Activated carbon modified with nano manganese dioxide triggered electron transport pathway changes for boosted anaerobic treatment of dyeing wastewater

Internal short-circuit revolution: Unveiling enhanced nitrogen removal efficiency in Mn-rich constructed wetlands

Electron acceptor limitation restricts ammonium removal in constructed wetlands (CWs). This study hypothesized that integrating carbon fiber filaments (CFs) within manganese-rich substrates (CF-CM) could enhance electron transfer and nitrogen transformation. Five lab-scale CWs were established. Results showed that CF-CM significantly improved NH4+-N and total nitrogen removal rates, reaching 8.1 and 13.1 gN/(m2·d), 3.1-fold and 5.4-fold higher than CF-CK, respectively. CFs facilitated internal short-circuiting, increasing anammox bacteria abundance and electron utilization of denitrifying bacteria. The qPCR gene chip testing revealed upregulated napA and narG, with nirS being the most abundant nitrogen transformation gene. And anammox genes (hzsA, hzsB, hzo) at 3.22 × 107 copies·g-1, 288 times higher than the control. This strategy enhanced regional electron transfer and regulated spatial electron supply-demand relationships, with the core enhancement being the enrichment of anammox bacteria, electroactive bacteria, and denitrifiers in CF-CM systems. One point of view is that integrating internal short-circuits in Mn-rich substrates CWs is an efficient treatment approach for nitrogen removal.

Microbiome regulation for sustainable wastewater treatment

Sustainable wastewater treatment is essential for attaining clean water and sanitation, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have utilized environmental microbiomes in biological treatment processes in this effort for over a century. However, the inherent complexity and redundancy of microbial communities, and emerging chemical and biological contaminants, challenge the biotechnology applications. Over the past decades, understanding and utilization of microbial energy metabolism and interaction relationships have revolutionized the biological system. In this review, we discuss how microbiome regulation strategies are being used to generate actionable performance for low-carbon pollutant removal and resource recovery in WWTPs. The engineering application cases also highlight the real feasibility and promising prospects of the microbiome regulation approaches. In conclusion, we recommend identifying environmental risks associated with chemical and biological contaminants transformation as a prerequisite. We propose the integration of gene editing and enzyme design to precisely regulate microbiomes for the synergistic control of both chemical and biological risks. Additionally, the development of integrated technologies and engineering equipment is crucial in addressing the ongoing water crisis. This review advocates for the innovation of conventional wastewater treatment biotechnology to ensure sustainable wastewater treatment.

Enhancement of anaerobic treatment of antibiotic pharmaceutical wastewater through the development of iron-based and carbon-based materials: A critical review

The extensive use of antibiotics has created an urgent need to address antibiotic wastewater treatment, posing significant challenges for environmental protection and public health. Recent advances in the efficacy and mechanisms of conductive materials (CMs) for enhancing the anaerobic biological treatment of antibiotic pharmaceutical wastewater are reviewed. For the first time, the focus is on the various application forms of iron-based and carbon-based CMs in strengthening the anaerobic methanogenic system. This includes the use of single CMs such as zero-valent iron (ZVI), magnetite, biochar (BC), activated carbon (AC), and graphene (GP), as well as iron-based and carbon-based composite CMs with diverse structures. These structures include mixed, surface-loaded, and core-shell combinations, reflecting the development of CMs. Iron-based and carbon-based CMs promote the rapid removal of antibiotics through adsorption and enhanced biodegradation. They also mitigate the inhibitory effects of toxic pollutants on microbial activity and reduce the expression of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Additionally, as effective electron carriers, these CMs enrich microorganisms with direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) functions, accelerate interspecies electron transfer, and facilitate the conversion of organic matter into methane. Finally, this review proposes the use of advanced molecular detection technologies to clarify microbial ecology and metabolic mechanisms, along with microscopic characterization techniques for the modification of CMs. These methods can provide more direct evidence to analyze the mechanisms underlying the cooperative anaerobic treatment of refractory organic wastewater by CMs and microorganisms.

Effect and mechanism of Mn2+ on urease activity during anaerobic biological treatment of landfill leachate

As a crucial hydrolytic enzyme, urease plays a vital role in anaerobic biological treatment. It is well-known that manganese ions are abundant in landfill leachate, but their concentration fluctuates significantly. However, few studies have investigated the effect and mechanism of different concentrations of Mn2+ on urease activity during anaerobic biological treatment of landfill leachate. This paper aimed to investigate the effects and mechanisms of different concentrations of Mn2+ on urease activity. The results showed that an appropriate amount of Mn2+ could significantly enhance urease activity, while a high concentration of Mn2+ could inhibit it. Insight into the mechanisms behind this phenomenon, various methods such as Zeta potential, particle size, ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and statistical analysis were employed in our study. Research suggested that, on one hand, Mn2+ may form hydrogen bonds with the side chain amino or carboxyl groups of urease amino acid residues, affecting the structure of urease through hydrogen bonding. Additionally, Mn2+ also binds to urease through hydrophobic interactions. On the other hand, the C-OH and C-N functional groups in urease have a strong affinity for Mn2+, and changes in these functional groups can greatly enhance the activity of urease. Furthermore, under the action of high concentrations of Mn2+, while the structure of urease becomes more stable, there is also a steric hindrance phenomenon that affects the substrate from entering the catalytic center. Therefore, studying the mechanism of Mn2+ affecting urease activity has significant biological significance and provides a new perspective for exploring the impact of metals on anaerobic bioprocessing of landfill leachate.

Promotion of anaerobic biodegradation of azo dye RR2 by different biowaste-derived biochars: Characteristics and mechanism study by machine learning

The addition of biochar resulted in a 31.5 % to 44.6 % increase in decolorization efficiency and favorable decolorization stability. Biochar promoted extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion, especially humic-like and fulvic-like substances. Additionally, biochar enhanced the electron transfer capacity of anaerobic sludge and facilitated surface attachment of microbial cells. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis indicated that biochar reduced microbial species diversity, enriching fermentative bacteria such as Trichococcus. Finally, a machine learning model was employed to establish a predictive model for biochar characteristics and decolorization efficiency. Biochar electrical conductivity, H/C ratio, and O/C ratio had the most significant impact on RR2 anaerobic decolorization efficiency. According to the results, the possible mechanism of RR2 anaerobic decolorization enhanced by different types of biochar was proposed.

Nano manganese dioxide coupling carbon source preloading granular activated carbon biofilter enhancing biofilm formation and pollutant removal

The formation of stable and mature biofilms affects the efficient and stable removal of ammonium by biological activated carbon (BAC). In this study, the new granular activated carbon (GAC) was preloaded with the carbon source (glucose and sucrose) and nano manganese dioxide (nMnO2) before using. Then tests were performed to determine whether substrate preloading promoted ammonium removal. The ammonium removal treated by nMnO2 coupled with sucrose-loaded BAC reached 49.1 ± 2.5%, which was 1.7 times higher than that by the nonloaded BAC 28.2 ± 1.9%). The biomass on the substrate-loaded BAC reached 5.83 × 106-1.22 × 107 cells/g DW GAC on Day 7, which was 4.6-9.5 times higher than the value of the nonloaded BAC (1.28 × 106 cells/g DW GAC). The amount of extracellular polymer (i.e., protein) on nMnO2 coupled to sucrose-loaded BAC was promoted significantly. Flavobacterium (0.7%-11%), Burkholderiaceae (13%-20%) and Aquabacterium (30%-67%) were the dominant functional bacteria on the substrate-loaded BAC, which were conducive to the nitrification or denitrification process. The results indicated that loading nMnO2 and/or a carbon source accelerated the formation of biofilms on BAC and ammonium removal. Additionally, the ammonium removal treated by nMnO2 coupled with sucrose-loaded BAC was contributed by microbial degradation (56.0 ± 2.5%), biofilm adsorption (38.7 ± 2.1%) and GAC adsorption (5.3 ± 0.3%), suggesting a major role of microbial degradation.

Three-dimensional graphene aerogel mitigated the toxic impact of chloramphenicol wastewater on microorganisms in an EGSB reactor

Anaerobic treatment of chloramphenicol wastewater holds significant promise due to its potential for bioenergy generation. However, the high concentration of organic matter and residual toxic substances in the wastewater severely inhibit the activity of microorganisms. In this study, a three-dimensional graphene aerogel (GA), as a conductive material with high specific surface area (114.942 m2 g-1) and pore volume (0.352 cm3 g-1), was synthesized and its role in the efficiency and related mechanism for EGSB reactor to treat chloramphenicol wastewater was verified. The results indicated that synergy effects of GA for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal (increased by 8.17 %), chloramphenicol (CAP) removal (increased by 4.43 %) and methane production (increased by 70.29 %). Furthermore, GA increased the average particle size of anaerobic granular sludge (AGS) and promoted AGS to secrete more redox active substances. Microbial community analysis revealed that GA increased the relative abundance of functional bacteria and archaea, specifically Syntrophomonas, Geobacter, Methanothrix, and Methanolinea. These microbial species can participate in direct interspecific electron transfer (DIET). This research serves as a theoretical foundation for the application of GA in mitigating the toxic impact of refractory organic substances, such as antibiotics, on microorganisms during anaerobic treatment processes.

Purification mechanism of microbial metabolism in kitchen-oil wastewater enhanced by cationic vacancies on γ-Al2O3

The use of catalyst materials to mediate the enhancement of microbial degradation in wastewater is a new economic and energy saving breakthrough in water treatment technology. In this study, γ-Al2O3, which is commonly used as catalyst/carrier, is used as biological filler to treat kitchen-oil wastewater with low biodegradability, and the COD removal rate is about 50 %. It is found that the complexation of cationic vacancies on Al2O3 surface with extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) secreted by microorganisms in wastewater lead to the polarization of electron distribution on biofilm. The efficient degrading bacteria are enriched on reaction interface and obtain electrons to maintain electron dynamic balance by enhancing the transmembrane metabolism of pollutants. The aluminum vacancies on Al2O3 surface accelerate the microbial degradation of pollutants. The cationic vacancies in the structure of catalyst accelerate the acquisition of exogenous electrons by microorganisms without the addition of external energy, which provides a new idea for catalytic fillers to enhance wastewater degradation.

Stimulating anaerobic digestion to degrade recalcitrant organic pollutants: Potential role of conductive materials-led direct interspecies electron transfer

This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the potential of CMs-dominated DIET in the degradation of recalcitrant organic pollutants in AD. The review covers the mechanisms and efficiencies of recalcitrant organic pollutant degradation by CMs-dominated DIET, the comparison of degradation pathways between DIET and chemical treatment, recent insights on DIET-enhanced degradation, and the evaluation of the potential and future development of CMs-dominated DIET. The review emphasizes the importance of coupled syntrophic microorganisms, electron flux, and physicochemical properties of CMs in enhancing the degradation performance of AD. Additionally, it highlights the advantages of DIET-led syntrophic metabolism over traditional oxidation technologies in terms of environmental friendliness and efficiency. Finally, the review acknowledges the potential risks associated with introducing CMs into AD systems and provides guidance for waste treatment and energy recovery.

Self-purification of actual wastewater via microbial-synergy driving of catalyst-surface microelectronic field: A pilot-scale study

High energy consumption is impedimental for eliminating refractory organics in wastewater by current technologies. Herein, we develop an efficient self-purification process for actual non-biodegradable dyeing wastewater at pilot scale, using N-doped graphene-like (CN) complexed Cu-Al₂O₃ supported Al₂O₃ ceramics (HCLL-S8-M) fixed-bed reactor without additional input. About 36% chemical oxygen demand removal was achieved within 20 min empty bed retention time and maintained stability for almost one year. The HCLL-S8-M structure feature and its interface on microbial community structure, functions, and metabolic pathways were analyzed by density-functional theory calculation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, multiomics analysis of metagenome, macrotranscriptome and macroproteome. On the surface of HCLL-S8-M, a strong microelectronic field (MEF) was formed by the electron-rich/poor area due to Cu-π interaction from the complexation between phenolic hydroxy of CN and Cu species, driving the electrons of the adsorbed dye pollutants to the microorganisms through extracellular polymeric substance and the direct transfer of extracellular electrons, causing their degradation into CO₂ and intermediates, which was degraded partly via intracellular metabolism. The lower energy feeding for the microbiome produced less adenosine triphosphate, resulting in little sludge throughout reaction. The MEF from electronic polarization is greatly potential to develop low-energy wastewater treatment technology.

Simultaneous removal of refractory organic pollutants and nitrogen using electron shuttle suspended biofilm carriers in an integrated hydrolysis/acidification-anoxic/aerobic process

Azo dyes wastewater contains refractory pollutant and nitrogen, which threatens human health and ecological environment when discharged into environment directly. Electron shuttle (ES) is able to participate in the extracellular electron transfer, and thus enhances the removal efficiency of refractory pollutant. However, the continuous dosing of soluble ES would rise operation cost and cause contamination inevitably. In this study, a type of insoluble ES (carbonylated graphene oxide (C-GO)) was developed and melt blended into polyethylene (PE) to prepare novel C-GO-modified suspended carriers. Compared to those of conventional carrier (31.60%), the surface active sites of novel C-GO-modified carrier increased to 52.95%. An integrated hydrolysis/acidification (HA, filled with C-GO-modified carrier) - anoxic/aerobic (AO, filled with clinoptilolite-modified carrier) process was applied to remove azo dye acid red B (ARB) and nitrogen simultaneously. ARB removal efficiency was significantly improved in the reactor filled with C-GO-modified carriers (HA2) compared to the reactor filled with conventional PE carriers (HA1) or activated sludge (HA0). Total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of the proposed process increased by 25.95-32.64% compared to the reactor filled with activated sludge. Moreover, the intermediates of ARB were identified by liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer (LC-MS), and the degradation pathway of ARB through ES was proposed. C-GO-modified carriers induced ARB-removal-related bacterial enrichment (such as Chloroflexi, Lactivibrio, Longilinea, Bacteroidales and Anaerolineaceae). Besides, the relative abundance of denitrifiers and nitrifiers in the AO reactor filled with clinoptilolite-modified carrier was increased by 11.60% compared with activated sludge. Copy numbers of genes related to membrane transport, carbon/energy metabolism and nitrogen metabolism increased significantly on the surface-modified carriers. This study proposed an efficient approach for simultaneous azo dyes and nitrogen removal, showing potential in actual application.

Enhanced purification of kitchen-oil wastewater driven synergistically by surface microelectric fields and microorganisms

The stable structure and toxic effect of refractory organic pollutants in wastewater lead to the problem of high energy consumption in water treatment technology. Herein, we propose a synergistic purification of refractory wastewater driven by microorganisms and surface microelectric fields (SMEF) over a dual-reaction-center (DRC) catalyst HCLL-S8-M prepared by an in situ growth method of carbon nitride on the Cu-Al₂O₃ surface. Characterization techniques demonstrate the successful construction of SMEF with strong electrostatic force over HCLL-S8-M based on cation-π interactions between metal copper ions and carbon nitride rings. With the catalyst as the core filler, an innovative fixed bed bioreactor is constructed to purify the actual kitchen-oil wastewater. The removal efficiency of the wastewater even with a very low biodegradability (BOD₅/COD = 0.33) can reach 60% after passing through this bioreactor. An innovative reaction mechanism is revealed for the first time that under the condition of a small amount of biodegradable organic matter, the SMEF induces the enrichment of electric active microorganisms (Desulfobulbus and Geobacter) in the wastewater, accelerates the interspecies electron transfer of intertrophic metabolism with the biodegradable bacteria through the extracellular electron transfer mechanism such as cytochrome C and self-secreted electron shuttle. The electrons of the refractory organic pollutants adsorbed on the surface of the catalyst are delocalized by the SMEF, which can be directly utilized by microorganisms through EPS conduction. The SMEF generated by electron polarization can maximize the utilization of pollutants and microorganisms in wastewater and further enhance degradation without adding any external energy, which is of great significance to the development of water self-purification technology.

Evaluation of dye decolorization using anaerobic granular sludge from an expanded granular sludge bed based on spectrometric and microbiome analyses

The decolorization of 11 dyes by granular sludge from an anaerobic expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor was evaluated. Biological decolorization of Reactive Red 21, 23, and 180, and Reactive Yellow 15, 17, and 23 in model textile wastewater was observed for the first time after a 7-day incubation (over 94% decolorization). According to the sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons from EGSB granular sludge, the operational taxonomic unit related to Paludibacter propionicigenes showed the highest increase in relative abundance ratios in the presence of dyes (7.12 times on average over 11 dyes) compared to those without dyes.

Electron shuttles enhanced the removal of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes in anaerobic systems: A review

The environmental and epidemiological problems caused by antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes have attracted a lot of attention. The use of electron shuttles based on enhanced extracellular electron transfer for anaerobic biological treatment to remove widespread antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes efficiently from wastewater or organic solid waste is a promising technology. This paper reviewed the development of electron shuttles, described the mechanism of action of different electron shuttles and the application of enhanced anaerobic biotreatment with electron shuttles for the removal of antibiotics and related genes. Finally, we discussed the current issues and possible future directions of electron shuttle technology.

Pilot-Scale Anaerobic Treatment of Printing and Dyeing Wastewater and Performance Prediction Based on Support Vector Regression

Printing and dyeing wastewater is characterized with complex water quality and poor biodegradability. In this study, a pilot-scale anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR) with packing was verified to effectively degrade the complex organic pollutants in the wastewater through the hydrolysis and acidification of anaerobic microorganisms. At a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h and an organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.0–2.5 kg COD/(m3·d), the ABR stabilized the fluctuation range of pH and achieved an average colority removal rate of 10.5%, which provided favorable conditions for subsequent aerobic treatment. During the early operation period, the reactor increased the alkalinity of the wastewater; after 97 days of operation, the volatile fatty acid (VFA) content in the wastewater decreased. To demonstrate the suitability of the support vector regression (SVR) technology in predicting the performance of the reactor, two SVR algorithms with three kernel functions were employed to relate the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate to its influencing factors, and the predictions of both the training and validation groups agreed with the measurements. The results obtained from this study can contribute to the design and optimal operation of the anaerobic treatment project of the industrial wastewater treatment plant.

Loading with micro-nanosized α-MnO2 efficiently promotes the removal of arsenite and arsenate by biochar derived from maize straw waste: Dual role of deep oxidation and adsorption

The function of biochar (BC) as an eco-friendly adsorbent for environmental remediation is gaining much attention. However, the pristine BC had limited abilities for the removal of As (III, V). Towards this issue, this study synthesized biochar/micro-nanosized α-MnO₂ (BM) composites with different mass ratios of biochar to MnO₂. Comprehensive characterizations confirmed the successful loading of micro-nanosized α-MnO₂ onto the BC surface and the obvious specific surface area enhancement (7.5-13.5 times) of BM relative to BC. BM composites exhibited 5.0-13.0 folds higher removal capacity for As (III, V) than pristine BC since the composites gave full play to the oxidation contributed by micro-nanosized α-MnO₂ substrate and adsorption functions provided by the Mn-OH, BC-COOH, and BC-OH functional groups. Moreover, BM was well reused maintaining a relatively high removal efficiency for As (III, V). Regardless of reaction time and initial As (III) concentration (C₀), the removal of As (III) by pristine BC was negligibly contributed by the oxidized As (V) remaining in solutions, with the relative contribution <15.0%. For the BM composites, relative contribution of adsorbed As (III, V) dominated over that of oxidation to mobile As (V) remaining in solution, and exhibited the decreasing trend with increasing C₀. These findings demonstrated BM as a promising candidate in remediating As (III, V)-polluted water, and provide mechanistic insights into the role of oxidation and adsorption in As (III, V) removal.

Iron-based biochar derived from waste-activated sludge enhances anaerobic digestion of synthetic salty organic wastewater for methane production

Herein, synthetic iron-based biochar was used in anaerobic digestion of synthetic salty organic wastewater for methane production. The iron-based biochar synthesized at different pyrolysis temperatures improved methane production. An optimal methane production of 551 ± 4.0 mL/L was achieved by adding iron-based biochar prepared at 700℃. The rate of hydrolysis-acidification and methanogenesis was promoted by iron-based biochar as the NaCl concentration was less than 20 g/L. However, the catalytic effect of iron-based biochar on methane production of saline wastewater failed during the NaCl concentration of 40 g/L due to the complete suppression of methanogenesis. Analyzing the methanogenic activity of iron-based biochar modified anerobic systems and characterizing the physical-chemical properties of iron-based biochar demonstrated that the iron oxides and/or zero-valent iron generated on the biochar surface increased methane production. This study highlights the potential benefits of iron-rich sludge-based biochar on enhanced anaerobic digestion and treatment of salty organic wastewater.