Effect of hypersaline aniline-containing pharmaceutical wastewater on the structure of activated sludge-derived bacterial community

Redundancy and resilience of microbial community under aniline stress during wastewater treatment

Aniline is one of the most toxic and widespread organic pollutants. Although biological treatment is cost-effective and generates minimal secondary pollution, microbial communities are significantly affected by high aniline concentrations, which result in low degradation efficiency. However, a comprehensive understanding of the microbial community response to aniline stress is lacking. Here, we performed a cyclic experiment with aniline concentrations (200, 600, 1200, 600, and 200 mg/L) to investigate the ability of microbial communities to recover their performance after exposure to high aniline concentrations. At aniline concentrations up to 600 mg/L, the bioreactor exhibited high aniline removal efficiency (almost 100 %). Comamonas, Zoogloea, and Delftia played crucial roles in removing aniline and microbial beta diversity changed. Additionally, alpha diversity and network complexity decreased with increasing aniline concentration, but these metrics recovered to their original levels when the aniline concentration was returned to 200 mg/L. Homogeneous and heterogeneous selection dominated microbial community assembly. Therefore, according to the observed variations in community structure and the recovery of keystones after aniline stress, microbial community redundancy and resilience are pivotal for ensuring system stability. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the redundancy and resilience of microbial communities under aniline stress and establishes a scientific basis for managing and evaluating wastewater treatment plants.

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of hydrozincite-TiO2 nanocomposite by copper for removal of pharmaceutical pollutant mefenamic acid in aqueous solution

Nanocomposites based on hydrozincite-TiO₂ and copper-doped HZ-xCu-TiO₂ (x = 0.1; 0.25; 0.35) were synthesized in a single step using the urea method. The samples were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, and DRS. The study of adsorption capacity and photocatalytic efficiency of these nanocomposites have been tested on a pharmaceutical pollutant, mefenamic acid (MFA). Kinetic study of removal of MFA indicates that this pollutant was adsorbed on the surface of the synthesized phases, according to Langmuir's model. Such adsorption proved to be well adapted in a kinetic pseudo-second-order model with capacity of 13.08 mg/g for HZ-0.25Cu-TiO₂. Subsequently, the kinetics of photocatalytic degradation under UV-visible irradiation was studied according to several parameters, which allowed us to optimize our experimental conditions. The nanocomposite HZ-0.25Cu-TiO₂ showed significant removal efficiency of MFA. Elimination rate reached 100% after 20 min under UV-vis irradiation, and 77% after 7 h under visible light irradiation. Repeatability tests have shown that this nanocomposite is extremely stable after six photocatalytic cycles. By-products of MFA were detected by LC/MS. These photoproducts was produced by three types of reactions of hydroxylation: cyclization and cleavage of the aromatic ring. MFA underwent complete mineralization after 22 h of irradiation in the presence of the HZ-0.25Cu-TiO₂.

Kinetics and Mechanism of Aniline and Chloroanilines Degradation Photocatalyzed by Halloysite-TiO2 and Halloysite-Fe2O3 Nanocomposites

The kinetics of photocatalytic degradation of aniline, 2-chloroaniline, and 2,6-dichloroaniline in the presence of halloysite-TiO2 and halloysite-Fe2O3 nanocomposites, halloysite containing naturally dispersed TiO2, Fe2O3, commercial TiO2, P25, and α-Fe2O3 photocatalysts, were investigated with two approaches: the Langmuir–Hinshelwood and first-order equations. Adsorption equilibrium constants and adsorption enthalpies, photodegradation rate constants, and activation energies for photocatalytic degradation were calculated for all studied amines photodegradation. The photodegradation mechanism was proposed according to organic intermediates identified by mass spectrometry and electrophoresis methods. Based on experimental results, it can be concluded that after 300 min of irradiation, aniline, 2-chloro-, and 2,6-dichloroaniline were completely degraded in the presence of used photocatalysts. Research results allowed us to conclude that higher adsorption capacity and immobilization of TiO2 and Fe2O3 on the halloysite surface in the case of halloysite-TiO2 and halloysite-Fe2O3 nanocomposites significantly increases photocatalytic activity of these materials in comparison to the commercial photocatalyst: TiO2, Fe2O3, and P25.

Nanocomposite material from TiO2 and activated carbon for the removal of pharmaceutical product sulfamethazine by combined adsorption/photocatalysis in aqueous media

This work was dedicated to the elaboration of new composite materials based on activated carbon and titanium oxide as an ecological solution for the cleaning of water contaminated with pharmaceutical pollutants. Such new composite materials allowed the combining of adsorption and photocatalytic process, which allows a cleaning process that is low cost making them promising materials. The functionalization of the surface of activated carbon (AC) by TiO₂ nanoparticles forms the core of the nanocomposite material. This was accomplished using sol-gel process with molar ratios R_n (n_Ti/n_AC) in the range of 1/10 to 7/10 followed by a calcination step (400 °C, N₂, 2 h). Using various characterization techniques, AC surface functionalization was confirmed and the formation of a TiO₂ coating on the AC was noticed with TiO₂ under its unique anatase crystallographic form. The study of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of the sulfamethazine antibiotic demonstrated that the most photoactive nanocomposite corresponds to the one with R_n = 0.5. Freundlich model was proved to be a perfect fit with the experimental results stating that the adsorption is of multilayer nature on the surface of the adsorbent and with interactions between the pollutants adsorbed on its surface. The photocatalytic degradation of the remaining pharmaceutical pollutant in the solution was evidenced and essentially occurred through the involvement of hydroxyl radicals formed by the excitation of the photocatalyst. The formation of the photoproducts analyzed by the LC/MS technique implies the splitting of the sulfonamide bridge, and by the hydroxylation of the aromatic ring and the pyrimidine group.

Multiple draft tubes airlift loop membrane bioreactor as an efficient system for acidic 7-amino cephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) wastewater treatment

In this study, a lab-scale multiple draft tubes airlift loop membrane bioreactor (Mt-ALMBR) was used for treating acidic 7-amino cephalosporanic acid (7-ACA) wastewater under different pHs (3.54-6.20) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) (48 h, 36 h, 24 h and 16 h). During about 200 days operation, under HRT of 48 h and pH condition about 6.0, the optimum average COD and BOD₅ removal rates were reach to 84.4 ± 2.1% and 94.9 ± 0.8%, and the highest 7-ACA removal rate also observed as 77.6%. Biodegradation, membrane rejection, hydrolysis and sludge adsorption were the four main pathways of 7-ACA removal. With the increase of pH, biodegradation, membrane rejection and hydrolysis had significant positive impacts on 7-ACA removal, while adsorption had a negative impact. Moreover, mathematical models for 7-ACA removal rate and pH were calculated to guide the operation of Mt-ALMBR. Biodegradation was the main pathway to remove 7-ACA when pH was >4.17.

Photocatalytic degradation of Aniline from aqueous solutions under sunlight illumination using immobilized Cr:ZnO nanoparticles

The present study aimed at synthesizing chromium doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (Cr:ZnO NPs) under mild hydrothermal conditions (temperature ~100 °C, p = autogenous and time ~12 hr). Chromium oxide and n-butylamine were used as dopant and surface modifier, respectively. The characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were determined through conducting specialized experiments including powder XRD, FTIR, SEM, EDX, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Then, the Cr:ZnO NPs were immobilized on a sandblasted glass through thermal method. The photocatalytic degradation of aniline was conducted in a continuous reactor with a volume of 1.5 liters. Before and after photocatalytic degradation, the immobilized Cr:ZnO NPs were characterized for SEM and EDX to determine the degree of stability of immobilized nanoparticles as well as the influence of the current applied on them. The photodegradation operational parameters investigated were aniline initial concentration (150, 200, and 250 mg/L), pH (5, 7, 6, and 12), and reaction time (2, 4, and 6 hours) under sunlight illumination. The characterization results indicated high purity of the Cr:ZnO NPs and no change in morphology or composition even after the immobilization and photo-oxidation process. Finally, it was found that the optimum conditions for 93% removal of aniline under sunlight illumination was about 6 hours retention time at pH 9.

Dynamics of effluent treatment plant during commissioning of activated sludge process unit

Industrial effluent treatment plants (ETPs) are very important in protecting the environment and different life forms from harmful industrial waste. Hence, the efficiency of ETPs must be regularly monitored, particularly after major repair or replacement work. Present study evaluated the performance of an ETP over a period of 4 months, during which aeration tank (T1) of the activated sludge unit was replaced with a new one (T2). System had to be maintained operational during this transition, which warranted close monitoring of the system performance due to the daily load of hazardous industrial wastewater. Analysis showed that the raw wastewater was highly variable in composition and contained many hazardous organic and inorganic pollutants, such as heavy metals, bisphenol A and cyanoacetylurea. It showed significant toxicity against HepG2 cells in vitro. However, the ETP was found to successfully treat and detoxify the wastewater. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis showed large temporal fluctuations in the ETP microbial community, which is consistent with the variable composition of wastewater. It indicated that functional stability of the ETP was not associated with stability of the microbial community, probably due to high microbial biodiversity and consequently high functional redundancy. In conclusion, the CETP showed consistent level of detoxification and microbial community dynamics after switching to T2, indicating successful development, acclimatization and commissioning of T2.

Vibrational (FT-IR and FT-Raman), electronic (UV-Vis), NMR (1H and 13C) spectra and reactivity analyses of 4,5-dimethyl-o-phenylenediamine

The structure of 4,5-dimethyl-o-phenylenediamine (C8H12N2, DMPDA) was investigated on the basis of spectroscopic data and theoretical calculations. The sterochemical structure was determined by FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV, 1H and 13C NMR spectra. An experimental study and a theoretical analysis were associated by using the B3LYP method with Gaussian09 package program. FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra were recorded in the region of 4000-400 cm(-1) and 4000-10 cm(-1), respectively. The vibrational spectra were calculated by DFT method and the fundamental vibrations were assigned on the basis of the total energy distribution (TED), calculated with scaled quantum mechanics (SQM) method with Parallel Quantum Solutions (PQS) program. The UV absorption spectrum of the compound that dissolved in ethanol solution were recorded in the range of 190-400 nm. Total density of state (TDOS) and partial density of state (PDOS) of the DMPDA in terms of HOMOs and LUMOs were calculated and analyzed. Chemical shifts were reported in ppm relative to tetramethylsilane (TMS) for 1H and 13C NMR spectra. The compound was dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Also, 1H and 13C chemical shifts calculated using the gauge independent atomic orbital (GIAO) method. Mullikan atomic charges and other thermo-dynamical parameters were investigated with the help of B3LYP (DFT) method using 6-311++G** basis set. On the basis of the thermodynamic properties of the title compound at different temperatures have been carried out, revealing the correlations between heat capacity (C), entropy (S), enthalpy changes (H) and temperatures. The optimized bond lengths, bond angles, chemical shifts and vibrational wavenumbers showed the best agreement with the experimental results.

Synthesis and properties of Fe3O4-activated carbon magnetic nanoparticles for removal of aniline from aqueous solution: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies

In this study, powder activated carbon (PAC) and magnetic nanoparticles of iron (III) oxide were used for synthesis of Fe₃O₄-activated carbon magnetic nanoparticles (AC-Fe₃O₄ MNPs) as an adsorbent for the removal of aniline. The characteristics of adsorbent were evaluated by SEM, TEM, XRD and BET. Also, the impact of different parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, aniline initials concentration and solution temperature were studied. The experimental data investigated by Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms and two models kinetically of pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order. The results indicated that the adsorption followed Langmuir and pseudo second-order models with correlation r² > 0.98 and r² > 0.99, respectively. The equilibrium time was obtained after 5 h. According to Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacity was 90.91 mg/g at pH = 6, and 20°C. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that adsorption of aniline on magnetic activated carbon was exothermic and spontaneous. This synthesized AC-Fe₃O₄ MNPs due to have advantages such as easy and rapid separation from solution could be applied as an adsorbent effective for removal of pollutants such as aniline from water and wastewater.

Soil dissipation of juvenile hormone analog insecticide pyriproxyfen and its effect on the bacterial community

This investigation was undertaken to examine the dissipation rate of pyriproxyfen as well as the change in the soil bacterial community. Residues of pyriproxyfen were measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the changes in bacterial community were determined by comparing the 16S rDNA bands on patterns by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The dissipation of pyriproxyfen was affected by both the concentration applied and incubation temperature. Lower concentrations (1 mg Kg(-1)) and higher incubation temperatures (30 and 40°C) showed more rapid dissipation rates. The population of microbial community decreased rapidly after incubation with 10 mg Kg(-1) of pyriproxyfen for 91 days, indicating the toxicity of pyriproxyfen toward bacterial communities in a closed soil ecosystem. Lower concentrations of pyriproxyfen showed less toxicity toward the microbial community. From cluster analysis, the structure of the bacterial community showed roughly a 60 % similarity throughout the experiment period in the control experiment, indicating the stability within soil microbiota without chemical agitation. However, the similarity was lower than 50 % both in the one and 10 mg Kg(-1) of insecticide pyriproxyfen spiked experiment, indicating the soil bacterial community changed after the insecticide pyriproxyfen was applied.

Effect of plant species on the function and structure of the bacterial community in the rhizosphere of lead–zinc mine tailings in Zhejiang, China

To uncover the role played by pioneer plants in the natural succession of vegetation on heavy-metal mine tailings, it is important to explore the sensitive indicator of rhizosphere microbial community performance. We investigated the structure and function of rhizosphere bacterial communities of five pioneer plants growing on lead–zinc mine tailings in Zhejiang, China. Compared with the control, all five pioneer plants differentially affected the structure and function of rhizosphere bacterial communities. The number of bacteria, the activity of β-glucosidase and urease, and species richness indices were the highest in the rhizosphere of Erigeron annuus . The carbon utilization ability and the functional diversity indices were the highest in the rhizosphere of Lysimachia clethroides . There was no significant relationship between the functional or structural diversity indices and the bioavailable heavy-metal content among each species. Clustering analysis and the nonmetric dimensional scaling biplot showed that the rhizosphere bacterial communities of the five pioneer plants were different from those of control, indicating that plant species might be the main driver of microbial community composition on mine tailings. Both L. clethroides and E. annuus might be appropriate candidates for phytoremediation of mine tailings for higher soil microbial community function and species richness in rhizosphere.

Preparation of ultra-lightweight sludge ceramics (ULSC) and application for pharmaceutical advanced wastewater treatment in a biological aerobic filter (BAF)

Novel media-ultra-lightweight sludge ceramics (ULSC) employed in an upflow lab-scale biological aerobic filter (BAF) were investigated for pharmaceutical advanced wastewater treatment. The influences of the volume ratio of pharmaceutical wastewater to domestic wastewater (PW/DW), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and air-liquid ratio (A/L) on chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) and ammonium (NH(4)(+)-N) of the effluent were investigated. When PW/DW of 4:1, HRT of 6 h, and A/L of 5:1 were applied, the mean effluent concentration of NH(4)(+)-N was 6.2 mg L(-1), and the maximum CODCr concentration in the effluent was 96 mg L(-1). Both NH(4)(+)-N and CODCr did not exceed the limits of the national discharge standards (NH(4)(+)-N ≤ 15 mg L(-1), CODCr ≤ 100 mg L(-1)). In addition, the BAF system showed a strong capacity of further removal from NH(4)(+)-N of the effluent.

Synergistic removal of aniline by carbon nanotubes and the enzymes of Delftia sp. XYJ6

Synergistic removal of aniline by carbon nanotubes and the enzymes of Delftia sp. XYJ6, a newly isolated bacterial strain for biodegrading aniline, was investigated. It showed that biodegradation rate of aniline was increased with the augment of protein concentration in cell-free extract of Delftia sp. XYJ6. The adsorption amount of aniline by multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was slightly higher than that by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), however the adsorption amount of protein of Delftia sp. XYJ6 by MWCNTs was lower than that by SWCNTs. Much more amount of aniline could be removed by CE of Delftia sp. XYJ6 in the presence of SWCNTs than MWCNTs, which indicated that an efficient reaction between aniline and enzymes of Delftia sp. XYJ6 on the surface of SWCNTs played a key role in the rapid enzymatic biodegradation of aniline. This study is not previously reported and may be useful in basic research and the removal of aniline from wastewater.

Changes in the structure and diversity of bacterial communities during the process of adaptation to organic wastewater

To explore changes in the structure and diversity of activated sludge-derived microbial communities during adaptation to gradual increases in the concentration of wastewater, RAPD–PCR and the combination of PCR amplification of 16S rRNA genes with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis were used. In bacterial communities exposed to 0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, or 40% wastewater, there were 27, 25, 18, 17 and 16 bands, respectively, based on DGGE data, while there were 69, 83, 97, 86, and 88 bands, respectively, based on RAPD data. The community similarity index among bacterial communities during the process of adaptation to different concentrations of wastewater was different based on DGGE and RAPD data. Based on DGGE and RAPD profiles, the Shannon–Weiner and Simpson’s diversity indices decreased sharply upon exposure to 10% wastewater, indicating that 10% wastewater might be a critical point at which the growth of bacteria could be significantly inhibited and the genotypic diversity could change. This indicated that changes in structure and diversity might have an inhibitory effect on the toxicity of organic matter and that selection and adaptation could play important roles in the changes.