1
|
Buakaew T, Ratanatamskul C. Unveiling the influence of microaeration and sludge recirculation on enhancement of pharmaceutical removal and microbial community change of the novel anaerobic baffled biofilm - membrane bioreactor in treating building wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 927:172420. [PMID: 38614333 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
This research aims to conduct a comparative investigation of the role played by microaeration and sludge recirculation in the novel anaerobic baffled biofilm-membrane bioreactor (AnBB-MBR) for enhancing pharmaceutical removal from building wastewater. Three AnBB-MBRs - R1: AnBB-MBR, R2: AnBB-MBR with microaeration and R3: AnBB-MBR with microaeration and sludge recirculation - were operated simultaneously to remove Ciprofloxacin (CIP), Caffeine (CAF), Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Diclofenac (DCF) from real building wastewater at the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 30 h for 115 days. From the removal profiles of the targeted pharmaceuticals in the AnBB-MBRs, it was found that the fixed-film compartment (C1) could significantly reduce the targeted pharmaceuticals. The remaining pharmaceuticals were further removed with the microaeration compartment. R2 exhibited the utmost removal efficiency for CIP (78.0 %) and DCF (40.8 %), while SMX was removed most successfully by R3 (microaeration with sludge recirculation) at 91.3 %, followed by microaeration in R2 (88.5 %). For CAF, it was easily removed by all AnBB-MBR systems (>90 %). The removal mechanisms indicate that the microaeration in R2 facilitated the adsorption of CIP onto microaerobic biomass, while the enhanced biodegradation of CAF, SMX and DCF was confirmed by batch biotransformation kinetics and the adsorption isotherms of the targeted pharmaceuticals. The microbial groups involved in biodegradation of the targeted compounds under microaeration were identified as nitrogen removal microbials (Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, Thiobacillus, and Denitratisoma) and methanotrophs (Methylosarcina, Methylocaldum, and Methylocystis). Overall, explication of the integration of AnBB-MBR with microaeration (R2) confirmed it as a prospective technology for pharmaceutical removal from building wastewater due to its energy-efficient approach characterized by minimal aeration supply.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tanissorn Buakaew
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chavalit Ratanatamskul
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Innovative Waste Treatment and Water Reuse, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhou M, Taiwo K, Wang H, Ntihuga JN, Angenent LT, Usack JG. Anaerobic digestion of process water from hydrothermal treatment processes: a review of inhibitors and detoxification approaches. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2024; 11:47. [PMID: 38713232 PMCID: PMC11076452 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-024-00756-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Integrating hydrothermal treatment processes and anaerobic digestion (AD) is promising for maximizing resource recovery from biomass and organic waste. The process water generated during hydrothermal treatment contains high concentrations of organic matter, which can be converted into biogas using AD. However, process water also contains various compounds that inhibit the AD process. Fingerprinting these inhibitors and identifying suitable mitigation strategies and detoxification methods is necessary to optimize the integration of these two technologies. By examining the existing literature, we were able to: (1) compare the methane yields and organics removal efficiency during AD of various hydrothermal treatment process water; (2) catalog the main AD inhibitors found in hydrothermal treatment process water; (3) identify recalcitrant components limiting AD performance; and (4) evaluate approaches to detoxify specific inhibitors and degrade recalcitrant components. Common inhibitors in process water are organic acids (at high concentrations), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), oxygenated organics, and N-heterocyclic compounds. Feedstock composition is the primary determinant of organic acid and TAN formation (carbohydrates-rich and protein-rich feedstocks, respectively). In contrast, processing conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, reaction duration) influence the formation extent of oxygenated organics and N-heterocyclic compounds. Struvite precipitation and zeolite adsorption are the most widely used approaches to eliminate TAN inhibition. In contrast, powdered and granular activated carbon and ozonation are the preferred methods to remove toxic substances before AD treatment. Currently, ozonation is the most effective approach to reduce the toxicity and recalcitrance of N and O-heterocyclic compounds during AD. Microaeration methods, which disrupt the AD microbiome less than ozone, might be more practical for nitrifying TAN and degrading recalcitrant compounds, but further research in this area is necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Zhou
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Kayode Taiwo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, 100 Cedar Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Han Wang
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jean-Nepomuscene Ntihuga
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Largus T Angenent
- Environmental Biotechnology Group, Department of Geosciences, University of Tübingen, Schnarrenbergstr. 94-96, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Biology Tübingen, AG Angenent, Max Planck Ring 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds vej 10D, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation CO2 Research Center (CORC), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds vej 10C, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark
- Cluster of Excellence, Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 28, 72074, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Joseph G Usack
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Georgia, 100 Cedar Street, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- New Materials Institute, University of Georgia, 220 Riverbend Rd, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Institute for Integrative Agriculture, Office of Research, University of Georgia, 130 Coverdell Center, 500 D.W. Brooks Dr., Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Manetti M, Tomei MC. Anaerobic removal of contaminants of emerging concern in municipal wastewater: Eco-toxicological risk evaluation and strategic selection of optimal treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168895. [PMID: 38042180 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades, the interest for anaerobic process as a mainstream treatment of municipal wastewater increased due to the development of high-rate anaerobic bioreactors able to achieve removal kinetics comparable to the aerobic ones. Moreover, they have the additional advantages of energy production, nutrient recovery and reduced excess sludge yield, which are interesting features in the frame of sustainability wastewater treatment goals. These appealing factors increased the research demand to evaluate the potential of the anaerobic removal for contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in municipal wastewater. However, despite the growing interest for the subject, literature is still fragmentary and reviews are mainly focused on specific technologies and target compounds or groups of compounds. We propose this review with the main objectives of presenting the state of knowledge, the performances of anaerobic systems for CECs' removal and, more important, to give the reader guidelines for optimal treatment selection. In the first part, a general overview of the investigated technologies at different scale, with a special focus on the recently proposed enhancements, is presented. Collected data are analysed to select the target CECs and the analysis results employed to define the optimal technological solution for their removal. A first novelty element of the paper is the original procedure for contaminant selection consisting of a risk assessment tool for CECs, based on their frequency of detection, concentration and potential for biosorption in wastewater treatment plants. Data of selected target CECs are combined with compound and technology performance data to implement a flowchart tool to evaluate the optimal treatment strategy, which constitute another, even more important, novelty element of this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Manetti
- Water Research Institute, C.N.R., Via Salaria km 29.300, CP 10, 00015 Monterotondo Stazione (Rome), Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Tomei
- Water Research Institute, C.N.R., Via Salaria km 29.300, CP 10, 00015 Monterotondo Stazione (Rome), Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mortensen AT, Goonesekera EM, Dechesne A, Elad T, Tang K, Andersen HR, Smets BF, Valverde-Pérez B. Methanotrophic oxidation of organic micropollutants and nitrogen upcycling in a hybrid membrane biofilm reactor (hMBfR) for simultaneous O 2 and CH 4 supply. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120104. [PMID: 37348423 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and other organic micropollutants (OMPs) present in wastewater effluents are of growing concern, as they threaten environmental and human health. Conventional biological treatments lead to limited removal of OMPs. Methanotrophic bacteria can degrade a variety of OMPs. By employing a novel bubble-free hybrid membrane biofilm bioreactor (hMBfR), we grew methanotrophic bacteria at three CH4 loading rates. Biomass productivity and CH4 loading showed a linear correlation, with a maximum productivity of 372 mg-VSS·L-1·d-1, with corresponding biomass concentration of 1117.6 ± 56.4 mg-VSS·L-1. Furthermore, the biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole and 1H-benzotriazole positively correlated with CH4 oxidation rates, with highest biodegradation kinetic constants of 3.58 L·g-1·d-1 and 5.42 L·g-1·d-1, respectively. Additionally, the hMBfR recovered nutrients as microbial proteins, with an average content 39% DW. The biofilm community was dominated by Methylomonas, while the bulk was dominated by aerobic heterotrophic bacteria. The hMBfR removed OMPs, allowing for safer water reuse while valorising CH4 and nutrients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anders T Mortensen
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Estelle M Goonesekera
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Arnaud Dechesne
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Tal Elad
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Kai Tang
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Henrik R Andersen
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Borja Valverde-Pérez
- Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DTU, Building 115, Bygningstorvet, Lyngby 2800, Denmark.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Oberoi AS, Surendra KC, Wu D, Lu H, Wong JWC, Kumar Khanal S. Anaerobic membrane bioreactors for pharmaceutical-laden wastewater treatment: A critical review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 361:127667. [PMID: 35878778 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticalsare a diverse group of chemical compounds widely used for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases in both humans and animals. Pharmaceuticals, either in their original or metabolite form, find way into the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) from different sources. Recently, anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR) has received significant research attention for the treatment of pharmaceuticals in various wastewater streams. This review critically examines the behaviour and removal of a wide array of pharmaceuticals in AnMBR with primary focus on their removal efficiencies and mechanisms, critical influencing factors, and the microbial community structures. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects of pharmaceuticals on the performance of AnMBR and membrane fouling are critically discussed. Furthermore, the imperative role of membrane biofouling layer and its components in pharmaceuticals removal is highlighted. Finally, recent advancements in AnMBR configurations for membrane fouling control and enhanced pharmaceuticals removal are systemically discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akashdeep Singh Oberoi
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - K C Surendra
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaì'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA; Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies, 44600 Kathmandu, Nepal.
| | - Di Wu
- Centre for Environmental and Energy Research, Ghent University Global Campus, Incheon, Republic of Korea.
| | - Hui Lu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China.
| | - Jonathan W C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Institute of Bioresource and Agriculture, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
| | - Samir Kumar Khanal
- Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaì'i at Mānoa, 1955 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kennes-Veiga DM, Gónzalez-Gil L, Carballa M, Lema JM. Enzymatic cometabolic biotransformation of organic micropollutants in wastewater treatment plants: A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 344:126291. [PMID: 34752884 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Biotransformation of trace-level organic micropollutants (OMPs) by complex microbial communities in wastewater treatment facilities is a key process for their detoxification and environmental impact reduction. Therefore, understanding the metabolic activities and mechanisms that contribute to their biotransformation is essential when developing approaches aiming to minimize their discharge. This review addresses the relevance of cometabolic processes and discusses the main enzymatic activities currently known to take part in OMPs removal under different redox environments in the compartments of wastewater treatment plants. Furthermore, the most common methodologies to decipher such enzymes are discussed, including the use of in vitro enzyme assays, enzymatic inhibitors, the analysis of transformation products and the application of several -omic techniques. Finally, perspectives on major challenges and future research requirements to improve OMPs biotransformation are proposed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M Kennes-Veiga
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Lorena Gónzalez-Gil
- Defence University Centre, Spanish Naval Academy, Plaza de España, 36920 Marín, Spain
| | - Marta Carballa
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan M Lema
- CRETUS, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| |
Collapse
|