Changes of distribution and chemical speciation of metals in hexavalent chromium loaded algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge before and after hydrothermal treatment

Unveiling the biointerfaces characteristics and removal pathways of Cr(Ⅵ) in Bacillus cereus FNXJ1-2-3 for the Cr(Ⅵ)-to-Cr(0) conversion

Although less toxic than hexavalent chromium, Cr (Ⅲ) species still pose a threat to human health. The Cr (Ⅵ) should be converted to Cr (0) instead of Cr (Ⅲ), which is still involved in biological detoxification filed. Herein, for the first time, it was found that Cr(Ⅵ) can be reduced into Cr(0) by Bacillus cereus FNXJ1-2-3, a way to completely harmless treatment of Cr(Ⅵ). The bacterial strain exhibited excellent performance in the reduction, sorption, and accumulation of Cr(Ⅵ) and Cr (Ⅲ). XPS etching characterization inferred that the transformation of Cr(Ⅵ) into Cr(0) followed a reduction pathway of Cr(Ⅵ)→Cr (Ⅲ)→metallic Cr(0), in which at least two secretory chromium reductases (ECrⅥ→Ⅲ and ECrⅢ→0) worked. Under the optimum condition, the yield ratio of Cr(0)/Cr (Ⅲ) reached 33.90%. In addition, the interfacial interactions, ion channels, chromium reductases, and external electron donors also contributed to the Cr(Ⅵ)/Cr(0) transformation. Findings of this study indicate that Bacillus cereus FNXJ1-2-3 is a promising bioremediation agent for Cr(Ⅵ) pollution control.

Advances in responses of microalgal-bacterial symbiosis to emerging pollutants in wastewater

Nowadays, emerging pollutants are widely used and exist in wastewater, such as antibiotics, heavy metals, nanoparticle and microplastic. As a green alternative for wastewater treatment, microalgal-bacterial symbiosis has been aware of owning multiple merits of low energy consumption and little greenhouse gas emission. Thus, the responses of microalgal-bacterial symbiosis to emerging pollutants in wastewater treatment have become a hotspot in recent years. In this review paper, the removal performance of microalgal-bacterial symbiosis on organics, nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater containing emerging pollutants has been summarized. The adaptation mechanisms of microalgal-bacterial symbiosis to emerging pollutants have been analyzed. It is found that antibiotics usually have hormesis effects on microalgal-bacterial symbiosis, and that microalgal-bacterial symbiosis appears to show more capacity to remove tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole, rather than oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin. Generally, microalgal-bacterial symbiosis can adapt to heavy metals at a concentration of less than 1 mg/L, but its capabilities to remove contaminants can be significantly affected at 10 mg/L heavy metals. Further research should focus on the influence of mixed emerging pollutants on microalgal-bacterial symbiosis, and the feasibility of using selected emerging pollutants (e.g., antibiotics) as a carbon source for microalgal-bacterial symbiosis should also be explored. This review is expected to deepen our understandings on emerging pollutants removal from wastewater by microalgal-bacterial symbiosis.

Pb(II) bioremediation using fresh algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge and its underlying mechanisms highlighting the role of extracellular polymeric substances

Lead (Pb) discharged from rural industries poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. Algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge (A-B AGS) is a promising alternative for sewage treatment with high efficiency and good settleability. In this study, Pb(II) biosorption using fresh A-B AGS was investigated for the first time. The important role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was revealed with the involved mechanisms being clarified. The desorbents for Pb recovery from Pb-loaded A-B AGS were also screened. Results showed that A-B AGS has an excellent maximum Pb adsorption capacity of 72.4 mg·g^-1 at pH 6.0. EPS plays an important role in keeping microbial activity, Pb bonding, and providing metal ions (Ca, Na and Mg) for Pb ion exchanges. Electrostatic interaction, ion exchange, and bonding to functional groups may occur orderly in the Pb biosorption process and the formation of pyromorphite (Pb₅(PO₄)₃Cl) contributes to Pb biosorption. About 66 % of the adsorbed Pb was accumulated in the A-B AGS microbial cells. Na₂EDTA (0.05 M) can recover 60.3 % of the loaded Pb with the highest microbial activity of granules being remained. All the findings will provide the theoretical basis for the large-scale application of A-B AGS to bioremediate Pb(II)-containing wastewater.

Colony formation of Phaeocystis globosa: A case study of evolutionary strategy for competitive adaptation

Some algae possess a multi-morphic life cycle, either in the form of free-living solitary cells or colonies which constantly occur in algal blooms. Though colony formation seems to consume extra energy and materials, many algae tend to outbreak in form of colonies. Here, we hypothesized that colony formation is a selected evolutionary strategy to improve population competitiveness and environmental adaptation. To test the hypothesis, different sizes of colonies and solitary cells in a natural bloom of Phaeocystis globosa were investigated. The large colony showed a relatively low oxidant stress level, a nutrient trap effect, and high nutrient use efficiency. The colonial nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations were about 5-10 times higher than solitary cell phycosphere and cellular nutrient allocation decreased with the enlargement of the colonial diameter following the economies of scale law. These features provide the colony with monopolistic competence and could function as an evolutionary strategy for competitive adaptation.