on natural stones compared to sterile stones introduced into the river approximately two months prior to sampling, giving indications for future sampling methodology of biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Hagberg
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå Center for Microbial Research, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Shashank Gupta
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Olena Rzhepishevska
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå Center for Microbial Research, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jerker Fick
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå Center for Microbial Research, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Mette Burmølle
- Section of Microbiology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Madeleine Ramstedt
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå Center for Microbial Research, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden.
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7
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Li J, Du Q, Peng H, Wei D, Liu Q, Bi Y, Liu T, Lin J, Qin C. Spectroscopic investigation of the interaction between extracellular polymeric substances and tetracycline during sorption onto anaerobic ammonium-oxidising sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 42:1787-1797. [PMID: 31622177 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1680743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the interaction between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and tetracycline during sorption onto anaerobic ammonium-oxidising (anammox) sludge was investigated. The results showed that EPS significantly enhanced the adsorption efficiency of tetracycline by sludge, and the adsorption data were better fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Further, the concentration of proteins in the EPS decreased from 12.31 ± 0.42 to 6.82 ± 0.46 mg/gVSS for various tetracycline dosages (0-20 mg/L), whereas the concentration of polysaccharides did not change. Multiple spectroscopic methods were used to analyze the interaction between EPS and tetracycline. A three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix revealed that the fluorescence intensity of protein-like substances obviously decreased with the increasing addition of tetracycline. According to synchronous fluorescence spectra analysis, static quenching was the major quenching process and there was one type of binding site in the protein-like substances. Additionally, two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy showed that tryptophan-like aromatic protein was more susceptible to tetracycline binding than tyrosine-like aromatic protein. Moreover, the main functional groups involved in complexation of tetracycline and EPS were C-O, C-C and C-N (stretching vibration) and the pyrrole ring of the tryptophan side chain. This study provides useful information on the interaction between EPS and tetracycline and demonstrates the role of EPS in protecting microorganism from tetracycline in the anammox process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingping Du
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huangqiang Peng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dongyang Wei
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunqian Bi
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Junxi Lin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyi Qin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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8
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Xiao R, Ni BJ, Liu S, Lu H. Impacts of organics on the microbial ecology of wastewater anammox processes: Recent advances and meta-analysis. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 191:116817. [PMID: 33461083 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) represents a promising technology for wastewater nitrogen removal. Organics management is critical to achieving efficient and stable performance of anammox or integrated processes, e.g., denitratation-anammox. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesize the state-of-the-art knowledge on the multifaceted impacts of organics on wastewater anammox community structure and function. Both exogenous and endogenous organics are discussed with respect to their effects on the biofilm/granule structure and function, as well as the interactions between anammox bacteria (AnAOB) and a broad range of coexisting functional groups. A global core community consisting of 19 taxa is identified and a co-occurrence network is constructed by meta-analysis on the 16S rDNA sequences of 149 wastewater anammox samples. Correlations between core taxa, keystone taxa, and environmental factors, including COD, nitrogen loading rate (NLR) and C/N ratio are obtained. This review provides a holistic understanding of the microbial responses to different origins and types of organics in wastewater anammox reactors, which will facilitate the design and operation of more efficient anammox-based wastewater nitrogen removal process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Sitong Liu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Huijie Lu
- Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory for Water Pollution Control and Environmental Safety, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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Li W, Shi C, Yu Y, Ruan Y, Kong D, Lv X, Xu P, Awasthi MK, Dong M. Interrelationships between tetracyclines and nitrogen cycling processes mediated by microorganisms: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 319:124036. [PMID: 33032187 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.124036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low cost, tetracyclines (TCs) are a class of antibiotics widely used for human and veterinary medical purposes and as a growth-promoting agent for aquaculture. Interrelationships between TCs and nitrogen cycling have attracted scientific attention due to the complicated processes mediated by microorganisms. TCs negatively impact the nitrogen cycling; however, simultaneous degradation of TCs during nitrogen cycling mediated by microorganisms can be achieved. This review encapsulates the background and distribution of TCs in the environment. Additionally, the main nitrogen cycling process mediated by microorganisms were retrospectively examined. Furthermore, effects of TCs on the nitrogen cycling processes, namely nitrification, denitrification, and anammox, have been summarized. Finally, the pathway and microbial mechanism of degradation of TCs accompanied by nitrogen cycling processes were reviewed, along with the scope for prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbing Li
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Changze Shi
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yanwen Yu
- Zhejiang Water Healer Environmental Technology Co., Ltd, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Yunjie Ruan
- Institute of Agricultural Bio-Environmental Engineering, College of Bio-systems Engineering and Food Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Dedong Kong
- Agricultural Experiment Station, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaofei Lv
- Department of Environmental Engineering, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ping Xu
- Department of Tea Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mukesh Kumar Awasthi
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, PR China; Swedish Centre for Resource Recovery, University of Borås, 50190 Borås, Sweden.
| | - Ming Dong
- Key Laboratory of Hangzhou City for Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
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10
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Ozumchelouei EJ, Hamidian AH, Zhang Y, Yang M. A critical review on the effects of antibiotics on anammox process in wastewater. REV CHEM ENG 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/revce-2020-0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) has recently become of significant interest due to its capability for cost-effective nitrogen elimination from wastewater. However, anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB) are sensitive to environmental changes and toxic substances. In particular, the presence of antibiotics in wastewater, which is considered unfavorable to the anammox process, has become a growing concern. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effects of these inhibitors to acquire information on the applicability of the anammox process. Hence, this review summarizes our knowledge of the effects of commonly detected antibiotics in water matrices, including fluoroquinolone, macrolide, β-lactam, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, sulfonamide, glycopeptide, and aminoglycoside, on the anammox process. According to the literature, the presence of antibiotics in wastewater could partially or completely inhibit anammox reactions, in which antibiotics targeting protein synthesis or DNA replication (excluding aminoglycoside) were the most effective against the AnAOB strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elnaz Jafari Ozumchelouei
- School of Chemical Engineering , University College of Engineering, University of Tehran , Tehran , Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Hamidian
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources , University of Tehran , Karaj , Iran
| | - Yu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry , Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100085, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, P.R. China
| | - Min Yang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources , University of Tehran , Karaj , Iran
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry , Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100085, P.R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100049, P.R. China
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11
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Park S, Seungdae O. Inhibitory mechanisms and fate of the analgesic drug acetaminophen in nitrifying activated sludge. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 399:123104. [PMID: 32544770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This work investigated the inhibitory effects and fate of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) on activated sludge (AS) under nitrifying and aerobic conditions. APAP disrupted the two-step biological nitrification process in a dose-dependent manner. 100 mg/L APAP inhibited ammonia oxidation (the first step of nitrification) accompanied by a significant reduction (> 80 %) of Nitrosomonas oligotropha in relative abundance. 50 mg/L of APAP had no significant effects on ammonia oxidation but interrupted nitrite oxidation (the second step of nitrification) with more than 90 % reduction of Candidatus Nitrospira defluvii. APAP was removed in nitrifying activated sludge via largely the biotransformation route. Both nitrifiers and heterotrophic microorganisms contributed to overall APAP removal. An AS bioreactor was acclimated to 100 mg/L APAP as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy to enrich the microbial community with APAP-metabolizing heterotrophs. During acclimation, dynamic changes in community phenotypes occurred with significant reduction in species richness and diversity. Community acclimation significantly increased APAP biotransformation rates. 16S rRNA gene-based community profiling showed selective enrichment for Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas, both with demonstrated APAP metabolic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeun Park
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Oh Seungdae
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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12
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Lan Z, Yang J, Feng L, Yu H, Ye X, Yang G, Gao H, Zhou J. Comparative analysis of denitrification performance, denitrifying community and functional genes to oxytetracycline exposure between single and hybrid biodegradable polymers supported solid-phase denitrification systems. Biodegradation 2020; 31:289-301. [PMID: 32920674 DOI: 10.1007/s10532-020-09910-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradable carrier are vital for the solid-phase denitrification (SPD) systems for treating nitrate-rich water. Two solid-phase denitrification reactors were developed with both 200 g L-1 of single (polycaprolactone, PCL) (R1) and hybrid solid carbon sources (PCL/polylactic acid (PLA) /polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA)) (R2) to examine the denitrification performance, denitrifying community and functional genes to various oxytetracycline (OTC) exposure in this study, respectively. Complete denitrification performance was achieved in the both SPD systems at low stress of OTC (1 mg L-1), but then dramatically reduced to less than 20% of nitrate reduction efficiency after one-month high OTC stress (10 mg L-1), and rapidly recovered to stable nitrate removal rates of 76.77 ± 5.48% (R1) and 40.68 ± 4.40% (R2) after the next day of no OTC stress. However, the reactor R1 with single PCL carriers acquired more efficient nitrate removal rate than that of reactor R2 at the high OTC stress and recovery phase with OTC stress, mainly due to the more organics availability from the single PCL carriers. The richness and diversity of nirK and nirS deintrifiers significantly declined at high OTC stress, and much more of those occurred in biofilm R1 with more organics availability. Besides, biofilm R1 achieved much more abundant periplasmic nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase genes and tetracycline resistance genes after high OTC stress, which explained the potential resistance to OTC and rapid recovery efficiency after no stress of OTC. Thus, the organics availability played an important role in assuring SPD system to be efficient under high OTC stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyu Lan
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingyi Yang
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Feng
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Xin Ye
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangfeng Yang
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiming Gao
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaheng Zhou
- College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, People's Republic of China
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Amariei G, Boltes K, Rosal R, Leton P. Enzyme response of activated sludge to a mixture of emerging contaminants in continuous exposure. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227267. [PMID: 31931513 PMCID: PMC6957336 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The relevant information about the impacts caused by presence of emerging pollutants in mixtures on the ecological environment, especially on the more vulnerable compartments such as activated sludge (AS) is relatively limited. This study investigated the effect of ibuprofen (IBU) and triclosan (TCS), alone and in combination to the performance and enzymatic activity of AS bacterial community. The assays were carried out in a pilot AS reactor operating for two-weeks under continuous dosage of pollutants. The microbial activity was tracked by measuring oxygen uptake rate, esterase activity, oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities. It was found that IBU and TCS had no acute toxic effects on reactor biomass concentration. TCS led to significant decrease of COD removal efficiency, which dropped from 90% to 35%. Continuous exposure to IBU, TCS and their mixtures increased the activities of glutathione s-transferase (GST) and esterase as a response to oxidative damage. A high increase in GST activity was associated with non-reversible toxic damage while peaks of esterase activity combined with moderate GST increase were attributed to an adaptive response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Amariei
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Karina Boltes
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Rosal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Leton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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14
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15
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Phong Vo HN, Le GK, Hong Nguyen TM, Bui XT, Nguyen KH, Rene ER, Vo TDH, Thanh Cao ND, Mohan R. Acetaminophen micropollutant: Historical and current occurrences, toxicity, removal strategies and transformation pathways in different environments. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 236:124391. [PMID: 31545194 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Acetaminophen (ACT) is commonly used as a counter painkiller and nowadays, it is increasingly present in the natural water environment. Although its concentrations are usually at the ppt to ppm levels, ACT can transform into various intermediates depending on the environmental conditions. Due to the complexity of the ACT degradation products and the intermediates, it poses a major challenge for monitoring, detection and to propose adequate treatment technologies. The main objectives of this review study were to assess (i) the occurrences and toxicities, (2) the removal technologies and (3) the transformation pathways and intermediates of ACT in four environmental compartments namely wastewater, surface water, ground water, and soil/sediments. Based on the review, it was observed that the ACT concentrations in wastewater can reach up to several hundreds of ppb. Amongst the different countries, China and the USA showed the highest ACT concentration in wastewater (≤300 μg/L), with a very high detection frequency (81-100%). Concerning surface water, the ACT concentrations were found to be at the ppt level. Some regions in France, Spain, Germany, Korea, USA, and UK comply with the recommended ACT concentration for drinking water (71 ng/L). Notably, ACT can transform and degrade into various metabolites such as aromatic derivatives or organic acids. Some of them (e.g., hydroquinone and benzoquinone) are toxic to human and other life forms. Thus, in water and wastewater treatment plants, tertiary treatment systems such as advanced oxidation, membrane separation, and hybrid processes should be used to remove the toxic metabolites of ACT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoang Nhat Phong Vo
- Institute of Research and Development, Duy Tan University, Da Nang, Viet Nam
| | - Gia Ky Le
- Environmental Engineering and Management Program, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Thi Minh Hong Nguyen
- Environmental Engineering and Management Program, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Xuan-Thanh Bui
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, VNU-HCM, Viet Nam.
| | - Khanh Hoang Nguyen
- National Food Institute, Denmark Technical University, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Eldon R Rene
- Department of Environmental Engineering and Water Technology, IHE - Delft, Institute of Water Education 2601 DA, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Thi Dieu Hien Vo
- NTT Institute of Hi-Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.
| | - Ngoc-Dan Thanh Cao
- NTT Institute of Hi-Technology, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
| | - Raj Mohan
- National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Karnataka, Dakshina Kannada, 575025, India
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16
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Costa F, Lago A, Rocha V, Barros Ó, Costa L, Vipotnik Z, Silva B, Tavares T. A Review on Biological Processes for Pharmaceuticals Wastes Abatement-A Growing Threat to Modern Society. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:7185-7202. [PMID: 31244068 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b06977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Over the last decades, the production and consumption of pharmaceuticals and health care products grew manifold, allowing an increase in life expectancy and a better life quality for humans and animals, in general. However, the growth in pharmaceuticals production and consumption comes with an increase in waste production, which creates a number of challenges as well as opportunities for the waste management industries. The conventional current technologies used to treat effluents have shown to be inefficient to remove or just to reduce the concentrations of these types of pollutants to the legal limits. The present review provides a thorough state-of-the-art overview on the use of biological processes in the rehabilitation of ecosystems contaminated with the pharmaceutical compounds most commonly detected in the environment and eventually more studied by the scientific community. Among the different biological processes, special attention is given to biosorption and biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filomena Costa
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Ana Lago
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Verónica Rocha
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Óscar Barros
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Lara Costa
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Ziva Vipotnik
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Bruna Silva
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
| | - Teresa Tavares
- Centre of Biological Engineering , University of Minho , Campus de Gualtar , 4710-057 Braga , Portugal
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17
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Du L, Cheng S, Hou Y, Sun X, Zhou D, Liu B. Influence of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and sulfamethazine (SM) on anammox bioreactors: Performance evaluation and bacterial community characterization. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 267:84-92. [PMID: 30015002 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.05.067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The specific inhibitory effects of sulfonamides on anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process remain unknown. This study investigated the inhibitory characteristics of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) and sulfamethazine (SM) in two anammox bioreactors with NH4+-N (160 mg/L) and NO2--N (210 mg/L) in influent. Results indicate that anammox bacteria in both bioreactors adapted to low antibiotic concentrations (less than 3 mg/L). At concentrations between 5 and 7 mg/L, SDM inhibited the growth of anammox bacteria and resulted in a decrease of Candidatus Brocadia abundance from 2.57% to 0.39%. In contrast, at concentrations of 5-9 mg/L, SM inhibited the denitrification process more severely than SDM, resulting in higher accumulation of nitrite and nitrate. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the inhibitory effects of sulfonamides on the anammox process and to provide a reference for the stable operation of anammox bioreactors for the treatment of sulfonamide-containing wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Du
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Research, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Shaoju Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Research, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Yuqian Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Research, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Xinbo Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Research, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Dechao Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Research, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Research, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, China.
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18
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Sguanci S, Lotti T, Caretti C, Caffaz S, Dockhorn T, Lubello C. Inhibitory effects of veterinary antibiotics on anammox activity: short- and long-term tests. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2017; 38:2661-2667. [PMID: 28001099 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2016.1272640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The suitability of the anammox process for the treatment of swine digester liquor was assessed through the evaluation of the short- and long-term inhibitory effect of three veterinary antibiotics commonly administered to Italian swine livestock. The toxicity of doxycycline, tiamulin and enrofloxacin was evaluated through batch tests designed to estimate specific anammox activity. Moreover, the short-term toxicity of combined concentrations of doxycycline and enrofloxacin was evaluated so as to verify whether a synergistic effect could be established. According to the inhibition recorded in the presence of the maximum antibiotics concentrations predicted for digester liquor, target compounds do not seem to represent a real hazard for anammox bacteria because at those concentration levels, the activity was just slightly reduced. Moreover, in granular systems, inhibition could be easily counterbalanced by increasing the biomass concentration in the reactor, thus assuring the design treatment capacity for antibiotic-rich wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Sguanci
- a Civil and Environmental Engineering Department , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - T Lotti
- a Civil and Environmental Engineering Department , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - C Caretti
- a Civil and Environmental Engineering Department , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
| | - S Caffaz
- b Publiacqua SPA , Florence , Italy
| | - T Dockhorn
- c Institute of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering , TU Braunschweig , Braunschweig , Germany
| | - C Lubello
- a Civil and Environmental Engineering Department , University of Florence , Florence , Italy
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Liu H, Yang Y, Ge Y, Zhao L, Long S, Zhang R. Interaction between common antibiotics and a Shewanella strain isolated from an enhanced biological phosphorus removal activated sludge system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2016; 222:114-122. [PMID: 27716563 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.09.096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
With increasing production and consumption, more antibiotics are discharged into wastewater treatment plants and generally cannot be sufficiently removed. Because of the complexities of biological treatment processes, the fates of antibiotics and their effects on microorganisms, particularly those involved in the phosphorus removal system, are still unclear. Here, a Shewanella strain was isolated from an enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) system and was found to have the ability to remove phosphorus (P) and chemical oxygen demand (CODcr). Antibiotics affected the Shewanella strain through metabolism of the three main intracellular polymers, altering the ability of the strain to remove P and CODcr. These effects varied with the structure and concentration of the antibiotics. The Shewanella strain removed cefalexin and amoxicillin by degradation or adsorption, producing 2-hydroxy-3-phenyl pyrazine from cefalexin. This study enabled the recognition of the effect and removal of antibiotics during wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yongkui Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Yanhui Ge
- School of Environmental Science and Safety Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China.
| | - Sha Long
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Ruochun Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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20
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Pharmaceuticals in the environment: Biodegradation and effects on natural microbial communities. A review. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2015; 106:25-36. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2014.11.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 282] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Revised: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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21
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The treatment of PPCP-containing sewage in an anoxic/aerobic reactor coupled with a novel design of solid plain graphite-plates microbial fuel cell. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:765652. [PMID: 25197659 PMCID: PMC4150452 DOI: 10.1155/2014/765652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic sewage containing high concentrations of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs, mg/L level) was treated using an anoxic/aerobic (A/O) reactor coupled with a microbial fuel cell (MFC) at hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 8 h. A novel design of solid plain graphite plates (SPGRPs) was used for the high surface area biodegradation of the PPCP-containing sewage and for the generation of electricity. The average CODCr and total nitrogen removal efficiencies achieved were 97.20% and 83.75%, respectively. High removal efficiencies of pharmaceuticals, including acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and sulfamethoxazole, were also obtained and ranged from 98.21% to 99.89%. A maximum power density of 532.61 mW/cm2 and a maximum coulombic efficiency of 25.20% were measured for the SPGRP MFC at the anode. Distinct differences in the bacterial community were presented at various locations including the mixed liquor suspended solids and biofilms. The bacterial groups involved in PPCP biodegradation were identified as Dechloromonas spp., Sphingomonas sp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This design, which couples an A/O reactor with a novel design of SPGRP MFC, allows the simultaneous removal of PPCPs and successful electricity production.
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22
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Scherson YD, Woo SG, Criddle CS. Production of nitrous oxide from anaerobic digester centrate and its use as a co-oxidant of biogas to enhance energy recovery. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:5612-9. [PMID: 24780056 DOI: 10.1021/es501009j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Coupled Aerobic-anoxic Nitrous Decomposition Operation (CANDO) is a new process for wastewater treatment that removes nitrogen from wastewater and recovers energy from the nitrogen in three steps: (1) NH4(+) oxidation to NO2(-); (2) NO2(-) reduction to N2O gas; and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy production. In this work, we optimize Steps 1 and 2 for anaerobic digester centrate, and we evaluate Step 3 for a full-scale biogas-fed internal combustion engine. Using a continuous stirred reactor coupled to a bench-scale sequencing batch reactor, we observed sustained partial oxidation of NH4(+) to NO2(-) and sustained (3 months) partial reduction of NO2(-) to N2O (75-80% conversion, mass basis), with >95% nitrogen removal (Step 2). Alternating pulses of acetate and NO2(-) selected for Comamonas (38%), Ciceribacter (16%), and Clostridium (11%). Some species stored polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and coupled oxidation of PHB to reduction of NO2(-) to N2O. Some species also stored phosphorus as polyphosphate granules. Injections of N2O into a biogas-fed engine at flow rates simulating a full-scale system increased power output by 5.7-7.3%. The results underscore the need for more detailed assessment of bioreactor community ecology and justify pilot- and full-scale testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaniv D Scherson
- Stanford University , Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States
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23
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Gao H, Scherson YD, Wells GF. Towards energy neutral wastewater treatment: methodology and state of the art. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2014; 16:1223-46. [PMID: 24777396 DOI: 10.1039/c4em00069b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Conventional biological wastewater treatment processes are energy-intensive endeavors that yield little or no recovered resources and often require significant external chemical inputs. However, with embedded energy in both organic carbon and nutrients (N, P), wastewater has the potential for substantial energy recovery from a low-value (or no-value) feedstock. A paradigm shift is thus now underway that is transforming our understanding of necessary energy inputs, and potential energy or resource outputs, from wastewater treatment, and energy neutral or even energy positive treatment is increasingly emphasized in practice. As two energy sources in domestic wastewater, we argue that the most suitable way to maximize energy recovery from wastewater treatment is to separate carbon and nutrient (particularly N) removal processes. Innovative anaerobic treatment technologies and bioelectrochemical processes are now being developed as high efficiency methods for energy recovery from waste COD. Recently, energy savings or even generation from N removal has become a hotspot of research and development activity, and nitritation-anammox, the newly developed CANDO process, and microalgae cultivation are considered promising techniques. In this paper, we critically review these five emerging low energy or energy positive bioprocesses for sustainable wastewater treatment, with a particular focus on energy optimization in management of nitrogenous oxygen demand. Taken together, these technologies are now charting a path towards to a new paradigm of resource and energy recovery from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Gao
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA.
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