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Xia H, Pei W, Huang K, Shi J, Huan G. Synergistic integration of vermicomposting and struvite crystallization for sustainable phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge: A low-carbon approach. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2025; 204:114926. [PMID: 40449306 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.114926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2025] [Revised: 04/29/2025] [Accepted: 05/28/2025] [Indexed: 06/03/2025]
Abstract
The conventional magnesium ammonium phosphate (MAP) crystallization method for phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge faces significant challenges, including high operational costs and limited inorganic phosphorus release efficiency. To address these limitations, this study introduces an innovative integrated approach combining vermicomposting with MAP crystallization (VCMAP). The results showed that vermicomposting pretreatment significantly enhanced nutrient availability, yielding a 73.58 % increase in ammonium nitrogen and a 16.32 % increase in orthophosphate concentration compared to raw sludge. In addition, fresh vermicompost samples exhibited superior performance, releasing 96.65 % more orthophosphate than their air-dried counterparts. Response surface methodology (RSM) identified the optimal recovery conditions from vermicompost using MAP as pH = 9.3, Mg: N: P = 1.1:1.3:1, and agitation time (AT) of 100 min. Notably, calcium ions exerted a more pronounced influence on the VCMAP process, compared to iron and aluminum ions. The integrated VCMAP system demonstrated remarkable efficiency, achieving a 226 % increase in struvite recovery (8.83 kg/t sludge) and capturing 20.28 % of total phosphorus within 10 days of vermicomposting pretreatment. Moreover, the process exhibited a negative carbon footprint of -56.32 kg CO2/t sludge, indicating its potential for carbon credit generation. These findings establish the VCMAP as a promising low-carbon technology for enhanced phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge, offering significant improvements over conventional MAP approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xia
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Water Resource Comprehensive Utilization in Cold and Arid Regions 730070, China
| | - Wentao Pei
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Kui Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Water Resource Comprehensive Utilization in Cold and Arid Regions 730070, China.
| | - Jiwei Shi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Guohui Huan
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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2
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Zhu L, Huang K, Bai T, Xia H. Bacteriophages enhance the transformation of dissolved organic matter during vermicomposting of sludge. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2025; 432:132694. [PMID: 40383311 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2025.132694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2025] [Revised: 05/01/2025] [Accepted: 05/15/2025] [Indexed: 05/20/2025]
Abstract
Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly technology for treating sewage sludge, however its efficiency in transforming biological material is often constrained. This study investigates the potential of bacteriophages to enhance the transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) during sludge vermicomposting. Fresh dewatered sludge treated with bacteriophages (VP) were compared to untreated controls (CK) over a 30 days' vermicomposting. The results showed that bacteriophage inoculation led to a 58.17 % reduction in dissolved organic carbon (DOC), significantly higher than the 10.67 % reduction in the CK group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the DOM stability indices in the VP treatment were significantly decreased by 30.95 % (P < 0.05), alongside an increased humification rate. Partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) revealed that bacteriophages played a pivotal role in accelerating DOM degradation by selectively lysing specific bacterial populations and altering DOM transformation pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licheng Zhu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Kui Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Water Resource Comprehensive Utilization in Cold and Arid Regions, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Tiegen Bai
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Hui Xia
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Water Resource Comprehensive Utilization in Cold and Arid Regions, Lanzhou 730070, China
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3
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Zhao M, Huang K, Wen F, Xia H, Song B. Biochar reduces plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance gene transfer in earthworm ecological filters for rural sewage treatment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2025; 487:137230. [PMID: 39837038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.137230] [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: 08/29/2024] [Revised: 01/01/2025] [Accepted: 01/14/2025] [Indexed: 01/23/2025]
Abstract
The spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in rural wastewater threatens both ecological environment and human health. Earthworm ecological filters (EEFs) represent a green technology for rural sewage treatment. However, their effectiveness in removing ARGs remains a significant challenge. This study aims to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of biochar addition in enhancing ARGs removal in rural sewage using EEFs. To achieve this, the fate of chromosome- and plasmid-carried ARGs was quantified in constructed EEFs, both with and without biochar addition. The results showed that the biochar could effectively remove ARGs from rural sewage, with a better removal efficiency for plasmid-carried ARGs. The absolute abundance of plasmid-carried ARGs in the effluent was reduced by 0.4-11 times compared to chromosomal ones, showing removal stability improved by 13.11-74.51 %. Additionally, the functional microbial community attached on the high porosity of biochar surface promoted ARGs retention, increasing diffusion limitation in microbial assembly mechanisms by 4.61-29.44 %, which played a key role in plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) revealed that biochar-mediated environmental changes and the HGT of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were critical factors in reducing plasmid-carried ARGs in EEFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhao
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Kui Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730070, China.
| | - Feifei Wen
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Hui Xia
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center of Water Resource Comprehensive Utilization in Cold and Arid Regions, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
| | - Bingyu Song
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Li Z, Yang F, Yang M, Yan R, Zhang K. The Mechanisms of Tetracycline in Shaping Antibiotic Resistance Gene Dynamics in Earthworm Casts During Vermicomposting. TOXICS 2025; 13:273. [PMID: 40278590 PMCID: PMC12031191 DOI: 10.3390/toxics13040273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2025] [Revised: 03/31/2025] [Accepted: 04/01/2025] [Indexed: 04/26/2025]
Abstract
Earthworm gut digestion plays a crucial role in reducing antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) during vermicomposting, offering significant potential for controlling ARG dissemination in livestock manure. However, the impact of residual tetracycline antibiotics on this process remains poorly understood. Herein, this study systematically evaluated the impact of tetracycline of three concentrations (0, 10, and 100 mg/kg) on ARG dynamics and microbial community evolution during 35-day vermicomposting of cattle manure. The results demonstrated that earthworm intestinal digestion effectively eliminated over 96% of initial ARG load in raw manure. Noticeably, tetracycline stress significantly enhanced total ARG abundance in the casts (p < 0.05), with distinct response patterns observed among different ARG types. Mechanistic analysis revealed that tetracycline potentially enhanced ARG persistence through two pathways: (1) promoting horizontal transfer via mobile genetic elements, and (2) altering gut microbial succession patterns that influence ARG host-microbe relationships. These discoveries contribute to our comprehension of antibiotic interference in vermi-remediation processes and provide insights for optimizing ARG mitigation strategies in contaminated livestock manure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghan Li
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, China
| | - Fengxia Yang
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, China
- Dali, Yunnan, Agro-Ecosystem, National Observation and Research Station, Dali 671004, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, China
| | - Renkai Yan
- Shiyan Municipal Agricultural Ecological Environment Protection Station, Shiyan 442000, China
| | - Keqiang Zhang
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Tianjin 300191, China
- Dali, Yunnan, Agro-Ecosystem, National Observation and Research Station, Dali 671004, China
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Yu Z, Zhou M, Zhang H, Yuan L, Lv P, Wang L, Zhang J. Changes in Cd forms and Cd resistance genes in municipal sludge during coupled earthworm and biochar composting. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 286:117179. [PMID: 39405965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 09/26/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 11/08/2024]
Abstract
There is a close relationship between microbial activity and the bioavailability of heavy metals, and heavy metal resistance genes can affect the activity of heavy metals. To evaluate the effects of coupled earthworm and biochar composting on Cd forms and Cd resistance genes in sludge, the BCR continuous extraction method was applied to classify the Cd forms, and Cd resistance genes were quantitatively determined with heavy metal gene chip technology. The results showed that the changes in earthworm biomass during composting were sufficiently fitted by logistic models and that adding biochar effectively increased earthworm biomass. The coupled treatment of earthworms and biochar promoted the degradation of sludge. The coupled treatment of earthworms and biochar reduced the proportion of acid-extractable and reducible Cd relative to total Cd, increased the proportion of oxidized and residual Cd relative to total Cd, transformed Cd forms from active to inert, and reduced the gene copy number of Cd resistance genes (czcA, czcB, czcC, czcD, czcS, czrA, czrR, cadA, and zntA). czcB was identified as a key gene that affected acid-extractable Cd and residual Cd contents; czcA, czcB, czcD, and czcS were identified as key genes that affected the reducible Cd content; czrR and cadA were identified as key genes that affected the oxidized Cd content; and czcC was identified as a key gene that affected the total Cd content. Cd resistance genes could directly affect the Cd form or indirectly affect Cd form through their interactions with each other.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Yu
- Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, National and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Wetlands and Ecological Conservation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Development and Utilization of Forest Resource, Harbin 150040, PR China.
| | - Meng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory f Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Harbin 150081, PR China.
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Beidahuang Agricultural Reclamation Group Co., Ltd, Harbin 150000, PR China.
| | - Lei Yuan
- Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, National and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Wetlands and Ecological Conservation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Development and Utilization of Forest Resource, Harbin 150040, PR China.
| | - Pin Lv
- Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, National and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Wetlands and Ecological Conservation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Development and Utilization of Forest Resource, Harbin 150040, PR China.
| | - Limin Wang
- Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, National and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Wetlands and Ecological Conservation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Development and Utilization of Forest Resource, Harbin 150040, PR China.
| | - Jizhou Zhang
- Institute of Natural Resources and Ecology Heilongjiang Academy of Sciences, National and Provincial Joint Engineering Laboratory of Wetlands and Ecological Conservation, Collaborative Innovation Center for Development and Utilization of Forest Resource, Harbin 150040, PR China.
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Xia H, Zhu L, Ding J, Chen J, Huang K, Zhao M, Li F, Jiang Y. Earthworm gut digestion drives the transfer behavior of antibiotic resistance genes in layers of extracellular polymeric substances during vermicomposting of dewatered sludge. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 259:119489. [PMID: 38925469 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119489] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Gut digestion by earthworms (GDE) is a crucial step in vermicomposting, affecting the fate of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in vermicompost sludge. The extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix of sludge is an important space for ARG transfer. However, the effect of GDE on EPS-associated ARGs remains unclear. Therefore, this study explored the role of GDE in driving the transfer of ARGs within different EPS layers in sludge. For this, the changes in intracellular ARGs and EPS-associated ARGs in sludge were analyzed after 5 days of the GDE process. The results showed that after the GDE process, both nitrate and dissolved organic carbon significantly increased in all EPS layers of sludge, while the proteins and polysaccharides only enhanced in soluble and loosely bound EPS of sludge. In addition, a 7.0% decrease in bacterial diversity was recorded after the GDE process, with a functional bacterial community structure emerging. Moreover, the absolute abundance of total ARGs and mobile genetic elements decreased by 90.71% and 61.83%, respectively, after the GDE process. Intracellular ARGs decreased by 92.1%, while EPS-associated ARGs increased by 4.9%, indicative of intracellular ARG translocation into the EPS during the GDE process. Notably, the ARGs exhibited significant enrichment in both the soluble and loosely bound EPS, whereas they were reduced in the tightly bound EPS. The structural equation modeling revealed that the GDE process effectively mitigated the ARG dissemination risk by modulating both the EPS structure and microenvironment, with the organic structure representing a primary factor influencing ARGs in the EPS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xia
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Licheng Zhu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jungang Ding
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jin Chen
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Kui Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Meng Zhao
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Fusheng Li
- River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
| | - Yufeng Jiang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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7
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Hou R, Wu H, Du P, Li S, Liu J, Chang J, Huang S, Cheng D, Zhang P, Zhang Z. Ecological risk assessment of castor oil based waterborne polyurethane: Mechanism of anionic/cationic state selective toxicity to Eisenia fetida. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 478:135553. [PMID: 39173386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135553] [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: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Cationic and anionic castor oil-based waterborne polyurethanes (C-WPU/A and C-WPU/C) have great potential for development in agriculture. However, it is still unclear whether these polyurethanes are harmful or toxic to soil fauna. Based on multilevel toxicity endpoints and transcriptomics, we investigated the effects of C-WPU/A and C-WPU/C on earthworms (Eisenia fetida). The acute toxicity results showed that C-WPU/A was highly toxic to the earthworms, whereas C-WPU/C was nearly nontoxic. C-WPU/A significantly affected the body weight, burrowing ability and cocoon production rate of earthworms compared to C-WPU/C. After exposure to C-WPU/A, the results showed accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), abnormal peroxidase activity, and increased malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, more serious histopathological damage was observed in earthworms, such as epidermal damage, vacuolization, longitudinal muscle disorganization, and shedding of intestinal epidermal cells. At the cellular level, C-WPU/A induced more severe lysosomal damage, DNA damage and apoptosis than C-WPU/A. C-WPU/A made more differentially expressed genes and considerably more enriched pathways at the transcriptional level than C-WPU/C. These pathways are largely involved in cell membrane signaling, detoxification, and apoptosis. These results provide an important reference for elucidating the selective toxicity mechanisms of C-WPU/A and C-WPU/C in earthworms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiquan Hou
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Pengrui Du
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shengnan Li
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jinzhe Chang
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Suqing Huang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Dongmei Cheng
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, Guangzhou 510225, China
| | - Peiwen Zhang
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Utilization and Conservation of Food and Medicinal Resources in Northern Region, Shaoguan University, Shaoguan 512005, China.
| | - Zhixiang Zhang
- Guangdong Biological Pesticide Engineering Technology Research Center, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
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Simbanegavi TT, Makuvara Z, Marumure J, Alufasi R, Karidzagundi R, Chaukura N, Musvuugwa T, Okiobe ST, Rzymski P, Gwenzi W. Are earthworms the victim, facilitator or antidote of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance at the soil-animal-human interface? A One-Health perspective. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173882. [PMID: 38866146 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173882] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The transfer of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance (AR) to the soil systems poses ecological hazards to various organisms, including earthworms. Understanding the complex interactions between earthworms, antibiotics, and AR in the soil system requires a comprehensive assessment. Hence, the present review investigates the behaviour, fate, impacts, and mechanisms involved in the interaction of earthworms with antibiotics and AR. The antibiotics and AR detected in earthworms and their associated media, such as vermicompost, are presented, but several other antibiotics and AR widely detected in soils remain understudied. As receptors and bioassay organisms, earthworms are adversely affected by antibiotics and AR causing (1) acute and chronic toxicity, and (2) emergence of AR in previously susceptible earthworm gut microbiota, respectively. The paper also highlights that, apart from this toxicity, earthworms can also mitigate against antibiotics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistance genes by reducing bacterial diversity and abundance. The behaviour and fate processes, including biodegradation pathways, biomarkers of antibiotics and AR in earthworms, are discussed. In addition, the factors controlling the behaviour and fate of antibiotics and AR and their interactions with earthworms are discussed. Overall, earthworms mitigate antibiotics and AR via various proximal and distal mechanisms, while dual but contradictory functions (i.e., mitigatory and facilitatory) were reported for AR. We recommend that future research based on the One-World-One-Health approach should address the following gaps: (1) under-studied antibiotics and AR, (2) degradation mechanisms and pathways of antibiotics, (3) effects of environmentally relevant mixtures of antibiotics, (4) bio-augmentation in earthworm-based bioremediation of antibiotics, (5) long-term fate of antibiotics and their metabolites, (6) bio-transfers of antibiotics and AR by earthworms, (7) development of earthworm biomarkers for antibiotics and AR, (8) application of earthworm-based bioremediation of antibiotics and AR, (9) cascading ecological impacts of antibiotics and AR on earthworms, and (10) pilot-scale field applications of earthworm-based bioremediation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tinoziva T Simbanegavi
- Department of Soil Science and Environment, Faculty of Agriculture, Environment, and Food Systems, University of Zimbabwe, P. O. Box MP 167, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Zakio Makuvara
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa
| | - Jerikias Marumure
- Department of Physics, Geography and Environmental Science, School of Natural Sciences, Great Zimbabwe University, Masvingo, Zimbabwe; Department of Life and Consumer Sciences, School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, South Africa
| | - Richwell Alufasi
- Biological Sciences Department, Bindura University of Science Education, 741 Chimurenga Road, Off Trojan Road, P. Bag 1020, Bindura, Zimbabwe
| | - Rangarirayi Karidzagundi
- Materials Development Unit, Zimbabwe Open University, P.O. Box MP1119, Mount Pleasant, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nhamo Chaukura
- Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley 8301, South Africa
| | - Tendai Musvuugwa
- Department of Physical and Earth Sciences, Sol Plaatje University, Kimberley 8301, South Africa
| | - Simon Thierry Okiobe
- Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Willis Gwenzi
- Formerly Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and Guest Professor, Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB), Max-Eyth-Allee 100, D-14469 Potsdam, Germany; Formerly Alexander von Humboldt Fellow and Guest Professor, Grassland Grassland Science and Renewable Plant Resources, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, Universität Kassel, Steinstraße 19, D-37213 Witzenhausen, Germany; Biosystems and Environmental Engineering Research Group, 380 New Adylin, Marlborough, Harare, Zimbabwe.
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9
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Zhu YM, Chen Y, Lu H, Jin K, Lin Y, Ren H, Xu K. Simultaneous efficient removal of tetracycline and mitigation of antibiotic resistance genes enrichment by a modified activated sludge process with static magnetic field. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 262:122107. [PMID: 39038424 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122107] [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: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
To address the increasing issue of antibiotic wastewater, this study applied a static magnetic field (SMF) to the activated sludge process to increase the efficiency of tetracycline (TC) removal from swine wastewater and to reveal its enhanced mechanisms. The results demonstrated that the SMF-modified activated sludge process could achieve almost complete TC removal at sludge loading rates of 0.3 mg TC/g MLSS/d. Analysis of zeta potential and extracellular polymeric substances composition of the activated sludge revealed that SMF increased electrostatic interactions between TC and activated sludge and made activated sludge has much more binding sites, finally resulting in the increased TC biosorption. Metagenomic analysis showed that SMF promoted the enrichment of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, TC-degrading bacteria, and aromatic compounds-degrading bacteria; it also enhanced ammonia monooxygenase- and cytochrome P450-mediated TC metabolism while upregulating functional genes associated with oxidase, reductase, and dehydrogenase - all contributing to increased TC biodegradation. Additionally, SMF mitigated the enrichment and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by decreasing the abundance of potential hosts of ARGs and inhibiting the upregulation of genes encoding ABC transporters and putative transposase. Based on these findings, this study demonstrates that magnetic field is an enhancement strategy with great potential to relieve the harmful impacts of the growing antibiotic wastewater problem on human health and the ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Mo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China; Nanjing University Yixing Environmental Protection Research Institute, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, PR China
| | - Yongsheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China; Nanjing University Yixing Environmental Protection Research Institute, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, PR China
| | - Hewei Lu
- Nanjing University Yixing Environmental Protection Research Institute, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, PR China
| | - Kai Jin
- Nanjing University Yixing Environmental Protection Research Institute, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, PR China
| | - Yuan Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China; Nanjing University Yixing Environmental Protection Research Institute, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, PR China.
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, PR China; Nanjing University Yixing Environmental Protection Research Institute, Yixing, Jiangsu 214200, PR China.
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10
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Duan Z, Huang K, Huang W, Wang B, Shi J, Xia H, Li F. Bacterial dispersal enhances the elimination of active fecal coliforms during vermicomposting of fruit and vegetable wastes: The overlooked role of earthworm mucus. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134280. [PMID: 38636233 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134280] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Earthworms play a pivotal role in the elimination of fecal coliforms during vermicomposting of fruit and vegetable waste (FVWs). However, the specific mechanisms underlying the action of earthworm mucus remain unclear. This study investigated the mechanisms of fecal coliform reduction related to earthworm mucus during FVWs vermicomposting by comparing treatments with and without earthworms. The results show that the secretion of earthworm mucus decreased by 13.93 % during the startup phase, but significantly (P < 0.001) increased by 57.80 % during the degradation phase. Compared to the control without earthworms, vermicomposting led to a significant (P < 0.05) 1.22 -fold increase in the population of active bacteria, with a strong positive correlation between mucus characteristics and dominant bacterial phyla. As the dominant fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae significantly (P < 0.05) declined by 86.20 % and 93.38 %, respectively, in the vermi-reactor relative to the control. Bacterial dispersal limitation served as a key factor constraining the elimination of E. coli (r = 0.73, P < 0.01) and K. pneumoniae (r = 0.77, P < 0.001) during vermicomposting. This study suggests that earthworm mucus increases the active bacterial abundance and cooperation by weakening the bacterial dispersal limitation, thus intensifying competition and antagonism between fecal coliforms and other bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Duan
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Kui Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
| | - Wenqi Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Bangchi Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Jiwei Shi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Hui Xia
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou 730070, China; River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
| | - Fusheng Li
- River Basin Research Center, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan
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11
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Chen Y, Yan Z, Zhou Y, Zhang Y, Jiang R, Wang M, Yuan S, Lu G. Dynamic evolution of antibiotic resistance genes in plastisphere in the vertical profile of urban rivers. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120946. [PMID: 38043355 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120946] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) can vertically transport in the aquatic environment due to their aging and biofouling, forming distinct plastisphere in different water layers. However, even though MPs have been regarded as hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), little is known about the propagation and transfer of ARGs in plastisphere in waters, especially in the vertical profile. Therefore, this study investigated the dynamic responses and evolution of ARGs in different plastisphere distributed vertically in an urbanized river. The biofilm biomass in the polylactic acid (PLA) plastisphere was relatively higher than that in the polyethylene terephthalate (PET), showing depth-decay variations. The ARGs abundance in plastisphere were much higher than that in the surrounding waters, especially for the PLA. In the vertical profiles, the ARGs abundance in the PET plastisphere increased with water depths, while the highest abundance of ARGs in the PLA mostly appeared at intermediate waters. In the temporal dynamic, the ARGs abundance in plastisphere increased and then decreased, which may be dominated by the MP types at the initial periods. After long-term exposure, the influences of water depths seemed to be strengthened, especially in the PET plastisphere. Compared with surface waters, the microbiota attached in plastisphere in deep waters showed high species richness, strong diversity, and complex interactions, which was basically consistent with the changes of nutrient contents in different water layers. These vertical variations in microbiota and nutrients (e.g., nitrogen) may be responsible for the propagation of ARGs in plastisphere in deep waters. The host bacteria for ARGs in plastisphere was also developed as water depth increased, leading to an enrichment of ARGs in deep waters. In addition, the abundance of ARGs in plastisphere in bottom waters was positively correlated with the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) of intI1 and tnpA05, indicative of a frequent horizontal gene transfer of ARGs. Overall, water depth played a critical role in the propagation of ARGs in plastisphere, which should not be ignored in a long time series. This study provides new insights into the dynamic evolution of ARGs propagation in plastisphere under increasing global MPs pollution, especially in the vertical profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Zhenhua Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Yixin Zhou
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Runren Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Min Wang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Saiyu Yuan
- The National Key Laboratory of Water Disaster Prevention, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Guanghua Lu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
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12
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Cui X, Liu Y, Wei T, Zhou Y. Response of antibiotic resistance genes expression and distribution on extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community in membrane biofilm during greywater treatment. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130146. [PMID: 38049021 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
This study evaluated how organic loading affects antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) expression and distribution in the membrane biofilm. Organic surface loading rate of 4.65 g chemical oxygen demand (COD)/m2·d achieved the maximum biofilm thickness, concentration and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) removal ratio of 136.9 ± 4.7 μm, 5.4 ± 0.1 g VSS/m2 and 99.4 %, respectively. Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), EPS-attached LAS, and ARGs gradually increased in the membrane air inlet, middle and air outlet. AGRs and Intl1 were abundant in biofilm. LAS promoted EPS secretion, biofilm growth and ARGs proliferation. EPS, protein and carbohydrate were significantly correlated with most of biofilm ARGs, but not corrected with liquid-based ARGs. Microbial community structure impacted ARGs proliferation and transfer in the system. The findings indicated that EPS and microbial community play a crucial role in ARGs proliferation, spread and distribution, which lay the foundation for front-end control of ARGs during biofilm-based wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocai Cui
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ting Wei
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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Chu G, Qi W, Chen W, Zhang Y, Gao S, Wang Q, Gao C, Gao M. Metagenomic insights into the nitrogen metabolism, antioxidant pathway, and antibiotic resistance genes of activated sludge from a sequencing batch reactor under tetracycline stress. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 462:132788. [PMID: 37856954 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132788] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Tetracycline is prevalent in wastewater treatment plants and poses a potential threat to biological nitrogen removal under long-term exposure. In the present study, the influence of different tetracycline concentrations on the nitrogen removal, bioactivity response, and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) was assessed in sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The nitrogen removal efficiency, nitrification rate, and denitrification rate and their corresponding enzymatic activities gradually decreased with an increase in tetracycline concentration from 0.5 to 15 mg/L. The remarkable toxicity induced by tetracycline led to a significant increase in the peroxidation and the response of antioxidant system, as evidenced by strengthened antioxidant enzymatic activity and abundant genes (SOD12, katG, PXDN, gpx, and apx). Tetracycline addition significantly inhibited the ammonia-oxidizing bacterium Nitrosomonas and functional genes (amoA, amoB, and amoC). The presence of tetracycline decreased the abundance of citrate synthase and genes (CS, IDH3, and acnA) and interfered with carbon source metabolism, leading to impaired bioactivity and treatment performance. In addition, the presence of tetracycline induces diversity and differences in ARGs. The results provide reliable basic data for a deeper understanding of the effects of tetracycline on the nitrogen removal performance of bioreactors and provide a theoretical basis to build a promising strategy for relieving antibiotic-caused process fluctuations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Chu
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Weiyi Qi
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Wenzheng Chen
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Yuqiao Zhang
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Shijiang Gao
- Logistics Support Division, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
| | - Qianzhi Wang
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Chang Gao
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Mengchun Gao
- Key Lab of Marine Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
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14
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Duan Z, Zhu Y, Xia H, Huang K, Peng L. A novel strategy for eliminating antibiotic resistance genes during fertilization of dewatered sludge by earthworms: Vermicomposting practice using Chinese herbal residues derived from Lianhua Qingwen as a bulking material. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 349:119444. [PMID: 39492387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2024]
Abstract
Vermicomposting is a sustainable sludge recycling technology that utilizes an eco-friendly composting using earthworms and microorganisms. However, a high abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) remains in dewatered sludge that is not satisfactorily eliminated by vermicomposting. Chinese herbs have played a major role in curing many diseases in East Asia, leading to a large amount of Chinese herbal residues (CHRs) are difficult to dispose of. The present study investigated the feasibility of CHRs on the ARGs reduction in dewatered sludge during vermicomposting. The CHRs derived from Lianhua Qingwen were added separately to sludge with weight ratios of 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50%; sludge was then vermicomposted for 30 days. The results showed that co-vermicomposting of sludge and CHRs is a feasible strategy. The CHR treatments significantly (P < 0.05) decreased antibiotic concentration and bacterial population by 23.64%-49.68% and 42.58%-93.07%, respectively, compared to counterpart. Compared to the control, the CHR addition lowered the absolute abundances of macrolide, tetracycline, and sulfonamide ARGs by 42.69%-85.15%, 22.03%-75.24%, and 23.59%-90.66%, respectively. In addition, sludge containing 30% CHRs showed significant (P < 0.05) elimination of intⅠ-1 and tnpA-4 genes with abundance reductions of 71.40% and 52.33%, respectively, relative to the control. This study suggests that the CHRs can effectively reduce ARGs content in sludge by decreasing the bacterial population and horizontal gene transfer capacity during vermicomposting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihao Duan
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Yangchun Zhu
- Ecological College, Lishui University, Lishui, 323000, China
| | - Hui Xia
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China
| | - Kui Huang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Yellow River Water Environment in Gansu Province, Lanzhou, 730070, China.
| | - Lansheng Peng
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730070, China
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