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Pompa-Pernía A, Molina S, Cherta L, Martínez-García L, Landaburu-Aguirre J. Treatment of Synthetic Wastewater Containing Polystyrene (PS) Nanoplastics by Membrane Bioreactor (MBR): Study of the Effects on Microbial Community and Membrane Fouling. MEMBRANES 2024; 14:174. [PMID: 39195426 DOI: 10.3390/membranes14080174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
The persistent presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in aquatic environments, particularly via effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), poses significant ecological risks. This study investigated the removal efficiency of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) using a lab-scale aerobic membrane bioreactor (aMBR) equipped with different membrane types: microfiltration (MF), commercial ultrafiltration (c-UF), and recycled ultrafiltration (r-UF) membranes. Performance was assessed using synthetic urban wastewater spiked with PS-NPs, focusing on membrane efficiency, fouling behavior, and microbial community shifts. All aMBR systems achieved high organic matter removal, exceeding a 97% COD reduction in both the control and PS-exposed reactors. While low concentrations of PS-NPs did not significantly impact the sludge settleability or soluble microbial products initially, a higher accumulation increased the carbohydrate concentrations, indicating a protective bacterial response. The microbial community composition also adapted over time under polystyrene stress. All membrane types exhibited substantial NP removal; however, the presence of nano-sized PS particles negatively affected the membrane performance, enhancing the fouling phenomena and increasing transmembrane pressure. Despite this, the r-UF membrane demonstrated comparable efficiency to c-UF, suggesting its potential for sustainable applications. Advanced characterization techniques including pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) were employed for NP detection and quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamary Pompa-Pernía
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avenida Punto Com, 2, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
- Chemical Engineering Department, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km 33.600, Alcalá de Henares, 28871 Madrid, Spain
| | - Serena Molina
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avenida Punto Com, 2, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Cherta
- IMDEA Water Institute, Avenida Punto Com, 2, Alcalá de Henares, 28805 Madrid, Spain
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Zhai Y, Guo W, Li D, Chen B, Xu X, Cao X, Zhao L. Size-dependent influences of nanoplastics on microbial consortium differentially inhibiting 2, 4-dichlorophenol biodegradation. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:121004. [PMID: 38101052 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.121004] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs), as a type of newly emerging pollutant, are ubiquitous in various environmental systems, one of which is coexistence with organic pollutants in wastewater, potentially influencing the pollutants' biodegradation. A knowledge gap exists regarding the influence of microbial consortium and NPs interactions on biodegradation efficiency. In this work, a 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP) biodegradation experiment with presence of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) with particle sizes of 100 nm (PS100) or 20 nm (PS20) was conducted to verify that PS-NPs had noticeable inhibitory effect on DCP biodegradation in a size-dependent manner. PS100 at 10 mg/L and 100 mg/L both prolonged the microbial stagnation compared to the control without PS-NPs; PS20 exacerbated greater, with PS20 at 100 mg/L causing a noticeable 6-day lag before the start-up of rapid DCP reduction. The ROS level increased to 1.4-fold and 1.8-fold under PS100 and PS20 exposure, respectively, while the elevated LDH under PS20 exposure indicated the mechanical damage to cell membrane by smaller NPs. PS-NPs exposure also resulted in a decrease in microbial diversity and altered the niches of microbial species, e.g., they decreased the abundance of some functional bacteria such as Brevundimonas and Comamonas, while facilitated some minor members to obtain more proliferation. A microbial network with higher complexity and less competition was induced to mediate PS-NPs stress. Functional metabolism responded differentially to PS100 and PS20 exposure. Specifically, PS100 downregulated amino acid metabolism, while PS20 stimulated certain pathways in response to more severe oxidative stress. Our findings give insights into PS-NPs environmental effects concerning microflora and biological degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhai
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Wenbo Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Deping Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bo Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoyun Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xinde Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; China-UK Low Carbon College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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Liu S, Su C, Lu Y, Xian Y, Chen Z, Wang Y, Deng X, Li X. Effects of microplastics on the properties of different types of sewage sludge and strategies to overcome the inhibition: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166033. [PMID: 37543332 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been identified as an emerging pollutant. When microplastics enter wastewater treatment plants, the plant traps most of the microplastics in the sludge during sewage treatment. Therefore, the effects of microplastics on sludge removal performance, and on the physical and chemical properties and microbial communities in sludge, have attracted extensive attention. This review mainly describes the presence of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants, and the effects of microplastics on the decontamination efficiency and physicochemical properties of activated sludge, aerobic granular sludge, anaerobic granular sludge and anaerobic ammonium oxidation sludge. Further, the review summarizes the effects of microplastics on microbial activity and microbial community dynamics in various sludges in terms of type, concentration, and contact time. The mechanisms used to strengthen the reduction of microplastics, such as biochar and hydrochar, are also discussed. This review summarizes the mechanism by which microplastics influence the performance of different types of sludge, and proposes effective strategies to mitigate the inhibitive effect of microplastics on sludge and discusses removal technologies of microplastics in sewage. Biochar and hydrochar are one of the effective measures to overcome the inhibition of microplastics on sludge. Meanwhile, constructed wetland may be one of the important choice for the future removal of microplastics from sewage. The goal is to provide theoretical support and insights for ensuring the stable operation of wastewater treatment plants and reducing the impact of microplastics on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengtao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Chengyuan Su
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China; College of Environment and Resources, Guangxi Normal University, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China.
| | - Yiying Lu
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Yunchuan Xian
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Zhengpeng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Yuchen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Xue Deng
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
| | - Xinjuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin 541004, PR China
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