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Ma H, Chen S, Lv L, Ye Z, Yang J, Wang B, Zou J, Li J, Ganigué R. Large-sized aerobic granular biofilm: stable biotechnology to improve nitrogen removal and reduce sludge yield. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 429:132543. [PMID: 40239902 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132543] [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: 01/29/2025] [Revised: 04/04/2025] [Accepted: 04/13/2025] [Indexed: 04/18/2025]
Abstract
Three parallel sequencing batch reactors (control, small-sized polyurethane sponge (PUS) (3.0 mm), and large-sized PUS (10.0 mm)) were used to investigate aerobic granular biofilm (AGB) characteristics. Results show that 10.0 mm PUS facilitated rapid formation of large-sized AGB (AGBL), which exhibited higher biomass concentration (8.5 g/L) and faster settling velocity (69.2-159.3 m/h) than aerobic granular sludge (AGS) (3.2 g/L and 38.6-80.0 m/h). The AGBL system also maintained long-term structural stability with a lower instability coefficient (0.004-0.018 min-1) than AGS (0.053-0.090 min-1). Additionally, during long-term operation, the AGBL system achieved excellent removal efficiencies for NH4+-N (99.6 ± 0.4 %) and total nitrogen (92.3 ± 2.6 %), and exhibited a lower sludge yield (0.05 gVSS/gCOD) than AGS (0.14 gVSS/gCOD). The larger size and compact structure of AGBL increased anoxic/anaerobic zones, enriching denitrifying and hydrolytic/fermentative bacteria. These findings highlight AGBL with large PUS as a more promising biotechnology for practical applications than conventional AGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Ma
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Sihao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Linhuan Lv
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Zhou Ye
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Binbin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jinte Zou
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Shaoxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Shaoxing 312000, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Ramon Ganigué
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology (CMET), Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Center for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Fan C, Hou D, Zhang L, Li C, Chen L, Zhang P, Wu Y, Zou J. Bioaugmentation using HN-AD consortia for high salinity wastewater treatment: Synergistic effects of halotolerant bacteria and nitrogen removal bacteria. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2025; 381:125355. [PMID: 40233618 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125355] [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: 02/12/2025] [Revised: 04/06/2025] [Accepted: 04/10/2025] [Indexed: 04/17/2025]
Abstract
Bioaugmentation shows promise in enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency of high-salt wastewater, yet the impact of microbial associations on ecosystem function and community stability remains unclear. This study innovatively introduced a novel heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacterial consortium to improve the performance of SBR reactor for removing nitrogen from saline wastewater. The results revealed that the bioaugmented reactor (R2) exhibited superior removal performance, achieving maximum removal efficiencies of 87.8 % for COD and 97.8 % for NH4+-N. Moreover, proper salinity (2 % and 4 %) promoted the secretion of EPS and ectoine, further enhancing the resistance and stability of bacterial consortia. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics analysis revealed the key denitrifying bacteria Pseudomonas and salt-tolerant bacteria Halomonas were successfully coexistence and the relative abundances of crucial genes (napB, nirS, norB, norC and nosZ) were increased obviously, which were benefit for the excellent nitrogen removal performance in R2. These findings elucidate microbial interactions in response to salinity in bioaugmentation, providing a valuable reference for the efficient treatment of high-saline wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Hou
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China.
| | - Lan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China
| | - Chuncheng Li
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China
| | - Lutong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China
| | - Pei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China
| | - Yunjie Wu
- China Metallurgical Geology Southwest Co., Ltd., Kunming Geological Exploration Institute of China Metallurgical Geology Administration, No. 702 Longquan Road, Kunming, 650200, P.R. China
| | - Jianping Zou
- Key Laboratory of Jiangxi Province for Persistent Pollutants Prevention Control and Resource Reuse, Nanchang Hangkong University, Nanchang, 330063, P.R. China.
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3
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Xiong W, Wang Y, Xiao G, Wang S, Chen B, Su H. Unravelling the mechanism of residual sludge promoting rapid formation of microalgal-bacterial granular sludge: Enhancement of extracellular polymers substances and electron transfer efficiency. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2025; 272:121122. [PMID: 39956424 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2025.121122] [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: 11/20/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2025] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 02/18/2025]
Abstract
Microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) is a sustainable biotechnology that has attracted increasing attention, but there remains limited knowledge about the utilization of residual sludge generated from MBGS. This present work proposed a promising approach to rapidly construct the MBGS system from activated sludge by inoculating residual microalgal-bacterial sludge. Compared with inoculated activated sludge, the newly formed MBGS maintained a stable structure, higher biomass content (4.51 g/L), better settleability (42 mL/g), and higher pollutant removal. The results indicated that inoculation of residual sludge resulted in higher extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content and promoted the microbial aggregation. Besides, this increase effectively improved the electron transfer efficiency within the particle, which facilitated the granulation of MBGS. Microbial community analysis revealed that the dominant bacteria (Pseudofulvimonas and Thauera) were mainly responsible for the secretion of EPS. Furthermore, the nitrogen and phosphorus metabolic pathways were also promoted to some certain extent. In conclusion, the inoculation of residual sludge can achieve an effective reduction in granulation period. This study provides a novel insight and fills the gap in the utilization of residual sludge generated by MBGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemicals Biomanufacturing, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yaoqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemicals Biomanufacturing, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Gang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemicals Biomanufacturing, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Shaojie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemicals Biomanufacturing, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Biqiang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemicals Biomanufacturing, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Haijia Su
- State Key Laboratory of Green Biomanufacturing, Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Chemicals Biomanufacturing, College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, China.
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4
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Veerabadhran M, Chen L, Lens PNL, Nancharaiah YV. Algal-bacterial granules for circular bioeconomy: Formation mechanisms and biotechnological applications. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2025; 382:125393. [PMID: 40250180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.125393] [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: 01/12/2025] [Revised: 03/28/2025] [Accepted: 04/13/2025] [Indexed: 04/20/2025]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria and microalgae are sustainable and renewable biocatalysts for solar energy harvesting, recovering nutrients from wastewater, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and enable creation of a sustainable circular bioeconomy. Pure and axenic cultures of photosynthetic microorganisms have been widely studied for synthesizing bio-based products through improving the metabolic pathways via genetic engineering. However, pure cultures suffer from contamination and separation challenges when considered for environmental applications. Mixed microbial communities comprising of photosynthetic organisms and bacteria in the form of either flocs or granules have recently received a lot of attention due to their potential contribution to wastewater treatment, environmental sustainability and circular bioeconomy. The advantages of algal-bacterial granules (ABG) in WWTPs include effective elimination of contaminants and nutrients, reduction in aeration requirement, and production of biomass feedstock for downstream processing. Although ABG are an attractive option for energy positive wastewater treatment, it is not yet matured as technological option for deployment in full-scale WWTPs. Moreover, several aspects of ABG including synergistic metabolism, granulation mechanisms, granular stability, bioreactor operating conditions, cell-cell interactions, extracellular polymeric substances and bio-based products deserve more intense research. This article provides a detailed overview of algal-bacterial communities, their occurrence in natural environments, ABG cultivation in engineered settings, potential biotechnological applications and the recent progress made towards sustainable biological wastewater treatment and circular bioeconomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruthanayagam Veerabadhran
- Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, WSCD, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; Microbial Process Engineering Group, Microbial Manufacturing Engineering Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences - Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Microbial Process Engineering Group, Microbial Manufacturing Engineering Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences - Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Qingdao, 266101, Shandong, China.
| | - Piet N L Lens
- IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, the Netherlands
| | - Y V Nancharaiah
- Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, WSCD, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400 094, India.
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5
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Zou J, Ye Z, Ma H, Cai L, Yang J, Yu F, Su Y, Chen Y, Li J. Sodium citrate enhances anaerobic fermentation of granular sludge: the multifaceted roles of structure disruption and metabolic regulation. WATER RESEARCH 2025; 280:123729. [PMID: 40305949 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2025] [Revised: 04/16/2025] [Accepted: 04/25/2025] [Indexed: 05/02/2025]
Abstract
Anaerobic fermentation is an efficient approach for recovering organic carbon and other valuable resources from waste sludge, yet its efficiency is constrained by the structural stability of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), especially for aerobic granular sludge (AGS). Despite the abundant physical-chemical pre-treatment approaches for enhancing EPS dissolution, biocompatible strategies coordinating structural disruption with metabolic regulation remain unexplored. Herein, sodium citrate (SC) was used to enhance the performance of anaerobic fermentation of AGS. The results suggested that SC significantly enhanced the hydrolysis efficiency and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production of AGS. Despite the direct conversion of SC to acetate, indirect enhancement played more important roles in AGS fermentation. Mechanism analysis indicated that SC disrupted granular sludge structure by chelating Ca2+ and facilitated the release of EPS and hydrolytic enzymes, which was conducive to sludge hydrolysis and acidification. At the level of microbial community, SC facilitated the accumulation of VFAs by enriching the acid-producing microorganisms and inhibiting the acid-consuming microorganisms. Furthermore, SC regulated the genes involved in the direct generation of acetate and pyruvate-centric metabolism, resulting in the massive accumulation of VFAs. Finally, the economic benefits resulting from increased VFA production versus SC costs. Overall, SC enhanced the anaerobic fermentation of AGS by simultaneously affecting EPS structure and regulating metabolism, and this study provided efficient methods for AGS anaerobic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinte Zou
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Gongshu Institute of Future Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Zhou Ye
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Haibo Ma
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Lei Cai
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Jiaqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Fengfan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yinglong Su
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Yifeng Chen
- School of Environment and Natural Resources, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
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6
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de Carvalho CB, da Silva VEPSG, Frutuoso FKA, Dos Santos AB. Influence of saline stress in alternating pulses on aerobic granulation and resource production using different inoculum sources. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2025:10.1007/s00449-025-03163-z. [PMID: 40221615 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-025-03163-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2025] [Accepted: 03/29/2025] [Indexed: 04/14/2025]
Abstract
Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is a promising technology for wastewater treatment, particularly for its ability to recover valuable resources such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, alginate-like exopolysaccharide, and phosphorus. However, achieving stable granule formation remains a significant challenge. Research has shown that the addition of salt can accelerate the granulation process and enhance bioresource production. The source of the seed biomass is also critical for the system's success, with most AGS studies using activated sludge as the inoculum. This study aims to compare granulation, reactor performance, and bioresource recovery outcomes using inocula from different sources while also evaluating the impact of saline stress. Four sequential batch reactors were monitored, differing in the type of inoculum sludge (biomass from an aerated biofilter or activated sludge systems) and the presence of NaCl in the feed. The saline feed alternated between cycles containing 5 gNaCl/L and conventional feed without NaCl. Osmotic pressure was found to favor granulation and solids accumulation in both types of biomasses. Reactors inoculated with activated sludge and subjected to salt addition achieved complete granulation more rapidly. In contrast, reactors inoculated with submerged aerated biofilter sludge exhibited higher solids concentrations. All systems demonstrated excellent chemical oxygen demand removal, with activated sludge reactors showing superior performance in ammonia and total nitrogen removal and bioresources recovery. Salt addition stimulated the production of extracellular polymeric substances and amino acids such as tyrosine and tryptophan while reducing the intensity of fulvic acid-like substances, irrespective of the inoculum type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Bandeira de Carvalho
- Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Campus do Pici, Bloco 713, Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará, CEP: 60455-900, Brazil
| | | | - Francisca Kamila Amancio Frutuoso
- Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Campus do Pici, Bloco 713, Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará, CEP: 60455-900, Brazil
| | - André Bezerra Dos Santos
- Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Campus do Pici, Bloco 713, Pici, Fortaleza, Ceará, CEP: 60455-900, Brazil.
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7
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Cui Y, Zhang L, Wang H, Fan X, Peng Y. Advanced nitrogen removal from extremely low carbon/nitrogen ratio municipal wastewater by optimizing multiple pathways based on step-feed and intermittent aeration. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 421:132202. [PMID: 39933664 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132202] [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: 10/28/2024] [Revised: 01/14/2025] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 02/13/2025]
Abstract
The advantages of step-feed and intermittent aeration have been well-documented, however, combining them to enhance nitrogen removal in anaerobic/oxic/anoxic systems has been rarely explored. This study established the non-single-form anoxic stages by step-feed and intermittent aeration and finally enhanced the nitrogen removal of real municipal wastewater with step-feed anaerobic/oxic/anoxic/oxic/anoxic operation mode. Results revealed that Candidatus_Brocadia increased from 0.00 % to 0.21 % in the suspended sludge system, contributing 54.7 % of the nitrogen removal. Partial nitrification (PN) and endogenous partial denitrification (EPD) supplied nitrite for Anammox. A comprehensive multi-pathway nitrogen removal system, encompassing PN, nitrification, partial denitrification, Anammox, EPD/Anammox, and denitrification was constructed. The system effectively reduced total inorganic nitrogen concentration to 3.6 ± 1.2 mg/L at a carbon/nitrogen ratio of 3.0 ± 0.3, achieving a nitrogen removal efficiency of 95.3 ± 1.5 %. This study provides a novel approach for the advanced treatment of municipal wastewater and enrichment of anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124 PR China
| | - Liang Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124 PR China
| | - Hanbin Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124 PR China
| | - Xinsheng Fan
- China Energy Conservation and Environmental Protection Group (CECEP) Guozhen Environm Protect Sci & Tech Co Ltd, Hefei 230088 PR China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124 PR China.
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8
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Arthur W, Morgan Z, Inskeep AE, Browne C, Wells DE, Bourassa DV, Higgins BT. Assessing nitrogen recovery in poultryponics for hydroponic lettuce production using treated poultry processing wastewater for increased nitrogen neutrality. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 422:132227. [PMID: 39956524 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132227] [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: 11/12/2024] [Revised: 01/07/2025] [Accepted: 02/13/2025] [Indexed: 02/18/2025]
Abstract
Poultry processing wastewater (PPW) is a nutrient-rich effluent suitable for hydroponic irrigation. A nitrogen mass balance was developed for a pilot-scale poultryponics system comprising bioreactors (algal-bacteria consortium vs. bacteria only), clarifiers, filters, UV disinfection and hydroponic grow beds to assess N recovery and lettuce production on treated PPW. Lettuce cultivated on treated PPW showed 5 ± 1 % higher root biomass, 58 ± 10 % lower shoot growth, and nutrient deficiency (K, Mg, Ca, Cu) compared to mineral fertilizer treatments (p < 0.05). pH control (pH = 7.0) and nutrient supplementation (N, P, K and micronutrients) mitigated growth inhibition. Nitrogen was not limiting, as nitrogen utilization efficiency ranged from 3.7 %-6.3 %, with 65.4 %-83.0 % of input nitrogen (∼213 g N) remaining in effluents, indicating the potential for a larger plant production system. These findings highlight the importance of targeted nutrient supplementation to enhance lettuce growth on treated PPW, while balancing nitrogen supply with plant demands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wellington Arthur
- Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States
| | - Zach Morgan
- Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States
| | - Ann E Inskeep
- Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States
| | - Catherine Browne
- Department of Horticulture, Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States
| | - Daniel E Wells
- Department of Horticulture, Funchess Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States
| | - Dianna V Bourassa
- Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, AL 36849, United States
| | - Brendan T Higgins
- Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, United States.
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9
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van Olst B, Eerden SA, Eštok NA, Roy S, Abbas B, Lin Y, van Loosdrecht MCM, Pabst M. Metaproteomic Profiling of the Secretome of a Granule-forming Ca. Accumulibacter Enrichment. Proteomics 2025; 25:e202400189. [PMID: 40066478 PMCID: PMC12019908 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202400189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2024] [Revised: 02/10/2025] [Accepted: 02/11/2025] [Indexed: 04/25/2025]
Abstract
Extracellular proteins are supposed to play crucial roles in the formation and structure of biofilms and aggregates. However, often little is known about these proteins, in particular for microbial communities. Here, we use two advanced metaproteomic approaches to study the extracellular proteome in a granular Candidatus Accumulibacter enrichment as a proxy for microbial communities that form solid microbial granules, such as those used in biological wastewater treatment. Limited proteolysis of whole granules and metaproteome isolation from the culture's supernatant successfully classified over 50% of the identified protein biomass to be secreted. Moreover, structural and sequence-based classification identified 387 proteins, corresponding to over 50% of the secreted protein biomass, with characteristics that could aid the formation of aggregates, including filamentous, beta-barrel containing, and cell surface proteins. While various of these aggregate-forming proteins originated from Ca. Accumulibacter, some proteins associated with other taxa. This suggests that not only a range of different proteins but also multiple organisms contribute to granular biofilm formation. Therefore, the obtained extracellular metaproteome data from the granular Ca. Accumulibacter enrichment provides a resource for exploring proteins that potentially support the formation and stability of granular biofilms, whereas the demonstrated approaches can be applied to explore biofilms of microbial communities in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berdien van Olst
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
| | - Simon A. Eerden
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
| | - Nella A. Eštok
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
| | - Samarpita Roy
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
| | - Ben Abbas
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
| | | | - Martin Pabst
- Department of BiotechnologyDelft University of TechnologyDelftthe Netherlands
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10
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Ye Y, Cai Y, Wang F, He Y, Yang Y, Guo Z, Liu M, Ren H, Wang S, Liu D, Xu J, Wang Z. Industrial Microbial Technologies for Feed Protein Production from Non-Protein Nitrogen. Microorganisms 2025; 13:742. [PMID: 40284579 PMCID: PMC12029832 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13040742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2025] [Revised: 03/21/2025] [Accepted: 03/22/2025] [Indexed: 04/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Due to the increasing global demand for feed protein, microbial protein has great potential of being able to feed sustainably. However, the application of microbial protein in the animal cultivation industry is still limited by its high cost and availability on scale. From the viewpoint of industrial production, it is vital to specify the crucial processes and components for further technical exploration and process optimization. This article presents state-of-the-art industrial microbial technologies for non-protein nitrogen (NPN) assimilation in feed protein production. Nitrogen sources are one of the main cost factors in the media used for large-scale microbial protein fermentation. Therefore, the available NPN sources for microbial protein synthesis, NPN utilization mechanisms, and fermentation technologies corresponding to the strain and NPN are reviewed in this paper. Especially, the random mutagenesis and adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) approach combined with (ultra-) throughput screening provided the main impetus for strain evolution to increase the protein yield. Despite the underlying potential and technological advances in the production of microbial protein, extensive research and development efforts are still required before large-scale commercial application of microbial protein in animal feed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Yafan Cai
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Transport Fuel Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Fei Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Yi He
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Yuxuan Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Zhengxiang Guo
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Mengyu Liu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Huimin Ren
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
| | - Shilei Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Transport Fuel Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Dong Liu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China;
| | - Jingliang Xu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Transport Fuel Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (Y.Y.); (Y.C.); (F.W.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (Z.G.); (M.L.); (H.R.); (S.W.); (J.X.)
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Transport Fuel Technology, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
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11
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Chen X, Dong X, Wang J, Lei Z, Yuan T, Shimizu K, Zhang Z, Lee DJ. Re-granulation and performance of anaerobically digested bacterial and algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2025; 375:124357. [PMID: 39889425 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.124357] [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: 12/10/2024] [Revised: 01/14/2025] [Accepted: 01/25/2025] [Indexed: 02/03/2025]
Abstract
Effective treatment and sustainable waste sludge management are critical challenges for future biorefinery wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated the feasibility of re-granulating anaerobically digested bacterial and algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge (AGS) for sustaining the continuous operation of the AGS-based WWTPs due to the requirement of long-term operation for granulation of flocculent activated sludge. Rapid re-granulation was achieved within 12 and 6 days respectively from digested bacterial AGS and algal-bacterial AGS, demonstrating their high stability and settleability even after anaerobic digestion (AD). The re-granulated bacterial AGS system exhibited >90% dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal, probably attributed to its greater microbial diversity and richness and elevated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion. The re-granulated algal-bacterial AGS system featured enhanced functional adaptability. It showed a lower average effluent dissolved total carbon concentration (∼100 mg/L) and high total inorganic nitrogen removal (>89%) in addition to > 56% maximum total phosphorus removal. Morphological observations revealed that some granules retained their compact structure and cores after AD, providing a niche for their re-granulation. Aromatic proteins and fulvic acid-like organics were the critical promoters for AGS regranulation. Notable shifts in microbial community structure, particularly the increase in abundance of photosynthetic bacteria such as Erythromicrobium, Leptolyngbya, and Rhodobacter, played an essential role in enhancing the overall performance of the re-granulated algal-bacterial AGS. By validating the system's effectiveness and exploring the factors governing re-granulation, this study proposes a viable strategy for advancing the sustainability of AGS-based WWTPs and promoting circular bioeconomy practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Chen
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tang, Hong Kong
| | - Xiaochuan Dong
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Jixiang Wang
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Zhongfang Lei
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan.
| | - Tian Yuan
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Kazuya Shimizu
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Toyo University, 1-1-1 Izumino, Oura-gun Itakura, Gunma, 374-0193, Japan
| | - Zhenya Zhang
- Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tang, Hong Kong.
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12
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Feng H, Jin L, Yao Y, Yu X, Li L, Rousseau DPL, Li J. Porous polymers embedded with iron carbon enhanced densified activated sludge formation and wastewater treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 418:131924. [PMID: 39626807 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131924] [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: 11/03/2024] [Revised: 11/25/2024] [Accepted: 11/30/2024] [Indexed: 12/12/2024]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment plants in China face significant challenges in effectively removing pollutants from low-strength wastewater with a low carbon-to-nitrogen (COD/N) ratio. This study proposes a novel approach incorporating porous polymers embedded with iron-carbon (PP-IC) into an activated sludge system to enhance treatment. The PP-IC accelerated the formation of densified activated sludge (DAS), characterized by small particle sizes (<200 μm), excellent settleability (sludge volume index: 61 mL/g), and improved pollutant removal efficiency, with total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal rates increasing by 14.4 % and 57.4 %, respectively. DAS formation was achieved within 7 days and stabilized after 42 days. The enrichment of microorganisms, including unclassified_f_Caldilineaceae, Dechloromonas, and Candidatus Accumulibacter, further enhanced pollutant removal. Additionally, Fe2+, Fe3+ and hydroxyl radical (·OH) produced by iron-carbon micro-electrolysis supported DAS formation. Microbial interactions with the iron shavings sustained the long-term stability of the micro-electrolysis process. This synergistic mechanism significantly improved pollutant removal in wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Feng
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China; Laboratory for Industrial Water and EcoTechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Sint-Martens-Latemlaan 2B, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Linyi Jin
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China
| | - Yunbo Yao
- Hangzhou Yuhang Water Purification Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311113, China
| | - Xiaobing Yu
- Hangzhou Yuhang Water Purification Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311113, China
| | - Lincong Li
- Hangzhou Yuhang Water Purification Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 311113, China
| | - Diederik P L Rousseau
- Laboratory for Industrial Water and EcoTechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Sint-Martens-Latemlaan 2B, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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13
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Amancio Frutuoso FK, P S G da Silva VE, C V Silva TF, P Vilar VJ, Bezerra Dos Santos A. Solids retention time (SRT) control in the co-treatment of leachate with domestic sewage in aerobic granular sludge systems: Impacts on system performance, operational stability, and bioresource production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 415:131664. [PMID: 39424012 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131664] [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: 07/29/2024] [Revised: 09/30/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 10/21/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the co-treatment of leachate and domestic sewage in municipal wastewater treatment plants using aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems, focusing on granule formation, system stability, and resource production in two units (R1 and R2). In R2, solids retention time (SRT) was controlled between 10 and 25 days, while R1 maintained approximately 9 days. The results show that low leachate proportions (5 %) did not affect system performance or stability. However, increasing the leachate to 10 % reduced the structural stability of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), leading to a significant decrease in alginate-like exopolysaccharides (ALE) production in R1 (216 mgALE/gVSS) and R2 (125 mgALE/gVSS). Principal component analysis revealed that SRT was crucial for optimizing biopolymer synthesis. Furthermore, SRT control in R2 improved filamentous control, biomass retention, and total nitrogen removal. Thus, selective biomass discharge is essential for maintaining granule stability, enhancing treatment efficiency, and supporting resource production.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tânia Filomena C V Silva
- LSRE‑LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200‑465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200‑465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Vítor Jorge P Vilar
- LSRE‑LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200‑465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200‑465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - André Bezerra Dos Santos
- Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
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14
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Huang J, Li J, Han X, Lu Z, Zhang S, Zhang Z. Aerobic granular sludge enhances start-up and granulation in single-stage partial nitritation anammox granular sludge systems: Performance, mechanism, and shifts in bacterial communities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 416:131760. [PMID: 39515436 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131760] [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: 09/21/2024] [Revised: 10/25/2024] [Accepted: 11/05/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
The rapid start-up and granulation of a single-stage partial nitritation anammox granular sludge (PN/AnGS) system under limited seed sludge conditions is crucial for its practical application. This study proposed an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) - based strategy, enhanced the enrichment of anammox bacteria (AnAOB), and shortened the start-up time of PN/AnGS system by 20.5%. In addition, the inoculation of AGS can ensure the stable operation of the system during the selective sludge discharge to washout the flocs. Microbial community structure, particle size distribution, morphology results showed that niche shift was the key to promote the enrichment of AnAOB, and AGS played a decisive role in the particle characteristics of PN/AnGS. Since AGS can be directly obtained from full-scale AGS wastewater treatment plants, integrating PN/AnGS with AGS processes can transition wastewater treatment from a "linear economy" to a "circular economy", enhancing nitrogen removal efficiency and delivering significant economic and environmental benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Huang
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Beijing Drainage Group Co. Ltd. (BDG), Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Han
- Beijing Drainage Group Co. Ltd. (BDG), Beijing 100124, China
| | - Zedong Lu
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Beijing Drainage Group Co. Ltd. (BDG), Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Zehao Zhang
- College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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15
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Kedves A, Kónya Z. Effects of nanoparticles on anaerobic, anammox, aerobic, and algal-bacterial granular sludge: A comprehensive review. Biofilm 2024; 8:100234. [PMID: 39524692 PMCID: PMC11550140 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2024] [Revised: 10/18/2024] [Accepted: 10/24/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) are of significant interest due to their unique properties, such as large surface area and high reactivity, which have facilitated advancements in various fields. However, their increased use raises concerns about environmental impacts, including on wastewater treatment processes. This review examines the effects of different nanoparticles on anaerobic, anammox, aerobic, and algal-bacterial granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. CeO2 and Ag NPs demonstrated adverse effects on aerobic granular sludge (AGS), reducing nutrient removal and cellular function, while anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) and anammox granular sludge (AxGS) showed greater resilience due to their higher extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content. TiO2 NPs had fewer negative effects on algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) than on AGS, as algae played a crucial role in enhancing EPS production and stabilizing the granules. The addition of Fe3O4 NPs significantly enhanced both aerobic and anammox granulation by reducing granulation time, promoting microbial interactions, improving granule stability, and increasing nitrogen removal efficiency, primarily through increased EPS production and enzyme activity. However, Cu and CuO NPs exhibited strong inhibitory effects on aerobic, anammox, and anaerobic systems, affecting EPS structure, cellular integrity, and microbial viability. ZnO NPs demonstrated dose-dependent toxicity, with higher concentrations inducing oxidative stress and reducing performance in AGS and AnGS, whereas AxGS and ABGS were more tolerant due to enhanced EPS production and algae-mediated protection. The existing knowledge gaps and directions for future research on NPs are identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonz Kedves
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kónya
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
- HUN-REN Reaction Kinetics and Surface Chemistry Research Group, Szeged, Hungary
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16
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Yuan Q, Chen S, Chen Y, Zhang X, Lou Y, Li X, Liang Q, Zhang Y, Sun Y. Evaluating AGS efficiency in PHA synthesis and extraction integrated with nutrient removal: The impact of COD concentrations. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 368:143708. [PMID: 39515542 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143708] [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: 05/22/2024] [Revised: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 11/06/2024] [Indexed: 11/16/2024]
Abstract
As natural and biodegradable biopolymers, Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) were synthetized by aerobic granules sludge (AGS) in a sequential batch reactor in this study. The effect of different COD concentrations on PHA accumulation and nutrients removal were investigated. At the same time, different pretreatment methods for PHA extraction, including NaClO pretreatment for extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) removal, Na2CO3 pretreatment for EPS recovery, and grinding pretreatment to reduce particle size and augment the surface area available for interaction with the extraction solvent, were compared. The results showed that the PHA yield increased more than 2 times (from 91.1 to 233.3 mgPHA/gCDW (cell dry weight)) when COD concentration increased from 800 to 1600 mg/L. Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) and polyhydroxyvalerate (PHV) both accounted for half of the total, while PHB fraction rose to 71% when COD concentration went up to 1600 mg/L. The PHB can be consumed 3 times faster than PHV. High COD concentration (1600 mg/L) adversely impacted the structure stability of AGS and the phosphorus removal efficiency, while the system consistently exhibited robust nitrogen removal capabilities, with ammonium and TN removal efficiencies exceeding >90%. The dominant bacteria shifted from Flavobacterium to Halomona and Hydrogenophaga as the COD concentration increased. In terms of PHA extraction, Na2CO3 pretreatment, which was used for EPS recovery, had the best PHA recovery with nearly 100% purity and EPS removal efficiency compared with NaClO and grinding pretreatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Yuan
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Song Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Thunip Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Yuqing Lou
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Xueting Li
- Thunip Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Qian Liang
- Thunip Co., Ltd., Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yanping Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China
| | - Yingxue Sun
- School of Ecology and Environment, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing, 100048, China.
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17
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Hussain S, Brohi KM, Gallina U, Andreottola G. Cationic polymer-mediated interbacterial aggregation: A novel approach for rapid aerobic granules development. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 367:143597. [PMID: 39447770 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143597] [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: 06/21/2024] [Revised: 10/06/2024] [Accepted: 10/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024]
Abstract
This study introduces a novel approach to aerobic granular sludge technology that minimizes the start-up time and guarantees the formation of stable granules. This is achieved by seeding the reactor with a cationic polymer without using inoculated sludge. Three cationic polymers (Hydrofloc C4400SA, C8896, and polyelectrolyte emulsion) were tested to determine the most appropriate polymer for aerobic granular sludge (AGS) startup based on the optimal dose and formation of aerobic granules. Hydrofloc cationic polymer C4400SA has excellent granule-forming properties in the AGS reactor compared to their counterparts. The formation of granules was boosted by adding 15 ppm of polymer, resulting in densely packed aerobic granules after 10 days. This improvement can be due to the more cationic properties of hydrofloc, which play a key role in bridging between cells and particles because the cationic charges of hydrofloc attract negatively charged bacteria in wastewater, thereby promoting aggregation and the formation of initial flocs. These flocs serve as the foundation for the development of granules. After 80 days of operation, 40-50% of particles with an average size range from 0.6 to 0.9 mm were observed. The AGS SBR operation was closely monitored and showed consistent efficiency in removing solids, where TP, TN, NH+4 -N, and the total soluble COD were removed at average efficiencies of 62%, 73%, 97%, 93%, and 79% respectively, during steady-state cycles conducted at room temperature. Overall, this study highlights the potential of hydrofloc cationic polymer C4400SA to enhance the performance and resilience of AGS in wastewater treatment applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajid Hussain
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento, Italy.
| | - Khan Muhammad Brohi
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences & Technology, Hamdard University Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
| | | | - Gianni Andreottola
- Department of Civil, Environmental, and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Via Mesiano, 77, Trento, Italy
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18
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Setianingsih NI, Hadiyanto, Budihardjo MA, Yuliasni R, Malik RA, Budiono, Sudarno, Warsito B. Potential application and strategies of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology for wastewater treatment in Indonesia: A review. DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT 2024; 320:100756. [DOI: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2025]
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19
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Kedves A, Yavuz Ç, Kedves O, Haspel H, Kónya Z. Response to shock load of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on aerobic granular sludge and algal-bacterial granular sludge processes. NANOIMPACT 2024; 36:100532. [PMID: 39454679 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2024.100532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 10/22/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are extensively used in various fields and can consequently be detected in wastewater, making it necessary to study their potential impacts on biological wastewater treatment processes. In this study, the shock-load impacts of TiO2 NPs were investigated at concentrations ranging between 1 and 200 mg L-1 on nutrient removal, extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), microbial activity in aerobic granular sludge (AGS), and algal-bacterial granular sludge (AB-AGS) bioreactors. The results indicated that low concentration (≤10 mg L-1) TiO2 NPs had no effect on microbial activity or the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), nitrogen, and phosphorus, due to the increased production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in the sludge. In contrast, the performance of both AGS and AB-AGS bioreactors gradually deteriorated as the concentration of TiO2 NPs in the influent increased to 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1. Specifically, the ammonia‑nitrogen removal rate in AGS decreased from 99.9 % to 88.6 %, while in AB-AGS it dropped to 91.3 % at 200 mg L-1 TiO2 NPs. Furthermore, the nitrate‑nitrogen levels remained stable in AB-AGS, while NO3-N was detected in the effluent of AGS at 100 and 200 mg L-1. Microbial activities change similarly as smaller decrease in the specific ammonia uptake rate (SAUR) and specific nitrate uptake rate (SNUR) was found in AB-AGS compared to those in AGS. Overall, the algal-bacterial sludge exhibited higher resilience against TiO2 NPs, which was attributed to a) higher EPS volume, b) smaller decrease in LB-EPS, and c) the favorable protein to polysaccharide (PN/PS) ratio. This in turn, along with the symbiotic relationship between the algae and bacteria, mitigates the toxic effects of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonz Kedves
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Çağdaş Yavuz
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Orsolya Kedves
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Informatics, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Henrik Haspel
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; HUN-REN-SZTE Reaction Kinetics and Surface Chemistry Research Group, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kónya
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; HUN-REN-SZTE Reaction Kinetics and Surface Chemistry Research Group, Szeged, Hungary
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20
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Zhang M, Fu G, Shi W, Feng X, Lens PNL, Zhang B. Microbial response to the chronic toxicity effect of graphene and graphene oxide nanomaterials within aerobic granular sludge systems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135350. [PMID: 39079301 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135350] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Nanomaterials present in wastewater can pose a significant threat to aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems. Herein, we found that compared to graphene nanomaterials (G-NMs), the long-term presence (95 days) of graphene oxide nanomaterials (GO-NMs) resulted in an increased proliferation of filamentous bacteria, poorer sedimentation performance (SVI30 of 74.1 mL/g) and smaller average particle size (1224.4 µm) of the AGS. In particular, the GO-NMs posed a more significant inhibitory effect to the total nitrogen removal efficiency of AGS (decreased by 14.3 %), especially for the denitrification process. The substantial accumulation of GO-NMs within the sludge matrix resulted in a higher level of reactive oxygen species in AGS compared to G-NMs, thereby inducing lactate dehydrogenase release, and enhancing superoxide oxidase and catalase activities. Such excessive oxidative stress could potentially result in a significant reduction in the activity of nitrogen metabolism enzymes (e.g., nitrate reductase and nitrite reductase) and the expression of key functional genes (e.g., nirS and nirK). Altogether, compared to G-NMs, prolonged exposure to GO-NMs had a more significant chronic toxicity effect on AGS systems. These findings implied that the presence of G-NMs and GO-NMs is a hidden danger to biological nitrogen removal and should receive more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Zhang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Guokai Fu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Wenxin Shi
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xueli Feng
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Piet N L Lens
- UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2601 DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Bing Zhang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
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21
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Lin Q, Sun S, Yang J, Hu P, Liu Z, Liu Z, Song C, Yang S, Wu F, Gao Y, Zhang W, Zhou L, Li Y. Enhanced aerobic granular sludge by thermally-treated dredged sediment in wastewater treatment under low superficial gas velocity. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 368:122210. [PMID: 39146649 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122210] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 07/27/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
The positive contributions of carriers to aerobic granulation have been wildly appreciated. In this study, as a way resource utilization, the dredged sediment was thermally-treated to prepared as carriers to promote aerobic granular sludge (AGS) formation and stability. The system was started under low superficial gas velocity (SGV, 0.6 cm/s)for a lower energy consumption. Two sequencing batch reactors (SBR) labeled R1 (no added carriers) and R2 (carriers added), were used in the experiment. R2 had excellent performance of granulation time (shortened nearly 43%). The maximum mean particle size at the maturity stage of AGS in R2 (0.545 mm) was larger compared to R1 (0.296 mm). The sludge settling performance in R2 was better. The reactors exhibited high chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) removal rates. The total phosphorus (TP) removal rate in R2 was higher than R1 (almost 15% higher) on stage II (93-175d). R2 had a higher microbial abundance and dominant bacteria content. The relative abundance of dominant species was mainly affected by the carrier. However, the enrichment of dominant microorganisms and the evolution of subdominant species were more influenced by the increase of SGV. The results indicated that the addition of carriers induced the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) by microorganisms and accelerated the rapid formation of initial microbial aggregates. This work provided a low-cost method and condition to enhance aerobic granulation, which may be helpful in optimizing wastewater treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingxia Lin
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Shiquan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China.
| | - Jianbin Yang
- Hunan Hengyong Expressway Construction and Development Co., Ltd., Hunan, 421600, China
| | - Pei Hu
- Hunan Hengyong Expressway Construction and Development Co., Ltd., Hunan, 421600, China
| | - Zhengrong Liu
- Hunan Hengyong Expressway Construction and Development Co., Ltd., Hunan, 421600, China
| | - Ziqiang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Chuxuan Song
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Suiqin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Fangtong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Lean Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Yifu Li
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province / School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
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22
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Fu K, Bian Y, Yang F, Liao M, Xu J, Qiu F. Influencing factors on the activity of an enriched Nitrospira culture with granular morphology. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:4607-4621. [PMID: 37712531 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2260122] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Nitrospira is a common genus of nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB) found in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). To identify the key factors influencing the composition of NOB communities, research was conducted using both sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and continuous flow reactor under different conditions. High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that Nitrospira (18.79% in R1 and 25.77% in R3) was the dominant NOB under low dissolved oxygen (DO) and low nitrite (NO 2 - -N) concentrations, while Nitrobacter (21.26% in R2) was the dominant NOB under high DO and high NO 2 - -N concentrations. Flocculent and granule sludge were cultivated with Nitrospira as the dominant genus. Compared to Nitrospira flocculent sludge, Nitrospira granule sludge had higher inhibition threshold concentrations for free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA). It was more likely to resist adverse environmental disturbances. Furthermore, the effects of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, and DO on the activity of Nitrospira granular sludge were also studied. The results showed that the optimum temperature and pH for Nitrospira granular sludge were 36°C and 7.0, respectively. Additionally, Nitrospira granular sludge showed a higher dissolved oxygen half-saturation constant (Ko) of 3.67 ± 0.71 mg/L due to its morphological characteristics. However, the majority of WWTPs conditions do not meet the conditions for the Nitrospira granular sludge. Thus, it can be speculated that future development of aerobic partial nitrification granular sludge may automatically eliminate the influence of Nitrospira. This study provides a theoretical basis for a deeper understanding of Nitrospira and the development of future water treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunming Fu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Storm Water System and Water Environment Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihao Bian
- Key Laboratory of Urban Storm Water System and Water Environment Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Key Laboratory of Urban Storm Water System and Water Environment Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Minhui Liao
- Powerchina Eco-environmental Group Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Xu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Storm Water System and Water Environment Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuguo Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Storm Water System and Water Environment Ministry of Education, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
- Sino-Dutch R&D Centre for Future Wastewater Treatment Technologies/Key Laboratory of Urban Stormwater System and Water Environment, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing, People's Republic of China
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23
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Min KJ, Lee E, Lee AH, Kim DY, Park KY. Effect of settling time and organic loading rates on aerobic granulation processes treating high strength wastewater. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36018. [PMID: 39247328 PMCID: PMC11379613 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite its numerous advantages, the aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process faces several challenges that hinder its widespread implementation. One such challenge is the requirement for high organic load ratios (OLR), which significantly impacts AGS formation and stability, posing a barrier to commercialization. In response to these challenges, this study investigates the granulation and treatment efficacy of the AGS process for treating high-concentration wastewater under various OLR and settling time. Three sequential batch reactors (R1, R2, R3) were operated at OLRs of 0.167, 0.33, and 1 kg COD/m3·day. The study focuses on analyzing key parameters including sludge characteristics, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content, PN/PS ratio, and microbial clusters. Results demonstrate that reducing settling time from 90 to 30 min enhances sludge settleability, resulting in a maximum 50.8 % decrease in SVI30 (from 98.1 to 122.8 mL/g to 51.9-81.3 mL/g), thereby facilitating the selection of beneficial microorganisms during granulation. Particularly, at R2, the PN/PS ratio was 4.3, and EPS content increased by 1.52-fold, leading to a 1.41-fold increase in sludge attachment. This observation suggests a progressive maturation of AGS. Additionally, analysis of microbial diversity and cluster composition highlights the influence of OLR variations on the ratios of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. These findings emphasize the significant impact of SBR operational strategies on AGS process performance and biological stability, offering valuable insights for the efficient operation of future high-concentration wastewater treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Jin Min
- Department of Tech Center for Research Facilities, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Eunyoung Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Ah Hyun Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Do Yeon Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
| | - Ki Young Park
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, 05029, South Korea
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24
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Zhang B, Mao X, Shen Y, Ma T, Zhang B, Liu B, Shi W. Enhanced performance and mechanism of adsorption pretreatment for alleviating membrane fouling in AGMBR: Impact of structural variations in carbon adsorbents. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173702. [PMID: 38830416 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The structural variances of adsorbents play a crucial role in determining the number of effective adsorption sites and pretreatment performance. However, there is still a gap in comprehending the impact of different carbon structural adsorbents on membrane fouling. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of granular activated carbon (GAC), powdered activated carbon (PAC), and activated carbon fiber (ACF) in mitigating membrane fouling during municipal sewage reclamation using an aerobic granular sludge membrane bioreactor (AGMBR). The results demonstrated that the utilization of PAC significantly enhanced the normalized flux and reduced fouling resistance in comparison to GAC and ACF systems. PAC effectively adsorbed low and medium-molecular-weight pollutants present in raw sewage, resulting in an increase in average particle size and a decrease in foulant content on the membrane surface. The Hermia model indicated that adsorption pretreatment minimized standard blocking while promoting the formation of a sparse and porous cake layer. Moreover, according to the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory, PAC has been demonstrated as the optimal antifouling system owing to its enhanced repulsion between membrane-foulant and foulant-foulant interactions. Correlation analysis revealed that the exceptional antifouling performance of the PAC system was due to its high removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (~78 %) and suspended solids (~97 %). This research offers valuable insights into the mitigation of membrane fouling through the utilization of adsorbents featuring diverse carbon structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Zhang
- National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China; Chongqing Yujiang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 409003, China
| | - Xin Mao
- College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yu Shen
- National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China; Chongqing Yujiang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 409003, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China; Chongqing Yujiang Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 409003, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- School of Environmental and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
| | - Bin Liu
- College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China.
| | - Wenxin Shi
- School of Environmental and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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25
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Zhao H, Guo Y, Wang X, Sun H, Gao M, Wu C, Li S, Li YY, Wang Q. Exploring the maximum nitrite production rate through the granular sludge-type reactor to match the needs of anammox process realizing efficient nitrogen removal. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 255:119158. [PMID: 38763279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119158] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
The reliable and efficient nitrite production rate (NPR) through nitritation process is the prerequisite for the efficient running of subsequent processes, like the anammox process and the nitrite shunt. However, there has been scant research on stable and productive nitritation process in recent years. In this study, at a stable hydraulic retention time of 12.0 h and with precise and strict DO control, the upper limit of the NPR was initially investigated using a continuous-flow granular sludge reactor. The NPR of 1.69 kg/m3/d with a nitrite production efficiency of 81.97% was finally achieved, which set a record until now in similar research. The median sludge particle size of 270.0 μm confirmed the development of clearly defined granular sludge. The genus Nitrosomonas was the major ammonium oxidizing bacteria. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights for the practical application of the effective nitritation process driving subsequent nitrogen removal processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjun Zhao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yan Guo
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xiaona Wang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Haishu Sun
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Shunde Innovation School, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Foshan, 528399, China
| | - Ming Gao
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Chuanfu Wu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Shuang Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yu-You Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aramaki Aza Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi, 980-8579, Japan
| | - Qunhui Wang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-Oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
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26
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Omoregie AI, Alhassan M, Basri HF, Muda K, Campos LC, Ojuri OO, Ouahbi T. Bibliometric analysis of research trends in biogranulation technology for wastewater treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:50098-50125. [PMID: 39102140 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34550-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Inadequate management and treatment of wastewater pose significant threats, including environmental pollution, degradation of water quality, depletion of global water resources, and detrimental effects on human well-being. Biogranulation technology has gained increasing traction for treating both domestic and industrial wastewater, garnering interest from researchers and industrial stakeholders alike. However, the literature lacks comprehensive bibliometric analyses that examine and illuminate research hotspots and trends in this field. This study aims to elucidate the global research trajectory of scientific output in biogranulation technology from 1992 to 2022. Utilizing data from the Scopus database, we conducted an extensive analysis, employing VOSviewer and the R-studio package to visualize and map connections and collaborations among authors, countries, and keywords. Our analysis revealed a total of 1703 journal articles published in English. Notably, China emerged as the leading country, Jin Rencun as the foremost author, Bioresource Technology as the dominant journal, and Environmental Science as the prominent subject area, with the Harbin Institute of Technology leading in institutional contributions. The most prominent author keyword identified through VOSviewer analysis was "aerobic granular sludge," with "sequencing batch reactor" emerging as the dominant research term. Furthermore, our examination using R Studio highlighted "wastewater treatment" and "sewage" as notable research terms within the field. These findings underscore a diverse research landscape encompassing fundamental aspects of granule formation, reactor design, and practical applications. This study offers valuable insights into biogranulation potential for efficient wastewater treatment and environmental remediation, contributing to a sustainable and cleaner future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armstrong Ighodalo Omoregie
- Centre for Borneo Regionalism and Conservation, School of Built Environment, University of Technology Sarawak, No. 1 Jalan University, 96000, Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
| | - Mansur Alhassan
- Center of Hydrogen Energy, Institute of Future Energy, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Hazlami Fikri Basri
- Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Khalida Muda
- Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Luiza C Campos
- Department of Civil, Environmental & Geomatic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering Science, University College of London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Oluwapelumi Olumide Ojuri
- Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies, Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L3 3AF, UK
| | - Tariq Ouahbi
- LOMC, UMR CNRS 6294, Université Le Havre Normandie, Normandie Université, 53 Rue de Prony, 76058, Le Havre Cedex, France
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27
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Liu C, Han X, Li N, Jin Y, Yu J. Ultra-rapid development of 'solid' aerobic granular sludge by stable transition/filling of inoculated 'hollow' mycelial pellets in hypersaline wastewater. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 406:131006. [PMID: 38889867 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131006] [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: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
To overcome the long start-up period in cultivating aerobic granular sludge (AGS) under hypersaline environment, mycelial pellets (MPs) of halotolerant fungus Cladosporium tenuissimum NCSL-XY8 were inoculated to try to realize the ultra-rapid development of salt-tolerant AGS by stable transition of 'hollow' MPs into 'solid' AGS without apparent fragmentation. The granules directly met the standard of AGS after inoculating MPs (Day 0), and it basically satisfied relatively strict standards of AGS (SVI30 < 50 mL/g, D50 > 300 μm, D10 > 200 μm and SVI30/SVI5 > 0.9) under anaerobic/aerobic mode during whole cultivation processes. Microstructure of the granular cross section clarified that MPs with hollow/loose inner layer transitioned into solid/dense AGS under anaerobic/aerobic mode within 7 days, while formed skin-like floating pieces and unstable double-layer hollow granules under aerobic mode. Organics removal reached relatively stable within 13 days under anaerobic/aerobic mode, 6 days faster than aerobic mode. This study provided a strategy for ultra-rapid and stable development of AGS, which showed the shortest granulation period in various AGS-cultivation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changshen Liu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China; National Engineering Research Center for Integrated Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xushen Han
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China; National Engineering Research Center for Integrated Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China.
| | - Ningning Li
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China; National Engineering Research Center for Integrated Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yan Jin
- National Engineering Research Center for Integrated Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jianguo Yu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China; National Engineering Research Center for Integrated Utilization of Salt Lake Resources, East China University of Science and Technology, 130 Meilong Road, Shanghai 200237, China
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28
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Xu B, Su Q, Yang Y, Huang S, Yang Y, Shi X, Choo KH, Ng HY, Lee CH. Quorum Quenching in Membrane Bioreactors for Fouling Retardation: Complexity Provides Opportunities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39012227 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c04535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence of biofouling restricts the widespread application of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) in wastewater treatment. Regulation of quorum sensing (QS) is a promising approach to control biofouling in MBRs, yet the underlying mechanisms are complex and remain to be illustrated. A fundamental understanding of the relationship between QS and membrane biofouling in MBRs is lacking, which hampers the development and application of quorum quenching (QQ) techniques in MBRs (QQMBRs). While many QQ microorganisms have been isolated thus far, critical criteria for selecting desirable QQ microorganisms are still missing. Furthermore, there are inconsistent results regarding the QQ lifecycle and the effects of QQ on the physicochemical characteristics and microbial communities of the mixed liquor and biofouling assemblages in QQMBRs, which might result in unreliable and inefficient QQ applications. This review aims to comprehensively summarize timely QQ research and highlight the important yet often ignored perspectives of QQ for biofouling control in MBRs. We consider what this "information" can and cannot tell us and explore its values in addressing specific and important questions in QQMBRs. Herein, we first examine current analytical methods of QS signals and discuss the critical roles of QS in fouling-forming microorganisms in MBRs, which are the cornerstones for the development of QQ technologies. To achieve targeting QQ strategies in MBRs, we propose the substrate specificity and degradation capability of isolated QQ microorganisms and the surface area and pore structures of QQ media as the critical criteria to select desirable functional microbes and media, respectively. To validate the biofouling retardation efficiency, we further specify the QQ effects on the physicochemical properties, microbial community composition, and succession of mixed liquor and biofouling assemblages in MBRs. Finally, we provide scale-up considerations of QQMBRs in terms of the debated QQ lifecycle, practical synergistic strategies, and the potential cost savings of MBRs. This review presents the limitations of classic QS/QQ hypotheses in MBRs, advances the understanding of the role of QS/QQ in biofouling development/retardation in MBRs, and builds a bridge between the fundamental understandings and practical applications of QQ technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyan Xu
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Qingxian Su
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Yuxin Yang
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| | - Shujuan Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, 11 Fushun Road, Qingdao, 266033, PR China
| | - Yue Yang
- Corporate Sustainability Office, TÜV SÜD, Westendstr. 199, 80686 München, Germany
| | - Xueqing Shi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, 11 Fushun Road, Qingdao, 266033, PR China
| | - Kwang-Ho Choo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, 80 Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea
| | - How Yong Ng
- Center for Water Research, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 117576, Singapore
| | - Chung-Hak Lee
- School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Republic of Korea
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29
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Pereira Almeida FD, Bandeira de Carvalho C, Mendes Barros AR, Amancio Frutuoso FK, Bezerra Dos Santos A. Aerobic granulation and resource production under continuous and intermittent saline stress. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 360:142402. [PMID: 38777193 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142402] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Three sequential batch reactors (SBR) were operated to evaluate salt addition's impact on granulation, performance, and biopolymer production in aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems. System R1 was fed without adding salt (control); system R2 operated with saline pulses, i.e., one cycle with salt (2.5 g NaCl/L) addition followed by another without salt; and R3 received continuous supplementation of 2.5 g NaCl/L. The results indicated that the reactors supplemented with salt presented higher concentrations of mixed liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) and better settleability than R1, showing that osmotic pressure contributed to biomass growth, accelerated granulation, and improved physical characteristics. The faster granulation occurred in R2, thus proving the beneficial effects of intermittent salt addition through alternating pulses. Salt addition did not impair the simultaneous removal of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. In fact, R2 showed better carbon removals. In conclusion, continuous or intermittent (pulsed) supplementation of 2.5 g NaCl/L did not lead to increased production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and alginate-like exopolymers (ALE). This outcome could be attributed to the low saline concentration employed, a higher food-to-microorganism (F/M) ratio observed in R1, and possibly greater endogenous consumption of biopolymers in the famine period in R2 and R3 due to the greater solids retention time (SRT). Therefore, this study brings important results that contribute to a better understanding of the effect of salt in continuous dosing or in pulses as a selection pressure strategy to accelerate granulation, as well as the behavior of the AGS systems for saline effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Clara Bandeira de Carvalho
- Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
| | | | | | - André Bezerra Dos Santos
- Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil.
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30
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Qiao K, Zhao T, Wang L, Zhang W, Meng W, Liu F, Gao X, Zhu J. Screening and identification of functional bacterial attachment genes in aerobic granular sludge. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 141:205-214. [PMID: 38408821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
The screening and identification of attachment genes is important to exploring the formation mechanism of biofilms at the gene level. It is helpful to the development of key culture technologies for aerobic granular sludge (AGS). In this study, genome-wide sequencing and gene editing were employed for the first time to investigate the effects and functions of attachment genes in AGS. With the help of whole-genome analysis, ten attachment genes were screened from thirteen genes, and the efficiency of gene screening was greatly improved. Then, two attachment genes were selected as examples to further confirm the gene functions by constructing gene-knockout recombinant mutants of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia; when the two attachment genes were knocked out, the attachment potential was reduced by 50.67% and 43.93%, respectively. The results provide a new theoretical principle and efficient method for the development of AGS from the perspective of attachment genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Qiao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Water Simulation, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wei Meng
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Fan Liu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Xu Gao
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Water Simulation, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jianrong Zhu
- School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; R & D Centre of Aerobic Granule Technology, Beijing 100875, China.
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31
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Zou X, Gao M, Yao Y, Zhang Y, Guo H, Liu Y. Efficient nitrogen removal from ammonia rich wastewater using aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactor: Selection and enrichment of effective microbial community. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 251:118573. [PMID: 38431070 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118573] [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: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Anaerobically digested sludge supernatant, characterized by its high ammonia and low biodegradable chemical oxygen demand (COD) content, has raised concerns when returned to mainstream treatment lines due to potential impacts on effluent quality. Addressing this, an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactor adopted nitritation/denitritation with external COD addition was utilized and achieved a considerable nitrogen treatment capacity of 4.2 kg N/m3/d, reaching over 90% removal efficiencies for both ammonia and total inorganic nitrogen. This study applied progressively increased nitrogen loading to select for a microbial community that exhibited high nitrogen oxidation and reduction rates, demonstrating peak rates of 0.5 g N/g VSS/d and 3 g N/g VSS/d, respectively. The enrichment of highly efficient microbial community was achieved along with the increased biomass density peaked at 17 g/L MLVSS, with the system retaining small-sized granular sludge at 0.5 mm. The primary ammonia oxidizing bacteria was Nitrosomonas, while Thauera was the dominated denitrifiers. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses reinforced the enhanced nitrogen removal capacity based on the progressively increased abundance of nitrogen cycling functional genes. The high nitrogen treatment capacity, synergistic attributes of high specific microbial activities and the substantial biomass retention, suggest the AGS's efficacy and capacity in ammonia rich wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zou
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Mengjiao Gao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada; College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yiduo Yao
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Yihui Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Hengbo Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada; School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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Zhong J, Tang L, Gao M, Wang S, Wang X. Beyond feast and famine: Cultivating hydrodynamic oxygenic photogranules with better performances under permanent feast regime. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 401:130752. [PMID: 38685514 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130752] [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: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Oxygenic photogranules (OPGs) are currently obtained in permanent famine or cyclic feast-famine regimes. Whether photogranulation occurs under a permanent feast regime and how these regimes impact OPGs are unknown. Herein, the three regimes, each applied in two replicate hydrodynamic reactors, were established by different feeding frequencies. Results showed that OPGs were successfully cultivated in all regimes after 24-36 days of photogranulation phases with similar microbial community functions, including filamentous gliding, extracellular polymeric substances production, and carbon/nitrogen metabolism. The OPGs were then operated under the same sequencing batch mode and all achieved efficient removal of chemical oxygen demand (>91 %), ammonium (>96 %), and total nitrogen (>76 %) after different adaptation periods (19-41 days). Notably, the permanent feast regime obtained OPGs with the best physicochemical properties, the shortest adaptation period, and the lowest effluent turbidity, thus representing a novel means of hydrodynamic cultivating OPGs with better performances for sustainable wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiewen Zhong
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Liaofan Tang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Mingming Gao
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Shuguang Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Weihai Research Institute of Industrial Technology of Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China
| | - Xinhua Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Shandong Key Laboratory of Environmental Processes and Health, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
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Peng J, Lei L, Hou Y, Chen S. Study on cultivation of aerobic granular sludge and its application in degrading lignin models in the sequencing batch biofilter granular reactor. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 89:2907-2920. [PMID: 38877621 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.161] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
In this study, three sequencing batch biofilter granular reactors (SBBGRs) were employed to treat model lignin wastewater containing different lignin models (2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 4-methoxyphenol, and vanillin). After 40 days of cultivation, uniform-shaped aerobic granular sludge (AGS) was successfully developed through nutrient supplementation with synthetic wastewater. During the acclimation stage, the chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction efficiencies of the three reactors showed a trend of initial decreasing (5-20%) and then recovering to a high reduction efficiency (exceeding 90%) in a short period of time. During the stable operation stage, all three reactors achieved COD reduction efficiencies exceeding 90%. These findings indicated the cultivated AGS's robust resistance to changes in lignin models in water. UV-Vis spectra analysis confirmed the effective degradation of the three lignin models. Microbiological analysis showed that Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes were always the dominant phyla. At the genus level, while Acinetobacter (15.46%) dominated in the inoculation sludge, Kapabacteriales (7.93%), SBR1031 (11.77%), and Chlorobium (25.37%) were dominant in the three reactors (for 2,6-dimethoxyphenol, 4-methoxyphenol, and vanillin) after degradation, respectively. These findings demonstrate that AGS cultured with SBBGR effectively degrades lignin models, with different dominant strains observed for various lignin models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingran Peng
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Lirong Lei
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China E-mail:
| | - Yi Hou
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
| | - Shuangshuang Chen
- College of Light Industry Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China
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Philipp LA, Bühler K, Ulber R, Gescher J. Beneficial applications of biofilms. Nat Rev Microbiol 2024; 22:276-290. [PMID: 37957398 DOI: 10.1038/s41579-023-00985-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Many microorganisms live in the form of a biofilm. Although they are feared in the medical sector, biofilms that are composed of non-pathogenic organisms can be highly beneficial in many applications, including the production of bulk and fine chemicals. Biofilm systems are natural retentostats in which the biocatalysts can adapt and optimize their metabolism to different conditions over time. The adherent nature of biofilms allows them to be used in continuous systems in which the hydraulic retention time is much shorter than the doubling time of the biocatalysts. Moreover, the resilience of organisms growing in biofilms, together with the potential of uncoupling growth from catalytic activity, offers a wide range of opportunities. The ability to work with continuous systems using a potentially self-advancing whole-cell biocatalyst is attracting interest from a range of disciplines, from applied microbiology to materials science and from bioengineering to process engineering. The field of beneficial biofilms is rapidly evolving, with an increasing number of applications being explored, and the surge in demand for sustainable and biobased solutions and processes is accelerating advances in the field. This Review provides an overview of the research topics, challenges, applications and future directions in beneficial and applied biofilm research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura-Alina Philipp
- Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja Bühler
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Roland Ulber
- RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Institute of Bioprocess Engineering, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Hamburg University of Technology, Institute of Technical Microbiology, Hamburg, Germany.
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Reddy GKK, Kavibharathi K, Singh A, Nancharaiah YV. Growth-dependent cr(VI) reduction by Alteromonas sp. ORB2 under haloalkaline conditions: toxicity, removal mechanism and effect of heavy metals. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:165. [PMID: 38630187 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03982-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial reduction of hexavalent chromium (VI) to chromium (III) is a sustainable bioremediation approach. However, the Cr(VI) containing wastewaters are often characterized with complex conditions such as high salt, alkaline pH and heavy metals which severely impact the growth and Cr(VI) reduction potential of microorganisms. This study investigated Cr(VI) reduction under complex haloalkaline conditions by an Alteromonas sp. ORB2 isolated from aerobic granular sludge cultivated from the seawater-microbiome. Optimum growth of Alteromonas sp. ORB2 was observed under haloalkaline conditions at 3.5-9.5% NaCl and pH 7-11. The bacterial growth in normal culture conditions (3.5% NaCl; pH 7.6) was not inhibited by 100 mg/l Cr(VI)/ As(V)/ Pb(II), 50 mg/l Cu(II) or 5 mg/l Cd(II). Near complete reduction of 100 mg/l Cr(VI) was achieved within 24 h at 3.5-7.5% NaCl and pH 8-11. Cr(VI) reduction by Alteromonas sp. ORB2 was not inhibited by 100 mg/L As(V), 100 mg/L Pb(II), 50 mg/L Cu(II) or 5 mg/L Cd(II). The bacterial cells grew in the medium with 100 mg/l Cr(VI) contained lower esterase activity and higher reactive oxygen species levels indicating toxicity and oxidative stress. In-spite of toxicity, the cells grew and reduced 100 mg/l Cr(VI) completely within 24 h. Cr(VI) removal from the medium was driven by bacterial reduction to Cr(III) which remained in the complex medium. Cr(VI) reduction was strongly linked to aerobic growth of Alteromonas sp. The Cr(VI) reductase activity of cytosolic protein fraction was pronounced by supplementing with NADPH in vitro assays. This study demonstrated a growth-dependent aerobic Cr(VI) reduction by Alteromonas sp. ORB2 under complex haloalkaline conditions akin to wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Kiran Kumar Reddy
- Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, WSCD, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, 603102, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - K Kavibharathi
- Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, WSCD, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, 603102, India
| | - Anuroop Singh
- Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, WSCD, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, 603102, India
| | - Y V Nancharaiah
- Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section, WSCD, Chemistry Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, 603102, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, BARC Training School Complex, Anushaktinagar, Mumbai, 400094, India.
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Yang J, Qian M, Wu S, Liao H, Yu F, Zou J, Li J. Insight into the role of chitosan in rapid recovery and re-stabilization of disintegrated aerobic granular sludge. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120613. [PMID: 38547824 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120613] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The disintegration and instability of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) systems during long-term operation pose significant challenges to its practical implementation, and rapid recovery strategies for disintegrated AGS are gaining more attention. In this study, the recovery and re-stabilization of disintegrated AGS was investigated by adding chitosan to a sequencing batch reactor and simultaneously adjusting the pH to slightly acidic condition. Within 7 days, chitosan addition under slight acidity led to the re-aggregation of disintegrated granules, increasing the average particle size from 166.4 μm to 485.9 μm. Notably, sludge volume indexes at 5 min (SVI5) and 30 min (SVI30) decreased remarkably from 404.6 mL/g and 215.1 mL/g (SVI30/SVI5 = 0.53) to 49.1 mL/g and 47.6 mL/g (SVI30/SVI5 = 0.97), respectively. Subsequent operation for 43 days successfully re-stabilized previous collapsed AGS system, resulting in an average particle size of 750.2 μm. These mature and re-stabilized granules exhibited characteristics of large particle size, excellent settleability, compact structure, and high biomass retention. Furthermore, chitosan facilitated the recovery of COD and nitrogen removal performances within 17-23 days of operation. It effectively facilitated the rapid aggregation of disintegrated granules by charge neutralization and bridging effects under a slightly acidic environment. Moreover, the precipitated chitosan acted as carriers, promoting the adhesion of microorganisms once pH control was discontinued. The results of batch tests and microbial community analysis confirmed that chitosan addition increased sludge retention time, enriching slow-growing microorganisms and enhancing the stability and pollutant removal efficiency of the AGS system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Mengjie Qian
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Shuyun Wu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Hanglei Liao
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Fengfan Yu
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
| | - Jinte Zou
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China; Shaoxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University of Technology, Shaoxing, 312000, China.
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310014, China
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37
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Pérez-Bou L, Rosa-Masegosa A, Vilchez-Vargas R, Link A, Gonzalez-Martinez A, Gonzalez-Lopez J, Muñoz-Palazon B. Treatment of hospital wastewater using aerobic granular sludge technology: Removal performance and microbial dynamics. JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING 2024; 60:105206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2025]
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38
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Zhao X, Pei W, Qi Y, Li Y, Kong X. Enhanced aerobic granular sludge with micro-electric field for sulfamethoxazole degradation: Efficiency, mechanism, and microbial community. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 354:141741. [PMID: 38499071 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141741] [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: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
In this study, an aerobic granular sludge electrochemical system (AGES) was established by applying the micro-electric field to an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactor for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMZ). Under the stimulation of the micro-electric field, the granulation of sludge was improved and the degradation rate of SMZ was enhanced. The features of granular sludge were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The optimal degradation rate of SMZ (88%) was obtained at the voltage of 3 V and the effective electrode area of 800 mm2. The results of kinetics analyses revealed that the degradation of SMZ by AGES can be fitted with the second-order kinetic equation, showing a degradation rate constant (k) of 0.001 L mol-1·min-1. The degradation products of SMZ in the AGES system were detected by LC-MS and their possible degradation routes were elucidated. The micro-electric field in the AGES system played a selective role in microbes' enrichment and growth, changing the diversity of the microbial community. Pseudomonas, Tolumonas, and Acidovorax were the dominant bacteria in the AGES system, which is accountable for the abatement of SMZ and nutrients. This work provides a green means for improving AGS and paves the way for applying the AGS process to real-world wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhao
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
| | - Weina Pei
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
| | - Yihan Qi
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, PR China.
| | - Yabin Li
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, PR China.
| | - Xiuqin Kong
- College of Petrochemical Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, PR China
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Rui D, Liu K, Ma Y, Huang K, Chen M, Wu F, Zhang X, Ye L. Pilot-scale investigation of performance and microbial community in a novel system combining fixed and suspended activated sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118141. [PMID: 38191046 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118141] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The conventional activated sludge (CAS) process is a widely used method for wastewater treatment due to its effectiveness and affordability. However, it can be prone to sludge abnormalities such as sludge bulking/foaming and sludge loss, which can lead to a decrease in treatment efficiency. To address these issues, a novel bag-based fixed activated sludge (BBFAS) system utilizing mesh bags to contain the sludge was developed for low carbon/nitrogen ratio wastewater treatment. Pilot-scale experiments demonstrated that the BBFAS system could successfully avoid the sludge abnormalities. Moreover, it was not affected by mass transfer resistance and exhibited significantly higher nitrogen removal efficiency, surpassing that of the CAS system by up to 78%. Additionally, the BBFAS system demonstrated comparable organic matter removal efficiency to CAS system. 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing revealed that the bacterial community structure within the BBFAS system was significantly different from that of the CAS system. The bacteria associated with ammonium removal were more abundant in the BBFAS system than in the CAS system. The abundance of Nitrospira in the BBFAS could reach up to 6% and significantly higher than that in the CAS system, and they were likely responsible for both ammonia-oxidizing and nitrite-oxidizing functions. Clear stratification of microbial communities was observed from the outer to inner layers of the bag components due to the gradients of dissolved oxygen and other substrates. Overall, this study presents a promising approach for avoiding activated sludge abnormalities while maintaining high pollutant removal performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongni Rui
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Kunlong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yanyan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Kailong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Nanjing Jiangdao Institute of Environmental Research, Nanjing, 210019, China
| | - Mengxue Chen
- Nanjing Gaoke Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210038, China
| | - Fei Wu
- Nanjing Gaoke Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210038, China
| | - Xuxiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Lin Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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40
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Chen LM, Erol Ö, Choi YH, Pronk M, van Loosdrecht M, Lin Y. The water-soluble fraction of extracellular polymeric substances from a resource recovery demonstration plant: characterization and potential application as an adhesive. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1331120. [PMID: 38468850 PMCID: PMC10925790 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1331120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Currently, there is a growing interest in transforming wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) into resource recovery plants. Microorganisms in aerobic granular sludge produce extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are considered sustainable resources to be extracted and can be used in diverse applications. Exploring applications in other high-value materials, such as adhesives, will not only enhance the valorization potential of the EPS but also promote resource recovery. This study aimed to characterize a water-soluble fraction extracted from the EPS collected at the demonstration plant in the Netherlands based on its chemical composition (amino acids, sugar, and fatty acids) and propose a proof-of-concept for its use as an adhesive. This fraction comprises a mixture of biomolecules, such as proteins (26.6 ± 0.3%), sugars (21.8 ± 0.2%), and fatty acids (0.9%). The water-soluble fraction exhibited shear strength reaching 36-51 kPa across a pH range of 2-10 without additional chemical treatment, suggesting a potential application as an adhesive. The findings from this study provide insights into the concept of resource recovery and the valorization of excess sludge at WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Min Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Özlem Erol
- Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Young Hae Choi
- Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Mario Pronk
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
- Royal HaskoningDHV, Amersfoort, Netherlands
| | - Mark van Loosdrecht
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
| | - Yuemei Lin
- Department of Biotechnology, Delft University of Technology, Delft, Netherlands
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41
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Rosa-Masegosa A, Rodriguez-Sanchez A, Gorrasi S, Fenice M, Gonzalez-Martinez A, Gonzalez-Lopez J, Muñoz-Palazon B. Microbial Ecology of Granular Biofilm Technologies for Wastewater Treatment: A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:433. [PMID: 38543484 PMCID: PMC10972187 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12030433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2025] Open
Abstract
Nowadays, the discharge of wastewater is a global concern due to the damage caused to human and environmental health. Wastewater treatment has progressed to provide environmentally and economically sustainable technologies. The biological treatment of wastewater is one of the fundamental bases of this field, and the employment of new technologies based on granular biofilm systems is demonstrating success in tackling the environmental issues derived from the discharge of wastewater. The granular-conforming microorganisms must be evaluated as functional entities because their activities and functions for removing pollutants are interconnected with the surrounding microbiota. The deep knowledge of microbial communities allows for the improvement in system operation, as the proliferation of microorganisms in charge of metabolic roles could be modified by adjustments to operational conditions. This is why engineering must consider the intrinsic microbiological aspects of biological wastewater treatment systems to obtain the most effective performance. This review provides an extensive view of the microbial ecology of biological wastewater treatment technologies based on granular biofilms for mitigating water pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Rosa-Masegosa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.R.-M.); (A.R.-S.); (A.G.-M.); (J.G.-L.)
| | - Alejandro Rodriguez-Sanchez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.R.-M.); (A.R.-S.); (A.G.-M.); (J.G.-L.)
| | - Susanna Gorrasi
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.G.); (M.F.)
| | - Massimiliano Fenice
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.G.); (M.F.)
| | - Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.R.-M.); (A.R.-S.); (A.G.-M.); (J.G.-L.)
| | - Jesus Gonzalez-Lopez
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (A.R.-M.); (A.R.-S.); (A.G.-M.); (J.G.-L.)
| | - Barbara Muñoz-Palazon
- Department of Ecological and Biological Sciences (DEB), University of Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy; (S.G.); (M.F.)
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Castellano-Hinojosa A, Gallardo-Altamirano MJ, González-Martínez A, González-López J. Novel insights into the impact of anticancer drugs on the performance and microbial communities of a continuous-flow aerobic granular sludge system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 394:130195. [PMID: 38081471 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Anticancer drugs are frequently found in domestic wastewater, but knowledge of their impacts on wastewater treatment processes is limited. The effects of three levels of concentrations (low, medium, and high) of three anticancer drugs on physicochemical parameters and prokaryotic communities of a continuous-flow aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system were examined. Drugs at medium and high concentrations reduced the removal of total nitrogen and organic matter during the first 15 days of operation by approximately 15-20 % compared to a control, but these effects disappeared afterward. Removal efficiencies of drugs were in the range of 51.2-100 % depending on the concentration level. Drugs at medium and high concentrations reduced the abundance and diversity and altered the composition of prokaryotic communities. Specific taxa were linked to variations in performance parameters after the addition of the drugs. This study provides improved knowledge of the impacts of anticancer drugs in AGS systems operated in continuous-flow reactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, C/Ramon y Cajal, 4, Granada 18071, Spain.
| | - Manuel J Gallardo-Altamirano
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, C/Ramon y Cajal, 4, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - Alejandro González-Martínez
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, C/Ramon y Cajal, 4, Granada 18071, Spain
| | - Jesús González-López
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, C/Ramon y Cajal, 4, Granada 18071, Spain
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Perez-Bou L, Gonzalez-Martinez A, Gonzalez-Lopez J, Correa-Galeote D. Promising bioprocesses for the efficient removal of antibiotics and antibiotic-resistance genes from urban and hospital wastewaters: Potentialities of aerobic granular systems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123115. [PMID: 38086508 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The use, overuse, and improper use of antibiotics have resulted in higher levels of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs), which have profoundly disturbed the equilibrium of the environment. Furthermore, once antibiotic agents are excreted in urine and feces, these substances often can reach wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), in which improper treatments have been highlighted as the main reason for stronger dissemination of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs to the receiving bodies. Hence, achieving better antibiotic removal capacities in WWTPs is proposed as an adequate approach to limit the spread of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs into the environment. In this review, we highlight hospital wastewater (WW) as a critical hotspot for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance due to its high level of antibiotics and pathogens. Hence, monitoring the composition and structure of the bacterial communities related to hospital WW is a key factor in controlling the spread of ARGs. In addition, we discuss the advantages and drawbacks of the current biological WW treatments regarding the antibiotic-resistance phenomenon. Widely used conventional activated sludge technology has proved to be ineffective in mitigating the dissemination of ARB and ARGs to the environment. However, aerobic granular sludge (AGS) technology is a promising technology-with broad adaptability and excellent performance-that could successfully reduce antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs in the generated effluents. We also outline the main operational parameters involved in mitigating antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs in WWTPs. In this regard, WW operation under long hydraulic and solid retention times allows better removal of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs independently of the WW technology employed. Finally, we address the current knowledge of the adsorption and degradation of antibiotics and their importance in removing ARB and ARGs. Notably, AGS can enhance the removal of antibiotics, ARB, and ARGs due to the complex microbial metabolism within the granular biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizandra Perez-Bou
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain; Microbiology and Environmental Technology Section, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain; Microbial Biotechnology Group, Microbiology and Virology Department, Faculty of Biology, University of Havana, Cuba
| | - Alejandro Gonzalez-Martinez
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain; Microbiology and Environmental Technology Section, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - Jesus Gonzalez-Lopez
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain; Microbiology and Environmental Technology Section, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain
| | - David Correa-Galeote
- Microbiology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain; Microbiology and Environmental Technology Section, Institute of Water Research, University of Granada, Granada, Andalucía, Spain.
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Hu X, Yang H, Fang X, Liu X, Bai Y, Su B, Chang J. High efficiency and stable partial nitration achieved via gel immobilization. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 394:130262. [PMID: 38184090 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130262] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Long-term high efficiency and stable partial nitrification (PN) performance was achieved using gel-immobilized partial nitrifying bacteria. The PN characteristics of the filler under high and low ammonia nitrogen concentrations and low temperature were comprehensively studied and the rapid reactivation was achieved after reactor breakdown or long stagnation period. The results showed that the maximum ammonia oxidation rate was 66.8 mg•(L•h)-1 and the nitrite accumulation rate was above 95 % for the filler. Efficient and stable PN performance depends on the high abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) inside the filler and dynamically microbial community. In addition, the oxygen-limited zone and competition between the microorganisms inside the filler effectively inhibited the growth of nitrite oxidizing bacteria, and the sludge outside the filler assisted in this process, which supported the dominant position of AOB in fillers. This study provides a reliable technology for the practical application of the PN nitrogen removal process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environmental Recovery Engineering, Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Transportation Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environmental Recovery Engineering, Faculty of Architecture, Civil and Transportation Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Xiaoyue Fang
- Beijing General Municipal Engineering Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, Beijing 100044, China
| | - Xuyan Liu
- Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Yongsheng Bai
- Beijing Drainage Group Co. Ltd, Beijing 100022, China
| | - Bojun Su
- Beijing Drainage Group Co. Ltd, Beijing 100022, China
| | - Jiang Chang
- Beijing Drainage Group Co. Ltd, Beijing 100022, China
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Guo T, Pan K, Chen Y, Tian Y, Deng J, Li J. When aerobic granular sludge faces emerging contaminants: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167792. [PMID: 37838059 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
The evolution of emerging contaminants (ECs) has caused greater requirements and challenges to the current biological wastewater treatment technology. As one of the most promising biological treatment technologies, the aerobic granular sludge (AGS) process also faces the challenge of ECs. This study summarizes the recent progress and characteristics of several representative ECs (persistent organic pollutants, endocrine disrupting chemicals, antibiotics, and microplastics) in AGS systems that have garnered widespread attention. Additionally, the biodegradation and adsorption mechanisms of ECs were discussed, and the interactions between various ECs and AGS was elucidated. The importance of extracellular polymeric substances for the stabilization of AGS and the removal of ECs is also discussed. Knowledge gaps and future research directions that may enable the practical application of AGS are highlighted. Overall, AGS processes show great application potential and this review provides guidance for the future implementation of AGS technology as well as elucidating the mechanism of its interaction with ECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kuan Pan
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunxin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yajun Tian
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Deng
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jun Li
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China.
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Cui Y, Gao J, Zeng L, Guo Y, Xu H, Zhao M. Different fates of extracellular and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes in flocs, granular and biofilm nitrification systems under the stress of acetaminophen. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132675. [PMID: 37806259 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132675] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), including intracellular ARGs (i-ARGs) and extracellular ARGs (e-ARGs), has become a global problem that cannot be ignored. This study clarified the fates of e-ARGs and i-ARGs in floc sludge reactor (FS), granular sludge reactor (GS) and biofilm reactor (BF) under the stress of acetaminophen (APAP). The results showed that the risk of ARGs transmission, especially for e-ARGs, in FS and BF could increase with the increasing times of APAP treatment, except for that in GS. The fates of i-ARGs in three different systems were similar, which were mainly clustered as the efflux pumps mechanism. The secretion and disintegration of extracellular polymeric substances mainly affected the fates of e-ARGs. In the three systems, the complexity of network relationships between ARGs and microbial communities was FS, GS and BF. Partial least-squares path model analysis indicated that bacterial community directly contributed to the variations of e-ARGs and i-ARGs under APAP treatment in the three systems, playing a leading role. And i-ARGs and protein secondary structure showed direct effects on e-ARGs. This study indicated that e-ARGs in complex systems were more susceptible to be influenced, which should be paid more attention to prevent further propagation of ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Liqin Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yi Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hongxin Xu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Mingyan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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Zhang Y, Bu X, Wang Y, Hang Z, Chen Z. Hierarchically porous biochar derived from aerobic granular sludge for high-performance membrane capacitive deionization. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 17:100297. [PMID: 37635953 PMCID: PMC10457425 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI) is a cost-effective desalination technique known for its low energy consumption. The performance of MCDI cells relies on the properties of electrode materials. Activated carbon is the most widely used electrode material. However, the capacitive carbon available on the market is often expensive. Here, we developed hierarchically porous biochar by combining carbonization and activation processes, using easily acquired aerobic granular sludge (AGS) from biological sewage treatment plants as a precursor. The biochar had a specific surface area of 1822.07 m2 g-1, with a micropore area ratio of 58.65% and a micropore volume of 0.576 cm3 g-1. The MCDI cell employing the biochar as electrodes demonstrated a specific adsorption capacity of 34.35 mg g-1, comparable to commercially available activated carbon electrodes. Our study presents a green and sustainable approach for preparing highly efficient, hierarchically porous biochar from AGS, offering great potential for enhanced performance in MCDI applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yurong Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Xudong Bu
- School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Yajun Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China
| | - Zhenyu Hang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi'an, 710055, China
| | - Zhiqiang Chen
- School of Civil Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology (SKLUWRE, HIT), Harbin, 150090, China
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Zhao S, Zhang C, Zhang Q, Huang Q. Small microplastic particles promote tetracycline and aureomycin adsorption by biochar in an aqueous solution. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 349:119332. [PMID: 37907026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Biochar (BC) has been used to remove antibiotics from wastewater. Microplastics are emerging contaminants of wastewater. The capacities of microplastics for adsorbing antibiotics and the effects of microplastics of different types and particle sizes on antibiotic adsorption by BC have not been studied. Here, adsorption isotherm and kinetics experiments were performed to investigate tetracycline and aureomycin adsorption to polyvinyl chloride particles with diameters of 10, 100, 500, and 2000 μm, polylactic acid particles with diameters of 30, 100, 500, and 2000 μm (PLA30, PLA100, PLA500, and PLA2000, respectively), and wheat straw BC. The highest tetracycline adsorption capacity (25.00 mg g-1) was found for a PLA30 + BC. The tetracycline adsorption capacities of the other microplastic particles were 20.44-24.57 mg g-1. The highest aureomycin adsorption capacity (39.50 mg g-1) was found for 10 μm polyvinyl chloride particles and BC. The aureomycin adsorption capacities of the other microplastic particles were 32.21-38.42 mg g-1. The tetracycline adsorption capacities were 13.69%, 6.28%, 5.49%, and 4.54% higher for PLA30 + BC, PLA100 + BC, PLA500 + BC, and PLA2000 + BC, respectively, than for only BC. This may have been because there were more sites available per unit mass of microplastic for adsorbing tetracycline and dissolved organic carbon on small microplastic particles than large microplastic particles. The results indicated that microplastics can adsorb antibiotics and increase the amounts of antibiotics adsorbed by BC. Therefore, it is essential to consider potential interactions between BC and microplastics when BC is used to remove antibiotics from wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuwen Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Chuchen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Qianru Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Qilan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization of Arid and Semi-arid Arable Land in Northern China, Institute of Agricultural Resources and Regional Planning, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No. 12 South Zhongguancun Street, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, China
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Zeng M, Li Z, Cheng Y, Long B, Wu J, Zeng Y, Liu Y. Stability of aerobic granular sludge for simultaneous nitrogen and Pb(II) removal from inorganic wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:649-666. [PMID: 36039390 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2119607] [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: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACTIn this paper, we proposed a strategy for the establishment of an aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system for simultaneous nitrogen and Pb(II) removal from inorganic wastewater. AGS was stored in lead nitrate solution to select functional bacteria resistant to lead poison, and then an AGS system for ammonia nitrogen (180-270 mg/L) and Pb(II) (15-30 mg/L) removal was established based on carbon dosing and a two-stage oxic/anoxic operational mode. After storage for 40 days, the stability of AGS decreased because specific oxygen uptake rate, nitrification rate and abundance of Nitrosomonas decreased to different degrees compared with those before storage. During the first 70 days of the recovery process, AGS in R1 (the blank reactor) and R2 (the control reactor) both experienced a first breakage and then regranulation process. The main properties of AGS in reactors R1 and R2 tended to be stable after days 106 and 117, respectively, but the structure of steady-state AGS in R2 was more compact. The total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) in effluent from R1 and R2 basically remained below 25 mg/L after days 98 and 90, respectively. The Pb(II) concentration in effluent from R2 was always below 0.3 mg/L. On day 140, the relative abundance of Nitrosomonas in R2 (6.17%) was significantly lower than that in R1 (12.15%), whereas the relative abundance of denitrifying bacteria was significantly higher than that in R1 (62.44% and 46.79%). The system removed 1 kg of influent TIN only consuming approximately 1.85 kg of carbon source, demonstrating clear advantages in energy savings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjing Zeng
- School of Civil and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhenghao Li
- School of Civil and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Cheng
- School of Civil and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Bei Long
- School of Civil and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Junfeng Wu
- Henan Province Key Laboratory of Water Pollution Control and Rehabilitation Technology, Pingdingshan, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Zeng
- School of Civil and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Liu
- School of Civil and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China
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Zhang L, Yang G, Hasan HA, Fan J, Ji B. Adaptation mechanisms of microalgal-bacterial granular sludge to outdoor light-limited conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 239:117244. [PMID: 37783330 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117244] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) has attached attention for sustainable wastewater treatment, but it remains elusive whether it can adapt to outdoor light-limited conditions. This paper investigated the biological adaptation mechanisms of MBGS to outdoor light-limited diel conditions using real municipal wastewater. The results indicated that MBGS still had excellent pollutants removal performance, and that both the extracellular polymeric substances and glycogen content of MBGS increased significantly. The main functional microalgae and bacteria were revealed to be Leptolyngbyaceae and Rhodanobacteria, respectively. Further analyses indicated that the abundance of genes encoding PsbA, PsbD, PsbE, PsbJ, PsbP, Psb27, Psb28-2, PsaC, PsaE, PsaL, PsbX, PetB, PetA, and PetE increased in photosystem. Meanwhile, the abundance of gene encoding Rubisco decreased but the gene abundance regarding to crassulacean acid metabolism cycle increased. These suggested that MBGS could adjust the photosynthetic pathway to ensure the completion of photosynthesis. This study is anticipated to add fundamental insights for the MBGS process operated under outdoor light-limited conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyang Zhang
- Department of Water and Wastewater Engineering, School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Genji Yang
- Department of Water and Wastewater Engineering, School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Hassimi Abu Hasan
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Research Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jie Fan
- Department of Water and Wastewater Engineering, School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Urban Regeneration, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China
| | - Bin Ji
- Department of Water and Wastewater Engineering, School of Urban Construction, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Urban Regeneration, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430065, China.
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