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Zhang Z, Huang Z, Li H, Wang D, Yao Y, Dong K. Impact of Nitrate on the Removal of Pollutants from Water in Reducing Gas-Based Membrane Biofilm Reactors: A Review. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:109. [PMID: 38786943 PMCID: PMC11123063 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14050109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) is a novel wastewater treatment technology, garnering attention due to its high gas utilization rate and effective pollutant removal capability. This paper outlines the working mechanism, advantages, and disadvantages of MBfR, and the denitrification pathways, assessing the efficacy of MBfR in removing oxidized pollutants (sulfate (SO4-), perchlorate (ClO4-)), heavy metal ions (chromates (Cr(VI)), selenates (Se(VI))), and organic pollutants (tetracycline (TC), p-chloronitrobenzene (p-CNB)), and delves into the role of related microorganisms. Specifically, through the addition of nitrates (NO3-), this paper analyzes its impact on the removal efficiency of other pollutants and explores the changes in microbial communities. The results of the study show that NO3- inhibits the removal of other pollutants (oxidizing pollutants, heavy metal ions and organic pollutants), etc., in the simultaneous removal of multiple pollutants by MBfR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiheng Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, 319 Yanshan Street, Guilin 541006, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541006, China
| | - Zhian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, 319 Yanshan Street, Guilin 541006, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541006, China
| | - Haixiang Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, 319 Yanshan Street, Guilin 541006, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541006, China
| | - Dunqiu Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, 319 Yanshan Street, Guilin 541006, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541006, China
| | - Yi Yao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, 319 Yanshan Street, Guilin 541006, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541006, China
| | - Kun Dong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, 319 Yanshan Street, Guilin 541006, China; (Z.Z.); (Z.H.); (H.L.); (D.W.)
- Guangxi Collaborative Innovation Center for Water Pollution Control and Safety in Karst Area, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology for Environmental Pollution Control, Guilin 541006, China
- Guangxi Engineering Research Center of Comprehensive Treatment for Agricultural Non-Point Source Pollution, Guilin 541006, China
- Modern Industry College of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541006, China
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2
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Long M, Zhou C, Zheng X, Rittmann BE. Reduction of Chromate via Biotic and Abiotic Pathways in the Presence of Three Co-contaminating Electron Acceptors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21190-21199. [PMID: 38051765 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Bioreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) is a promising technology for removing Cr(VI), but Cr(VI) reduction alone cannot support microbial growth. This study investigated the reduction of Cr(VI) in the presence of three electron acceptors that typically coexist with Cr(VI): NO3-, SO42-, and Fe(III). All three systems could reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III), but the fate of Cr, its impacts on reduction of the other acceptors, and its impact on the microbial community differed. Although Cr(VI) was continuously removed in the NO3--reduction systems, batch tests showed that denitrification was inhibited primarily through impeding nitrite reduction. The SO42- and Fe(III) reduction systems reduced Cr(VI) using a combination of biotic and abiotic processes. Across all three systems, the abundance of genera capable of reducing Cr(VI) increased following the introduction of Cr(VI). Conversely, the abundance of genera that cannot reduce or resist Cr(VI) decreased, leading to restructuring of the microbial community. Furthermore, the abundance of sulfide oxidizers and Fe(II) oxidizers substantially increased after the introduction of chromate. This study provides fundamental knowledge about how Cr(VI) bioreduction interacts with bioreductions of three other co-contaminating electron acceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Long
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Chen Zhou
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Xiong Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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Cruces M, Suárez J, Nancucheo I, Schwarz A. Optimization of the chemolithotrophic denitrification of ion exchange concentrate using hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactors. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119283. [PMID: 37839208 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119283] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
A H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) was used to remove nitrate from a synthetic ion-exchange brine made up of 23.8 g L-1 NaCl. To aid the selection of the best nitrate management strategy, our research was based on the integrated analysis of ionic exchange and MBfR processes, including a detailed cost analysis. The nitrate removal flux was not affected if key nutrients were present in the feed solution including potassium and sodium bicarbonate. Operating pH was maintained between 7 and 8. By using a H2 pressure of 15 psi, a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 4 h, and a surface loading rate of 13.6 ± 0.2 g N m-2 d-1, the average nitrate removal flux was 3.3 ± 0.6 g N m-2 d-1. At HRTs of up to 24 h, the system was able to maintain a removal flux of 1.6 ± 0.2 g N m-2 d-1. Microbial diversity analysis showed that the consortium was dominated by the genera Sulfurimonas and Marinobacter. The estimated cost for a 200 m3/h capacity, coupled ion exchange (IX) + MBfR treatment plant is 0.43 USD/m3. This is a sustainable and competitive alternative to an IX-only plant for the same flowrate. The proposed treatment option allows for brine recycling and reduces costs by 55% by avoiding brine disposal expenses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matias Cruces
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4070386, Chile
| | - José Suárez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4070386, Chile
| | - Iván Nancucheo
- Facultad de Ingeniería, Arquitectura y Diseño, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, 4080871, Chile
| | - Alex Schwarz
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4070386, Chile.
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Cheng J, Long M, Zhou C, Ilhan ZE, Calvo DC, Rittmann BE. Long-Term Continuous Test of H 2-Induced Denitrification Catalyzed by Palladium Nanoparticles in a Biofilm Matrix. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11948-11957. [PMID: 37531623 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Pd0 catalysis and microbially catalyzed reduction of nitrate (NO3--N) were combined as a strategy to increase the kinetics of NO3- reduction and control selectivity to N2 gas versus ammonium (NH4+). Two H2-based membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) were tested in continuous mode: one with a biofilm alone (H2-MBfR) and the other with biogenic Pd0 nanoparticles (Pd0NPs) deposited in the biofilm (Pd-H2-MBfR). Solid-state characterizations of Pd0NPs in Pd-H2-MBfR documented that the Pd0NPs were uniformly located along the outer surfaces of the bacteria in the biofilm. Pd-H2-MBfR had a higher rate of NO3- reduction compared to H2-MBfR, especially when the influent NO3- concentration was high (28 mg-N/L versus 14 mg-N/L). Pd-H2-MBfR enriched denitrifiers of Dechloromonas, Azospira, Pseudomonas, and Stenotrophomonas in the microbial community and also increased abundances of genes affiliated with NO3--N reductases, which reflected that the denitrifying bacteria could channel their respiratory electron flow to NO3- reduction to NO2-. N2 selectivity in Pd-H2-MBfR was regulated by the H2/NO3- flux ratio: 100% selectivity to N2 was achieved when the ratio was less than 1.3 e- equiv of H2/e- equiv N, while the selectivity toward NH4+ occurred with larger H2/NO3- flux ratios. Thus, the results with Pd-H2-MBfR revealed two advantages of it over the H2-MBfR: faster kinetics for NO3- removal and controllable selectivity toward N2 versus NH4+. By being able to regulate the H2/NO3- flux ratio, Pd-H2-MBfR has significant implications for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the NO3- reduction processes, ultimately leading to more environmentally benign wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Cheng
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Min Long
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Chen Zhou
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Zehra-Esra Ilhan
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- INRAE, Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, AgroParisTech, Jouy-en-Josas 78350, France
| | - Diana C Calvo
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management and Environmental Engineering, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona 86011, United States
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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5
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Biofilm-based technology for industrial wastewater treatment: current technology, applications and future perspectives. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:112. [PMID: 36907929 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03567-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The microbial community in biofilm is safeguarded from the action of toxic chemicals, antimicrobial compounds, and harsh/stressful environmental circumstances. Therefore, biofilm-based technology has nowadays become a successful alternative for treating industrial wastewater as compared to suspended growth-based technologies. In biofilm reactors, microbial cells are attached to static or free-moving materials to form a biofilm which facilitates the process of liquid and solid separation in biofilm-mediated operations. This paper aims to review the state-of-the-art of recent research on bacterial biofilm in industrial wastewater treatment including biofilm fundamentals, possible applications and problems, and factors to regulate biofilm formation. We discussed in detail the treatment efficiencies of fluidized bed biofilm reactor (FBBR), trickling filter reactor (TFR), rotating biological contactor (RBC), membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), and moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) for different types of industrial wastewater treatment. Besides, biofilms have many applications in food and agriculture, biofuel and bioenergy production, power generation, and plastic degradation. Furthermore, key factors for regulating biofilm formation were also emphasized. In conclusion, industrial applications make evident that biofilm-based treatment technology is impactful for pollutant removal. Future research to address and improve the limitations of biofilm-based technology in wastewater treatment is also discussed.
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Jang Y, Lee SH, Kim NK, Ahn CH, Rittmann BE, Park HD. Biofilm characteristics for providing resilient denitrification in a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 231:119654. [PMID: 36702020 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119654] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
In a hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-MBfR), the biofilm thickness is considered to be one of the most important factors for denitrification. Thick biofilms in MBfRs are known for low removal fluxes owing to their resistance to substrate transport. In this study, the H2-MBfR was operated under various loading rates of oxyanions, such as NO3-N, SO4-S, and ClO4- at an H2 flux of 1.06 e- eq/m2-d. The experiment was initiated with NO3-N, SO4-S, and ClO4- loadings of 0.464, 0.026, and 0.211 e- eq/m2-d, respectively, at 20 °C. Under the most stressful conditions, the loading rates increased simultaneously to 1.911, 0.869, and 0.108 e- eq/m2-d, respectively, at 10 °C. We observed improved performance in significantly thicker biofilms (approximately 2.7 cm) compared to previous studies using a denitrifying H2-MBfR for 120 days. Shock oxyanion loadings led to a decrease in total nitrogen (TN) removal by 20 to 30%, but TN removal returned to 100% within a few days. Similarly, complete denitrification was observed, even at 10 °C. The protective function and microbial diversity of the thick biofilm may allow stable denitrification despite stress-imposing conditions. In the microbial community analysis, heterotrophs were dominant and acetogens accounted for 11% of the biofilm. Metagenomic results showed a high abundance of functional genes involved in organic carbon metabolism and homoacetogenesis. Owing to the presence of organic compounds produced by acetogens and autotrophs, heterotrophic denitrification may occur simultaneously with autotrophic denitrification. As a result, the total removal flux of oxyanions (1.84 e- eq/m2-d) far exceeded the H2 flux (1.06 e- eq/m2-d). Thus, the large accumulation of biofilms could contribute to good resilience and enhanced removal fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongsun Jang
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hoon Lee
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Na-Kyung Kim
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Hoon Ahn
- The graduate school of construction engineering, Chung-ang University, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America.
| | - Hee-Deung Park
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea; KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Lu JJ, Zhang H, Li W, Yi JB, Sun FY, Zhao YW, Feng L, Li Z, Dong WY. Biofilm stratification in counter-diffused membrane biofilm bioreactors (MBfRs) for aerobic methane oxidation coupled to aerobic/anoxic denitrification: Effect of oxygen pressure. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119243. [PMID: 36270147 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Aerobic methane oxidation coupled with denitrification (AME-D) executed in membrane biofilm bioreactors (MBfRs) provides a high promise for simultaneously mitigating methane (CH4) emissions and removing nitrate in wastewater. However, systematically experimental investigation on how oxygen partial pressure affects the development and characteristics of counter-diffusional biofilm, as well as its spatial stratification profiles, and the cooperative interaction of the biofilm microbes, is still absent. In this study, we combined Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) with Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) to in-situ characterize the development of counter-diffusion biofilm in the MBfR for the first time. It was revealed that oxygen partial pressure onto the MBfR was capable of manipulating biofilm thickness and spatial stratification, and then managing the distribution of functional microbes. With the optimized oxygen partial pressure of 5.5 psig (25% oxygen content), the manipulated counter-diffusional biofilm in the AME-D process obtained the highest denitrification efficiency, due mainly to that this biofilm had the proper dynamic balance between the aerobic-layer and anoxic-layer where suitable O2 gradient and sufficient aerobic methanotrophs were achieved in aerobic-layer to favor methane oxidation, and complete O2 depletion and accessible organic sources were kept to avoid constraining denitrification activity in anoxic-layer. By using metagenome analysis and Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) staining, the spatial distribution of the functional microbes within counter-diffused biofilm was successfully evidenced, and Rhodocyclaceae, one typical aerobic denitrifier, was found to survive and gradually enriched in the aerobic layer and played a key role in denitrification aerobically. This in-situ biofilm visualization and characterization evidenced directly for the first time the cooperative path of denitrification for AME-D in the counter-diffused biofilm, which involved aerobic methanotrophs, heterotrophic aerobic denitrifiers, and heterotrophic anoxic denitrifiers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Jiang Lu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Shenzhen Research Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen 518000, China
| | - Weiyi Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jun-Bo Yi
- Instrumental Analysis Center of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen University (Xili Campus), Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Fei-Yun Sun
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Water Resource Utilization and Environmental Pollution Control, Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Yi-Wei Zhao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liang Feng
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhuo Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Wen-Yi Dong
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Water Resource Utilization and Environmental Pollution Control, Shenzhen 518055, China
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8
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Zhou J, Wu C, Pang S, Yang L, Yao M, Li X, Xia S, Rittmann BE. Dissimilatory and Cytoplasmic Antimonate Reductions in a Hydrogen-Based Membrane Biofilm Reactor. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:14808-14816. [PMID: 36201672 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
A hydrogen-based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-MBfR) was operated to investigate the bioreduction of antimonate [Sb(V)] in terms of Sb(V) removal, the fate of Sb, and the pathways of reduction metabolism. The MBfR achieved up to 80% Sb(V) removal and an Sb(V) removal flux of 0.55 g/m2·day. Sb(V) was reduced to Sb(III), which mainly formed Sb2O3 precipitates in the biofilm matrix, although some Sb(III) was retained intracellularly. High Sb(V) loading caused stress that deteriorated performance that was not recovered when the high Sb(V) loading was removed. The biofilm community consisted of DSbRB (dissimilatory Sb-reduction bacteria), SbRB (Sb-resistant bacteria), and DIRB (dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria). Dissimilatory antimonate reduction, mediated by the respiratory arsenate reductase ArrAB, was the main reduction route, but respiratory reduction coexisted with cytoplasmic Sb(V)-reduction mediated by arsenate reductase ArsC. Increasing Sb(V) loading caused stress that led to increases in the expression of arsC gene and intracellular accumulation of Sb(III). By illuminating the roles of the dissimilatory and cytoplasmic Sb(V) reduction mechanism in the biofilms of the H2-MBfR, this study reveals that the Sb(V) loading should be controlled to avoid stress that deteriorates Sb(V) reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingzhou Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Chengyang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Si Pang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Lin Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Mengying Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Xiaodi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Siqing Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai200092, China
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai200092, China
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona85287-5701, United States
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Schwarz A, Gaete M, Nancucheo I, Villa-Gomez D, Aybar M, Sbárbaro D. High-Rate Sulfate Removal Coupled to Elemental Sulfur Production in Mining Process Waters Based on Membrane-Biofilm Technology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:805712. [PMID: 35340841 PMCID: PMC8942777 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.805712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
It is anticipated that copper mining output will significantly increase over the next 20 years because of the more intensive use of copper in electricity-related technologies such as for transport and clean power generation, leading to a significant increase in the impacts on water resources if stricter regulations and as a result cleaner mining and processing technologies are not implemented. A key concern of discarded copper production process water is sulfate. In this study we aim to transform sulfate into sulfur in real mining process water. For that, we operate a sequential 2-step membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) system. We coupled a hydrogenotrophic MBfR (H2-MBfR) for sulfate reduction to an oxidizing MBfR (O2-MBfR) for oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur. A key process improvement of the H2-MBfR was online pH control, which led to stable high-rate sulfate removal not limited by biomass accumulation and with H2 supply that was on demand. The H2-MBfR easily adapted to increasing sulfate loads, but the O2-MBfR was difficult to adjust to the varying H2-MBfR outputs, requiring better coupling control. The H2-MBfR achieved high average volumetric sulfate reduction performances of 1.7-3.74 g S/m3-d at 92-97% efficiencies, comparable to current high-rate technologies, but without requiring gas recycling and recompression and by minimizing the H2 off-gassing risk. On the other hand, the O2-MBfR reached average volumetric sulfur production rates of 0.7-2.66 g S/m3-d at efficiencies of 48-78%. The O2-MBfR needs further optimization by automatizing the gas feed, evaluating the controlled removal of excess biomass and S0 particles accumulating in the biofilm, and achieving better coupling control between both reactors. Finally, an economic/sustainability evaluation shows that MBfR technology can benefit from the green production of H2 and O2 at operating costs which compare favorably with membrane filtration, without generating residual streams, and with the recovery of valuable elemental sulfur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Schwarz
- Civil Engineering Department, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - María Gaete
- Civil Engineering Department, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Iván Nancucheo
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción, Chile
| | - Denys Villa-Gomez
- School of Civil Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Marcelo Aybar
- Civil Engineering Department, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Daniel Sbárbaro
- Electrical Engineering Department, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
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10
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Li Z, Ren L, Qiao Y, Li X, Zheng J, Ma J, Wang Z. Recent advances in membrane biofilm reactor for micropollutants removal: Fundamentals, performance and microbial communities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 343:126139. [PMID: 34662738 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of micropollutants (MPs) in water and wastewater imposes potential risks on ecological security and human health. Membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), as an emerging technology, has attracted much attention for MPs removal from water and wastewater. The review aims to consolidate the recent advances in membrane biofilm reactor for MPs removal from the standpoint of fundamentals, removal performance and microbial communities. First, the configuration and working principles of MBfRs are reviewed prior to the discussion of the current status of the system. Thereafter, a comprehensive review of the MBfR performance for MPs elimination based on literature database is presented. Key information on the microbial communities that are of great significance for the removal performance is then synthesized. Perspectives on the future research needs are also provided in this review to ensure the development of MBfRs for more cost-effective elimination of MPs from water and wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhouyan Li
- Tongji University, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Lehui Ren
- Tongji University, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Yiwen Qiao
- Tongji University, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Xuesong Li
- Tongji University, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Junjian Zheng
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Guilin University of Electronic Technology, 1 Jinji Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Jinxing Ma
- Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Zhiwei Wang
- Tongji University, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Tongji Advanced Membrane Technology Center, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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11
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Yuan J, Shentu J, Ma B, Lu Z, Luo Y, Xu J, He Y. Microbial and abiotic factors of flooded soil that affect redox biodegradation of lindane. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146606. [PMID: 34030285 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Pollution induces pressure to soil microorganism; and conversely, the degradation of pollutants is reported largely regulated by the soil microbiome assembly in situ. However, the specific-dependent core taxa of degraders were barely confirmed, which is not conducive to improving the soil remediation strategy. Taking pollution of a typical organochlorine pesticide (OCP), lindane, as an example, we explored the microbial community assembly in flooded soils and simultaneously quantified the corresponding dynamics of typical soil redox processes. Contrasting initial status of microbial diversity was set up by gamma irradiation or not, with additives (acetate, NaNO3, acetate + NaNO3) capable of modifying microbial growth employed simultaneously. Microorganism under lindane stress was reflected by microbial adaptability within complex co-occurrence networks, wherein some environment-dependent core taxa (e.g., Clostridia, Bacteroidia, Bacilli) were highly resilient to pollution and sterilization disturbances. Lindane had higher degradation rate in irradiated soil (0.96 mg kg-1 d-1) than non-irradiated soil (0.83 mg kg-1 d-1). In non-irradiated soil, addition of acetate promoted lindane degradation and methanogenesis, whereas nitrate inhibited lindane degradation but promoted denitrification. No significant differences in lindane degradation were observed in irradiated soils, which exhibited low-diversity microbiomes in parallel to stronger Fe reduction and methanogenesis. The varied corresponding trigger effects on soil redox processes are likely due to differences of soil microbiome, specifically, deterministic or stochastic assembly, in response to pollution stress under high or low initial microbial diversity conditions. Our results improve the knowledge of the adaptability of disturbed microbiomes and their feedback on microbial functional development in OCP-polluted soils, achieving for a more reliable understanding with respect to the ecological risk of soils resided with OCPs under the fact of global microbial diversity loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yuan
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jue Shentu
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Bin Ma
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhijiang Lu
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yu Luo
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianming Xu
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yan He
- Institute of Soil and Water Resources and Environmental Science, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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12
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Lu JJ, Yan WJ, Shang WT, Sun FY, Li A, Sun JX, Li XY, Mu JL. Simultaneous enhancement of nitrate removal flux and methane utilization efficiency in MBfR for aerobic methane oxidation coupled to denitrification by using an innovative scalable double-layer membrane. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 194:116936. [PMID: 33640753 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Endevours on the enhancement of nitrate removal efficiency during methane oxidation coupled with denitrification (AME-D) has always overlooked the role of membrane employed. It would be highly beneficial to enrich the biomass content and to manage biofilm on the membrane, in the utilization of methane and denitrification. In this study, an innovative and scalable double-layer membrane (DLM) was designed and prepared for a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), to simultaneously enhance nitrate removal flux and methane utilization efficiency during aerobic methane oxidation coupled with the denitrification (AME-D) process. The DLM allowed quick bacterial attachment and biomass accumulation for biofilm growth, which would be then self-regulated for well distribution of functional microbes on/within the DLM. Upon a high biofilm density of over 70 g-VSS m-2 achieved on the DLM, the methane utilization efficiency of the MBfR was enhanced significantly to over 1.3 times than the control MBfR with conventional polypropylene membrane. The MBfR employed DLM also demonstrated the maximum nitrate removal flux of 740 mg-NO3--N m-2 d-1 that was approximately 1.64 times of that in control MBfR at continuous-mode operation. This DLM indeed favored the enrichment of Type II aerobic methanotrophs of Methylocystaceae, and methanol-utilization denitrifiers of Rhodocyclaceae that preferentially utilize methanol as the cross-feeding intermediates to promote the methane utilization efficiency, and thus to enhance the nitrate removal flux. These results raised from new designed DLM confirmed the importance of membrane surface properties on the effectiveness of MBfR, and offered great potential to address challenging problems of MBfRs during engineering application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Jiang Lu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Jia Yan
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Tao Shang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei-Yun Sun
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China; Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Water Resource Utilization and Environmental Pollution Control, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Xu Sun
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ying Li
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia-Le Mu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, People's Republic of China
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13
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Song B, Tian Z, van der Weijden RD, Buisman CJN, Weijma J. High-rate biological selenate reduction in a sequencing batch reactor for recovery of hexagonal selenium. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 193:116855. [PMID: 33556693 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.116855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Recovery of selenium (Se) from wastewater provides a solution for both securing Se supply and preventing Se pollution. Here, we developed a high-rate process for biological selenate reduction to elemental selenium. Distinctive from other studies, we aimed for a process with selenate as the main biological electron sink, with minimal formation of methane or sulfide. A sequencing batch reactor, fed with an influent containing 120 mgSe L-1 selenate and ethanol as electron donor and carbon source, was operated for 495 days. The high rates (419 ± 17 mgSe L-1 day-1) were recorded between day 446 and day 495 for a hydraulic retention time of 6 h. The maximum conversion efficiency of selenate amounted to 96% with a volumetric conversion rate of 444 mgSe L-1 day-1, which is 6 times higher than the rates reported in the literature thus far. At the end of the experiment, a highly enriched selenate reducing biomass had developed, with a specific activity of 856 ± 26 mgSe-1day-1gbiomass-1, which was nearly 1000-fold higher than that of the inoculum. No evidence was found for the formation of methane, sulfide, or volatile reduced selenium compounds like dimethyl-selenide or H2Se, revealing a high selectivity. Ethanol was incompletely oxidized to acetate. The produced elemental selenium partially accumulated in the reactor as pure (≥80% Se of the total mixture of biomass sludge flocs and flaky aggregates, and ~100% of the specific flaky aggregates) selenium black hexagonal needles, with cluster sizes between 20 and 200 µm. The new process may serve as the basis for a high-rate technology to remove and recover pure selenium from wastewater or process streams with high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Song
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17; 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Z Tian
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17; 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - R D van der Weijden
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17; 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - C J N Buisman
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17; 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - J Weijma
- Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 17; 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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14
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Formation and characterization of biofilms formed by salt-tolerant yeast strains in seawater-based growth medium. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:2411-2426. [PMID: 33630153 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-021-11132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Yeast whole cells have been widely used in modern biotechnology as biocatalysts to generate numerous compounds of industrial, chemical, and pharmaceutical importance. Since many of the biocatalysis-utilizing manufactures have become more concerned about environmental issues, seawater is now considered a sustainable alternative to freshwater for biocatalytic processes. This approach plausibly commenced new research initiatives into exploration of salt-tolerant yeast strains. Recently, there has also been a growing interest in possible applications of microbial biofilms in the field of biocatalysis. In these complex communities, cells demonstrate higher resistance to adverse environmental conditions due to their embedment in an extracellular matrix, in which physical, chemical, and physiological gradients exist. Considering these two topics, seawater and biofilms, in this work, we characterized biofilm formation in seawater-based growth media by several salt-tolerant yeast strains with previously demonstrated biocatalytic capacities. The tested strains formed both air-liquid-like biofilms and biofilms on silicone surfaces, with Debaryomyces fabryi, Schwanniomyces etchellsii, Schwanniomyces polymorphus, and Kluyveromyces marxianus showing the highest biofilm formation. The extracted biofilm extracellular matrices mostly consisted of carbohydrates and proteins. The latter group was primarily represented by enzymes involved in metabolic processes, particularly the biosynthetic ones, and in the response to stimuli. Specific features were also found in the carbohydrate composition of the extracellular matrix, which were dependent both on the yeast isolate and the nature of formed biofilms. Overall, our findings presented herein provide a unique data resource for further development and optimization of biocatalytic processes and applications employing seawater and halotolerant yeast biofilms.Key points• Ability for biofilm formation of some yeast-halotolerant strains in seawater medium• ECM composition dependent on strain and biofilm-forming surface• Metabolic enzymes in the ECM with potential applications for biocatalysis.
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15
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Schwarz A, Suárez JI, Aybar M, Nancucheo I, Martínez P, Rittmann BE. A membrane-biofilm system for sulfate conversion to elemental sulfur in mining-influenced waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 740:140088. [PMID: 32559542 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A system of two membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) was tested for the conversion of sulfate (1.5 g/L) in mining-process water into elemental sulfur (S0) particles. Initially, a H2-based MBfR reduced sulfate to sulfide, and an O2-based MBfR then oxidized sulfide to S0. Later, the two MBfRs were coupled by a recirculation flow. Surface loading, reactor-coupling configuration, and substrate-gas pressure exerted important controls over performance of each MBfR and the coupled system. Continuously recirculating the liquid between the H2-based MBfR and the O2-based MBfR, compared to series operation, avoided the buildup of sulfide and gave overall greater sulfate removal (99% vs 62%) and production of S0 (61% vs 54%). The trade-off was that recirculation coupling demanded greater delivery of H2 and O2 (in air) due to the establishment of a sulfur cycle catalyzed by Sulfurospirillum spp., which had an average abundance of 46% in the H2-based MBfR fibers and 62% in the O2-based MBfR fibers at the end of the experiments. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfovibrio and Desulfomicrobium) and sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (Thiofaba, Thiomonas, Acidithiobacillus and Sulfuricurvum) averaged only 22% and 11% in the H2-based MBfR and O2-based MBfR fibers, respectively. Evidence suggests that the undesired Sulfurospirillum species, which reduce S0 to sulfide, can be suppressed by increasing sulfate-surface loading and H2 pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Schwarz
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción 4070386, Chile.
| | - José Ignacio Suárez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Marcelo Aybar
- Departamento de Ingeniería Civil, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción 4070386, Chile
| | - Iván Nancucheo
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Tecnología, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción 4080871, Chile
| | | | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, United States of America
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16
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Suárez JI, Aybar M, Nancucheo I, Poch B, Martínez P, Rittmann BE, Schwarz A. Influence of operating conditions on sulfate reduction from real mining process water by membrane biofilm reactors. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 244:125508. [PMID: 31812042 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.125508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Two H2-based membrane biofilm reactor (H2-MBfR) systems, differing in membrane type, were tested for sulfate reduction from a real mining-process water having low alkalinity and high concentrations of dissolved sulfate and calcium. Maximum sulfate reductions were 99%, with an optimum pH range between 8 and 8.5, which minimized any toxic effect of unionized hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and calcite scaling on the fibers and in the biofilm. Although several strategies for control of pH and gas back-diffusion were applied, it was not possible to sustain a high degree of sulfate reduction over the long-term. The most likely cause was precipitation of calcite inside the biofilm and on the surface of fibers, which was shown by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) analysis. Another possible cause was a decline in pH, leading to inhibition by H2S. A H2/CO2 mixture in the gas supply was able to temporarily recover the effectiveness of the reactors and stabilize the pH. Biomolecular analysis showed that the biofilm was comprised of 15-20% SRB, but a great variety of autotrophic and heterotrophic genera, including sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, were present. Results also suggest that the MBfR system can be optimized by improving H2 mass transfer using fibers of higher gas permeability and by feeding a H2/CO2 mixture that is automatically adjusted for pH control.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Ignacio Suárez
- Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - Marcelo Aybar
- Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - Iván Nancucheo
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Universidad San Sebastián, Lientur 1457, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - Benjamín Poch
- Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | | | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, AZ 85287-5701, United States
| | - Alex Schwarz
- Department of Civil Engineering, Universidad de Concepción, P.O. Box 160-C, Concepción, 4030000, Chile.
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17
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Morón-López J, Nieto-Reyes L, Aguado S, El-Shehawy R, Molina S. Recycling of end-of-life reverse osmosis membranes for membrane biofilms reactors (MBfRs). Effect of chlorination on the membrane surface and gas permeability. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 231:103-112. [PMID: 31128344 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.05.108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Reducing human impacts on drinking water is one of the main challenges for the water treatment industry. This work provides new results to support the recycling of EoL desalination reverse osmosis (RO) membranes for Membranes Biofilm Reactors (MBfRs). We investigate if the controlled-removal of fouling and polyamide layer may favor the use of these membranes in MBfRs. It also would allow establishing a normalized methodology of membrane recycling, regardless of inherited fouling during its lifespan. For this purpose, we transform by chlorination discarded brackish (BWd) and seawater (SWd) membranes into nanofiltration (BWt-NF and SWt-NF) and ultrafiltration (BWt-UF and SWt-UF) membranes. Our results show that chlorine attacks allow the fouling cleaning while improves the hydrophilicity and maintains roughness only in BWt-NF. Therefore, the bacterial deposition in this membrane is greater than the other tested membranes. Besides, the microcystin (MC) degradation capacity of BWt-NF verifies the compatibility of the chemical modification for the biological activity of MC-degrading bacteria. Finally, our results also provide that polyamide thin-film composite (PA-TFC) membranes, originally manufactured for salt rejection during desalination processes, offer competitive gases diffusion at low pressures. Therefore, we conclude that the membrane recycling may provide alternative low cost and gas permeable membranes for MBfRs, according to circular economy principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Morón-López
- IMDEA Water Institute, Punto Com. nº 2. 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Chemical Engineering Department, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km 33,600, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28871, Spain.
| | - Lucía Nieto-Reyes
- IMDEA Water Institute, Punto Com. nº 2. 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Aguado
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km 33,600, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28871, Spain
| | - Rehab El-Shehawy
- IMDEA Water Institute, Punto Com. nº 2. 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Department of Environmental Science and Analytical Chemistry, Stockholm University, Sweden
| | - Serena Molina
- IMDEA Water Institute, Punto Com. nº 2. 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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18
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Thakur IS, Medhi K. Nitrification and denitrification processes for mitigation of nitrous oxide from waste water treatment plants for biovalorization: Challenges and opportunities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 282:502-513. [PMID: 30898409 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas. Even though its emissions is much lesser than CO2 but its global warming potential (GWP) is 298 times more than CO2. N2O emissions from wastewater treatment plants was caused due to incomplete nitrification or incomplete denitrification catalyzed by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and heterotrophic denitrifiers. Low dissolved oxygen, high nitrite accumulation, change in optimal pH or temperature, fluctuation in C/N ratio, short solid retention time and non-availability of Cu ions were responsible for higher N2O leakage. Regulation of enzyme metabolic pathways involved in N2O production and reduction has also been reviewed. Sequential bioreactors, bioscrubbers, membrane biofilters usage have helped microbial nitrification-denitrification processes in succumbing N2O production in wastewater treatment plants. Reduction of N2O negativity has been studied through its valorization for the formation of value added products such as biopolymers has led to biorefinery approaches as an upcoming mitigation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Shekhar Thakur
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Kristina Medhi
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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19
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Shi LD, Du JJ, Wang LB, Han YL, Cao KF, Lai CY, Zhao HP. Formation of nanoscale Te 0 and its effect on TeO 32- reduction in CH 4-based membrane biofilm reactor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 655:1232-1239. [PMID: 30577115 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.337] [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: 10/02/2018] [Revised: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Formation and recovery of elemental tellurium (Te0) from wastewaters are required by increasing demands and scarce resources. Membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) using gaseous electron donor has been reported as a low-cost and benign technique to reduce and recover metal (loids). In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of nanoscale Te0 formation by tellurite (TeO32-) reduction in a CH4-based MBfR. Biogenic Te0 intensively attached on cell surface, within diameters ranging from 10 nm to 30 nm and the hexagonal nanostructure. Along with the Te0 formation, the TeO32- reduction was inhibited. After flushing, biofilm resumed the TeO32- reduction ability, suggesting that the formed nanoscale Te0 might inhibit the reduction by hindering substrate transfer of TeO32- to microbes. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that Thermomonas and Hyphomicrobium were possibly responsible for TeO32- reduction since they increased consecutively along with the experiment operation. The PICRUSt (Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States) analysis showed that the sulfite reductases were positively correlated with the TeO32- flux, indicating they were potential enzymes involved in reduction process. This study confirms the capability of CH4-based MBfR in tellurium reduction and formation, and provides more techniques for resources recovery and recycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Dong Shi
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Prov Key Lab Water Pollut Control & Envi, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Lab of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jia-Jie Du
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lu-Bin Wang
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Lin Han
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ke-Fan Cao
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chun-Yu Lai
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - He-Ping Zhao
- College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Zhejiang Prov Key Lab Water Pollut Control & Envi, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; MOE Key Lab of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, College of Environmental and Resource Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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