1
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Chen CX, Koskue V, Duan H, Gao L, Shon HK, Martin GJO, Chen GQ, Freguia S. Impact of nutrient deficiency on biological sewage treatment - Perspectives towards urine source segregation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174174. [PMID: 38925384 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174174] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Human urine contains 9 g/L of nitrogen (N) and 0.7 g/L of phosphorus (P). The recovery of N and P from urine helps close the nutrient loop and increase resource circularity in the sewage treatment sector. Urine contributes an average of 80 % N and 50 % P in sewage, whereby urine source segregation could reduce the burden of nutrient removal in sewage treatment plants (STPs) but result in N and P deficiency and unintended negative consequences. This review examines the potential impacts of N and P deficiency on the removal of organic carbon and nutrients, sludge characteristics and greenhouse gas emissions in activated sludge processes. The details of how these impacts affect the operation of STPs were also included. This review helps foresee operational challenges that established STPs may face when dealing with nutrient-deficient sewage in a future where source separation of urine is the norm. The findings indicate that the requirement of nitrification-denitrification and biological P removal processes could shrink at urine segregation above 80 % and 100 %, respectively. Organic carbon, N and biological P removal processes can be severely affected under full urine segregation. The decrease in solid retention time due to urine segregation increases treatment capacity up to 48 %. Sludge flocculation and settleability would deteriorate due to changes in extracellular polymeric substances and induce various forms of bulking. Beneficially, N deficiency reduces nitrous oxide emissions. These findings emphasise the importance of considering and preparing for impacts caused by urine source segregation-induced nutrient deficiency in sewage treatment processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Xiang Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Veera Koskue
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Li Gao
- South East Water Corporation, 2268, Seaford, VIC 3198, Australia
| | - Ho Kyong Shon
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Gregory J O Martin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - George Q Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Stefano Freguia
- Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
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2
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Ma X, Yang W, Zhao H, Tan Q. Effects of aeration control strategies on nitrous oxide emissions in alternating anoxic-oxic sequencing batch reactor systems. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 260:119591. [PMID: 39002633 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
Reducing N2O emissions is key to controlling greenhouse gases (GHG) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Although studies have examined the effects of dissolved oxygen (DO) on N2O emissions during nitrogen removal, the precise effects of aeration rate remain unclear. This study aimed to fill this research gap by investigating the influence of dynamic aeration rates on N2O emissions in an alternating anoxic-oxic sequencing batch reactor system. The emergence of DO breakthrough points indicated that the conversion of ammonia nitrogen to nitrite and the release of N2O were nearly complete. Approximately 91.73 ± 3.35% of N2O was released between the start of aeration and the DO breakthrough point. Compared to a fixed aeration rate, dynamically adjusting the aeration rates could reduce N2O production by up to 48.6%. Structural equation modeling revealed that aeration rate and total nitrogen directly or indirectly had significant effects on the N2O production. A novel regression model was developed to estimate N2O production based on energy consumption (aeration flux), water quality (total nitrogen), and GHG emissions (N2O). This study emphasizes the potential of optimizing aeration strategies in WWTPs to significantly reduce GHG and improve environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Ma
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Ecological Security and Green Development, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Wei Yang
- Department of Ecological Sciences and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400045, China
| | - Haixiao Zhao
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Ecological Security and Green Development, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qian Tan
- Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Ecological Security and Green Development, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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3
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Tong Y, Liao X, He Y, Cui X, Wishart M, Zhao F, Liao Y, Zhao Y, Lv X, Xie J, Liu Y, Chen G, Hou L. Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from municipal wastewater treatment in China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 20:100341. [PMID: 38094258 PMCID: PMC10716752 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2023.100341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment plays an indispensable role in enhancing water quality by eliminating contaminants. While the process is vital, its environmental footprint, especially in terms of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, remains underexplored. Here we offer a comprehensive assessment of GHG emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across China. Our analyses reveal an estimated 1.54 (0.92-2.65) × 104 Gg release of GHGs (CO2-eq) in 2020, with a dominant contribution from N2O emissions and electricity consumption. We can foresee a 60-65% reduction potential in GHG emissions with promising advancements in wastewater treatment, such as cutting-edge biological techniques, intelligent wastewater strategies, and a shift towards renewable energy sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yindong Tong
- School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xiawei Liao
- Bay Area International Business School, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai, 519087, China
| | - Yanying He
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xiaomei Cui
- School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China
| | | | - Feng Zhao
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yulian Liao
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yingxin Zhao
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Xuebin Lv
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Jiawen Xie
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Guanyi Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850012, China
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin, 300134, China
| | - Li'an Hou
- School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
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4
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Yang Y, Li G, Li Z, Lu L. The roles of typical emerging pollutants on N 2O emissions during biological nitrogen removal from wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172851. [PMID: 38685430 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172851] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
N2O as a potent greenhouse gas often generates in the biological nitrogen removal (BNR) processes during wastewater treatment, which makes BNR become an important greenhouse gas emission source. The emerging pollutants (EPs) are ubiquitous in wastewater and they have shown to influence the BNR processes. However, the deep discussion on potential impacts of EPs on N2O emissions during BNR is rare. Moreover, the experimental parameters for EPs investigation in most of literatures are generally not in line with real-world BNR processes, which calls for deep elucidating the roles of EPs on N2O production and emission. In this work, a critical review summarizes the existing literature about influences of typical EPs on N2O emissions and associated mechanisms during BNR, and it discusses the impacts of some easily overlooked factors, such as real EPs environmental concentrations, EPs bioaccumulation, and multiple EPs coexistence on N2O emissions. This review will provide an insight into exploring and mitigating threats posed by typical EPs on N2O emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Guifeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhida Li
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lu Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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5
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Shaw DR, Terada A, Saikaly PE. Future directions in microbial nitrogen cycling in wastewater treatment. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2024; 88:103163. [PMID: 38897092 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2024.103163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Discoveries in the past decade of novel reactions, processes, and micro-organisms have altered our understanding of microbial nitrogen cycling in wastewater treatment systems. These advancements pave the way for a transition toward more sustainable and energy-efficient wastewater treatment systems that also minimize greenhouse gas emissions. This review highlights these innovative directions in microbial nitrogen cycling within the context of wastewater treatment. Processes such as comammox, Feammox, electro-anammox, and nitrous oxide mitigation offer innovative approaches for sustainable, energy-efficient nitrogen removal. However, while these emerging processes show promise, advancing from laboratory research to practical applications, particularly in decentralized systems, remains a critical next step toward a sustainable and efficient wastewater management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario R Shaw
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Akihiko Terada
- Department of Applied Physics and Chemical Engineering, Department of Industrial Technology and Innovation, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Building 4-320 Naka, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
| | - Pascal E Saikaly
- Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Environmental Science & Engineering Program, Division of Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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6
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Tanvir RU, Li Y, Hu Z. Competitive partitioning of denitrification pathways during arrested methanogenesis: Implications in ammonium recovery, N 2O emission, and volatile fatty acid production. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 401:130717. [PMID: 38642664 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
The complex interaction between nitrate (NO3-) reduction and fermentation is poorly understood when high levels of NO3- are introduced into anaerobic systems. This study investigated the competitive distribution between conventional denitrification (DEN) and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) during simultaneous denitrification and fermentation in arrested methanogenesis. Up to 62% of initial NO3- (200 mg-N/L) was retained as ammonium through DNRA at a chemical oxygen demand (COD)/N ratio of 25. Significant N2O emission occurred (1.7 - 8.0% of the initial NO3-) with limited carbon supply (≤1600 mg COD/L) and sludge concentration (≤3000 mg COD/L). VFA composition shifted predominantly towards acetic acid (>50%) in the presence of nitrate. A novel kinetic model was developed to predict DNRA vs. DEN partitioning and NO2- accumulation. Overall, NO3- input, organic loading, and carbon source characteristics independently and collectively controlled competitive DNRA vs. DEN partitioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahamat Ullah Tanvir
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Yebo Li
- Quasar Energy Group, 8600 E Pleasant Valley Road, Independence, OH 44131, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Hu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.
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7
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Wang Y, Gao W, Lv L, Ma X, Ren Z, Sun L, Liu X, Wang P, Sun Z, Tian Y, Zhang G. Comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of wastewater treatment: A case study of modified cyclic activated sludge technology for low carbon source urban wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171550. [PMID: 38461981 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
To reduce pollution and carbon emissions, a quantitative evaluation of the carbon footprint of the wastewater treatment processes is crucial. However, micro carbon element flow analysis is rarely focused considering treatment efficiency of different technology. In this research, a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis is established under the micro carbon element flow analysis and macro carbon footprint analysis based on life cycle assessment (LCA). Three wastewater treatment processes (i.e., anaerobic anoxic oxic, A2O; cyclic activated sludge technology, CAST; modified cyclic activated sludge technology, M-CAST) for low carbon source urban wastewater are selected. The micro key element flow analysis illustrated that carbon source mainly flows to the assimilation function to promote microorganism growth. The carbon footprint analysis illustrated that M-CAST as the optimal wastewater treatment process had the lowest global warming potential (GWP). The key to reduce carbon emissions is to limit electricity consumption in wastewater treatment processes. Under the comprehensive carbon footprint analysis, M-CAST has the lowest environmental impact with low carbon emissions. The sensitivity analysis results revealed that biotreatment section variables considerably reduced the environmental impact on the LCA and the GWP, followed by the sludge disposal section. With this research, the optimization scheme can guide wastewater treatment plants to optimize relevant treatment sections and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Wenfang Gao
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China.
| | - Longyi Lv
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China.
| | - Xiaotian Ma
- Institute of Blue and Green Development, Weihai Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Shandong University, Weihai 264209, China
| | - Zhijun Ren
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Li Sun
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Xiaoyang Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Pengfei Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Zhi Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Beijing Engineering Research Centre of Process Pollution Control, Institute of Process Engineering, Innovation Academy for Green Manufacture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Guangming Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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8
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Shang Z, Cai C, Guo Y, Huang X, Peng K, Guo R, Wei Z, Wu C, Cheng S, Liao Y, Hung CY, Liu J. Direct and indirect monitoring methods for nitrous oxide emissions in full-scale wastewater treatment plants: A critical review. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 358:120842. [PMID: 38599092 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120842] [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: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Mitigation of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has become an irreversible trend to adapt the climate change. Monitoring of N2O emissions plays a fundamental role in understanding and mitigating N2O emissions. This paper provides a comprehensive review of direct and indirect N2O monitoring methods. The techniques, strengths, limitations, and applicable scenarios of various methods are discussed. We conclude that the floating chamber technique is suitable for capturing and interpreting the spatiotemporal variability of real-time N2O emissions, due to its long-term in-situ monitoring capability and high data acquisition frequency. The monitoring duration, location, and frequency should be emphasized to guarantee the accuracy and comparability of acquired data. Calculation by default emission factors (EFs) is efficient when there is a need for ambiguous historical N2O emission accounts of national-scale or regional-scale WWTPs. Using process-specific EFs is beneficial in promoting mitigation pathways that are primarily focused on low-emission process upgrades. Machine learning models exhibit exemplary performance in the prediction of N2O emissions. Integrating mechanistic models with machine learning models can improve their explanatory power and sharpen their predictive precision. The implementation of the synergy of nutrient removal and N2O mitigation strategies necessitates the calibration and validation of multi-path mechanistic models, supported by long-term continuous direct monitoring campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxin Shang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Chen Cai
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China.
| | - Yanli Guo
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Xiangfeng Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Kaiming Peng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Ru Guo
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
| | - Zhongqing Wei
- Fuzhou Water Group Co., Ltd, Fuzhou, 350000, PR China
| | - Chenyuan Wu
- Fuzhou Water Group Co., Ltd, Fuzhou, 350000, PR China
| | - Shunjian Cheng
- Fuzhou City Construction Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, Fuzhou, 350000, PR China
| | - Youxiang Liao
- Fuzhou City Construction Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd, Fuzhou, 350000, PR China
| | - Chih-Yu Hung
- Environment and Climate Change, 351 Saint-Joseph Blvd., 9th Floor. Gatineau, Quebec, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Jia Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China; Institute of Carbon Neutrality, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, PR China
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9
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Seshan S, Poinapen J, Zandvoort MH, van Lier JB, Kapelan Z. Limitations of a biokinetic model to predict the seasonal variations of nitrous oxide emissions from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 917:170370. [PMID: 38280609 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170370] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
A biokinetic model based on BioWin's Activated Sludge Digestion Model (ASDM) coupled with a nitrous oxide (N2O) model was setup and calibrated for a full-scale wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) Amsterdam West, in the Netherlands. The model was calibrated using one year of continuous data to predict the seasonal variations of N2O emissions in the gaseous phase. This, according to our best knowledge, is the most complete full-scale data set used to date for this purpose. The results obtained suggest that the currently available biokinetic model predicted the winter, summer, and autumn N2O emissions well but failed to satisfactorily simulate the spring peak. During the calibration process, it was found that the nitrifier denitrification pathway could explain the observed emissions during all seasons while a combination of the nitrifier denitrification and incomplete heterotrophic denitrification pathways seemed to be dominant during the emissions peak observed during the spring season. Specifically, kinetic parameters related to free nitrous acid (FNA) displayed significant sensitivity leading to increased N2O production. The obtained values of two kinetic parameters, i.e., the FNA half-saturation during ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB) denitrification and the FNA inhibition concentration related to heterotrophic denitrification, suggested a strong influence of the FNA bulk concentration on the N2O emissions and the observed seasonal variations. Based on the suboptimal performance and limitations of the biokinetic model, further research is needed to better understand the biochemical processes behind the seasonal peak and the influence of FNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddharth Seshan
- KWR Water Research Institute, Nieuwegein, the Netherlands; Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
| | | | | | - Jules B van Lier
- Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Zoran Kapelan
- Section Sanitary Engineering, Department of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
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10
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Huang K, He Y, Wang W, Jiang R, Zhang Y, Li J, Zhang XX, Wang D. Temporal differentiation in the adaptation of functional bacteria to low-temperature stress in partial denitrification and anammox system. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 244:117933. [PMID: 38097061 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117933] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite reliable nitrite supply through partial denitrification, the adaptation of denitrifying bacteria to low temperatures remains elusive in partial denitrification and anammox (PDA) systems. Here, temporal differentiations of the structure, activity, and relevant cold-adaptation mechanism of functional bacteria were investigated in a lab-scale PDA bioreactor at decreased temperature. Although distinct denitrifying bacteria dominated after low-temperature stress, both short- and long-term stresses exerted differential selectivity towards the species with close phylogenetic distance. Species Azonexus sp.149 showed high superiority over Azonexus sp.384 under short-term stress, and long-term stress improved the adaptation of Aquabacterium sp.93 instead of Aquabacterium sp.184. The elevated transcription of nitrite reductase genes suggested that several denitrifying bacteria (e.g., Azonexus sp.149) could compete with anammox bacteria for nitrite. Species Rivicola pingtungensis and Azonexus sp.149 could adapt through various adaptation pathways, such as the two-component system, cold shock protein (CSP), membrane alternation, and electron transport chain. By contrast, species Zoogloea sp.273 and Aquabacterium sp.93 mainly depended on the CSP and oxidative stress response. This study largely deepens our understanding of the performance deterioration in PDA systems during cold shock and provides several references for efficient adaptation to seasonal temperature fluctuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bay/ Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Nanjing Jiangdao Institute of Environmental Research Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 210019, China
| | - Yang He
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Wuqiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China; LingChao Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518000, China
| | - Ruiming Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Yujie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Jialei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Xu-Xiang Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Depeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China.
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11
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An Z, Gao X, Shao B, Zhang Q, Ding J, Peng Y. Synchronous Achievement of Advanced Nitrogen Removal and N 2O Reduction in the Anoxic Zone in the AOA Process for Low C/N Municipal Wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:2335-2345. [PMID: 38271692 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Continuous flow processes for the in situ determination of N2O emissions during low C/N municipal wastewater treatment have rarely been reported. The anaerobic/aerobic/anoxic (AOA) process has recently shown promising potential in energy savings and advanced nitrogen removal, but it still needs to be comprehensively explored in relation to N2O emissions for its carbon reduction advantages. In this study, a novel gas-collecting continuous flow reactor was designed to comprehensively evaluate the emissions of N2O from the gas and liquid phases of the AOA process. Additionally, the measures of enhancing endogenous denitrification (ED) and self-enriching anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) were employed to optimize nitrogen removal and achieve N2O reduction in the anoxic zone. The results showed that enhanced ED coupled with Anammox led to an increase in the nitrogen removal efficiency (NRE) from 67.65 to 81.96%, an enhancement of the NO3- removal rate from 1.76 mgN/(L h) to 3.99 mgN/(L h), and the N2O emission factor in the anoxic zone decreased from 0.28 to 0.06%. Impressively, ED eliminated 91.46 ± 2.47% of the dissolved N2O from the upstream aerobic zone, and the dissolved N2O in the effluent was reduced to less than 0.01 mg/L. This study provides valuable strategies for fully evaluating N2O emissions and N2O reduction from the AOA process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeming An
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Xinjie Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Baishuo Shao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Jing Ding
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
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12
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He Y, Liu Y, Li X, Guo H, Zhu T, Liu Y. Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics Facilitate Nitrous Oxide Production in Partial Nitritation Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1954-1965. [PMID: 38239129 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c09280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Partial nitritation (PN) is an important partner with anammox in the sidestream line treating high-strength wastewater and primarily contributes to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in such a hybrid system, which also suffers from ubiquitous microplastics because of the growing usage and disposal levels of plastics. In this study, the influences of polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) on N2O-contributing pathways were experimentally revealed to fill the knowledge gap on N2O emission from the PN system under microplastics stress. The long-term results showed that the overall PN performance was hardly affected by the low-dose PVC-MPs (0.5 mg/L) while obviously deteriorated by the high dose (5 mg/L). According to the batch tests, PVC-MPs reduced biomass-specific ammonia oxidation rates (AORs) by 5.78-21.94% and stimulated aerobic N2O production by 9.22-88.36%. Further, upon increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations from 0.3 to 0.9 mg O2/L, the degree of AOR inhibition increased but that of N2O stimulation was lightened. Site preference analysis in combination with metabolic inhibitors demonstrated that the contributions of hydroxylamine oxidation and heterotrophic denitrification to N2O production at 0.3 mg O2/L were enhanced by 18.84 and 10.34%, respectively, accompanied by a corresponding decreased contribution of nitrifier denitrification. Finally, the underlying mechanisms proposed for negative influences of PVC-MPs were bisphenol A leaching and reactive oxygen species production, which led to more cell death, altered sludge properties, and reshaped microbial communities, further resulting in enhanced N2O emission. Overall, this work implied that the ubiquitous microplastics are a hidden danger that cannot be ignored in the PN system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanying He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yingrui Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xuecheng Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Haixiao Guo
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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Zhang Z, Xing W, Lu J, Gao X, Jia F, Yao H. Nitrogen removal and nitrous oxide emission in the partial nitritation/anammox process at different reflux ratios. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167520. [PMID: 37788770 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167520] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
The partial nitritation/anammox (PN/A) process has been widely used in wastewater treatment owing to its notable advantages, including a low aeration rate and the non-requirement of an additional carbon source. In practical implementation, nitrite accumulation affects the nitrogen-removal efficiency and the amount of N2O released during the PN/A process. By implementing wastewater reflux, the nitrite concentration can be decreased, thereby achieving a balance between the nitrogen-removal efficiency and N2O release. This study conducted the CANON process with varying reflux ratios of 0 to 300 % and ~300 mg/L ammonium in the influent. The highest removal efficiency of ammonium and total nitrogen (98.2 ± 0.8 and 77.8 ± 2.3 %, respectively) could be achieved at a reflux ratio of 200 %. Further, a reflux ratio of 200 % led to the lowest N2O emission factor (2.21 %), with a 31.74 % reduction in N2O emission compared to the process without refluxing. Additionally, the reactor at a reflux ratio of 200 % presented the highest relative abundance of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (30.98 %) and the lowest proportion of ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (9.57 %). This study aimed to elucidate the impact of the reflux ratio on the nitrogen-removal efficiency of the CANON process and to theoretically explain the influence of different reflux ratios on N2O release. These findings provide a theoretical framework for enhancing the nitrogen-removal efficiency and mitigating carbon emissions in practical applications of the CANON process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zexi Zhang
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Wei Xing
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, PR China.
| | - Jia Lu
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Xinyu Gao
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Fangxu Jia
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, PR China
| | - Hong Yao
- Beijing International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Water Pollution Control Techniques for Antibiotics and Resistance Genes, Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, PR China
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Oba K, Suenaga T, Yasuda S, Kuroiwa M, Hori T, Lackner S, Terada A. Quest for Nitrous Oxide-reducing Bacteria Present in an Anammox Biofilm Fed with Nitrous Oxide. Microbes Environ 2024; 39:ME23106. [PMID: 38538312 PMCID: PMC10982107 DOI: 10.1264/jsme2.me23106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
N2O-reducing bacteria have been examined and harnessed to develop technologies that reduce the emission of N2O, a greenhouse gas produced by biological nitrogen removal. Recent investigations using omics and physiological activity approaches have revealed the ecophysiologies of these bacteria during nitrogen removal. Nevertheless, their involvement in anammox processes remain unclear. Therefore, the present study investigated the identity, genetic potential, and activity of N2O reducers in an anammox reactor. We hypothesized that N2O is limiting for N2O-reducing bacteria and an exogeneous N2O supply enriches as-yet-uncultured N2O-reducing bacteria. We conducted a 1200-day incubation of N2O-reducing bacteria in an anammox consortium using gas-permeable membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs), which efficiently supply N2O in a bubbleless form directly to a biofilm grown on a gas-permeable membrane. A 15N tracer test indicated that the supply of N2O resulted in an enriched biomass with a higher N2O sink potential. Quantitative PCR and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed Clade II nosZ type-carrying N2O-reducing bacteria as protagonists of N2O sinks. Shotgun metagenomics showed the genetic potentials of the predominant Clade II nosZ-carrying bacteria, Anaerolineae and Ignavibacteria in MBfRs. Gemmatimonadota and non-anammox Planctomycetota increased their abundance in MBfRs despite their overall lower abundance. The implication of N2O as an inhibitory compound scavenging vitamin B12, which is essential for the synthesis of methionine, suggested its limited suppressive effect on the growth of B12-dependent bacteria, including N2O reducers. We identified Dehalococcoidia and Clostridia as predominant N2O sinks in an anammox consortium fed exogenous N2O because of the higher metabolic potential of vitamin B12-dependent biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Oba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2–24–16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184–8588, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Suenaga
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1–4–1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 739–8527, Japan
- Global Innovation Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3–8–1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 185–8538, Japan
| | - Shohei Yasuda
- Global Innovation Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3–8–1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 185–8538, Japan
- Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, University of Galway, Galway H91 TK33, Ireland
| | - Megumi Kuroiwa
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2–24–16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184–8588, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Hori
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16–1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305–8569, Japan
| | - Susanne Lackner
- Global Innovation Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3–8–1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 185–8538, Japan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Science, Institute IWAR, Chair of Water and Environmental Biotechnology Technical University of Darmstadt, Franziska-Braun-Straße 7, 64287, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Akihiko Terada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2–24–16 Naka-cho, Koganei, Tokyo, 184–8588, Japan
- Global Innovation Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3–8–1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 185–8538, Japan
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15
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An Z, Zhang Q, Gao X, Ding J, Shao B, Peng Y. Nitrous oxide emissions in novel wastewater treatment processes: A comprehensive review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 391:129950. [PMID: 37926354 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The proliferation of novel wastewater treatment processes has marked recent years, becoming particularly pertinent in light of the strive for carbon neutrality. One area of growing attention within this context is nitrous oxide (N2O) production and emission. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent research progress on N2O emissions associated with novel wastewater treatment processes, including Anammox, Partial Nitrification, Partial Denitrification, Comammox, Denitrifying Phosphorus Removal, Sulfur-driven Autotrophic Denitrification and n-DAMO. The advantages and challenges of these processes are thoroughly examined, and various mitigation strategies are proposed. An interesting angle that delve into is the potential of endogenous denitrification to act as an N2O sink. Furthermore, the review discusses the potential applications and rationale for novel Anammox-based processes to reduce N2O emissions. The aim is to inform future technology research in this area. Overall, this review aims to shed light on these emerging technologies while encouraging further research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeming An
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China.
| | - Xinjie Gao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Jing Ding
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Baishuo Shao
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, PR China
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16
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Mannina G, Mineo A. Polyhydroxyalkanoate production from fermentation of domestic sewage sludge monitoring greenhouse gas emissions: A pilot plant case study at the WRRF of Palermo University (Italy). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119423. [PMID: 37871545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119423] [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: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a comprehensive study on polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production from sewage sludge. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were monitored for the first time to assess the impact of climate change and environmental sustainability. The pilot plant was composed of a fermenter with a membrane and two biological reactors (namely, selection and accumulation). Results showed that despite a low organic loading rate (namely, 0.06 kg BOD kg SS-1 day-1), a good PHA yield was obtained (namely, 0.37 g PHA/g volatile fatty acids), confirming that sewage sludge can be a suitable feedstock. GHG emissions were 3.85E-04 g CO2eq/g and 32.40 g CO2eq/g, direct and indirect, respectively. Results provided valuable insights in view of finding a trade-off between PHA production and GHG emissions to prove the PHA production process as an effective solution for biosolids disposal at a low carbon footprint.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Mannina
- Engineering Department, Palermo University, Viale delle Scienze ed. 8, 90128, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Mineo
- Engineering Department, Palermo University, Viale delle Scienze ed. 8, 90128, Palermo, Italy.
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17
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Zhao Y, Duan H, Erler D, Yuan Z, Ye L. Decoupling the simultaneous effects of NO 2-, pH and free nitrous acid on N 2O and NO production from enriched nitrifying activated sludge. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120609. [PMID: 37713792 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
In the pursuit of energy and carbon neutrality, nitrogen removal technologies have been developed featuring nitrite (NO2-) accumulation. However, high NO2- accumulations are often associated with stimulated greenhouse gas (i.e., nitrous oxide, N2O) emissions. Furthermore, the coexistence of free nitrous acid (FNA) formed by NO2- and proton (pH) makes the consequence of NO2- accumulation on N2O emissions complicated. The concurrent three factors, NO2-, pH and FNA may play different roles on N2O and nitric oxide (NO) emissions simultaneously, which has not been systematically studied. This study aims to decouple the effects of NO2- (0-200 mg N/L), pH (6.5-8) and FNA (0-0.15 mg N/L) on the N2O and NO production rates and the production pathways by ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB), with the use of a series of precisely executed batch tests and isotope site-preference analysis. Results suggested the dominant factors affecting the N2O production rate were NO2- and FNA concentrations, while pH alone played a relatively insignificant role. The most influential factor shifted from NO2- to FNA as FNA concentrations increased from 0 to 0.15 mg N/L. At concentrations below 0.0045 mg HNO2-N/L, nitrite rather than FNA played a significant role stimulating N2O production at elevated nitrite concentrations. The inhibition effect of FNA emerged with further increase of FNA between 0.0045-0.015 mg HNO2-N/L, weakening the promoting effect of increased nitrite. While at concentrations above 0.015 mg HNO2-N/L, FNA inhibited N2O production especially from nitrifier denitrification pathway with the level of inhibition linearly correlated with the FNA concentration. pH and the nitrite concentration regulated the production pathways, with elevated pH promoting the nitrifier nitrification pathway, while elevated NO2- concentrations promoting the nitrifier denitrification pathway. In contrast to N2O, NO emission was less susceptible to FNA at concentrations up to 0.015 mg N/L but was stimulated by increasing NO2- concentrations. This study, for the first time, distinguished the effects of pH, NO2- and FNA on N2O and NO production, thereby providing support to the design and operation of novel nitrogen removal systems with NO2- accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfen Zhao
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia; The Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Dirk Erler
- Centre for Coastal Biogeochemistry, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, New South Wales 2480, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia.
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18
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Khalil M, AlSayed A, Liu Y, Vanrolleghem PA. Machine learning for modeling N 2O emissions from wastewater treatment plants: Aligning model performance, complexity, and interpretability. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120667. [PMID: 37778084 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120667] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions may account for up to 80 % of a wastewater treatment plant's (WWTP) total carbon footprint. Given the complexity of the pathways involved, estimating N2O emissions through mechanistic models still often fails to precisely depict process dynamics. Alternatively, data-driven methods for predicting N2O emissions hold substantial potential. However, so far, a comprehensive approach is still overlooked, impeding the advancement of full-scale application. Therefore, this study develops a comprehensive approach for using machine learning to perform online process modeling of N2O emissions. The approach is tested on a long-term N2O emission dataset from a full-scale WWTP. Uniquely, the proposed approach emphasizes not just model accuracy, but it also considers model complexity, computational speed, and interpretability, equipping operators with the insights needed for informed corrective actions. Algorithms with varying levels of complexity and interpretability including k-Nearest Neighbors (kNN), decision trees, ensemble learning models, and deep neural networks (DNN) were considered. Furthermore, a parametric multivariate outlier removal method was adjusted to account for data statistical distributions, significantly reducing data loss. By employing an effective feature selection methodology, a trade-off between data acquisition, model performance, and complexity was found, reducing the number of features by 40 % and decreasing data collection cost, model complexity and computational burden without significant effect on modeling accuracy. The best performing models are kNN (R2 = 0.88), AdaBoost (R2 = 0.94), and DNN (R2 = 0.90). Feature importance of models was analyzed and compared with process knowledge to test interpretability, guiding N2O mitigation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa Khalil
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Ahmed AlSayed
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University, United States
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Peter A Vanrolleghem
- modelEAU, Département de génie civil et génie des eaux, Université Laval, 1065 av. de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
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He Y, Liu Y, Li X, Zhu T, Liu Y. Unveiling the roles of biofilm in reducing N 2O emission in a nitrifying integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) system. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120326. [PMID: 37454457 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120326] [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: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Biofilm process such as integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) system has been preliminarily found to produce less nitrous oxide (N2O) than suspended sludge system. However, the N2O emission behaviors and underlying N2O mitigation mechanism in such hybrid system remain unclear. This study therefore aims to fully unveil the roles of biofilm in reducing N2O emission in a nitrifying IFAS system with the aid of some advanced technologies such as N2O microsensor and site-preference analysis. It was found that ammonia oxidation occurred mostly in the sludge flocs (˃ 86%) and biofilm could reduce N2O emission by 43.77% in a typical operating cycle. Biofilm not only reduced nitrite accumulation in nitrification process, inhibiting N2O production via nitrifier denitrification pathway, but also served as a N2O sink, promoting the reduction of N2O via endogenous denitrification. As a result, N2O emissions from the IFAS system were 50%-83% lower than those from the solo sludge flocs. Further, more N2O emission was reduced in the presence of biofilm with decreasing the dissolved oxygen level in the range of 0.5-3.0 mg O2/L. Microbial community and key enzyme analyses revealed that biofilm had relatively high microbial diversity and unique enzyme composition, providing a reasonable explanation for the changed contributions of different N2O production pathways and reduced N2O emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanying He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Yingrui Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Xuecheng Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Tingting Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China.
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20
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Wang J, Zhang N, Xu S, Shao Z, Jiang C, Yuan H, Wang C, Zheng X, Chi Y, Zhang W, Wang D, Zhuang X. Carbon footprint analysis and comprehensive evaluation of municipal wastewater treatment plants under different typical upgrading and reconstruction modes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163335. [PMID: 37030360 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
The issue of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from the upgrading and reconstruction of municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) along with improved water quality is receiving attention and research. There is an urgent need to explore the impact of upgrading and reconstruction on carbon footprint (CF) in order to address concerns that the upgrading and reconstruction will increase GHG emissions while improving water quality. Here we accounted for the CF of five MWWTPs in Zhejiang Province, China, before and after three different upgrading and reconstruction models - "Improving quality and efficiency" ("Mode I"), "Upgrading and renovation" ("Mode U") and "Improving quality and efficiency plus Upgrading and renovation" ("Mode I plus U"). The upgrading and reconstruction was found to not necessarily result in more GHG emissions. In contrast, the "Mode I" had a more significant advantage in terms of CF reduction (1.82-12.6 % reduction in CF). Overall, the ratio of indirect emissions to direct emissions (indirect emissions/direct emissions) and the amount of GHG emitted per unit of pollutant removed (CFCOD、CFTN、CFTP) decreased, while both the carbon and energy neutral rates increased significantly (up to 33.29 % and 79.36 % respectively) after all three upgrading and reconstruction modes. In addition, the wastewater treatment efficiency and capacity are the main factors that affect the level of carbon emission. The results of this study can provide a calculation model that can be used for other similar MWWTPs during the upgrading and reconstruction processes. More importantly, it can provide a new research perspective as well as valuable information to revisit the impact of upgrading and reconstruction in MWWTPs on GHG emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglin Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China; Yangtze River Delta Branch, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yiwu 322000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Shengjun Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Zhiping Shao
- Yangtze River Delta Branch, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yiwu 322000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cancan Jiang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Hongying Yuan
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Cong Wang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Xiaoxu Zheng
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yongzhi Chi
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Tianjin Chengjian University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Weijun Zhang
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, Hubei, China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Yangtze River Delta Branch, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yiwu 322000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xuliang Zhuang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
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21
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Zhang Y, Ni X, Wang H. Visual analysis of greenhouse gas emissions from sewage treatment plants based on CiteSpace: from the perspective of bibliometrics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:45555-45569. [PMID: 36807038 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25582-9] [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: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
With the global reduction actions of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, environmental facilities, including sewage treatment plants (STPs), need to reduce pollutants while minimizing GHG emissions. Therefore, more and more publications revealed the formation mechanism of GHGs in STPs and committed to finding better reduction schemes. From the perspective of bibliometrics, this study used CiteSpace to conduct quantitative and visual analysis based on 1,543 publications retrieved from Web of Science between 2000 and 2021 around the world. We have systematically evaluated the structure, development trend, hot spots, and research frontier in the field of GHG emissions from STPs and compared with the contents of top journals to verify the scientificity of the analysis. The results show that the number of publications has increased year by year, and the networks of authors and institutions show a strong correlation. Among them, the clusters of nitrous oxide, anaerobic digestion, and life cycle assessment (LCA) started earlier and received extensive attention, which derived other clusters in the research process. With the development of the field, researchers have gradually changed from single water treatment facilities to multi-carriers that can realize energy regeneration and utilization simultaneously. Accordingly, the GHG reduction of STPs through energy regeneration and resource recovery has become a hot point and frontier direction, which also challenges the breakthroughs in relevant technologies. Furthermore, it provides scientific support for the formulation of relevant incentive policies and economic subsidy systems, so as to alleviate the pressure of global warming and realize the sustainable development of STPs concurrently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yidi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, 1239 Siping Rd, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Xiaohang Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, 1239 Siping Rd, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, 1239 Siping Rd, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Tongji University, 1239 Siping Rd, Shanghai, 200092, China.
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22
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Han H, Kim DD, Song MJ, Yun T, Yoon H, Lee HW, Kim YM, Laureni M, Yoon S. Biotrickling Filtration for the Reduction of N 2O Emitted during Wastewater Treatment: Results from a Long-Term In Situ Pilot-Scale Testing. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3883-3892. [PMID: 36809918 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c08818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are a major source of N2O, a potent greenhouse gas with 300 times higher global warming potential than CO2. Several approaches have been proposed for mitigation of N2O emissions from WWTPs and have shown promising yet only site-specific results. Here, self-sustaining biotrickling filtration, an end-of-the-pipe treatment technology, was tested in situ at a full-scale WWTP under realistic operational conditions. Temporally varying untreated wastewater was used as trickling medium, and no temperature control was applied. The off-gas from the covered WWTP aerated section was conveyed through the pilot-scale reactor, and an average removal efficiency of 57.9 ± 29.1% was achieved during 165 days of operation despite the generally low and largely fluctuating influent N2O concentrations (ranging between 4.8 and 96.4 ppmv). For the following 60-day period, the continuously operated reactor system removed 43.0 ± 21.2% of the periodically augmented N2O, exhibiting elimination capacities as high as 5.25 g N2O m-3·h-1. Additionally, the bench-scale experiments performed abreast corroborated the resilience of the system to short-term N2O starvations. Our results corroborate the feasibility of biotrickling filtration for mitigating N2O emitted from WWTPs and demonstrate its robustness toward suboptimal field operating conditions and N2O starvation, as also supported by analyses of the microbial compositions and nosZ gene profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heejoo Han
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Daehyun D Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Min Joon Song
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Taeho Yun
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Hyun Yoon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
- School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | | | - Young Mo Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, South Korea
| | - Michele Laureni
- Department of Geoscience and Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CN Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Sukhwan Yoon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
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23
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Peng L, Qiu H, Li S, Xu Y, Liang C, Wang N, Liu Y, Ni BJ. The mitigation effect of free ammonia and free nitrous acid on nitrous oxide production from the full-nitrification and partial-nitritation systems. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 372:128564. [PMID: 36592867 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128564] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The potentials of using endogenous free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) as nitrous oxide (N2O) mitigators were investigated in treatment of both mainstream and sidestream wastewater. Although the N2O emission factor of a sidestream partial-nitritation (PN) reactor (averaged 1.70 % ± 0.39 %, n = 30) was about 2.4 times higher than a mainstream full-nitrification (FN) reactor (averaged 0.72 % ± 0.24 %, n = 30) (P < 0.01), one-hour exposure of PN sludge to 1.5 mg HNO2-N/L FNA could virtually abolish N2O emission. As for FN sludge, both 45 mg NH3-N/L FA and 0.015 mg HNO2-N/L FNA successfully mitigated N2O production at varying dissolved oxygen (DO) levels (50 % vs 61 %), while 1.5 mg HNO2-N/L FNA not only reduced more N2O (92 %) but also altered the N2O dependency on DO. Both FNA and FA sludge treatment were effective N2O mitigation strategies with FNA toward the end of carbon neutrality and FA being more economically appealing (2 % cost saving).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Peng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Wuhan University of Technology, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Huiling Qiu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Wuhan University of Technology, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengjun Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, China; Shenzhen Research Institute of Wuhan University of Technology, Shenzhen 518000, Guangdong, China.
| | - Yifeng Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Chuanzhou Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- University of Technology Sydney, Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
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24
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Dong K, Qiu Y, Wang X, Yu D, Yu Z, Feng J, Wang J, Gu R, Zhao J. Towards low carbon demand and highly efficient nutrient removal: Establishing denitrifying phosphorus removal in a biofilm-based system. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2023; 372:128658. [PMID: 36690218 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.128658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The combined denitrifying phosphorus removal (DPR) and Anammox process is expected to achieve advanced nutrient removal with low carbon consumption. However, exchanging ammonia/nitrate between them is one limitation. This study investigated the feasibility of conducting DPR in a biofilm reactor to solve that problem. After 46-day anaerobic/aerobic operation, high phosphorus removal efficiency (PRE, 83.15 %) was obtained in the activated sludge (AS) and biofilm co-existed system, in which the AS performed better. Phosphate-accumulating organisms might quickly adapt to the anoxic introduced nitrate, but the following aerobic stage ensured a low effluent orthophosphate (<1.03 mg/L). Because of waste sludge discharging and AS transforming to biofilm, the suspended solids dropped below 60 mg/L on Day 100, resulting in PRE decline (17.17 %) and effluent orthophosphate rise (4.23 mg/L). Metagenomes analysis revealed that Pseudomonas and Thiothrix had genes for denitrification and encoding Pit phosphate transporter, and Candidatus_Competibacter was necessary for biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyue Dong
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yanling Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiaoxia Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Efficient Intelligent Sewage Treatment Technology Innovation Center of Shandong Province, Linyi 276000, China; Carbon Neutrality and Eco-Environmental Technology Innovation Center of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Deshuang Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Zhengda Yu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Carbon Neutrality and Eco-Environmental Technology Innovation Center of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Juan Feng
- Science and Technology Department, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jimiao Wang
- Qingdao Water Group Co. Ltd., Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ruihuan Gu
- Qingdao Water Group Co. Ltd., Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Ji Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China; Efficient Intelligent Sewage Treatment Technology Innovation Center of Shandong Province, Linyi 276000, China; Carbon Neutrality and Eco-Environmental Technology Innovation Center of Qingdao, Qingdao 266071, China.
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25
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Huang Y, Meng F, Liu S, Sun S, Smith K. China's enhanced urban wastewater treatment increases greenhouse gas emissions and regional inequality. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119536. [PMID: 36608525 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119536] [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: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable water pollution control requires understanding of historical trajectories and spatial characteristics of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which remains inadequately studied. Here, we establish plant-level monthly operational emissions inventories of China's WWTPs in 2009-2019. We show that urban wastewater treatment has been enhanced with 80% more chemical oxygen demand being removed annually. However, this progress is associated with 180% more GHG emissions at the national level, up to 58.3 Mt CO2 eq in 2019. We found significant seasonality in GHG emissions. Increasing sludge yield and electricity intensity became primary drivers after 2015 because of stricter standards, causing GHG emissions increase 12.9 and 8.3% until 2019. GHG emissions from urban wastewater treatment show high spatial difference at province, city and plant levels, with different sludge disposal and energy mix approaches combined with different influent and effluent conditions in WWTPs across China. Stricter effluent standard resulted in similar GHG emissions growth pattern in cities. We argue WWTPs focus on resource recovery in developed areas and higher operational efficiency in developing areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Huang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Fanlin Meng
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Shuming Liu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Siao Sun
- Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kate Smith
- Aurecon, Neutral Bay, New South Wales, Australia
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26
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Lu X, Wang Z, Duan H, Wu Z, Hu S, Ye L, Yuan Z, Zheng M. Significant production of nitric oxide by aerobic nitrite reduction at acidic pH. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119542. [PMID: 36603308 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The acidic (i.e., pH ∼5) activated sludge process is attracting attention because it enables stable nitrite accumulation and enhances sludge reduction and stabilization, compared to the conventional process at neutral pH. Here, this study examined the production and potential pathways of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) during acidic sludge digestion. With continuous operation of a laboratory-scale aerobic digester at high dissolved oxygen concentration (DO>4 mg O2 L-1) and low pH (4.7±0.6), a significant amount of total nitrogen (TN) loss (i.e., 18.6±1.5% of TN in feed sludge) was detected. Notably, ∼40% of the removed TN was emitted as NO, with ∼8% as N2O. A series of batch assays were then designed to explain the observed TN loss under aerobic conditions. All assays were conducted with a low concentration of volatile solids (VS), i.e., VS<4.5 g L-1. This VS concentration is commensurate with the values commonly found in the aeration tanks of full-scale wastewater treatment systems, and thus no significant nitrogen loss should be expected when DO is controlled above 4 mg O2 L-1. However, nitrite disappeared at a significant rate (with the chemical decomposition of nitrite excluded), leading to NO production in the batch assays at pH 5. The nitrite reduction could be associated with endogenous microbial activities, e.g., nitrite detoxification. The significant NO production illustrates the importance of aerobic nitrite reduction during acidic aerobic sludge digestion, suggesting this process cannot be neglected in developing acidic activated sludge technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Lu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiyao Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ziping Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shihu Hu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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27
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Lu H, Wang H, Wu Q, Luo H, Zhao Q, Liu B, Si Q, Zheng S, Guo W, Ren N. Automatic control and optimal operation for greenhouse gas mitigation in sustainable wastewater treatment plants: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158849. [PMID: 36122730 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158849] [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: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In order to promote low-carbon sustainable operational management of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), automatic control and optimal operation technologies, which devote to improving effluent quality, operational costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have flourished in recent years. There is no consensus on the design procedure for optimal control/operation of sustainable WWTPs. In this review, we summarize recent researches on developing control and optimization strategies for GHG mitigation in WWTPs. Faced with the fact that direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (considered biological origin) are generally not included in the carbon footprint of WWTPs, direct emissions (nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4)) and indirect emissions are paid much attention. Firstly, the plant-wide models with GHG dynamic simulation, which are employed to design and evaluate the automatic control schemes as well as representative studies on identifying key factors affecting GHG emissions or comprehensive performance are outlined. Then, both traditional and advanced control methods commonly used in GHG mitigation are reviewed in detail, followed by the multi-objective optimization practices of control/operational parameters. Based on the mentioned control and (or) optimization strategies, a novel design framework for the optimal control/operation of sustainable WWTPs is proposed. The findings and design framework proposed in the paper will provide guidance for GHG mitigation and sustainable operation in WWTPs. It is foreseeable that more accurate and appropriate plant-wide models together with flexible control methods and intelligent optimization strategies will be developed to satisfy the upgrading requirements of WWTPs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Huazhe Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qinglian Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Haichao Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Banghai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Qishi Si
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Shanshan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Wanqian Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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28
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Jiang H, Du Y, Han W, Wang L, Xiang C, Ge Y, Chang J. Assembling plant diversity mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and achieves high nitrogen removal when treating the low-C/N wastewater by constructed wetlands. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:228-241. [PMID: 35900626 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22088-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The low carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio in wastewater will inhibit pollutant removal, and more seriously, it will cause an increment of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions of constructed wetlands (CWs). Raising the C/N ratio of wastewater is an effective way to solve this problem, while it may cause secondary pollution and is costly. Assembling plant diversity promotes N removal, while the effects of plant diversity and increasing C/N ratio on global warming potential (GWP) combined by N2O and methane (CH4) are lack of comparison. In this study, 108 CW microcosms were established to explore the effects of increasing the C/N ratio from 1 to 5 and assembling plant diversity on N removal and GHG emissions. Results showed that when the C/N ratio was 1, (1) increasing species richness reduced N2O and CH4 emissions then reduced the GWP by 70%; (2) the presence of Arundo donax in microcosms reduced GWP by 72%; (3) an A. donax × Tradescantia fluminensis × Reineckia carnea mixture resulted in a high N removal and decreased the GWP per g N removal by 92% with a cost increment of 0.05 USD per m3 wastewater treated; and (4) as the C/N ratio increasing to 5, the GWP per g N removal of monocultures was reduced by 96%, but the cost increased by at least 0.29 USD per m3 wastewater treated. In summary, configuring plant diversity in CWs is an efficient, clean, and cost-effective measure to treat wastewater with a low C/N ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuanyuan Du
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenjuan Han
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, People's Republic of China
| | - Lichunxiao Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenxu Xiang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Chang
- College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058, People's Republic of China.
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29
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Yao H, Gao X, Guo J, Wang H, Zhang L, Fan L, Jia F, Guo J, Peng Y. Contribution of nitrous oxide to the carbon footprint of full-scale wastewater treatment plants and mitigation strategies- a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120295. [PMID: 36181929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120295] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, significantly contributes to the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and contributes significantly to global climate change and to the deterioration of the natural environment. Our understanding of N2O generation mechanisms has significantly improved in the last decade, but the development of effective N2O emission mitigation strategies has lagged owing to the complexity of parameter regulation, substandard monitoring activities, and inadequate policy criteria. Based on critically screened published studies on N2O control in full-scale WWTPs, this review elucidates N2O generation pathway identifications and emission mechanisms and summarizes the impact of N2O on the total carbon footprint of WWTPs. In particular, a linear relationship was established between N2O emission factors and total nitrogen removal efficiencies in WWTPs located in China. Promising N2O mitigation options were proposed, which focus on optimizing operating conditions and implementation of innovative treatment processes. Furthermore, the sustainable operation of WWTPs has been anticipated to convert WWTPs into absolute greenhouse gas reducers as a result of the refinement and improvement of on-site monitoring activities, mitigation mechanisms, regulation of operational parameters, modeling, and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Xinyu Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Jingbo Guo
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin, 132012, China
| | - Hui Wang
- SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Liru Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Fangxu Jia
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
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30
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Zhang Q, Xu X, Zhang R, Shao B, Fan K, Zhao L, Ji X, Ren N, Lee DJ, Chen C. The mixed/mixotrophic nitrogen removal for the effective and sustainable treatment of wastewater: From treatment process to microbial mechanism. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119269. [PMID: 36279615 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Biological nitrogen removal (BNR) is one of the most important environmental concerns in the field of wastewater treatment. The conventional BNR process based on heterotrophic nitrogen removal (HeNR) is suffering from several limitations, including external carbon source dependence, excessive sludge production, and greenhouse gas emissions. Through the mediation of autotrophic nitrogen removal (AuNR), mixed/mixotrophic nitrogen removal (MixNR) offers a viable solution to the optimization of the BNR process. Here, the recent advance and characteristics of MixNR process guided by sulfur-driven autotrophic denitrification (SDAD) and anammox are summarized in this review. Additionally, we discuss the functional microorganisms in different MixNR systems, shedding light on metabolic mechanisms and microbial interactions. The significance of MixNR for carbon reduction in the BNR process has also been noted. The knowledge gaps and the future research directions that may facilitate the practical application of the MixNR process are highlighted. Overall, the prospect of the MixNR process is attractive, and this review will provide guidance for the future implementation of MixNR process as well as deciphering the microbially metabolic mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| | - Xijun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| | - Ruochen Zhang
- School of Civil and Transportation Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Bo Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| | - Kaili Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| | - Xiaoming Ji
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China; Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Chung-li, 32003, Taiwan
| | - Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Room 1433, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150090, China.
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31
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Wu Z, Duan H, Li K, Ye L. A comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of different wastewater treatment plant configurations. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113818. [PMID: 35843274 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
With the growing concern of global warming, many water utilities are pioneering in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with some water utilities aiming to achieve net-zero emissions operation in the next decade. However, for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), the carbon footprint of different treatment technologies and its contribution among various units within each treatment configuration is still unclear. This study evaluates the impacts of process design on the carbon footprint of WWTPs through the analysis of scope 1 (direct emission), scope 2 (indirect emission), and scope 3 (value chain emission) emissions. The comprehensive configuration design in this work considered three nutrient removal processes including typical aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment technologies. Emissions from the sludge management processes are also calculated, including aerobic and anaerobic sludge stabilization processes, short-term and long-term sludge storage, and three sludge disposal options. In total, 45 processes were analysed and the results were compared. The results showed the carbon footprints are highly dependent on the treatment configurations of WWTPs. Analysis suggested scope 2 & 3 emissions can be reduced by selecting suitable processes. In general, anaerobic wastewater and sludge stabilization technologies are more suitable than aerobic technologies to reduce scope 2 & 3 emissions, leading to a lower overall carbon footprint. In comparison, configuration design offers limited opportunities to reduce scope 1 emissions, which may be the future challenge for WWTP to achieve carbon neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziping Wu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, Formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Kaili Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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32
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He Y, Liu Y, Yan M, Zhao T, Liu Y, Zhu T, Ni BJ. Insights into N 2O turnovers under polyethylene terephthalate microplastics stress in mainstream biological nitrogen removal process. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 224:119037. [PMID: 36088769 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous microplastics in wastewater have raised growing concerns due to their unintended effects on microbial activities. However, whether and how microplastics affect nitrous oxide (N2O) (a potent greenhouse gas) turnovers in mainstream biological nitrogen removal (BNR) process remain unclear. This work therefore aimed to fill such knowledge gap by conducting both long-term and batch tests. After over 100 days of feeding with wastewater containing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics (0-500 μg/L), the long-term results showed that both production and reduction of N2O during denitrification were reduced, as well as the N2O production during nitrification. Accordingly, 60% reduction in N2O accumulation and 70% reduction in N2O production were observed in the denitrification and nitrification batch tests, respectively. Nevertheless, the long-term N2O emission factors under PET microplastics stress were comparable to that in the control reactor, mainly because PET microplastics led to more nitrite accumulation in anoxic period. With the aid of online N2O sensors and site-preference analysis, it was demonstrated that the heterotrophic bacteria pathway and ammonia oxidizing bacteria denitrification pathway for N2O production were negatively affected by PET microplastics, whereas a clear increase in the contribution of hydroxylamine pathway (+ 22.9%) was observed. Further investigation revealed that PET microplastics even at environmental level (i.e. 10 μg/L) significantly reshaped the BNR sludge characteristics (e.g. much larger particle size) and microbial communities (e.g. Thauera, Rhodobacte and Nitrospira) as well as the nitrogen metabolism pathways, which were chiefly responsible for the changes of N2O turnovers and N2O production pathways under the PET microplastics stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanying He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Yingrui Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Min Yan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Tianhang Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Yiwen Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China.
| | - Tingting Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, PR China
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia.
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Lee YJ, Lin BL, Lei Z. Nitrous oxide emission mitigation from biological wastewater treatment - A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 362:127747. [PMID: 35964917 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted from wastewater treatment processes has emerged as a focal point for academic and practical research amidst pressing environmental issues. This review presents an updated view on the biological pathways for N2O production and consumption in addition to the critical process factors affecting N2O emission. The current research trends including the strain and reactor aspects were then outlined with discussions. Last but not least, the research needs were proposed. The holistic life cycle assessment needs to be performed to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of the proposed mitigation strategies or recovery options. This review also provides the background information for the proposed future research prospects on N2O mitigation and recovery technologies. As pointed out, dilution effects of the produced N2O gas product would hinder its use as renewable energy; instead, its use as an effective oxidizing agent is proposed as a promising recovery option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jen Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 10649, Taiwan
| | - Bin-le Lin
- Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8569, Japan
| | - Zhongfang Lei
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8572, Japan.
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34
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Parravicini V, Nielsen PH, Thornberg D, Pistocchi A. Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from the European urban wastewater sector, and options for their reduction. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156322. [PMID: 35662596 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We present an assessment of greenhouse gas emissions from urban wastewater treatment plants in Europe. We propose a quantification in terms of emission factors (kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) per population equivalent (PE) and year) taking into account all phases of wastewater treatment, from the construction of the infrastructure to the discharge of treated effluents. The assessment includes (1) life-cycle emissions of infrastructure; (2) emissions of dissolved methane in the sewer networks; (3) direct emissions of nitrous oxide and methane from the treatment processes; (4) emissions due to COD and nitrogen in the effluents; (5) indirect emissions due to the generation of electricity and the production of reagents; and (6) emission credits due to energy recovery or biomethane export associated with the anaerobic digestion of sludge. Our estimated emissions range between approximately 50 and 125 kg CO2e/PE/y depending on the type of treatment plant, of which about 20 to 40 are embedded in the infrastructure. We estimate that direct nitrous oxide emissions and indirect electricity emissions are the main contributors in the operation phase, followed by direct methane emissions. By extrapolating these emissions to the ensemble of the European Union's wastewater treatment plants, we estimate a cumulative emission of about 35 million tonnes CO2e/year, of which ca. 14 are due to the infrastructure. We analyse various scenarios to reduce emissions, showing that the efficient use of electricity at the plant and the decarbonisation of electricity would significantly help to improve the CO2e footprint of the WWTPs. In particular, the recovery of methane from biogas and the decarbonisation of electricity may reduce emissions below 27 million tonnes CO2e/year. Extending N removal to the whole territory for all plants above 10,000 PE may contribute to decrease direct nitrous oxide emissions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Parravicini
- Institute for Water Quality and Resource Management, TU Wien, Karlsplatz 13/226-1, 1040 Vienna, Austria
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35
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Zhou Y, Toyoda R, Suenaga T, Aoyagi T, Hori T, Terada A. Low nitrous oxide concentration and spatial microbial community transition across an urban river affected by treated sewage. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 216:118276. [PMID: 35339050 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118276] [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: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Urban rivers receive used water derived from anthropogenic activities and are a crucial source of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O). However, considerable uncertainties still exist regarding the variation and mechanisms of N2O production in response to the discharge of treated sewage from municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated N2O concentrations and microbial processes responsible for nitrogen conversion upstream and downstream of WWTPs along the Tama River flowing through Tokyo, Japan. We evaluated the effect of treated sewage on dissolved N2O concentrations and inherent N2O consumption activities in the river sediments. In summer and winter, the mean dissolved N2O concentrations were 0.67 µg-N L-1 and 0.82 µg-N L-1, respectively. Although the dissolved N2O was supersaturated (mean 288.7% in summer, mean 240.7% in winter) in the river, the N2O emission factors (EF5r, 0.013%-0.025%) were significantly lower than those in other urban rivers and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change default value (0.25%). The nitrate (NO3-) concentration in the Tama River increased downstream of the WWTPs discharge sites, and it was the main nitrogen constituent. An increasing trend of NO3- concentration was observed from upstream to downstream, along with an increase in the N2O consumption potential of the river sediment. A multiple regression model showed that NO3- is the crucial factor influencing N2O saturation. The diversity in the upstream microbial communities was greater than that in the downstream ones, indicating the involvement of treated sewage discharge in shaping the microbial communities. Functional gene quantification for N2O production and consumption suggested that nirK-type denitrifiers likely contributed to N2O production. Structural equation models (SEMs) revealed that treated sewage discharged from WWTPs increased the NO3- loading from upstream to downstream in the river, inducing changes in the microbial communities and enhancing the N2O consumption activities. Collectively, aerobic conditions limited denitrification and in turn facilitated nitrification, leading to low N2O emissions even despite high NO3- loadings in the Tama River. Our findings unravel an overestimation of the N2O emission potential in an urban oxygen-rich river affected by treated sewage discharge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zhou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
| | - Risako Toyoda
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Suenaga
- Global Innovation Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; Department of Chemical Engineering, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan
| | - Tomo Aoyagi
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Hori
- Environmental Management Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, 16-1 Onogawa, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Akihiko Terada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; Global Innovation Research Institute, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan.
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36
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Shao B, Zhang R, Xu X, Niu L, Fan K, Lin Z, Zhao L, Zhou X, Ren N, Lee DJ, Chen C. Cryptic Sulfur and Oxygen Cycling Potentially Reduces N 2O-Driven Greenhouse Warming: Underlying Revision Need of the Nitrogen Cycle. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:5960-5972. [PMID: 35416037 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c08113] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Increasing global deoxygenation has widely formed oxygen-limited biotopes, altering the metabolic pathways of numerous microbes and causing a large greenhouse effect of nitrous oxide (N2O). Although there are many sources of N2O, denitrification is the sole sink that removes N2O from the biosphere, and the low-level oxygen in waters has been classically thought to be the key factor regulating N2O emissions from incomplete denitrification. However, through microcosm incubations with sandy sediment, we demonstrate here for the first time that the stress from oxygenated environments does not suppress, but rather boosts the complete denitrification process when the sulfur cycle is actively ongoing. This study highlights the potential of reducing N2O-driven greenhouse warming and fills a gap in pre-cognitions on the nitrogen cycle, which may impact our current understanding of greenhouse gas sinks. Combining molecular techniques and kinetic verification, we reveal that dominant inhibitions in oxygen-limited environments can interestingly undergo triple detoxification by cryptic sulfur and oxygen cycling, which may extensively occur in nature but have been long neglected by researchers. Furthermore, reviewing the present data and observations from natural and artificial ecosystems leads to the necessary revision needs of the global nitrogen cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Ruochen Zhang
- School of Civil and Transportation, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin 300401, China
| | - Xijun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Li Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Kaili Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Zhengda Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Xu Zhou
- Engineering Laboratory of Microalgal Bioenergy, Shenzhen Graduate School, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Nanqi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
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37
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Kirim G, McCullough K, Bressani-Ribeiro T, Domingo-Félez C, Duan H, Al-Omari A, De Clippeleir H, Jimenez J, Klaus S, Ladipo-Obasa M, Mehrani MJ, Regmi P, Torfs E, Volcke EIP, Vanrolleghem PA. Mainstream short-cut N removal modelling: current status and perspectives. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 85:2539-2564. [PMID: 35576252 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This work gives an overview of the state-of-the-art in modelling of short-cut processes for nitrogen removal in mainstream wastewater treatment and presents future perspectives for directing research efforts in line with the needs of practice. The modelling status for deammonification (i.e., anammox-based) and nitrite-shunt processes is presented with its challenges and limitations. The importance of mathematical models for considering N2O emissions in the design and operation of short-cut nitrogen removal processes is considered as well. Modelling goals and potential benefits are presented and the needs for new and more advanced approaches are identified. Overall, this contribution presents how existing and future mathematical models can accelerate successful full-scale mainstream short-cut nitrogen removal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Kirim
- modelEAU, Université Laval, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1 V 0A6, Canada E-mail: ; CentrEau, Quebec Water Research Centre, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1 V 0A6, Canada
| | - Kester McCullough
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Hampton Roads Sanitation District, 1434 Air Rail Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23455, USA
| | - Thiago Bressani-Ribeiro
- BioCo Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Gent 9000, Belgium
| | - Carlos Domingo-Félez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby 2800, Denmark
| | - Haoran Duan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ahmed Al-Omari
- Brown and Caldwell, 1725 Duke St. Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Haydee De Clippeleir
- DC Water and Sewer Authority, 5000 Overlook Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20032, USA
| | - Jose Jimenez
- Brown and Caldwell, 1725 Duke St. Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Stephanie Klaus
- Hampton Roads Sanitation District, 1434 Air Rail Ave., Virginia Beach, VA 23455, USA
| | - Mojolaoluwa Ladipo-Obasa
- DC Water and Sewer Authority, 5000 Overlook Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20032, USA; Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Mohamad-Javad Mehrani
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Ul. Narutowicza 11/12, Gdansk 80-233, Poland; Department of Urban Water and Waste Management, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universit¨atsstraße 15, 45141, Essen, Germany
| | - Pusker Regmi
- Brown and Caldwell, 1725 Duke St. Suite 250, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Elena Torfs
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, Gent 9000, Belgium; BIOMATH, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Gent 9000, Belgium
| | - Eveline I P Volcke
- BioCo Research Group, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, Gent 9000, Belgium; Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, Gent 9000, Belgium
| | - Peter A Vanrolleghem
- modelEAU, Université Laval, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1 V 0A6, Canada E-mail: ; CentrEau, Quebec Water Research Centre, 1065 avenue de la Médecine, Québec, QC G1 V 0A6, Canada
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38
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Gruber W, Magyar PM, Mitrovic I, Zeyer K, Vogel M, von Känel L, Biolley L, Werner RA, Morgenroth E, Lehmann MF, Braun D, Joss A, Mohn J. Tracing N 2O formation in full-scale wastewater treatment with natural abundance isotopes indicates control by organic substrate and process settings. WATER RESEARCH X 2022; 15:100130. [PMID: 35287381 PMCID: PMC8917317 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2022.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) dominates greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Formation of N2O occurs during biological nitrogen removal, involves multiple microbial pathways, and is typically very dynamic. Consequently, N2O mitigation strategies require an improved understanding of nitrogen transformation pathways and their modulating controls. Analyses of the nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) isotopic composition of N2O and its substrates at natural abundance have been shown to provide valuable information on formation and reduction pathways in laboratory settings, but have rarely been applied to full-scale WWTPs. Here we show that N-species isotope ratio measurements at natural abundance level, combined with long-term N2O monitoring, allow identification of the N2O production pathways in a full-scale plug-flow WWTP (Hofen, Switzerland). Heterotrophic denitrification appears as the main N2O production pathway under all tested process conditions (0-2 mgO2/l, high and low loading conditions), while nitrifier denitrification was less important, and more variable. N2O production by hydroxylamine oxidation was not observed. Fractional N2O elimination by reduction to dinitrogen (N2) during anoxic conditions was clearly indicated by a concomitant increase in site preference, δ18O(N2O) and δ15N(N2O). N2O reduction increased with decreasing availability of dissolved inorganic N and organic substrates, which represents the link between diurnal N2O emission dynamics and organic substrate fluctuations. Consequently, dosing ammonium-rich reject water under low-organic-substrate conditions is unfavorable, as it is very likely to cause high net N2O emissions. Our results demonstrate that monitoring of the N2O isotopic composition holds a high potential to disentangle N2O formation mechanisms in engineered systems, such as full-scale WWTP. Our study serves as a starting point for advanced campaigns in the future combining isotopic technologies in WWTP with complementary approaches, such as mathematical modeling of N2O formation or microbial assays to develop efficient N2O mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzel Gruber
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Paul M Magyar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Mitrovic
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kerstin Zeyer
- Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology, Empa, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Michael Vogel
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Luzia von Känel
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Lucien Biolley
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Roland A Werner
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Eberhard Morgenroth
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Moritz F Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Aquatic and Isotope Biogeochemistry, University of Basel, Basel 4056, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Braun
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, ETH, Zürich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Joss
- Eawag, Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Joachim Mohn
- Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology, Empa, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
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39
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Xu XJ, Wu YN, Xiao QY, Xie P, Ren NQ, Yuan YX, Lee DJ, Chen C. Simultaneous removal of NO X and SO 2 from flue gas in an integrated FGD-CABR system by sulfur cycling-mediated Fe(II)EDTA regeneration. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 205:112541. [PMID: 34915032 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112541] [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: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Chemical absorption-biological reduction (CABR) process is an attractive method for NOX removal and Fe(II)EDTA regeneration is important to sustain high NOX removal. In this study a sustainable and eco-friendly sulfur cycling-mediated Fe(II)EDTA regeneration method was incorporated in the integrated biological flue gas desulfurization (FGD)-CABR system. Here, we investigated the NOX and SO2 removal efficiency of the system under three different flue gas flows (100 mL/min, 500 mL/min, and 1000 mL/min) and evaluated the feasibility of chemical Fe(III)EDTA reduction by sulfide in series of batch tests. Our results showed that complete SO2 removal was achieved at all the tested scenarios with sulfide, thiosulfate and S0 accumulation in the solution. Meanwhile, the total removal efficiency of NOX achieved ∼100% in the system, of which 3.2%-23.3% was removed in spray scrubber and 76.7%-96.5% in EGSB reactor along with no N2O emission. The optimal pH and S2-/Fe(III)EDTA for Fe(II)EDTA regeneration and S0 recovery was 8.0 and 1:2. The microbial community analysis results showed that the cooperation of heterotrophic denitrifier (Saprospiraceae_uncultured and Dechloromonas) and iron-reducing bacteria (Klebsiella and Petrimonas) in EGSB reactor and sulfide-oxidizing, nitrate-reducing bacteria (Azoarcus and Pseudarcobacter) in spray scrubber contributed to the efficient removal of NOX in flue gas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Jun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China
| | - Yi-Ning Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China.
| | - Qing-Yang Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China
| | - Peng Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China
| | - Nan-Qi Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China
| | - Yi-Xing Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China
| | - Duu-Jong Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 106, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Taipei, 106, Taiwan
| | - Chuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, 150090, China.
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40
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Li K, Duan H, Liu L, Qiu R, van den Akker B, Ni BJ, Chen T, Yin H, Yuan Z, Ye L. An Integrated First Principal and Deep Learning Approach for Modeling Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:2816-2826. [PMID: 35107268 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c05020] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Mathematical modeling plays a critical role toward the mitigation of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). In this work, we proposed a novel hybrid modeling approach by integrating the first principal model with deep learning techniques to predict N2O emissions. The hybrid model was successfully implemented and validated with the N2O emission data from a full-scale WWTP. This hybrid model is demonstrated to have higher accuracy for N2O emission modeling in the WWTP than the mechanistic model or pure deep learning model. Equally important, the hybrid model is more applicable than the pure deep learning model due to the lower requirement of data and the pure mechanistic model due to the less calibration requirement. This superior performance was due to the hybrid nature of the proposed model. It integrated the essential wastewater treatment knowledge as the first principal component and the less understood N2O production processes by the data-driven deep learning approach. The developed hybrid model was also successfully implemented under different circumstances for the prediction of N2O flux, which showed the generalizability of the model. The hybrid model also showed great potential to be applied for the N2O mitigation work. Nevertheless, the capability of the hybrid model in evaluating N2O mitigation strategies still requires validation with experiments. Going beyond N2O modeling in WWTP, the novel hybridization modeling concept can potentially be applied to other environmental systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaili Li
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Linfeng Liu
- Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ruihong Qiu
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Ben van den Akker
- South Australian Water Corporation, Adelaide, South Australia 5000, Australia
- School of Natural and Built Environments, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Bing-Jie Ni
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2007, Australia
| | - Tong Chen
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Hongzhi Yin
- School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Qi C, Zhou Y, Suenaga T, Oba K, Lu J, Wang G, Zhang L, Yoon S, Terada A. Organic carbon determines nitrous oxide consumption activity of clade I and II nosZ bacteria: Genomic and biokinetic insights. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 209:117910. [PMID: 34920314 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Harnessing nitrous oxide (N2O)-reducing bacteria is a promising strategy to reduce the N2O footprint of engineered systems. Applying a preferred organic carbon source as an electron donor accelerates N2O consumption by these bacteria. However, their N2O consumption potential and activity when fed different organic carbon species remain unclear. Here, we systematically compared the effects of various organic carbon sources on the activity of N2O-reducing bacteria via investigation of their biokinetic properties and genomic potentials. Five organic carbon sources-acetate, succinate, glycerol, ethanol, and methanol-were fed to four N2O-reducing bacteria harboring either clade I or clade II nosZ gene. Respirometric analyses were performed with four N2O-reducing bacterial strains, identifying distinct shifts in DO- and N2O-consumption biokinetics in response to the different feeding schemes. Regardless of the N2O-reducing bacteria, higher N2O consumption rates, accompanied by higher biomass yields, were obtained with acetate and succinate. The biomass yield (15.45 ± 1.07 mg-biomass mmol-N2O-1) of Azospira sp. strain I13 (clade II nosZ) observed under acetate-fed condition was significantly higher than those of Paracoccus denitrificans and Pseudomonas stutzeri, exhibiting greater metabolic efficiency. However, the spectrum of the organic carbon species utilizable to Azospira sp. strain I13 was limited, as demonstrated by the highly variable N2O consumption rates observed with different substrates. The potential to metabolize the supplemented carbon sources was investigated by genomic analysis, the results of which corroborated the N2O consumption biokinetics results. Moreover, electron donor selection had a substantial impact on how N2O consumption activities were recovered after oxygen exposure. Collectively, our findings highlight the importance of choosing appropriate electron donor additives for increasing the N2O sink capability of biological nitrogen removal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Qi
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210023, China; Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Yiwen Zhou
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Toshikazu Suenaga
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; Department of Chemical Engineering, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima 739-8527, Japan; Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 185-8538, Japan
| | - Kohei Oba
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan
| | - Jilai Lu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Guoxiang Wang
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Engineering Lab of Water and Soil Eco-remediation, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Limin Zhang
- Jiangsu Engineering Lab of Water and Soil Eco-remediation, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China; Green Economy Development Institute, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Sukhwan Yoon
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Akihiko Terada
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 3-8-1 Harumi-cho, Fuchu, Tokyo, 185-8538, Japan.
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42
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He H, Wagner BM, Carlson AL, Yang C, Daigger GT. Recent progress using membrane aerated biofilm reactors for wastewater treatment. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2021; 84:2131-2157. [PMID: 34810302 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2021.443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), which is based on the counter diffusion of the electron donors and acceptors into the biofilm, represents a novel technology for wastewater treatment. When process air or oxygen is supplied, the MBfR is known as the membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR), which has high oxygen transfer rate and efficiency, promoting microbial growth and activity within the biofilm. Over the past few decades, laboratory-scale studies have helped researchers and practitioners understand the relevance of influencing factors and biological transformations in MABRs. In recent years, pilot- to full-scale installations are increasing along with process modeling. The resulting accumulated knowledge has greatly improved understanding of the counter-diffusional biological process, with new challenges and opportunities arising. Therefore, it is crucial to provide new insights by conducting this review. This paper reviews wastewater treatment advancements using MABR technology, including design and operational considerations, microbial community ecology, and process modeling. Treatment performance of pilot- to full-scale MABRs for process intensification in existing facilities is assessed. This paper also reviews other emerging applications of MABRs, including sulfur recovery, industrial wastewater, and xenobiotics bioremediation, space-based wastewater treatment, and autotrophic nitrogen removal. In conclusion, commercial applications demonstrate that MABR technology is beneficial for pollutants (COD, N, P, xenobiotics) removal, resource recovery (e.g., sulfur), and N2O mitigation. Further research is needed to increase packing density while retaining efficient external mass transfer, understand the microbial interactions occurring, address existing assumptions to improve process modeling and control, and optimize the operational conditions with site-specific considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanqi He
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 177 EWRE Building, 1351 Beal Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA E-mail:
| | - Brett M Wagner
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 177 EWRE Building, 1351 Beal Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA E-mail:
| | - Avery L Carlson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 177 EWRE Building, 1351 Beal Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA E-mail:
| | - Cheng Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 177 EWRE Building, 1351 Beal Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA E-mail:
| | - Glen T Daigger
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, 177 EWRE Building, 1351 Beal Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA E-mail:
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