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Nath S, Enerijiofi KE, Astapati AD, Guha A. Microplastics and nanoplastics in soil: Sources, impacts, and solutions for soil health and environmental sustainability. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 2024. [PMID: 39246015 DOI: 10.1002/jeq2.20625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
The present review discusses the growing concern of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in soil, together with their sources, concentration, distribution, and impact on soil microorganisms, human health, and ecosystems. MPs and NPs can enter the soil through various pathways, such as agricultural activities, sewage sludge application, and atmospheric deposition. Once in the soil, they can accumulate in the upper layers and affect soil structure, water retention, and nutrient availability. The presence of MPs and NPs in soil can also have ecological consequences, acting as carriers for pollutants and contaminants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Additionally, the leaching of chemicals and additives from MPs and NPs can pose public health risks through the food web and groundwater contamination. The detection and analyses of MPs and NPs in soil can be challenging, and methods involve spectroscopic and microscopy techniques, such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. To mitigate the presence and effects of MPs and NPs in soil, it is essential to reduce plastic waste production, improve waste management practices, and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. Effective mitigation measures include implementing stricter regulations on plastic use, promoting biodegradable alternatives, and enhancing recycling infrastructure. Additionally, soil amendments, such as biochar and compost, can help immobilize MPs and NPs, reducing their mobility and bioavailability. This review article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these emerging environmental issues and identify potential solutions to alleviate their impact on soil health, ecosystem functioning, and community health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumitra Nath
- Department of Biotechnology, Gurucharan College, Silchar, Assam, India
| | - Kingsley Erhons Enerijiofi
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria
| | | | - Anupam Guha
- Michael Madhusudan Dutta College, Sabroom, Tripura, India
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Li L, Zhang Y, Kang S, Wang S, Gao T, Wang Z, Luo X, Kang Q, Sajjad W. Characteristics of microplastics and their abundance impacts on microbial structure and function in agricultural soils of remote areas in west China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 360:124630. [PMID: 39079655 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
As an emergent pollutant, microplastics (MPs) are becoming prevalent in the soil environment. However, the characteristics of MPs and the response of microbial communities to the abundance of MPs in agricultural soils in West China still need to be elucidated in detail. This study utilized the Agilent 8700 Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) to analyze the characteristics of small-sized MPs (20-1000 μm) in soils from un-mulched and mulched agricultural fields in West China, and illustrated their correlation with microbial diversity. The results revealed a higher abundance of MPs in mulched soil ((4.12 ± 2.13) × 105 items kg-1) than that in un-mulched soil ((1.04 ± 0.26) × 105 items kg-1). The detected MPs were dominated by fragments, 20-50 μm and Polyamide (PA). High-throughput sequencing analysis indicated that alpha diversity (Chao1 and Shannon indices) in the plastisphere was lower compared to that in soil, and varied significantly with MPs abundance in soil. As the abundance of MPs increased, the proportion of soil about the degradation of organic matte and photoautotrophic taxa increased, which showed enrichment in the plastisphere. Functional predictions further indicated that MPs abundance affected potential soil functions, such as metabolic pathways associated with the C and N cycling. The plastisphere showed higher functional abundance associated with organic matter degradation, indicating higher potential health risks compared to soil environments. Based on the RDA analyses, it was determined that environmental physicochemical properties and MPs abundance had a greater impact on fungal communities than on bacterial communities. In general, the abundance of MPs affected the microbial diversity composition and potentially influenced the overall performance of soil ecosystems. This study offers empirical data on the abundance of MPs in long-term mulched agricultural fields and new insights for exploring the ecological risk issues associated with MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longrui Li
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yulan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 318, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Shichang Kang
- Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 318, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
| | - Shengli Wang
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Tanguang Gao
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Zhaoqing Wang
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xi Luo
- Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 318, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
| | - Qiangqiang Kang
- Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 318, Lanzhou 730000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 10049, China
| | - Wasim Sajjad
- Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science and Frozen Soil Engineering, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Donggang West Rd. 318, Lanzhou 730000, China
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Drane K, Sheehan M, Whelan A, Ariel E, Kinobe R. The Role of Wastewater Treatment Plants in Dissemination of Antibiotic Resistance: Source, Measurement, Removal and Risk Assessment. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:668. [PMID: 39061350 PMCID: PMC11274174 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13070668] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibiotic Resistance Genes (ARGs) are contaminants of emerging concern with marked potential to impact public and environmental health. This review focusses on factors that influence the presence, abundance, and dissemination of ARGs within Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and associated effluents. Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (ARB) and ARGs have been detected in the influent and the effluent of WWTPs worldwide. Different levels of wastewater treatment (primary, secondary, and tertiary) show different degrees of removal efficiency of ARGs, with further differences being observed when ARGs are captured as intracellular or extracellular forms. Furthermore, routinely used molecular methodologies such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction or whole genome sequencing may also vary in resistome identification and in quantifying ARG removal efficiencies from WWTP effluents. Additionally, we provide an overview of the One Health risk assessment framework, as well as future strategies on how WWTPs can be assessed for environmental and public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kezia Drane
- College of Public Health Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Madoc Sheehan
- College of Science, Technology, and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Anna Whelan
- Townsville Water and Waste, Wastewater Operations, Townsville, QLD 4810, Australia;
| | - Ellen Ariel
- College of Public Health Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
| | - Robert Kinobe
- College of Public Health Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD 4811, Australia;
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Wang Y, Gao J, Wang Z, Zhao Y, Yuan Y, Sun L, Zeng L, Wang H. Effects of polyvinyl chloride microplastics and benzylalkyldimethylethyl compounds on system performance, microbial community and resistance genes in sulfur autotrophic denitrification system. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135197. [PMID: 39018601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Benzylalkyldimethylethyl ammonium compounds (BAC) and polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC MPs), as the frequently detected pollutants in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), have attracted more concerns on their ecosystem risks. Therefore, this study investigated how the sulfur autotrophic denitrification (SAD) system responded to the single and joint stress of PVC MPs (1, 10 and 100 mg/L) and BAC (0.5, 5 and 10 mg/L). After 100 days of operation, the presence of 10 mg/L BAC led to obviously inhibitory effects on system performance and microbial metabolic activity. And the additions of PVC MPs or/and BAC stimulated the proliferation of intracellular resistance genes (RGs), whereas exposure to BAC increased the abundances of extracellular RGs and free RGs in water more significantly. Compared to the joint stress, BAC single stress resulted in higher abundances of free RGs in water, which further increased the risk of RGs propagation. Moreover, the interaction between mobile genetic elements and extracellular polymeric substances further increased the spread of RGs. Pathogens might be the potential hosts of RGs and enriched in SAD system and plastisphere, thereby leading to more serious ecological risks. This study will broaden the understanding of the environmental hazards posed by PVC MPs and BAC in WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China; Institute of NBC Defense, P.O. Box 1048, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yukun Yuan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Lixin Sun
- D·smart Environmental Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., China
| | - Liqin Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hanyi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Department of Environmental Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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Liu Z, Liu Q, Hao C, Zhao Y. Insights into the response mechanisms of activated sludge system under long-term dexamethasone stress. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 933:173007. [PMID: 38740206 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173007] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Dexamethasone (DEX) is a hormone drug that is often detected in wastewater treatment plants, but its impact on activated sludge systems is unknown. This study explored the long-term effects of DEX on nutrient removal, microbial activities, microbial assembly, and microbial interactions in the activated sludge system. During the 90-day DEX exposure experiment, both chemical oxygen demand and total nitrogen removal efficiencies were initially inhibited and then recovered. Microbial activities, i.e., specific oxygen uptake rate and denitrification, did not differ significantly from that of the control reactor (p > 0.05), possibly due to the secretion of extracellular polymers that act as a protective barrier against excess reactive oxygen species induced by DEX. This barrier protects cell membrane integrity and ensures stable treatment performance. Analysis of microbial assembly identified the drift of stochastic processes (from 92.7 % to 51.8 %) and homogeneous selection of deterministic processes (from 1.6 % to 38.7 %) as the main driving forces of microbial community structure succession under long-term DEX stress. Although long-term exposure to 1000 μg/L DEX did not significantly increase the abundance levels of functional bacteria (Nitrosomonas and 996-1) and key genes (AmoCAB and Hao), the ammonia oxidation capacity of the activated sludge system was enhanced. Analysis of microbial interactions indicated that streamlining of functional subnetworks and increased cooperation were the primary reasons. This is the first study to explore the long-term effects of DEX on activated sludge and provide insights into microbial interaction and assembly. Moreover, the findings of this study broaden our knowledge and lay an experimental foundation for reducing risks associated with hormone drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhichao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Qiaona Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Chenlin Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yanmin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
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Shi J, Sun C, An T, Jiang C, Mei S, Lv B. Unraveling the effect of micro/nanoplastics on the occurrence and horizontal transfer of environmental antibiotic resistance genes: Advances, mechanisms and future prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174466. [PMID: 38964386 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics can not only serve as vectors of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), but also they and even nanoplastics potentially affect the occurrence of ARGs in indigenous environmental microorganisms, which have aroused great concern for the development of antibiotic resistance. This article specifically reviews the effects of micro/nanoplastics (concentration, size, exposure time, chemical additives) and their interactions with other pollutants on environmental ARGs dissemination. The changes of horizontal genes transfer (HGT, i.e., conjugation, transformation and transduction) of ARGs caused by micro/nanoplastics were also summarized. Further, this review systematically sums up the mechanisms of micro/nanoplastics regulating HGT process of ARGs, including reactive oxygen species production, cell membrane permeability, transfer-related genes expression, extracellular polymeric substances production, and ARG donor-recipient adsorption/contaminants adsorption/biofilm formation. The underlying mechanisms in changes of bacterial communities induced by micro/nanoplastics were also discussed as it was an important factor for structuring the profile of ARGs in the actual environment, including causing environmental stress, providing carbon sources, forming biofilms, affecting pollutants distribution and environmental factors. This review contributes to a systematical understanding of the potential risks of antibiotic resistance dissemination caused by micro/nanoplastics and provokes thinking about perspectives for future research and the management of micro/nanoplastics and plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Shi
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Chaoli Sun
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Tingxuan An
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Changhai Jiang
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Shenglong Mei
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Baoyi Lv
- College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China; International Joint Research Center for Persistent Toxic Substances (IJRC-PTS), Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China.
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7
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Gan Y, Gong B, Huang X, Fang F, Peng T, Liu Z. Response of aerobic granular sludge under acute inhibition by polystyrene microplastics: Activity, aggregation performance, and microbial analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 349:123923. [PMID: 38580060 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123923] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the activity, aggregation performance, microbial community and functional proteins of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) in response to acute inhibition by different concentrations of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) were investigated. As the PS-MPs concentration increased from 0 mg/L to 200 mg/L, the specific nitrogen removal rate and the activity of enzymes were inhibited. The inhibition of specific nitrite reduction rate (SNIRR) and specific nitrate reduction rate (SNRR) was most obvious at the PS-MPs concentration of 100 mg/L, and that of nitrite reductase (NIR) and nitrate reductase (NR) was most obvious at the concentration of 50 mg/L. But the inhibitory effects were mitigated at the concentration of 200 mg/L. The increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) indicated that the cells were damaged with the increase of PS-MPs concentration. The content of proteins and polysaccharides in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) decreased, especially the polysaccharides were more affected. Analysis of zeta potential, hydrophobicity and surface thermodynamics of AGS revealed that addition of PS-MPs was unfavorable for AGS aggregation. It was also found that bacteria genera associated with EPS secretion and nitrogen removal functions were inhibited, while functions associated with cell metabolism, protein synthesis and cell repair were enhanced. This also confirmed that acute inhibition of PS-MPs had a detrimental effect on the nitrogen removal and aggregation performance of AGS. This study can provide theoretical support for the operation of AGS reactors under microplastics impact load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushuang Gan
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Bingrou Gong
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Xiaohua Huang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Fang Fang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China; Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Ting Peng
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Zhiping Liu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China; Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-Environment, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China.
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Zhao K, Li C, Li F. Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9719. [PMID: 38678134 PMCID: PMC11055955 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60458-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Previous studies reported microplastics (MPs), antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). There is still a lack of research progress on the origin, fate, impact and hazards of MPs and ARGs in WWTPs. This paper fills a gap in this regard. In our search, we used "microplastics", "antibiotic resistance genes", and "wastewater treatment plant" as topic terms in Web of Science, checking the returned results for relevance by examining paper titles and abstracts. This study mainly explores the following points: (1) the origins and fate of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in WWTPs; (2) the mechanisms of action of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in sludge biochemical pools; (3) the impacts of MPs in WWTPs and the spread of ARGs; (4) and the harm inflicted by MPs and ARGs on the environment and human body. Contaminants in sewage sludge such as MPs, ARGs, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter the soil and water. Contaminants can travel through the food chain and thus reach humans, leading to increased illness, hospitalization, and even mortality. This study will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of action among MPs, antibiotics, ARGs, and the harm they inflict on the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin Jianzhu University, 5088 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, People's Republic of China
| | - Chengzhi Li
- Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin Jianzhu University, 5088 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria at Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Fengxiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin Jianzhu University, 5088 Xincheng Street, Changchun, 130118, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria at Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
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Li X, Liu L, Zhang X, Yang X, Niu S, Zheng Z, Dong B, Hur J, Dai X. Aging and mitigation of microplastics during sewage sludge treatments: An overview. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 922:171338. [PMID: 38428608 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171338] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive large quantities of microplastics (MPs) from raw wastewater, but many MPs are trapped in the sludge. Land application of sludge is a significant source of MP pollution. Existing reviews have summarized the analysis methods of MPs in sludge and the effect of MPs on sludge treatments. However, MP aging and mitigation during sludge treatment processes are not fully reviewed. Treatment processes used to remove water, pathogenic microorganisms, and other pollutants in sewage sludge also cause surface changes and degradation in the sludge MPs, affecting the potential risk of MPs. This study integrates MP abundance and distribution in sludge and their aging and mitigation characteristics during sludge treatment processes. The abundance, composition, and distribution of sludge MPs vary significantly with WWTPs. Furthermore, MPs exhibit variable degrees of aging, including rough surfaces, enhanced adsorption potentials for pollutants, and increased leaching behavior. Various sludge treatment processes further intensify these aging characteristics. Some sludge treatments, such as hydrothermal treatment, have efficiently removed MPs from sewage sludge. It is crucial to understand the potential risk of MP aging in sludge and the degradation properties of the MP-derived products from MP degradation in-depth and develop novel MP mitigation strategies in sludge, such as combining hydrothermal treatment and biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Lulu Liu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Xiaolei Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - XingFeng Yang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Shiyu Niu
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Zhiyong Zheng
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Organic Compound Pollution Control Engineering, Ministry of Education, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Bin Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, National Engineering Research Center for Urban Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
| | - Jin Hur
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, 209 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05006, South Korea.
| | - Xiaohu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, National Engineering Research Center for Urban Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
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Liu F, Luo Y, Xu T, Lin H, Qiu Y, Li B. Current examining methods and mathematical models of horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in the environment. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1371388. [PMID: 38638913 PMCID: PMC11025395 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1371388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment has garnered significant attention due to their health risk to human beings. Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is considered as an important way for ARG dissemination. There are four general routes of HGT, including conjugation, transformation, transduction and vesiduction. Selection of appropriate examining methods is crucial for comprehensively understanding characteristics and mechanisms of different HGT ways. Moreover, combined with the results obtained from different experimental methods, mathematical models could be established and serve as a powerful tool for predicting ARG transfer dynamics and frequencies. However, current reviews of HGT for ARG spread mainly focus on its influencing factors and mechanisms, overlooking the important roles of examining methods and models. This review, therefore, delineated four pathways of HGT, summarized the strengths and limitations of current examining methods, and provided a comprehensive summing-up of mathematical models pertaining to three main HGT ways of conjugation, transformation and transduction. Finally, deficiencies in current studies were discussed, and proposed the future perspectives to better understand and assess the risks of ARG dissemination through HGT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Liu
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yuqiu Luo
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Tiansi Xu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hai Lin
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Qiu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Li
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
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Hu X, Chen Y. Response mechanism of non-biodegradable polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics to nitrogen removal in activated sludge system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170516. [PMID: 38307283 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170516] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
The issue of microplastics (MPs) has gained more attention among researchers and the public; however, there is still a lot to be studied about its impact on biological wastewater treatment. In this study, the effects of non-biodegradable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) on wastewater treatment by sequencing batch reactor (SBR) were compared. The results showed that PET and PLA reduced the removal efficiency of NH4+-N by 1.7 % and 21.2 %, respectively. Structural equation functional model (SEM) analysis was used to infer the potential mechanism of PLA affecting ammonia oxidation. PLA primarily inhibits the activity of ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), while promoting an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant enzyme activity. Accordingly, the toxic effect of PLA further reduced the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria. This study showed that biodegradable MPs have a greater potential impact on wastewater treatment than non-biodegradable MPs, which warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Hu
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Ying Chen
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
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12
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Zhou S, Wang L, Liu J, Zhang C, Liu X. Microplastics' toxic effects and influencing factors on microorganisms in biological wastewater treatment units. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2024; 89:1539-1553. [PMID: 38557717 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2024.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Prior to entering the water body, microplastics (MPs) are mostly collected at the sewage treatment plant and the biological treatment unit is the sewage treatment facility's central processing unit. This review aims to present a comprehensive analysis of the detrimental impacts of MPs on the biological treatment unit of a sewage treatment plant and it covers how MPs harm the effluent quality of biological treatment processes. The structure of microbial communities is altered by MPs presence and additive release, which reduces functional microbial activity. Extracellular polymers, oxidative stress, and enzyme activity are explored as micro views on the harmful mechanism of MPs on microorganisms, examining the toxicity of additives released by MPs and the harm caused to microorganisms by harmful compounds that have been adsorbed in the aqueous environment. This article offers a theoretical framework for a thorough understanding of the potential problems posed by MPs in sewage treatment plants and suggests countermeasures to mitigate those risks to the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijie Zhou
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China; Sijie Zhou and Lili Wang contributed equally to this work
| | - Lili Wang
- Waterway Transportation Environmental Protection Technology Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Water Transportation Engineering Science and Research, Ministry of Transportation, Tianjin 300456, China; Sijie Zhou and Lili Wang contributed equally to this work
| | - Jin Liu
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China
| | - Chuanguo Zhang
- Waterway Transportation Environmental Protection Technology Laboratory, Tianjin Institute of Water Transportation Engineering Science and Research, Ministry of Transportation, Tianjin 300456, China
| | - Xianbin Liu
- College of Marine and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin University of Science & Technology, Tianjin 300457, China E-mail:
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Qin M, Wang YY, Xu M, Tang J, Tang X, Mahmood Q, Tang CJ. Characterization of the microplastic photoaging under the action of typical salt ions of biological nitrogen removal processes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169596. [PMID: 38147940 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169596] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are one of the most prevalent and diverse contaminants, and wastewater treatment plants are significant MP aggregators. Controlling the pollution caused by microplastics requires an understanding of how they age. The properties of the MPs photoaging process under the influence of salt ions typical of biological nitrogen elimination processes were disclosed in this work. The aging process of polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) was greatly slowed down by greater HCO3- and NO2- concentrations, according to a comparison of the carbonyl index changes that occurred during photoaging. The carbonyl index had a negative correlation with the thermal stability of the photo-aged PVC-MPs, and aging accelerated the elimination of chlorine from the water. The samples were aged by UV radiation after 36 h at 40 °C, and the amount of chlorine eliminated was 10.13 times greater than that of the original MPs samples. It was discovered that the leachate concentration of aged MPs dramatically increased with decreasing particle size and was positively connected with the level of aging by comparing the concentration of leachate for two particle sizes (1 mm and 100 m). Photoaging caused MPs to become rougher, which in turn improved the NO3--N, NH4+-N, and NO2--N adsorption by PVC-MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muchuan Qin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Yun-Yan Wang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Mingfei Xu
- Dagang Oilfield Production Technology Research Institute, Binhai New Area, Tianjin 300280, China.
| | - Jia Tang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha 410083, China
| | - Xi Tang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha 410083, China.
| | - Qaisar Mahmood
- Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, Pakistan.
| | - Chong-Jian Tang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China; National Engineering Research Centre for Control and Treatment of Heavy Metal Pollution, Changsha 410083, China.
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14
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Pang Q, Xie L, Shen C, Zhu X, Wang L, Ni L, Peng F, Yu J, Wang L, He F. Triclosan disturbs nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands: Responses of microbial structure and functions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117847. [PMID: 38065393 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117847] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the influence of wetland types (vertical and tidal flow constructed wetlands [CWs] [VFCW and TFCW, respectively]) and concentrations of triclosan (TCS) on the removal of pollutants (TCS and nitrogen) and microbial characteristics. The efficiency of TCS removal was significantly higher with 5 μg/L TCS (Phase B) than with 30 μg/L (Phase C) in the two CWs. The efficiencies of removal of NH4+-N and NO3--N were significantly inhibited in Phase C. Compared with the VFCW, the TFCW removed more NH4+-N at the same concentration of TCS, whereas less NO3--N was removed, and it even accumulated. Saccharimondales, an important functional genus with the highest abundance and more node connections with other genera, had a sharp decrease in relative abundance as the increasing concentrations of TCS of the two CWs conformed with its relative abundance and significantly negatively correlated with the concentration of TCS. Differentiated Roseobacter_Clade_CHAB-I-5_Lineage and Sphaerotilus were enriched in the VFCW and TFCW, respectively. The abundance of enzymes that catalyzed nitritation was significantly inhibited by TCS, whereas nitrate reductase (EC 1.7.99.4) catalyzed both denitrification and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA), and nitrite reductase (NADH) (EC 1.7.1.15) that catalyzed DNRA comprised a larger proportion in the two CWs. Simultaneously, the abundances of two enzymes were higher in the TFCW than in the VFCW. The network analysis indicated that the main genera were promoted more by TCS in the VFCW, while inhibited in the TFCW. Moreover, the concentrations of nitrogen (NH4+-N, NO3--N, and TN) significantly positively correlated with TCS-resistant bacteria, and negatively correlated with most nitrogen-transforming bacteria with species that varied between the VFCW and TFCW. The results of this study provide a reference for the molecular biological mechanism of the simultaneous removal of nitrogen and TCS in the CWs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Pang
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Lei Xie
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Caofeng Shen
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Xiang Zhu
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Longmian Wang
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China.
| | - Lixiao Ni
- College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Fuquan Peng
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China
| | - Jianghua Yu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Xinjiang Tianxi Environmental Protection Technology Co., LTD., Urumqi, 830000, China
| | - Fei He
- Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, 210042, China.
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15
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Yin S, Gao L, Fan X, Gao S, Zhou X, Jin W, He Z, Wang Q. Performance of sewage sludge treatment for the removal of antibiotic resistance genes: Status and prospects. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167862. [PMID: 37865259 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167862] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) receive wastewater containing antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), which are predominant contributors to environmental pollution in water and soil. Of these sources, sludge is a more significant contributor than effluent. Knowing how sludge treatment affects the fate of ARGs is vital for managing the risk of these genes in both human and natural environments. This review therefore discusses the sources and transmission of ARGs in the environment and highlights the risks of ARGs in sludge. The effects of co-existing constituents (heavy metals, microplastics, etc.) on sludge and ARGs during treatment are collated to highlight the difficulty of treating sludge with complex constituents in ARGs. The effects of various sludge treatment methods on the abundances of ARGs in sludge and in soil from land application of treated sludge are discussed, pointing out that the choice of sludge treatment method should take into account various potential factors, such as soil and soil biology in subsequent land application. This review offers significant insights and explores the abundances of ARGs throughout the process of sludge treatment and disposal. Unintentional addition of antibiotic residues, heavy metals, microplastics and organic matter in sludge could significantly increase the abundance and reduce the removal efficiency of ARGs during treatment, which undoubtedly adds a barrier to the removal of ARGs from sludge treatment. The complexity of the sludge composition and the diversities of ARGs have led to the fact that no effective sludge treatment method has so far been able to completely eliminate the ecological risk of ARGs. In order to reduce risks resulting by transmission of ARGs, technical and management measures need to be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyu Yin
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Le Gao
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xiumin Fan
- Shenzhen Ecological and Environmental Intelligent Management and Control Center, Shenzhen 518034, China
| | - Shuhong Gao
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China.
| | - Wenbiao Jin
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhongqi He
- State Key Lab of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China; Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qilin Wang
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
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Rasmussen AN, Francis CA. Dynamics and activity of an ammonia-oxidizing archaea bloom in South San Francisco Bay. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae148. [PMID: 39077992 PMCID: PMC11334935 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
Transient or recurring blooms of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) have been reported in several estuarine and coastal environments, including recent observations of AOA blooms in South San Francisco Bay. Here, we measured nitrification rates, quantified AOA abundance, and analyzed both metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data to examine the dynamics and activity of nitrifying microorganisms over the course of an AOA bloom in South San Francisco Bay during the autumn of 2018 and seasonally throughout 2019. Nitrification rates were correlated with AOA abundance in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) data, and both increased several orders of magnitude between the autumn AOA bloom and spring and summer seasons. From bloom samples, we recovered an extremely abundant, high-quality Candidatus Nitrosomarinus catalina-like AOA metagenome-assembled genome that had high transcript abundance during the bloom and expressed >80% of genes in its genome. We also recovered a putative nitrite-oxidizing bacteria metagenome-assembled genome from within the Nitrospinaceae that was of much lower abundance and had lower transcript abundance than AOA. During the AOA bloom, we observed increased transcript abundance for nitrogen uptake and oxidative stress genes in non-nitrifier metagenome-assembled genomes. This study confirms AOA are not only abundant but also highly active during blooms oxidizing large amounts of ammonia to nitrite-a key intermediate in the microbial nitrogen cycle-and producing reactive compounds that may impact other members of the microbial community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna N Rasmussen
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
| | - Christopher A Francis
- Department of Earth System Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
- Oceans Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, United States
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17
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Liu Q, Li Y, Sun Y, Xie K, Zeng Q, Hao Y, Yang Q, Pu Y, Shi S, Gong Z. Deterioration of sludge characteristics and promotion of antibiotic resistance genes spread with the co-existing of polyvinylchloride microplastics and tetracycline in the sequencing batch reactor. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167544. [PMID: 37797771 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167544] [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: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
With the continuous increase in microplastics (MPs) and tetracycline (TC) entering wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) along with sewage, the co-existence of MPs and TC in the biological treatment of wastewater has attracted extensive attention. This study investigated the effect of 1 mg/L polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs and 100 ng/L TC co-existing on sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) (S2) treating phenol wastewater in contrast to the control with TC alone (S1). The phenol removal efficiency was significantly inhibited by the co-existence of PVC MPs and TC. Sludge characteristics were also distinctively influenced. The decreased zone sludge velocity (ZSV) and increased sludge volume index (SVI) indicated that the combined effect of PVC MPs and TC deteriorated sludge settleability, which had positive and negative linear correlations with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content and the protein (PN)/polysaccharide (PS) ratio, respectively. Moreover, the decreased and increased relative abundances of potential phenol-degraders and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) carriers may elucidate the inhibition of phenol removal and promotion of ARGs propagation with the co-occurrence of PVC MPs and TC. In addition, the enhanced potential ARGs hosts, loss of the EPS protective effect, and increased membrane permeability induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) jointly promoted ARGs dissemination in the co-existence of PVC MPs and TC. Notably, the co-occurrence of ARGs and mobile genetic element (MGEs) indicated that the co-existence of PVC MPs and TC promoted the spread of some transposase-associated ARGs mediated by horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangwei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Yuxin Li
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Yanan Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Kunpeng Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Qianzhi Zeng
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Yiming Hao
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Yunhong Pu
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China
| | - Shengnan Shi
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China..
| | - Zheng Gong
- School of Life Sciences, Liaoning Normal University; Key Laboratory of Plant Biotechnology of Liaoning Province, Dalian, Liaoning 116081, PR China..
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18
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Zhang Z, Zhang H, Qiang H, Liu P, Guo X, Zhu L. Different microbial assemblage colonized on microplastics and clay particles in aerobic sludge treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166473. [PMID: 37659565 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166473] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a combination of property analysis and high-throughput sequencing was used to investigate the microbial colonization ability and their community structures and functions in polypropylene microplastics (PPMPs), polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) and montmorillonite (MMT), respectively as the representatives of artificial and natural substrates in aerobic sludge treatment. After 45 d of incubation, the surface properties of substrates were altered with the increased oxygen functional groups and surface roughness, indicating microbial settlement. Moreover, MPs had different microbial structures from that of MMT, and PSMPs exhibited higher microbial diversity and abundance than PPMPs and MMT. Also, these substrates changed the inherent ecological niche in sludge. Especially, the abundance of some pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Flavobacterium) was increased in MPs, and the disease risk of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes metabolic pathway (e.g., Infectious diseases: Bacterial, Infectious diseases: Parasitic and Immune diseases) was higher. Also, the presence of MPs inhibited the decomposition of organic matter including soluble chemical oxygen demand and protein compared to natural substrates. The findings revealed the crucial vector role of MPs for microbes and the effect on aerobic sludge treatment, highlighting the necessity of MP removal in sludge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixuan Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Haiyu Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Hong Qiang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China.
| | - Xuetao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, Ministry of Education, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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19
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Wang Z, Gao J, Zhao Y, Guo Y, Zhang Y, Yuan Y, Zhao M, Zeng L. Fates of extracellular and intracellular antibiotic resistance genes in activated sludge and plastisphere under sulfadiazine pressure. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 247:120752. [PMID: 37898001 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics, antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) represent prominent emerging contaminants that can potentially hinder the efficacy of biological wastewater treatment and pose health risks. Plastisphere as a distinct ecological niche for microorganisms, acts as a repository for ARGs and potential pathogenic bacteria. Nonetheless, the spread pattern of extracellular ARGs (eARGs) and intracellular ARGs (iARGs) in plastisphere under antibiotic exposure was not yet known. This study aimed to investigate disparities in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, extracellular and intracellular microbial community structures, as well as the transmission of eARGs and iARGs between activated sludge and plastisphere in an anaerobic/anoxic/oxic system under sulfadiazine (SDZ) exposure. SDZ was found to enhance EPS production in activated sludge and plastisphere. Interestingly, as SDZ removal efficiency increased, EPS content decreased in activated sludge and plastisphere collected from oxic zone, and continued to increase in plastisphere samples collected from anaerobic and anoxic zones. There were significant differences in microbial community structure between activated sludge and plastisphere, and the DNA fragments of potential pathogenic bacteria were detected in extracellular samples. SDZ exhibited a promoting effect on the propagation of eARGs, which were more abundant in the plastisphere than in activated sludge, thus heightening the risk of ARGs dissemination. Extracellular mobile genetic elements played a pivotal role in driving the spread of eARGs, while the microbial community induced the changes of iARGs. Potential pathogenic bacteria emerged as potential hosts for ARGs and mobile genetic elements within activated sludge and plastisphere, leading to more serious environmental threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yi Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yukun Yuan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Mingyan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Liqin Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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20
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Cai Q, Zeng J, Lin X, Xia D, Yu W, Qiu J, Yang M, Wang X. Study on the Effect of AO-Coupled Constructed Wetlands on Conventional and Trace Organic Pollutant Treatment. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:38983-38990. [PMID: 37901527 PMCID: PMC10601076 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c03461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
In this study, a pilot-scale integrated process was developed, which combined the integrated biological contact oxidation technology (AO) and the improved constructed wetland technology. The results showed significant removal efficiency for both conventional and trace organic pollutants. The average removal efficiencies for COD, NH4+-N, and TP were 78.52, 85.95, and 49.47%, respectively. For trace organic pollutants, triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine, the removal efficiencies reached 60.14, 57.42, and 84.29%, respectively. The AO stage played a crucial role in removing trace organic pollutants, achieving removal efficiencies of 37.28, 43.44, and 83.82% for triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine, respectively. Subsequent treatment using improved constructed wetland technology with coal slag + gravel fillers demonstrated the highest removal efficiency, with average efficiencies of 68.66, 63.38, and 81.32% for triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine, respectively. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between temperature, precipitation, and the removal efficiency of COD, NH4+-N, and TP, while negative correlations were observed with the removal efficiency of triclocarban, triclosan, and sulfadiazine. Furthermore, the influent concentrations of triclocarban and triclosan were significantly negatively correlated with the removal efficiency of COD and TP. The presence of triclocarban and triclosan potentially reduced the microbial diversity and hindered sludge sedimentation performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianyi Cai
- College
of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jingwen Zeng
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Xiaojun Lin
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Di Xia
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Weida Yu
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Jinrong Qiu
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Mei Yang
- College
of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Xiujuan Wang
- South
China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
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21
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Wang H, Qiu C, Bian S, Zheng L, Chen Y, Song Y, Fang C. The effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on nitrogen removal, extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community in sequencing batch reactor. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 379:129001. [PMID: 37011839 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants can be nanoplastics (NPs) and microplastics (MPs) sinks and sources. The effects of NPs and MPs on nitrogen removal and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) during activated sludge process need further investigation. Results showed that polystyrene NPs (NPS) and 100 mg/L polystyrene MPs (MPS) decreased the specific nitrate reduction rate, resulting in nitrate accumulation. The negative effects on functional genes involved in denitrification (narG, napA, nirS and nosZ) were the main mechanism. NPS stimulated EPS secretion, but MPS inhibited it. NPS and MPS increased the ratio of protein to polysaccharide except for 10 mg/L MPS and changed the secondary structure of protein in EPS, affecting flocculation ability of activated sludge. The changes of microbial abundance in activated sludge could be the main factor to the alterations of EPS and nitrogen removal. These results may facilitate understanding the impacts of NPs and MPs on wastewater treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Wang
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cheng Qiu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaochen Bian
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lei Zheng
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongmin Chen
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yali Song
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China; Key Laboratory of Recycling and Eco-treatment of Waste Biomass of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Chengran Fang
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
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22
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Huang S, Zhang B, Zhao Z, Yang C, Zhang B, Cui F, Lens PNL, Shi W. Metagenomic analysis reveals the responses of microbial communities and nitrogen metabolic pathways to polystyrene micro(nano)plastics in activated sludge systems. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 241:120161. [PMID: 37276653 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are prevalent in sewage and pose a potential threat to nitrogen biotransformation in wastewater treatment systems. However, investigations on how MPs and NPs affect the microbial nitrogen conversion and metabolism of the activated sludge are still scanty. Herein, the responses of microbiomes and functional genes to polystyrene MPs and NPs in activated sludge systems were investigated by metagenomic analysis. Results indicated that 1 mg/L MPs and NPs had marginal impacts on the nitrogen removal performance of the activated sludge systems, whereas high concentrations of MPs and NPs (20 and 100 mg/L) decreased the total nitrogen removal efficiency (13.4%-30.6%) by suppressing the nitrogen transformation processes. Excessive reactive oxygen species induced by MPs and NPs caused cytotoxicity, as evidenced by impaired cytomembranes and decreased bioactivity. Metagenomic analysis revealed that MPs and NPs diminished the abundance of denitrifiers (e.g. Mesorhizobium, Rhodobacter and Thauera), and concurrently reduced the abundance of functional genes (e.g. napA, napB and nirS) encoding for key enzymes involved in the nitrogen transformations, as well as the genes (e.g. mdh) related to the electron donor production, thereby declining the nitrogen removal efficiency. Network analysis further clarified the attenuate association between denitrifiers and denitrification-related genes in the plastic-exposed systems, elucidating that MPs and NPs restrained the nitrogen removal by inhibiting the contributions of microorganisms to nitrogen transformation processes. This study provides vital insights into the responses of the microbial community structure and nitrogen conversion processes to micro(nano)plastics disturbance in activated sludge systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuchang Huang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Chun Yang
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Bing Zhang
- National Research Base of Intelligent Manufacturing Service, Chongqing Technology and Business University, Chongqing 400067, China
| | - Fuyi Cui
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Piet N L Lens
- UNESCO-IHE, Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2601, DA Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Wenxin Shi
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
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23
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Liu SS, Jia YW, Guo XY, Zhao JL, Gao Y, Sweetman AJ, Ying GG, Xu L, Tu C, Chen CE. Insights into the release of triclosan from microplastics in aquatic environment assessed with diffusive gradient in thin-films. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163601. [PMID: 37087021 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Organic chemicals associated with microplastics (MPs) can be released and thus pose potential risks during weathering processes. However, the thermodynamics and kinetics of their release processes still need to be better understood. Herein, the adsorption and desorption kinetics of triclosan on polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were investigated by using both batch experiments and diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique. The pseudo-second-order model fitted the data best, implying that both intraparticle diffusion and external liquid film diffusion influence the adsorption and desorption processes. DGT continuously accumulated triclosan from MP suspensions but slower than theoretical values, indicating some restrictions to desorption. The DGT-induced fluxes in Soils/Sediment (DIFS) model, employed to interpret DGT data, gave distribution coefficients for labile species (Kdl) of 5000 mL g-1 (PS) and 1000 mL g-1 (PVC) and the corresponding response times (Tc) were 10 s and 1000 s, respectively. Higher Kdl but smaller Tc for PS than PVC showed that more triclosan adsorbed on PS could be rapidly released, while there were some kinetic limitations for triclosan on PVC. A novel finding was that pH and ionic strength individually and interactively affected the supply of triclosan to DGT. This is the first study to quantify interactions of organics with MPs by using DGT, aiding our understanding of MPs' adsorption/desorption behavior in the aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Si Liu
- Environmental Research Institute, School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yu-Wei Jia
- Environmental Research Institute, School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussel, Belgium
| | - Xiao-Yuan Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, 999078, Macau
| | - Jian-Liang Zhao
- Environmental Research Institute, School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yue Gao
- Analytical, Environmental and Geochemistry (AMGC), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussel, Belgium
| | - Andy J Sweetman
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- Environmental Research Institute, School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Chen Tu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chang-Er Chen
- Environmental Research Institute, School of Environment, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety, MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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24
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Ma J, Xu M, Wu J, Yang G, Zhang X, Song C, Long L, Chen C, Xu C, Wang Y. Effects of variable-sized polyethylene microplastics on soil chemical properties and functions and microbial communities in purple soil. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 868:161642. [PMID: 36652965 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination of soil has drawn increased attention due to the ecological harm it poses to the soil ecosystem. However, little is known about how microplastic particle sizes affect soil chemical properties and microbial communities, particularly in purple soil. In this study, a four-week incubation experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) with different particle sizes (i.e., 300 and 600 μm) on soil properties, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), enzyme activities, and microbial communities in purple soil. When compared to 600 μm-PE MPs, 300 μm-PE MPs reduced contents of dissolved organic matter (DOM), EPS, and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity, but increased the cation exchange capacity (CEC). High-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the 300 μm-PE MPs resulted in an increase in the phylum Nitrospirae, which is associated with microplastic degradation. The data implied that smaller PE MPs improved the growth of polyethylene-degrading bacteria by adsorbing more EPS and DOM, resulting in the degradation of microplastics. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that smaller PE MPs had lower toxicity to microbial populations than larger PE MPs, increasing the stability of the network. CEC and β-1,4-glucosidase (BG) were found to be the two major factors affecting the microbial communities by redundancy analysis (RDA). The study highlighted how microplastic particle sizes affect soil bacterial communities and soil functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Ma
- College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
| | - Min Xu
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Jun Wu
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China.
| | - Gang Yang
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Chun Song
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Lulu Long
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Chao Chen
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Changlian Xu
- College of Environmental Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Water Conservancy and Hydropower Engineering, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an 625014, China
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25
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Zhang H, Gao J, Zhao M, Wang Z, Li D, Wu Z, Zhang Y, Liu Y. The spread of different resistance genes fractions in nitrification system under chronic exposure to varying alkyl chain length benzalkyl dimethylammonium compounds. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 371:128588. [PMID: 36623575 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128588] [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: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Benzalkyl dimethylammonium compounds (BACs) are generally applied as surfactants and disinfectants. In this study, the nitrification systems were exposed to different alkyl chain lengths (C12-C16) and different levels of BACs (0-5 mg/L), respectively, totally 120 days and to explore the chronic effect of BACs on resistance genes (RGs). RGs were classified into four fractions based on activated sludge properties. Ammonia oxidation performance were not significantly affected by BACs, whereas BACs increased the absolute abundance of most intracellular RGs in sludge (si-RGs). Under the exposure of BACs, extracellular RGs in water (we-RGs) showed a decrease trend and si-RGs tended to be converted to we-RGs. Tightly bound-Tyrosine side chain was significantly correlated with most we-RGs, and we-intI1 might contribute to the propagation of RGs. Therefore, the risk of transmission of different fractions of RGs in the nitrification system under the stress of BACs should be taken seriously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Mingyan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Dingchang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Zejie Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Ying Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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26
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Shan J, Ren T, Li X, Jin M, Wang X. Study of microplastics as sorbents for rapid detection of multiple antibiotics in water based on SERS technology. SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA. PART A, MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY 2023; 284:121779. [PMID: 36041262 DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2022.121779] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Online monitoring of antibiotics in the environment attracts more and more attention. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a promising technique for the detection of trace amounts of antibiotics in the environment, which is fast, non-invasive and sensitive. To investigate the enrichment of trace amounts of antibiotics in water, polyethylene microplastics (PE MPs) were prepared as sorbents to simply concentrate enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride monohydrate and triclosan in water, followed by the SERS measurement of antibiotics extract washed from MPs on an AgNPs@Si SERS substrate. Limit of detection of Rhodamine 6G is 2.1 × 10-12 M achieved from the AgNPs@Si SERS, indicating a high enhancement. The detection results show that SERS peaks of the antibiotics could be observed from the spectra of the extracts eluted from MPs, indicating MPs could adsorb and desorb antibiotics from water. Besides, for enrofloxacin and triclosan, the intensity of SERS measured from the MPs extracts are higher than that of directly from the spiked water, demonstrating the proposed method could lower the detectable concentration of hydrophobic antibiotics in water. Moreover, the proposed MPs sorbents combined with SERS method was applied to detect the antibiotics in real river water, with minimal detection of 10-10 M, 10-8 M, and 10-8 M achieved for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin hydrochloride monohydrate and triclosan, respectively. The proposed method provides a promising simple, rapid and low reagent consuming means for monitoring antibiotics in water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajia Shan
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Xinjing Li
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Mengke Jin
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Xue Wang
- School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
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27
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Piergiacomo F, Brusetti L, Pagani L. Understanding the Interplay between Antimicrobial Resistance, Microplastics and Xenobiotic Contaminants: A Leap towards One Health? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:42. [PMID: 36612363 PMCID: PMC9819104 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization, the two major public health threats in the twenty-first century are antibiotic-resistant bacteria and antibiotic-resistant genes. The reason for the global prevalence and the constant increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is owed to the steady rise in overall antimicrobial consumption in several medical, domestic, agricultural, industrial, and veterinary applications, with consequent environmental release. These antibiotic residues may directly contaminate terrestrial and aquatic environments in which antibiotic-resistance genes are also present. Reports suggest that metal contamination is one of the main drivers of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Moreover, the abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes is directly connected to the predominance of metal concentrations in the environment. In addition, microplastics have become a threat as emerging contaminants because of their ubiquitous presence, bio-inertness, toughness, danger to aquatic life, and human health implications. In the environment, microplastics and AMR are interconnected through biofilms, where genetic information (e.g., ARGs) is horizontally transferred between bacteria. From this perspective, we tried to summarize what is currently known on this topic and to propose a more effective One Health policy to tackle these threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federica Piergiacomo
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brusetti
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bolzano-Bozen, Piazza Università 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
| | - Leonardo Pagani
- Antimicrobial Stewardship Project, Provincial Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Lehrkrankenhaus der Paracelsus Medizinischen Privatuniversität, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
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28
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He Z, Chang J, Feng Y, Wang S, Yuan Q, Liang D, Liu J, Li N. Carbon nanotubes accelerates the bio-induced vivianite formation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 844:157060. [PMID: 35780876 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157060] [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: 03/13/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Vivianite widely existed in digested sludge and activated sludge as a potential phosphate resource recovered from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). As an important product of extracellular electron transfer (EET) and biological iron reduction, the production of vivianite can be enhanced by conductive materials. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with excellent electrical conductivity have been reported to promote electron transfer, which was applied in wastewater treatment to accelerate the degradation of the contaminants. However, the impact of CNTs on vivianite formation was barely reported. In this study, the iron reduction, vivianite recovery, and the biotoxicity of CNTs were investigated in order to determine the influence of CNTs towards the vivianite production. The enhancement of vivianite production after CNTs adding reached up to 17 % by promoting the electron transfer between dissimilative iron-reducing bacteria (DIRB) and Fe(III). However, at the initial stage (0-24 h), Fe(III) reduction efficiency decreased by 81 % after inoculating with sewage sludge, which was attributed to CNTs destroying of the cell membrane (as indicated by SEM, CLSM and AFM analysis). The biotoxicity of CNTs stimulated DIRB to secret extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and form bio-flocs to resist the physical puncture. After 48 h, the proportion of living DIRB in 1000 mg/L CNTs batch increased to 98 %, which was 79 % higher than 12 h. As a result, the vivianite recovery of raw sewage with 1000 mg/L CNTs increased to 44 ± 1 %, which was 33 % higher than that in the CNT-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexuan He
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jifei Chang
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yujie Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, No. 73 Huanghe Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shu Wang
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qing Yuan
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Danhui Liang
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jia Liu
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Nan Li
- Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, No. 135 Yaguan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
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29
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Fu B, Luo J, Xu R, Fang F, Feng Q, Zhang T, Yang E, Cao J. Co-impacts of the microplastic polyamide and sertraline on the denitrification function and microbial community structure in SBRs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156928. [PMID: 35753462 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156928] [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: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The co-impacts of microplastics (MPs) and organic pollutants on activated sludge have attracted extensive attention. In this study, microplastic polyamide (PA) and sertraline (SER) were respectively or simultaneously added to sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), and the impacts of these pollutants on activated sludge were investigated. The results showed that NH4+-N and TN removal efficiencies significantly decreased with the simultaneous adding of the two pollutants. The coexistence of PA and SER could observably decrease the settling ability of activated sludge, and more proteins and polysaccharides were generated to reduce the combined toxicity. The microbial diversity, especially the denitrification microorganism, was restrained and the metabolic function and the key enzyme involved in nitrogen metabolism pathways were observably decreased, due to the combined toxicity of this two pollutants. Furthermore, the effective SER interception by PA in SBR could induce the SER enrichment in activated sludge and enhance the biotoxicity toward sludge microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boming Fu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Jingyang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Runze Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co., Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China
| | - Qian Feng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co., Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China
| | - Teng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - E Yang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Jiashun Cao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China; Guohe Environmental Research Institute (Nanjing) Co., Ltd, Nanjing 211599, China.
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30
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Junaid M, Liu S, Liao H, Liu X, Wu Y, Wang J. Wastewater plastisphere enhances antibiotic resistant elements, bacterial pathogens, and toxicological impacts in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156805. [PMID: 35724789 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles with a size <5 mm that have raised alarming concerns owing to their ecological and human health impacts. They are largely released into the environment through the dumping of plastic waste and wastewater from treatment plants, domestic sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial sources. Conventional wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are unable to remove micro and nano-sized plastic particles, which end up in the natural aquatic and terrestrial environment, causing multifaceted toxic impacts. Moreover, plastics in wastewater generate biofilm that potentially enriches antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs), antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs), and bacterial pathogens, which can largely impact antibiotic resistance development among organisms in the environment and transfer to humans through the food chain. Therefore, the current review aims to highlight the potential role of wastewater plastisphere in the enrichment and dissemination of ARBs, ARGs, and potential bacterial pathogens through mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the environment. Further, the interaction of wastewater MPs with organic and inorganic contaminants and the associated ecological and human health impacts have been presented. Last but not the least, control strategies and future research perspectives on wastewater plastisphere are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Shulin Liu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Hongping Liao
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Guangzhou Dublin International College of Life Sciences and Technology, College of International Education, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yan Wu
- Guangzhou Environmental Monitoring Centre, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China.; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai 528478, China.
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Song X, Zhuang W, Cui H, Liu M, Gao T, Li A, Gao Z. Interactions of microplastics with organic, inorganic and bio-pollutants and the ecotoxicological effects on terrestrial and aquatic organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156068. [PMID: 35598660 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As emerging contaminants, microplastics (MPs) have attracted global attention. They are a potential risk to organisms, ecosystems and human health. MPs are characterized by small particle sizes, weak photodegradability, and are good environmental carriers. They can physically adsorb or chemically react with organic, inorganic and bio-pollutants to generate complex binary pollutants or change the environmental behaviors of these pollutants. We systematically reviewed the following aspects of MPs: (i) Adsorption of heavy metals and organic pollutants by MPs and the key environmental factors affecting adsorption behaviors; (ii) Enrichment and release of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) on MPs and the effects of MPs on ARG migration in the environment; (iii) Formation of "plastisphere" and interactions between MPs and microorganisms; (iv) Ecotoxicological effects of MPs and their co-exposures with other pollutants. Finally, scientific knowledge gaps and future research areas on MPs are summarized, including standardization of study methodologies, ecological effects and human health risks of MPs and their combination with other pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaocheng Song
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Wen Zhuang
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China.
| | - Huizhen Cui
- Public (Innovation) Center of Experimental Teaching, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Min Liu
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Teng Gao
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Ao Li
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
| | - Zhenhui Gao
- Institute of Eco-environmental Forensics, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China; Qingdao Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266237, China
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32
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Yang Y, Yu Y, Xi H, Zhou Y, Wang C, Wu C, Zhang Z, Guo Z. Effect of carbon source conditions on response of nitrifying sludge to 3,5-dichlorophenol. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 317:115196. [PMID: 35653841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115196] [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: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nutritional conditions of activated sludge had a significant influence on nitrification inhibition response. This study comprehensively investigated the inhibition of 3,5-dichlorophenol (3,5-DCP) on nitrification of activated sludge with different C/N ratios and carbon source types. The corresponding extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), microbial communities and functional genes were analysed. The results indicated that the addition of carbon source would reduce the nitrification activity and nitrification sensitivity to 3,5-DCP, and the order of the EC50 was sequenced as sodium acetate > methanol > glucose. The response mechanisms of activated sludge under diverse carbon source conditions to 3,5-DCP were summarised as follows. When the 3,5-DCP content was increased from 0.4 mg/L to 0.8 mg/L, the protein content increased from 73.2 ± 2.6 mg/g SS ∼122.4 ± 4 mg/g SS to 92.2 ± 11.2 mg/g SS ∼130.8 ± 9.6 mg/g SS in the tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS). The increase of protein content was attributed to cellular self-protection mechanisms. Furthermore, fluorescence characteristic analysis revealed that tyrosine and tryptophan in loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) might account for higher EC50 in activated sludge fed with methanol and sodium acetate. In addition, the redundancy analyses (RDA) showed activated sludge with organics enriched the resistant species, such as Proteobacteria and Patescibacteria, while activated sludge without organics enriched the sensitive species, such as Ferruginibacter. Finally, the nitrification genes were found to be consistent with nitrification activity. Thus, the findings provide new insights into nitrification inhibition mechanism under different carbon source conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Yin Yu
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Hongbo Xi
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China.
| | - Yuexi Zhou
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Chunrong Wang
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Changyong Wu
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China.
| | - Zhuowei Zhang
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; College of Water Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Zhenzhen Guo
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; School of Environment and Municipal Engineering, Lanzhou Jiaotong University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
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Zhou CS, Wu JW, Ma WL, Liu BF, Xing DF, Yang SS, Cao GL. Responses of nitrogen removal under microplastics versus nanoplastics stress in SBR: Toxicity, microbial community and functional genes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 432:128715. [PMID: 35305418 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), as emerging pollutants, are frequently detected in wastewater treatment plants. However, studies comparing the effects of MPs versus NPs on nitrogen removal by activated sludge are rarely reported. Here, the responses of nitrogen removal performance, microbial community and functional genes to MPs and NPs in sequencing batch reactors were investigated. Results revealed that MPs (10 and 1000 μg/L) had no effects on nitrogen removal. While upon exposure to NPs, although low concentration (10 μg/L) of NPs showed no remarkable influence on nitrogen removal, high level (1000 μg/L) of NPs decreased NH4+-N removal efficiency by 24.48% and caused accumulation of NO3--N and NO2--N. These inhibitory probably due to the acute toxicity of NPs to activated sludge, which was reflected by the increasing reactive oxygen species generation and lactate dehydrogenase release. The toxic effects of NPs further declined the relative abundance of nitrifiers (e.g., Nitrospira) and denitrifiers (e.g., Dechloromonas). These negative effects, accompanied by a decrease in abundance of amoA and nxrA genes related to nitrification (30.01% and 65.24% of control) and narG, nirK and nirS genes associated with denitrification (78.59%, 61.39%, and 86.17% of control), directly illustrated the attenuate phenomenon observed in nitrogen removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Shuang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ji-Wen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wan-Li Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Bing-Feng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - De-Feng Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Guang-Li Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
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Dang Q, Zhao X, Yang T, Gong T, He X, Tan W, Xi B. Coordination of bacterial biomarkers with the dominant microbes enhances triclosan biodegradation in soil amended with food waste compost and cow dung compost. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153837. [PMID: 35181369 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Increasing concerns regarding the micropollutant triclosan (TCS) derive from its potential threats to human health and ecological security. Compost addition have been verified to be effective in soil remediation, however, the biodegradation of TCS under compost amendment in soil remain unclear. This study investigated the removal of TCS in soils amended with food waste compost (FS), cow dung compost (CS) and sludge compost (SS), respectively, explored the key TCS-degraders and biological mechanisms of TCS removal. Compost addition significantly enhanced the removal of TCS (p < 0.05) in the order of FS > CS > SS. The dosage of 20% (w/w) was the most efficient one and the ultimate concentrations of TCS were decreased by 76.67%, 67.90% and 56.79% compared with CK, respectively. The abundance of key dominant bacterial genus (7 in FS and 4 in CS) and fungal genus (3 in FS and CS) was stimulated due to the increase of soil nutrient factors (including dissolved organic carbon, DOC; soil organic matter, SOM; ammonium nitrogen, NH4+; nitrate nitrogen, NO3-) and the decrease of pH. A negative correlation between these dominant microbes and TCS concentration indicated their potential effect on TCS degradation. A total of four bacterial biomarkers, namely Saccharomonospora, Aequorivita, Bacillaceae and Fodinicurvataceae (both at family level) were the key TCS-degraders. Structural equation model (SEM) indicated that the improvement of soil nutrient factors in FS and CS promoted TCS biodegradation by improving the activity of bacterial biomarkers, as while, the key dominant microbes showed good tolerance to TCS stress. However, there were no significant biological effects on TCS in SS group. Network analysis further confirmed that it was the coordination of bacterial biomarkers with the dominant microbes that enhanced TCS biodegradation in soil amended with food waste compost and cow dung compost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuling Dang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xinyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Tianxue Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Tiancheng Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Hazardous Waste Identification and Risk Control, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Xiaosong He
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China.
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35
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Li Z, Dong S, Huang F, Lin L, Hu Z, Zheng Y. Toxicological Effects of Microplastics and Sulfadiazine on the Microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:865768. [PMID: 35572694 PMCID: PMC9096495 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.865768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the fact that microplastics (MPs) facilitate the adsorption of environmental organic pollutants and influence their toxicity for organisms, more study is needed on the combination of MPs and antibiotics pollutant effects. In this study, polystyrene MPs (1 and 5 μm) and sulfadiazine (SDZ) were examined separately and in combination on freshwater microalga, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The results suggest that both the MPs and SDZ alone and in combination inhibited the growth of microalgae with an increasing concentration of MPs and SDZ (5–200 mg l–1); however, the inhibition rate was reduced by combination. Upon exposure for 7 days, both the MPs and SDZ inhibited algal growth, reduced chlorophyll content, and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, whereas glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was elevated only with the exposure of 1 μm MPs. Fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy also indicated that particle size contributed to the combined toxicity by aggregating MPs with periphery pollutants. Further, the amount of extracellular secretory protein increased in the presence of MPs and SDZ removal ratio decreased when MPs and SDZ coexisted, suggesting that MPs affected SDZ metabolism by microalgae. The particle size of microplastics affected the toxicity of MPs on microalgae and the combined effect of MPs and SDZ could be mitigated by MPs adsorption. These findings provide insight into microalgae responses to the combination of MPs and antibiotics in water ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Sheng Dong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fei Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Langli Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhangli Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yihong Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Plant Epigenetics, Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Marine Algal Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
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36
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Senathirajah K, Kemp A, Saaristo M, Ishizuka S, Palanisami T. Polymer prioritization framework: A novel multi-criteria framework for source mapping and characterizing the environmental risk of plastic polymers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 429:128330. [PMID: 35121294 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128330] [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: 12/09/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are an intrinsic part of modern life with many beneficial uses for society. Yet, there is increasing evidence that plastic and microplastic pollution poses a risk to the environment and human health. Microplastics are increasingly grouped as a complex mix of polymers with different physicochemical and toxicological properties. This study attempts to assess the hazardous properties of common polymer types through the development of an integrated multi-criteria framework. The framework establishes a systematic approach to identify plastic polymers of concern. A semi-quantitative method was devised using twenty-one criteria. We used a case study from Victoria, Australia, to evaluate the effectiveness of the framework to characterize the environmental risk of common polymer types. A wide range of data sources were interrogated to complete an in-depth analysis across the material life cycle. We found that three polymers had the highest risk of harm: polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polystyrene; with dominant sectors being: building and construction, packaging, consumer and household, and automotive sectors; and greatest leakage of plastics at the end-of-life stages. Our findings illustrate the complexity of microplastics as an emerging contaminant, and its scalability supports decision-makers globally to identify and prioritize management strategies to address the risks posed by plastics. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: The hazardous nature of mismanaged plastics is an international concern. The negative impacts on the environment and human health are increasingly coming to light. Consequently, resource constraints limits the ability to address all problems. Our work adopts a holistic approach to evaluate the risk of harm from microplastics across the entire life cycle to allow for targeted management measures. The hazard assessment of common polymer types developed using a multi-criteria framework, presents a systematic approach to prioritize polymers at any scale. This allows for the development of optimal investments and interventions to ensure that high-risk environmental problems are addressed first.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kala Senathirajah
- Environmental and Plastic Innovation Cluster (EPIC), Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Science Division, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Alison Kemp
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Science Division, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Minna Saaristo
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Science Division, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Shige Ishizuka
- Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Science Division, Ernest Jones Drive, Macleod, Victoria 3085, Australia
| | - Thava Palanisami
- Environmental and Plastic Innovation Cluster (EPIC), Global Innovative Centre for Advanced Nanomaterials (GICAN), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
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37
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Chen MM, Nie FH, Qamar A, Zhu DH, Hu Y, Zhang M, Song QL, Lin HY, Chen ZB, Liu SQ, Chen JJ. Effects of Microplastics on Microbial Community in Zhanjiang Mangrove Sediments. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 108:867-877. [PMID: 35039887 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03429-8] [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: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are easily consumed by marine animals, thereby entering the food chain and endangering animal health. However, there are few studies focusing on the effects of microplastics in mangrove sediments on microbial communities. In order to study the influence of microplastics on microorganisms, microplastics and microorganisms were extracted from Zhanjiang (Guangdong Province, China) mangrove sediments and analyzed. The results showed that there were differences in Shannon and Simpson indices of the microbial community in microplastics (p < 0.05), and there were also differences between JG30_KF_CM45 and Natranaerovirga at the genus level, indicating that microplastics may affect the diversity and composition of microorganisms in sediments. In addition, FAPROTAX function prediction analysis showed that microplastics may affect the nitrification of microbial communities. The results from this study indicate that microplastics affected the diversity and richness of microorganisms in mangrove sediments, which provides an experimental basis for the relationship between microplastics and microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Meng Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang-Hong Nie
- School of Food Science and Technology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Aftab Qamar
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Di-Hua Zhu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Yao Hu
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Qing-Lang Song
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong-Ying Lin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Bao Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China
| | - Su-Qing Liu
- Zhanjiang Wangmu Ecological Agriculture Technology Co., Ltd, Zhanjiang, 5240883, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin-Jun Chen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Coastal Agriculture, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, Guangdong, China.
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Kaur K, Reddy S, Barathe P, Oak U, Shriram V, Kharat SS, Govarthanan M, Kumar V. Microplastic-associated pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:133005. [PMID: 34813845 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous use of microplastics and their release into the environment especially the water bodies by anthropogenic/industrial activities are the major resources for microplastic contamination. The widespread and often injudicious use of antimicrobial drugs or antibiotics in various sectors including human health and hygiene, agriculture, animal husbandry and food industries are leading to the release of antibiotics into the wastewater/sewage and other water bodies, particularly in urban setups and thus leads to the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the microbes. Microplastics are emerging as the hubs as well as effective carriers of these microbial pathogens beside their AMR-genes (ARGs) in marine, freshwater, sewage/wastewater, and urban river ecosystems. These drug resistant bacteria interact with microplastics forming synthetic plastispheres, the ideal niche for biofilm formations which in turn facilitates the transfer of ARGs via horizontal gene transfer and further escalates the occurrence and levels of AMR. Microplastic-associated AMR is an emerging threat for human health and healthcare besides being a challenge for the research community for effective management/address of this menace. In this review, we encompass the increasing prevalence of microplastics in environment, emphasizing mainly on water environments, how they act as centers and vectors of microbial pathogens with their associated bacterial assemblage compositions and ultimately lead to AMR. It further discusses the mechanistic insights on how microplastics act as hosts of biofilms (creating the plastisphere). We have also presented the modern toolbox used for microplastic-biofilm analyses. A review on potential strategies for addressing microplastic-associated AMR is given with recent success stories, challenges and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljeet Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sagar Reddy
- Department of Botany, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Akurdi, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Pramod Barathe
- Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Uttara Oak
- Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Varsha Shriram
- Department of Botany, Prof. Ramkrishna More College, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Akurdi, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sanjay S Kharat
- Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India
| | - M Govarthanan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
| | - Vinay Kumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Modern College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune, 411016, Maharashtra, India.
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Wang Z, Gao J, Wang S, Zhao Y, Dai H, Li D, Cui Y, Li Z. Triclocarban shifted the microbial communities and promoted the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in nitrifying granular sludge system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126429. [PMID: 34838974 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126429] [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: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Triclocarban (TCC) is in great market demand especially after the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, becoming an emerging pollutant. However, the impacts of TCC on the performance of nitrifying granular sludge system and the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were still unknown. This work explored the impacts of different concentrations of TCC on nitrifying granular sludge. Results showed that TCC suppressed the activities of ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms and decreased the abundance of Nitrospira. Adsorption was the main way for the removal of TCC and the biodegradation efficiency of TCC increased to 28.00% under 19.70 mg/L TCC addition. TCC enriched the ARGs and promoted the risks of their transferring in microorganisms. Pseudomonas might not only have strong resistance to TCC, but also propagate ARGs. The removal process of TCC and bacterial communities were important factors to promote the spread of ARGs. Thus, the existence of TCC presented a great environmental risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Shijie Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Huihui Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Dingchang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yingchao Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Ziqiao Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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40
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Tang Q, Wu M, Zhang Y, Li J, Liang J, Zhou H, Qu Y, Zhang X. Performance and bacterial community profiles of sequencing batch reactors during long-term exposure to polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene microplastics. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 347:126393. [PMID: 34826561 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.126393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), but much remains to be learned about their roles in WWTPs. Herein, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) particles were added into sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), and the sole impacts and co-impacts of MPs with other pollutants (phenol and Cu2+) on wastewater treatment processes were evaluated. Results indicated that MPs did not significantly affect SBR performance, either alone or co-occurrence with phenol, but the co-exposure to MPs and Cu2+ severely suppressed COD removal efficiency by 37.02%-64.70%. The functional groups of activated sludge had no changes after receiving MPs, but the MPs-Cu2+ co-exposure could greatly promote the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances. Furthermore, MPs had no negative impacts on diversity, richness and structure of bacterial communities, and PET and PE showed different preferences for enrichment of bacterial populations. Moreover, the MPs-Cu2+ co-exposure obviously reduced the overall abundances of Cu-related genes in SBRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qidong Tang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Minghuo Wu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Yuelin Zhang
- Panjin QIZHENG Environmental Water Co., Ltd., Panjin 124211, China
| | - Jingzhe Li
- Panjin QIZHENG Environmental Water Co., Ltd., Panjin 124211, China
| | - Jinxuan Liang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Hao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Yuanyuan Qu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Xuwang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China.
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41
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Lee J, Jeong S, Long C, Chandran K. Size dependent impacts of a model microplastic on nitrification induced by interaction with nitrifying bacteria. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127363. [PMID: 34634706 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Two sizes of polystyrene (PS) were compared to investigate their impact on nitrification. The smaller PS (50 nm) had a higher impact than the larger PS (500 nm). Lower NO2- and NO3- accumulation was observed in the 50 nm PS treatment. There was no significant difference in DIN concentration between the control and 500 nm PS treatments. PS treatment did not have a significant influence on the specific ammonia oxidation rate, but the specific nitrite utilization rate was the lowest in the 50 nm PS treatment. The changes in transcript levels of amoA gene did not correspond well with the observed changes in DIN concentrations, suggesting that the effects of 50 nm PS treatment might be unrelated to biological phenomena, for which an actual uptake of PS is needed. The fluorescent images revealed that the smaller PS can easily access bacterial cells, which corroborated the results of inhibition of nitrification by the smaller PS. Notably, most of the PS particles did not penetrate bacterial cells, suggesting that the observed effects of 50 nm PS on nitrification might be due to disruption of the membrane potential of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jongkeun Lee
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University in the City of New York, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, South Korea
| | - Seulki Jeong
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University in the City of New York, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA; Seoul center, Korea Basic Science Institute, 6-7, Inchon-ro 22-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02855, South Korea.
| | - Chenghua Long
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University in the City of New York, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Earth and Environmental Engineering, Columbia University in the City of New York, 500 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA.
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42
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Rozman U, Kalčíková G. Seeking for a perfect (non-spherical) microplastic particle - The most comprehensive review on microplastic laboratory research. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127529. [PMID: 34736190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, much attention has been paid to microplastic pollution, and research on microplastics has begun to grow exponentially. However, microplastics research still suffers from the lack of standardized protocols and methods for investigation of microplastics under laboratory conditions. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and critically discuss the results of 715 laboratory studies published on microplastics in the last five years to provide recommendations for future laboratory research. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of microplastic particles used in laboratory studies are manufactured spheres of polystyrene ranging in size from 1 to 50 µm, that half of the studies did not characterize the particles used, and that a minority of studies used aged particles, investigated leaching of chemicals from microplastics, or used natural particles as a control. There is a large discrepancy between microplastics used in laboratory research and those found in the environment, and many laboratory studies suffer from a lack of environmental relevance and provide incomplete information on the microplastics used. We have summarized and discussed these issues and provided recommendations for future laboratory research on microplastics focusing on (i) microplastic selection, (ii) microplastic characterization, and (iii) test design of laboratory research on microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula Rozman
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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43
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Ricky R, Shanthakumar S. Phycoremediation integrated approach for the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products from wastewater - A review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 302:113998. [PMID: 34717103 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) are of emerging concerns because of their large usage, persistent nature which promised their continuous disposal into the environment, as these pollutants are stable enough to pass through wastewater treatment plants causing hazardous effects on all the organisms through bioaccumulation, biomagnification, and bioconcentration. The available technologies are not capable of eliminating all the PPCPs along with their degraded products but phycoremediation has the advantage over these technologies by biodegrading the pollutants without developing resistant genes. Even though phycoremediation has many advantages, industries have found difficulty in adapting this technology as a single-stage treatment process. To overcome these drawbacks recent research studies have focused on developing technology that integrated phycoremediation with the commonly employed treatment processes that are in operation for treating the PPCPs effectively. This review paper focuses on such research approaches that focused on integrating phycoremediation with other technologies such as activated sludge process (ASP), advanced oxidation process (AOP), Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor (UASBR), UV irradiation, and constructed wetland (CW) with the advantages and limitations of each integration processes. Furthermore, augmenting phycoremediation by co-metabolic mechanism with the addition of sodium chloride, sodium acetate, and glucose for the removal of PPCPs has been highlighted in this review paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ricky
- Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, India
| | - S Shanthakumar
- Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, 632014, India.
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44
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Syranidou E, Kalogerakis N. Interactions of microplastics, antibiotics and antibiotic resistant genes within WWTPs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 804:150141. [PMID: 34509832 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been detected in atmosphere, soil, and water and have been characterized as contaminants of emerging concern. When exposed to these environments, MPs interact with the chemical compounds as well as the (micro)organisms inhabiting these ecosystems. This paper overviews the interactions and significant factors influencing the sorption process of antibiotics on MPs since distinct interactions are developed between MPs and antibiotics. The interplay between the MPs and the antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) microbial hosts is presented and the important factors that may shape the plastisphere resistome are discussed. The interactions of MPs, antibiotics and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and ARGs in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) were discussed with the aim to provide a perspective for better understanding of the role of WWTPs in bringing together MPs, antibiotics and ARB/ARGs and further as release points of MPs carrying antibiotics, and ARB/ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evdokia Syranidou
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece.
| | - Nicolas Kalogerakis
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Chania, Greece
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45
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Cui Y, Gao J, Zhang D, Li D, Dai H, Wang Z, Zhao Y. Responses of performance, antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial communities of partial nitrification system to polyamide microplastics. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 341:125767. [PMID: 34419884 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polyamide (PA), a prevalent microplastics (MPs), is often collected from wastewater treatment plants. However, the responses of partial nitrification system to PA MPs are unclear. The short-term and long-term effect of PA MPs on the partial nitrification system was slight, but the ammonia oxidation rate decreased slowly with the increase of PA MPs concentration. Meantime, the PA MPs addition could decrease the microbial diversity, alter microbial community structure of the system and facilitate the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) including fabI, intI1 and Tn916/1545. Correlation analysis and network analysis indicated that Ferruginibacter, Hyphomicrobium, Terrimonas, Brevundimonas and Plasticicumulans in the system might be the dominant hosts of ARGs. In addition, oligotyping analysis indicated not all oligotypes of the relevant genus showed positive correlation with ARGs. In general, PA MPs had almost no effect on performance but altered community structure and increased ARGs spread risk of the partial nitrification system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Da Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Dingchang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Huihui Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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46
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Meng L, Zhao Y, Li X, Kong Y, Guo J, Liu M. The effect of bacterial functional characteristics on the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in Expanded Granular Sludge Bed reactor treating the antibiotic wastewater. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 225:112714. [PMID: 34488144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112714] [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: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To explore the fate and spreading mechanism of antibiotics resistance genes (ARGs) in antibiotics wastewater system, a laboratory-scale (1.47 L) Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) bioreactor was implemented. The operating parameters temperature (T) and hydraulic retention time (HRT) were mainly considered. This result showed the removal of ARGs and COD was asynchronous, and the recovery speed of ARGs removal was slower than that COD removal. The decreasing T was attributed to the high growth rate of ARGs host bacteria, while the shortened HRT could promote the horizontal and vertical gene transfer of ARGs in the sludge. The analysis result of potential bacterial host showed more than half of the potential host bacteria carried 2 or more ARGs and suggested an indirect mechanism of co-selection of multiple ARGs. Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) was used to investigate the functional characteristics of bacterial community. This result showed the bacterial functional genes contributed 40.41% to the abundance change of ARGs in the sludge, which was higher that of bacterial community. And the function genes of "aromatic hydrocarbon degradation", "Replication, recombination and repair proteins" and "Flagellar assembly" were mainly correlated with the transfer of ARGs in the sludge. This study further revealed the mechanism of ARGs spread in the EGSB system, which would provide new ideas for the development of ARGs reduction technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingwei Meng
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China.
| | - Yuzhe Zhao
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
| | - Xiangkun Li
- School of Civil and Transportation, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China.
| | - Yanli Kong
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan 243032, China
| | - Jingbo Guo
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
| | - Mingwei Liu
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
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47
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Wang Z, Gao J, Zhang D, Dai H, Zhao Y, Li D, Cui Y, Duan W, Wu Z. Achieving stable and long-term partial nitrification of domestic wastewater by side-stream sludge treatment using a novel nitrite oxidation inhibitor chloroxylenol. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2021; 342:125999. [PMID: 34600319 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Using inhibitors to selectively suppress the activity of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) was an emerging way to rapidly achieve partial nitrification (PN). This study explored the feasibility of inactivating NOB by a novel inhibitor chloroxylenol (PCMX) in real domestic wastewater. Different frequencies (periodic strategy and concentrative time strategy) of PCMX side-stream sludge treatment were used to achieve and maintain PN during 250 days. PN was realized by PCMX treatment once a day about 20 days, due to the inhibition of Nitrospira. PN was completely destroyed after 212 days by periodic strategy, caused by the increase of Candidatus Nitrotoga. PN maintained without PCMX in following 201 days by concentrative time strategy. The risks of PCMX were assessed and almost no PCMX was detected in the effluent of mainstream sequencing batch reactors. These results meant PN realized by PCMX side-stream sludge treatment was feasible and concentrative time strategy was a better operating strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China.
| | - Da Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Huihui Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Dingchang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Yingchao Cui
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Wanjun Duan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Zejie Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Faculty of Environment and Life, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
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48
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Agathokleous E, Iavicoli I, Barceló D, Calabrese EJ. Ecological risks in a 'plastic' world: A threat to biological diversity? JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 417:126035. [PMID: 33992919 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics pollution is predicted to increase in the coming decades, raising concerns about its effects on living organisms. Although the effects of microplastics on individual organisms have been extensively studied, the effects on communities, biological diversity, and ecosystems remain underexplored. This paper reviews the published literature concerning how microplastics affect communities, biological diversity, and ecosystem processes. Microplastics increase the abundance of some taxa but decrease the abundance of some other taxa, indicating trade-offs among taxa and altered microbial community composition in both the natural environment and animals' gut. The alteration of community composition by microplastics is highly conserved across taxonomic ranks, while the alpha diversity of microbiota is often reduced or increased, depending on the microplastics dose and environmental conditions, suggesting potential threats to biodiversity. Biogeochemical cycles, greenhouse gas fluxes, and atmospheric chemistry, can also be altered by microplastics pollution. These findings suggest that microplastics may impact the U.N. Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) to improve atmospheric, soil, and water quality and sustaining biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenios Agathokleous
- Key Laboratory of Agrometeorology of Jiangsu Province, Department of Ecology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology (NUIST), Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Ivo Iavicoli
- Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Damià Barceló
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, C/ Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Catalan Institute for Water Research, ICRA-CERCA, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Edward J Calabrese
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Morrill I, N344, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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49
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Wang Z, Gao J, Zhao Y, Dai H, Jia J, Zhang D. Plastisphere enrich antibiotic resistance genes and potential pathogenic bacteria in sewage with pharmaceuticals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 768:144663. [PMID: 33454495 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are common emerging pollutants in sewage, and their coexistence may have more negative effects on the environments. This study chose tetracycline (TC), ampicillin (AMP) and triclosan (TCS) to investigate the responses of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and microbial communities on different MPs (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE)) biofilms (plastisphere). The adsorption capacity of three pharmaceuticals on PVC and PE decreased in the order of AMP > TC > TCS. PE was more conducive to microbial attachment than PVC. MPs led to the increase of the total copies of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the sewage. Importantly, multidrug ARGs and MGEs were enriched on plastisphere. Furthermore, the co-occurrence of TC and MPs led to higher risks of spreading ARGs and MGEs. In addition, potential pathogenic bacteria Legionella, Mycobacterium, Neisseria and Arcobacter were more abundant on plastisphere than those in sewage, and these bacteria might be the hosts for ARGs and MGEs. This study showed that plastisphere could be repositories of ARGs and MGEs in sewage and accumulated potential pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Huihui Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingxin Jia
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Da Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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50
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Wang Z, Gao J, Dai H, Zhao Y, Li D, Duan W, Guo Y. Microplastics affect the ammonia oxidation performance of aerobic granular sludge and enrich the intracellular and extracellular antibiotic resistance genes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 409:124981. [PMID: 33387747 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as emerging pollutants, are frequently detected in wastewater treatment plants, and their threats to the environment have received extensive attentions. However, the effects of MPs on the nitrification of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and the spread patterns of intracellular and extracellular ARGs (iARGs and eARGs) in AGS were still unknown. In this study, the responses of AGS to the exposure of 1, 10 and 100 mg/L of typical MPs (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE)) and tetracycline were focused on in 3 L nitrifying sequencing batch reactors. 10 mg/L MPs decreased the nitrification function, but nitrification could recover. Furthermore, MPs inhibited ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and enriched nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, leading partial nitrification to losing stability. PVC, PA and PS stimulated the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances and reactive oxygen species. PE had less negative effect on AGS than PVC, PA and PS. The abundances of iARGs and eARGs (tetW, tetE and intI1) increased significantly and the intracellular and extracellular microbial communities obviously shifted in AGS system under MPs stress. Potential pathogenic bacteria might be the common hosts of iARGs and eARGs in AGS system and were enriched in AGS and MPs biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqi Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Jingfeng Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.
| | - Huihui Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yifan Zhao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Dingchang Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Wanjun Duan
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Yi Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China
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