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Yan X, Liu D, de Smit SM, Komin V, Buisman CJN, Ter Heijne A. Oxygen-to-ammonium-nitrogen ratio as an indicator for oxygen supply management in microoxic bioanodic ammonium oxidation. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 261:121993. [PMID: 38968732 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121993] [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: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) have been proven effective for oxidizing ammonium (NH4+), where the anode acts as an electron acceptor, reducing the energy input by substituting oxygen (O2). However, O2 has been proved to be essential for achieving high removal rates MECs. Thus, precise control of oxygen supply is crucial for optimizing treatment performance and minimizing energy consumption. Unlike previous studies focusing on dissolved oxygen (DO) levels, this study introduces the O2/NH4+-N ratio as a novel control parameter for balancing oxidation rates and the selectivity of NH4+ oxidation towards dinitrogen gas (N2) under limited oxygen condition. Our results demonstrated that the O2/NH4+-N ratio is a more relevant oxygen supply indicator compared to DO level. Oxygen served as a more favorable electron acceptor than the electrode, increasing NH4+ oxidation rates but also resulting in more oxidized products such as nitrate (NO3-). Additionally, nitrous oxide (N2O) and N2 production were higher with the electrode as the electron acceptor compared to oxygen alone. An O2/NH4+-N ratio of 0.5 was found to be optimal, achieving a balance between product selectivity for N2 (51.4 % ± 4.5 %) and oxidation rates (344.6 ± 14.7 mg-N/L*d), with the columbic efficiency of 30.7 % ± 2.0 %. Microbial community analysis revealed that nitrifiers and denitrifiers were the primary bacteria involved, with oxygen promoting the growth of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, thus facilitating complete NH4+ oxidation to NO3-. Our study provides new insights and guidelines on the appropriate oxygen dosage, offering strategies into optimizing operational conditions for NH4+ removal using MECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Yan
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dandan Liu
- Paqell B.V., Reactorweg 301, 3542 CE Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sanne M de Smit
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Vera Komin
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Cees J N Buisman
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
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2
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Jo Y, Hoyos EG, Blanco S, Kim SH, Muñoz R. Assessing nitrous oxide emissions from algal-bacterial photobioreactors devoted to biogas upgrading and digestate treatment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142528. [PMID: 38838868 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in High Rate Algal Ponds (HRAP) can negatively affect the sustainability of algal-bacterial processes. N2O emissions from a pilot HRAP devoted to biogas upgrading and digestate treatment were herein monitored for 73 days. The influence of the pH (7.5, 8.5, and 9.5), nitrogen sources (100 mg L-1 of N-NO2-, N-NO3-, and N-NH4+) and illumination on N2O emissions from the algal-bacterial biomass of the HRAP was also assessed in batch tests. Significantly higher N2O gas concentrations of 311.8 ± 101.1 ppmv were recorded in the dark compared to the illuminated period (236.9 ± 82.6 ppmv) in the HRAP. The batch tests revealed that the highest N2O emission rates (49.4 mmol g-1 TSS·h-1) occurred at pH 8.5 in the presence of 100 mg N-NO2-/L under dark conditions. This study revealed significant N2O emissions in HRAPs during darkness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yura Jo
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Edwin G Hoyos
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain
| | - Saúl Blanco
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana s/n, 24071, León, Spain; Laboratorio de Diatomología y Calidad de Aguas, Instituto de Investigación de Medio Ambiente, Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad, La Serna 58, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Sang-Hyoun Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Raúl Muñoz
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, C/Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid, CP. 47011, Spain.
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3
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Jin D, Zhang X, Zhang X, Zhou L, Zhu Z, Deogratias UK, Wu Z, Zhang K, Ji X, Ju T, Zhu X, Gao B, Ji L, Zhao R, Ruth G, Wu P. A critical review of comammox and synergistic nitrogen removal coupling anammox: Mechanisms and regulatory strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 948:174855. [PMID: 39034010 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Nitrification is highly crucial for both anammox systems and the global nitrogen cycle. The discovery of complete ammonia oxidation (comammox) challenges the inherent concept of nitrification as a two-step process. Its wide distribution, adaptability to low substrate environments, low sludge production, and low greenhouse gas emissions may make it a promising new nitrogen removal treatment process. Meanwhile, anammox technology is considered the most suitable process for future wastewater treatment. The diverse metabolic capabilities and similar ecological niches of comammox bacteria and anammox bacteria are expected to achieve synergistic nitrogen removal within a single system. However, previous studies have overlooked the existence of comammox, and it is necessary to re-evaluate the conclusions drawn. This paper outlined the ecophysiological characteristics of comammox bacteria and summarized the environmental factors affecting their growth. Furthermore, it focused on the enrichment, regulatory strategies, and nitrogen removal mechanisms of comammox and anammox, with a comparative analysis of hydroxylamine, a particular intermediate product. Overall, this is the first critical overview of the conclusions drawn from the last few years of research on comammox-anammox, highlighting possible next steps for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Jin
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Xiaonong Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Xingxing Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, PR China
| | - Li Zhou
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Zixuan Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Ufoymungu Kisa Deogratias
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Zhiqiang Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Kangyu Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Xu Ji
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Ting Ju
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Xurui Zhu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Bo Gao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Luomiao Ji
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Rui Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Guerra Ruth
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China
| | - Peng Wu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China; National and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, No. 1 Kerui Road, Suzhou 215009, PR China.
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4
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Gutiérrez MC, Cáceres A, Herruzo-Ruiz AM, Siles JA, Vázquez F, Alhama J, Michán C, Martín MA. Assessment of nitrification process in a sequencing batch reactor: Modelling and genomic approach. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 246:118035. [PMID: 38199477 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Nitrification of ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH4+) to nitrate (N-NO3-) was investigated in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to evaluate its efficiency. During the nitrification process the removal of N-NH4+ reached 96%, resulting in 73% formation of N-NO3-. A lineal correlation (r2 = 0.9978) was obtained between the concentration of volatile suspended solids (VSS) and the maximal N-NO3- concentration at the end of each batch cycle under stationary state. The bacterial taxons in the initial inoculum were identified, revealing a complex diverse community mainly in the two major bacterial phyla Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. The FAPROTAX algorithm predicted the presence in the inoculum of taxa involved in relevant processes of the nitrogen metabolism, highlighting the bacterial genera Nitrospira and Nitrosomonas that are both involved in the nitrification process. A kinetic model was formulated for predicting and validating the transformation of N-NH4+, N-NO2- and N-NO3- and the removal of organic and inorganic carbon (TOC and IC, respectively). The results showed how the increase in biomass concentration slowed down the transformation to oxidised forms of nitrogen and increased denitrification in the settling and filling stages under free aeration conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C Gutiérrez
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Area of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Carretera N-IV, km 396, edificio Marie Curie, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - A Cáceres
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Area of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Carretera N-IV, km 396, edificio Marie Curie, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - A M Herruzo-Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Cordoba, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, edificio Severo Ochoa, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - J A Siles
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Area of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Carretera N-IV, km 396, edificio Marie Curie, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - F Vázquez
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Automation, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, 14071, Spain
| | - J Alhama
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Cordoba, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, edificio Severo Ochoa, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - C Michán
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Cordoba, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, edificio Severo Ochoa, 14071, Córdoba, Spain
| | - M A Martín
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Area of Chemical Engineering, Instituto Químico para la Energía y el Medioambiente (IQUEMA), Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario ceiA3, University of Cordoba, Campus Universitario de Rabanales, Carretera N-IV, km 396, edificio Marie Curie, 14071, Córdoba, Spain.
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5
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Jiang C, Zhang L, Chi Y, Xu S, Xie Y, Yang D, Qian Y, Chen F, Zhang W, Wang D, Tian Z, Zhang S, Li YY, Zhuang X. Rapid start-up of an innovative pilot-scale staged PN/A continuous process for enhanced nitrogen removal from mature landfill leachate via robust NOB elimination and efficient biomass retention. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120949. [PMID: 38070348 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The start-up and stable operation of partial nitritation-anammox (PN/A) treatment of mature landfill leachate (MLL) still face challenges. This study developed an innovative staged pilot-scale PN/A system to enhance nitrogen removal from MLL. The staged process included a PN unit, an anammox upflow enhanced internal circulation biofilm (UEICB) reactor, and a post-biofilm unit. Rapid start-up of the continuous flow PN process (full-concentration MLL) was achieved within 35 days by controlling dissolved oxygen and leveraging free ammonia and free nitrous acid to selectively suppress nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The UEICB was equipped with an annular flow agitator combined with the enhanced internal circulation device of the guide tube, which achieved an efficient enrichment of Candidatus Kuenenia in the biofilm (relative abundance of 33.4 %). The nitrogen removal alliance formed by the salt-tolerant anammox bacterium (Candidatus Kuenenia) and denitrifying bacteria (unclassified SBR1031 and Denitratisoma) achieved efficient nitrogen removal of UEICB (total nitrogen removal percentage: 90.8 %) and at the same time effective treatment of the refractory organic matter (ROM). The dual membrane process of UEICB fixed biofilm combined with post-biofilm is effective in sludge retention, and can stably control the effluent suspended solids (SS) at a level of less than 5 mg/L. The post-biofilm unit ensured that effluent total nitrogen (TN) remained below the 40 mg/L discharge standard (98.5 % removal efficiency). Compared with conventional nitrification-denitrification systems, the staged PN/A process substantially reduced oxygen consumption, sludge production, CO2 emissions and carbon consumption by 22.8 %, 67.1 %, 87.1 % and 87.1 %, respectively. The 195-day stable operation marks the effective implementation of the innovative pilot-scale PN/A process in treating actual MLL. This study provides insights into strategies for rapid start-up, robust NOB suppression, and anammox biomass retention to advance the application of PN/A in high-ammonia low-carbon wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cancan Jiang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Yangtze River Delta Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- 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
| | - Shengjun Xu
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Yangtze River Delta Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Yiwu 322000, China.
| | - Yawen Xie
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Dongmin Yang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Yunzhi Qian
- School of Environment and Spatial Informatics, China University of Mining & Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
| | - Fuqiang Chen
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Weijun Zhang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Yangtze River Delta Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Zhe Tian
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
| | - Shujun Zhang
- Research and Development Center of Beijing Drainage Group Technology, Beijing 100022, China
| | - Yu-You Li
- Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University, 6-6-06 Aza-Aoba, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan
| | - Xuliang Zhuang
- Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; Yangtze River Delta Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, China Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Yiwu 322000, China; Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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6
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Afroze N, Kim M, Chowdhury MMI, Haroun B, Andalib M, Umble A, Nakhla G. Effect of thermal shock and sustained heat treatment on mainstream partial nitrification and microbial community in sequencing batch reactors. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:6258-6276. [PMID: 38147251 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31421-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
In order to develop a promising means of achieving mainstream short-cut nitrification, this study evaluated the effect of thermal shock on nitrite accumulation using intermittent offline and continuous inline heat treatment of biomass in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs). The SBRs fed with municipal wastewater were operated at a solid retention time of 7 days and nitrogen loading rate of 0.04 gN/L·d to 0.08 gN/L·d without the application of pre-treatment. Contrary to literature studies that showed suppression of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria at temperature 60 to 80 °C, nitrite accumulation was achieved temporarily when 20% of the biomass was heated for 2 h at 47 °C, as well as in continuously heated SBRs at 37 °C and 42 °C. The continuously heated reactors at 37 °C and 42 °C produced a maximum nitrite accumulation ratio (NAR) of 0.59 and 0.79, respectively, whereas the intermittent offline heating at 47 °C-2 h produced a NAR of 0.37. Although nitrite accumulation was stable only for 10-12 days in all heated reactors, this study demonstrates the achievement of mainstream partial nitrification (PN) at lower temperature (42 °C) than that reported in literature and also highlights the potential for achieving PN by implementing heat treatment of a portion of the return activated sludge (RAS) in biological nitrogen removal (BNR) systems. During the time when full nitrification was achieved, Nitrospira was more dominant than Nitrosomonas in all reactors at ratios of 1.4:1, 2.4:1, 2.4:1, and 3.7:1 for the control SBR (22 °C), 47 °C -2 h offline heating SBR, 37 °C SBR, and 42 °C SBR, respectively, suggesting that it may have played a role as a comammox bacteria capable of degrading ammonia to nitrates at elevated temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niema Afroze
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada.
| | - Mingu Kim
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
| | - Mohammad M I Chowdhury
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
| | - Basem Haroun
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
| | | | - Arthur Umble
- Stantec Water Institute for Technology & Policy, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1800, Denver, CO, 80202-6000, USA
| | - George Nakhla
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5B9, Canada
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7
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Yang Y, Xi H, Zhang Z, Zhang Z, He X, Wu C, Song Y, Wang C, Yu Y. The response of nitrifying activated sludge to chlorophenols: Insights from metabolism and redox homeostasis. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 346:118942. [PMID: 37716170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118942] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
The specialized wastewater treatment plants for the chemical industry are rapidly developed in China and many other countries. But there is a common bottleneck in that the toxic pollutants in chemical wastewater often cause shock impacts on biological nitrogen removal systems, which directly affects the stability and cost of operation. As the research on nitrification inhibition characteristics is not sufficient till now, there is a great lack of theoretical guidance on the control of the inhibition. This study investigated the response of nitrifying activated sludge to chlorophenols (CPs) inhibition in terms of metabolism disorder and oxidative stress. At the initial stage of reaction (i.e., 1 h), reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced membrane damage which might account for declining nitrification performance. Simultaneously excessive extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were secreted to alleviate oxidative stress injury and protected microorganisms to some extent. In particular tyrosine-like substances in LB-EPS with a Fmax increase of 242.30% were confirmed to efficiently resist phenols inhibition. Thus, as the inhibition proceeded, metabolism disorder replaced oxidative stress as the main cause of nitrification inhibition. The affected metabolic processes include weakened enzyme catalysis, restricted electron transport and lessened energy generation. At 4 h, nitrifying production of sludge amended with 5 mg/L chlorophenols was 89.27 ± 9.51%-98.15 ± 9.60% lower than blank, the inhibition could be attributed to comprehensively affected metabolism. The structural equation modeling indicated that phenols restricted nitrification enzymes and bacterial electron transport efficiency which was critical to nitrification performance. Moreover, the lessened energy generation weakens enzyme activity to further suppress nitrification. These findings enriched our knowledge of nitrifiers' responses to CPs inhibition and provided the basis for addressing nitrification inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yang
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, 100083, China; Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Hongbo Xi
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Zhao Zhang
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Zhuowei Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, PR China
| | - Xvwen He
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Changyong Wu
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Yudong Song
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China
| | - Chunrong Wang
- College of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Yin Yu
- Research Center of Environmental Pollution Control Engineering Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environment Sciences, Beijing, 100012, PR China.
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8
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Lu X, Oehmen A, Zhao J, Duan H, Yuan Z, Ye L. Insights on biological phosphorus removal with partial nitrification in single sludge system via sidestream free ammonia and free nitrous acid dosing. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165174. [PMID: 37385509 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The sidestream sludge treatment by free ammonium (FA)/free nitrous acid (FNA) dosing was frequently demonstrated to maintain the nitrite pathway for the partial nitrification (PN) process. Nevertheless, the inhibitory effect of FA and FNA would severely influence polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs), destroying the microbe-based phosphorus (P) removal. Therefore, a strategic evaluation was proposed to successfully achieve biological P removal with a partial nitrification process in a single sludge system by sidestream FA and FNA dosing. Through the long-term operation of 500 days, excellent phosphorus, ammonium and total nitrogen removal performance were achieved at 97.5 ± 2.6 %, 99.1 ± 1.0 % and 75.5 ± 0.4 %, respectively. Stable partial nitrification with a nitrite accumulation ratio (NAR) of 94.1 ± 3.4 was attained. The batch tests also reported the robust aerobic phosphorus uptake based on FA and FNA adapted sludge after exposure of FA and FNA, respectively, suggesting the FA and FNA treatment strategy could potentially offer the opportunity for the selection of PAOs, which synchronously have the tolerance to FA and FNA. Microbial community analysis suggested that Accumulibacter, Tetrasphaera, and Comamonadaceae collectively contributed to the phosphorus removal in this system. Summarily, the proposed work presents a novel and feasible strategy to integrate enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) and short-cut nitrogen cycling and bring the combined mainstream phosphorus removal and partial nitrification process closer to practical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuanyu Lu
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australia Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Adrian Oehmen
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Zhao
- Sustainable minerals institute, the university of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; Australia Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australia Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Liu Ye
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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9
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Yan X, Liu D, Klok JBM, de Smit SM, Buisman CJN, ter Heijne A. Enhancement of Ammonium Oxidation at Microoxic Bioanodes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11561-11571. [PMID: 37498945 PMCID: PMC10413939 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c02227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are considered to be energy-efficient to convert ammonium, which is present in wastewater. The application of BESs as a technology to treat wastewater on an industrial scale is hindered by the slow removal rate and lack of understanding of the underlying ammonium conversion pathways. This study shows ammonium oxidation rates up to 228 ± 0.4 g-N m-3 d-1 under microoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen at 0.02-0.2 mg-O2/L), which is a significant improvement compared to anoxic conditions (120 ± 21 g-N m-3 d-1). We found that this enhancement was related to the formation of hydroxylamine (NH2OH), which is rate limiting in ammonium oxidation by ammonia-oxidizing microorganisms. NH2OH was intermediate in both the absence and presence of oxygen. The dominant end-product of ammonium oxidation was dinitrogen gas, with about 75% conversion efficiency in the presence of a microoxic level of dissolved oxygen and 100% conversion efficiency in the absence of oxygen. This work elucidates the dominant pathways under microoxic and anoxic conditions which is a step toward the application of BESs for ammonium removal in wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofang Yan
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dandan Liu
- Paqell
B.V., Reactorweg 301, 3542 AD Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes B. M. Klok
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne M. de Smit
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Cees J. N. Buisman
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wetsus,
European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911 MA Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
| | - Annemiek ter Heijne
- Environmental
Technology, Wageningen University &
Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Jang D, Won J, Jo Y, Kim Y, Jang A. The effect of biocarriers on the nitrification and microbial community in moving bed biofilm reactor for anaerobic digestion effluent treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023:116350. [PMID: 37290619 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The performance of a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) depends largely on the type of biofilm carrier used. However, how different carriers affect the nitrification process, particularly when treating anaerobic digestion effluents, is not completely understood. This study aimed to evaluate the nitrification performance of two distinct biocarriers in MBBRs over a 140-d operation period, with a gradually decreasing hydraulic retention time (HRT) from 20 to 10 d. Reactor 1 (R1) was filled with fiber balls, whereas a Mutag Biochip was used for reactor 2 (R2). At an HRT of 20 d, the ammonia removal efficiency of both reactors was >95%. However, as the HRT was reduced, the ammonia removal efficiency of R1 gradually declined, ultimately dropping to 65% at a 10-d HRT. In contrast, the ammonia removal efficiency of R2 consistently exceeding 99% throughout the long-term operation. R1 exhibited partial nitrification, whereas R2 exhibited complete nitrification. Analysis of microbial communities showed that the abundance and diversity of bacterial communities, particularly nitrifying bacteria such as Hyphomicrobium sp. And Nitrosomonas sp., in R2 was higher than that in R1. In conclusion, the choice of biocarrier significantly impact the abundance and diversity of microbial communities in MBBR systems. Therefore, these factors should be closely monitored to ensure the efficient treatment of high-strength ammonia wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duksoo Jang
- Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongyeob Won
- Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeadam Jo
- R&D Division, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Youngoh Kim
- R&D Division, Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co., Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
| | - Am Jang
- Department of Global Smart City, Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), 2066 Seobu-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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11
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Liu S, Xu Q, Lou S, Tu J, Yin W, Li X, Jin Y, Radnaeva LD, Nikitina E, Makhinov AN, Araruna JT, Fedorova IV. Spatiotemporal distributions of sulfonamide and tetracycline resistance genes and microbial communities in the coastal areas of the Yangtze River Estuary. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 259:115025. [PMID: 37216861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, water and sediments were sampled at eight monitoring stations in the coastal areas of the Yangtze River Estuary in summer and autumn 2021. Two sulfonamide resistance genes (sul1 and sul2), six tetracycline resistance genes (tetM, tetC, tetX, tetA, tetO, and tetQ), one integrase gene (intI1), 16 S rRNA genes, and microbial communities were examined and analyzed. Most resistance genes showed relatively higher abundance in summer and lower abundance in autumn. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant seasonal variation of some ARGs (7 ARGs in water and 6 ARGs in sediment). River runoff and WWTPs are proven to be the major sources of resistance genes along the Yangtze River Estuary. Significant and positive correlations between intI1 and other ARGs were found in water samples (P < 0.05), implying that intI1 may influence the spread and propagation of resistance genes in aquatic environments. Proteobacteria was the dominant phylum along the Yangtze River Estuary, with an average proportion of 41.7%. Redundancy analysis indicated that the ARGs were greatly affected by temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH in estuarine environments. Network analysis showed that Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria were the potential host phyla for ARGs in the coastal areas of the Yangtze River Estuary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuguang Liu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiuhong Xu
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sha Lou
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, Ministry of Education, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junbiao Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Geology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuchen Jin
- Department of Hydraulic Engineering, College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Larisa Dorzhievna Radnaeva
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Systems, Baikal Institute of Nature Management of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Republic of Buryatia, Russian Republic, Russia
| | - Elena Nikitina
- Laboratory of Chemistry of Natural Systems, Baikal Institute of Nature Management of Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Republic of Buryatia, Russian Republic, Russia
| | | | | | - Irina Viktorovna Fedorova
- Institute of Earth Sciences, Saint Petersburg State University, 7-9 Universitetskaya Embankment, St Petersburg, Russia
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12
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Ikem J, Chen H, Delatolla R. Design strategy and mechanism of nitrite oxidation suppression of elevated loading rate partial nitritation system. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1142570. [PMID: 37065113 PMCID: PMC10094160 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1142570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a current need for a low operational intensity, effective and small footprint system to achieve stable partial nitritation for subsequent anammox treatment at mainstream municipal wastewaters. This research identifies a unique design strategy using an elevated total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) surface area loading rate (SALR) of 5 g TAN/m2.d to achieve cost-effective, stable, and elevated rates of partial nitritation in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) system under mainstream conditions. The elevated loaded partial nitritation MBBR system achieves a TAN surface area removal rate (SARR) of 2.01 ± 0.07 g TAN/m2.d and NO2−-N: NH4+-N stoichiometric ratio of 1.15:1, which is appropriate for downstream anammox treatment. The elevated TAN SALR design strategy promotes nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) activity suppression rather than a reduction in NOB population as the reason for the suppression of nitrite oxidation in the mainstream elevated loaded partial nitritation MBBR system. NOB activity is limited at an elevated TAN SALR likely due to thick biofilm embedding the NOB population and competition for dissolved oxygen (DO) with ammonia-oxidizing bacteria for TAN oxidation to nitrite within the biofilm structure, which ultimately limits the uptake of DO by NOB in the system. Therefore, this design strategy offers a cost-effective and efficient alternative for mainstream partial nitritation MBBR systems at water resource recovery facilities.
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13
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Prodanovic V, Zhang K, Zheng M, Hu S, Hong PY, Yuan Z, Deletic A. Nitrification potential of daily-watered biofiltration designs for high ammonium wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160989. [PMID: 36535472 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The vegetated biofiltration systems (VBS), also known as bioretentions or rain gardens, are well-established technology for treatment of urban stormwater and recently greywater, offering multiple benefits to urban environments. However, the impact of high ammonium strength wastewater (60 mg/L) on the nitrification process in these systems is not well understood. Hence, a laboratory-based column study was conducted to uncover dominant nitrification mechanisms, based on the learnings from similar onsite wastewater treatment systems. The experimental columns tested the effect of contact time (filter media depth, 150 mm, 300 mm and 700 mm), media oxygenation (active and passive) and alkalinity/pH (marble chips 5 % weight), as well as optimal operational conditions (inflow loading, concentrations, and dissolved oxygen (DO)). All nitrogen species (NH4+, NO3-, NO2-), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and physical parameters (DO, pH, electrical conductivity) were monitored across seven events over thirteen weeks. The results show that dosing with 30 and 60 mg/L of NH4+ resulted in 700 mm sand column depth to perform almost complete nitrification of NH4+ to NO3- (< 90 %), while 300 mm designs achieved partial nitrification of NH4+ to NO2-, likely due to limited contact time and inefficient nitrite oxidizing bacteria activity. Nitrification potential of all designs further supported that appropriate aerobic contact time is necessary for effective nitrification. Inflow concentration of NH4+ and DO did not significantly impact nitrification performance, while reducing daily volume loading reduced NO3- and NO2- leaching. Active and passive aeration and alkalinity buffering did not positively affect ammonium removal. While there is a potential to apply both nitrification-denitrification and anammox processes to future VBS design, further understanding of aeration and alkalinity on microbially driven nitrification processes is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veljko Prodanovic
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Kefeng Zhang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, 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
| | - Pei-Ying Hong
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, SA 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ana Deletic
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology, QLD 4001, Australia
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14
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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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15
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Nguyen PM, Arslan M, Kappelmeyer U, Mäusezahl I, Wiessner A, Müller JA. Spatial characterization of microbial sulfur cycling in horizontal-flow constructed wetland models. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136605. [PMID: 36179921 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Constructed wetlands (CWs) are a cost-effective technology for wastewater treatment in which plant-microorganism relationships play a key role in transforming pollutants. However, there is little knowledge about the spatial organization of microbial metabolic processes in CWs. Here we show the structuring of microbial transformation of inorganic sulfur compounds (ISCs) in two horizontal subsurface-flow CW models fed with sulfate-rich artificial wastewater. One model was fully planted with Juncus effusus, while the other was planted only in the middle to investigate further the influence of the plant on ISC transformations. Chemical analyses revealed that sulfate reduction and re-oxidation of sulfide/sulfur occurred simultaneously along the flow paths, with net reduction at the beginning of the CWs, where organic carbon from the influent was still present, and predominant re-oxidation in the downstream sections. Porewater ISC concentrations hardly differed between the two CWs. However, analysis of the bacterial communities showed that sulfur cycling in the fully planted CW was much higher. Total bacterial abundances were about 50 times and 3-4 orders of magnitude higher in the rhizoplane than in porewater and on gravel, respectively, as quantified by qPCR determination of the 16S rRNA gene. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene amplicons revealed that bacterial communities on the roots and in the porewater differed substantially, apparently a consequence of the fluxes of oxygen and exudates from the roots. Furthermore, we observed partitioning of ISC transforming bacteria into different niches of the CWs. The results of the chemical and microbial analyses collectively support that extensive sulfur cycling occurred in the rhizospheres of the CW models. The study is relevant to the treatment of sulfur-containing wastewater and the elucidation of microbial communities involved in biogeochemical activities to improve water quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Minh Nguyen
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Environmental Technology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Muhammad Arslan
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Uwe Kappelmeyer
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ines Mäusezahl
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Arndt Wiessner
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jochen A Müller
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany; Institute for Biological Interfaces (IBG 5), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany.
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16
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Kowal P, Mehrani MJ, Sobotka D, Ciesielski S, Mąkinia J. Rearrangements of the nitrifiers population in an activated sludge system under decreasing solids retention times. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113753. [PMID: 35772505 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the key role of nitrite in novel nitrogen removal systems, nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) have been receiving increasing attention. In this study, the coexistence and interactions of nitrifying bacteria were explored at decreasing solids retention times (SRTs). Four 5-week washout experiments were carried out in laboratory-scale (V = 10 L) sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) with mixed liquor from two full-scale activated sludge systems (continuous flow vs SBR). During the experiments, the SRT was gradually reduced from the initial value of 4.0 d to approximately 1.0 d. The reactors were operated under limited dissolved oxygen conditions (set point of 0.6 mg O2/L) and two process temperatures: 12 °C (winter) and 20 °C (summer). At both temperatures, the progressive SRT reduction was inefficient for the out-selection of both canonical NOB and comammox Nitrospira. However, the dominant NOB switched from Nitrospira to Ca. Nitrotoga, whereas the dominant AOB was always Nitrosomonas. The results of this study are important for optimizing NOB suppression strategies in the novel N removal processes, which are based on nitrite accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemyslaw Kowal
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Mohamad-Javad Mehrani
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Dominika Sobotka
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Sławomir Ciesielski
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Faculty of Geoengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Ul. Sloneczna 45G, 10-709, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jacek Mąkinia
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdansk University of Technology, Narutowicza Street 11/12, 80-233, Gdansk, Poland
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17
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Duan H, Watts S, Zheng M, Wang Z, Zhao J, Li H, Liu P, Dwyer J, McPhee P, Rattier M, Larsen E, Yuan Z, Hu S. Achieving robust mainstream nitrite shunt at pilot-scale with integrated sidestream sludge treatment and step-feed. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 223:119034. [PMID: 36067606 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119034] [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: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a promising energy- and carbon efficient process for nitrogen removal from wastewater, mainstream nitrite shunt has been extensively researched. However, beyond the laboratory it is challenging to maintain stable performance by suppressing nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB). In this study, a pilot-scale reactor system receiving real sewage was operated in two stages for >850 days to evaluate two novel NOB suppression strategies for achieving nitrite shunt: i) sidestream sludge treatment based on alternating free nitrous acid (FNA) and free ammonia (FA) and ii) sidestream FNA/FA sludge treatment integrated with in-situ NOB suppression via step-feed. The results showed that, with sidestream sludge treatment alone, NOB developed resistance relatively quickly to the treatment, leading to unstable nitrite shunt. In contrast, robust nitrite shunt was achieved and stably maintained for more than a year when sidestream sludge treatment was integrated with a step-feed strategy. Kinetic analyses suggested that sludge treatment and step-feed worked in synergy, leading to stable NOB suppression. The integrated strategy demonstrated in this study removes a key barrier to the implementation of stable mainstream nitrite shunt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoran Duan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Shane Watts
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Min Zheng
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiyao Wang
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Zhao
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Huijuan Li
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Peng Liu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jason Dwyer
- Urban Utilities, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - Paul McPhee
- Urban Utilities, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia
| | - Maxime Rattier
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Eloise Larsen
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiguo Yuan
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Shihu Hu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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18
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Meng S, Peng T, Wang H, Huang T, Gu JD, Hu Z. Evaluation of PCR primers for detecting the distribution of nitrifiers in mangrove sediments. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2022; 106:5811-5822. [PMID: 35941255 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-022-12104-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOA and AOB), complete ammonia oxidizers (Comammox), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) play a crucial role in the nitrification process during the nitrogen cycle. However, their occurrence and diversity in mangrove ecosystems are still not fully understood. Here, a total of 11 pairs of PCR primers were evaluated to study the distribution and abundances of these nitrifiers in rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere sediments of a mangrove ecosystem. The amplification efficiency of these 11 pairs of primers was first evaluated and their performances were found to vary considerably. The CamoA-19F/CamoA-616R primer pair was suitable for the amplification of AOA in mangrove sediments, especially on the surface of rhizosphere sediments. Primer pair amoA1F/amoA2R was better for the characterization of novel AOB in the bacterial community of non-rhizosphere sediments of mangroves. In contrast, primer nxrB169F/nxrB638R showed a low abundance of NOB in mangrove sediments (except for R1). Comammox bacteria were abundant and diverse in mangrove sediments, as indicated by both the amoB gene for Comammox clade A and the amoA gene for Comammox Nitrospira clade B. However, the amoA gene for Comammox Nitrospira clade A was not successful in detecting them in the mangrove sediments. Furthermore, 568 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were obtained by generating a clone library and a high abundance of OTUs was correlated with ammonium, pH, NO2-, and NO3-. Comammox and Comammox Nitrospira were identified by phylogenetic tree analysis, indicating that mangrove sediments harbor newly discovered nitrifiers. Additionally, many AOA and NOB were mainly distributed in the surface layer of the rhizosphere, whereas AOB and Comammox Nitrospira were in the subsurface of non-rhizosphere, as determined by qPCR analysis. Collectively, our findings highlight the limitations of some primers for the identification of specific nitrifying bacteria. Therefore, primers must be carefully selected to gain accurate insights into the ecological distribution of nitrifiers in mangroves. KEY POINTS: • Several sets of PCR primers perform well for the detection of nitrifiers in mangroves. • Mangroves are an important source of newly discovered nitrifiers. • Ammonium, pH, NO2-, and NO3- are important shapers of nitrifier communities in mangroves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Meng
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Peng
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, People's Republic of China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangdong, 511458, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Tongwang Huang
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, People's Republic of China
| | - Ji-Dong Gu
- Environmental Science and Engineering Research Group, Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 241 Daxue Road, Shantou, 515063, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Materials and Technologies for Energy Conversion, Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, 241 Daxue Road, Shantou, 515063, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhong Hu
- Department of Biology, Shantou University, Shantou, Guangdong, 515063, People's Republic of China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangdong, 511458, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Zulkifli M, Abu Hasan H, Sheikh Abdullah SR, Muhamad MH. A review of ammonia removal using a biofilm-based reactor and its challenges. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 315:115162. [PMID: 35561462 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Extensive growth of industries leads to uncontrolled ammonia releases to environment. This can result in significant degradation of the aquatic ecology as well as significant health concerns for humans. Knowing the mechanism of ammonia elimination is the simplest approach to comprehending it. Ammonia has been commonly converted to less hazardous substances either in the form of nitrate or nitrogen gas. Ammonia has been converted into nitrite by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and further reduced to nitrate by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in aerobic conditions. Denitrification takes place in an anoxic phase and nitrate is converted into nitrogen gas. It is challenging to remove ammonia by employing technologies that do not incur particularly high costs. Thus, this review paper is focused on biofilm reactors that utilize the nitrification process. Many research publications and patents on biofilm wastewater treatment have been published. However, only a tiny percentage of these projects are for full-scale applications, and the majority of the work was completed within the last few decades. The physicochemical approaches such as ammonia adsorption, coagulation-flocculation, and membrane separation, as well as conventional biological treatments including activated sludge, microalgae, and bacteria biofilm, are briefly addressed in this review paper. The effectiveness of biofilm reactors in removing ammonia was compared, and the microbes that effectively remove ammonia were thoroughly discussed. Overall, biofilm reactors can remove up to 99.7% ammonia from streams with a concentration in range of 16-900 mg/L. As many challenges were identified for ammonia removal using biofilm at a commercial scale, this study offers future perspectives on how to address the most pressing biofilm issues. This review may also improve our understanding of biofilm technologies for the removal of ammonia as well as polishing unit in wastewater treatment plants for the water reuse and recycling, supporting the circular economy concept.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Zulkifli
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Hassimi Abu Hasan
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Research Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia; Research Centre for Sustainable Process Technology (CESPRO), Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Hafizuddin Muhamad
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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20
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Exploiting Biofilm Characteristics to Enhance Biological Nutrient Removal in Wastewater Treatment Plants. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/app12157561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Biological treatments are integral processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). They can be carried out using sludge or biofilm processes. Although the sludge process is effective for biological wastewater systems, it has some drawbacks that make it undesirable. Hence, biofilm processes have gained popularity, since they address the drawbacks of sludge treatments, such as the high rates of sludge production. Although biofilms have been reported to be essential for wastewater, few studies have reviewed the different ways in which the biofilm properties can be explored, especially for the benefit of wastewater treatment. Thus, this review explores the properties of biofilms that can be exploited to enhance biological wastewater systems. In this review, it is revealed that various biofilm properties, such as the extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), quorum sensing (Qs), and acylated homoserine lactones (AHLs), can be enhanced as a sustainable and cost-effective strategy to enhance the biofilm. Moreover, the exploitation of other biofilm properties such as the SOS, which is only reported in the medical field, with no literature reporting it in the context of wastewater treatment, is also recommended to improve the biofilm technology for wastewater treatment processes. Additionally, this review further elaborates on ways that these properties can be exploited to advance biofilm wastewater treatment systems. A special emphasis is placed on exploiting these properties in simultaneous nitrification and denitrification and biological phosphorus removal processes, which have been reported to be the most sensitive processes in biological wastewater treatment.
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21
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Abstract
The inhibition effect of rapid variations of pH in wastewater on activated sludge was investigated in laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The toxic influence of pH 6.5 and 8.5 was examined. The experiment with pH 8.5 was preferable to formation of high FA concentration and showed a low risk of inhibition of second step nitrification (conversion of nitrites to nitrates). However, the reactor at pH 6.5 showed inhibition of first-step nitrification (conversion of ammonia to nitrites) caused by FNA formation. High ammonia levels caused a decrease in the overall microfauna population, whereas low–enhanced gymnamoebae, Zoogloea, and Chilodonella sp. population increased after 72 h of inhibition. Destructive acidic pH influence caused sludge washout from the reactor and, therefore, higher organic load on ASP and intensive sludge foam due to Zoogloea higher population.
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22
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Bacterial Community Composition and Function in a Tropical Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14101537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial diversity and community composition are of great importance in wastewater treatment; however, little is known about the diversity and community structure of bacteria in tropical municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Therefore, in this study, activated sludge samples were collected from the return sludge, anaerobic sludge, anoxic sludge, and aerobic sludge of an A2O WWTP in Haikou, China. Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing was used to examine the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) of bacteria in the samples. The microbial community diversity in this tropical WWTP was higher than in temperate, subtropical, and plateau WWTPs. Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Patescibacteria, and Chloroflexi were the dominant phyla. Nitrification bacteria Nitrosomonas, and Nitrospira were also detected. Tetrasphaera, instead of Candidatus Accumulibacter, were the dominant polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs), while, glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs), such as Candidatus Competibacter and Defluviicoccus were also detected. The bacterial community functions predicted by PICRUSt2 were related to metabolism, genetic information processing, and environmental information processing. This study provides a reference for the optimization of tropical municipal WWTPs.
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23
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Yu X, Yan M, Cui Y, Liu Z, Liu H, Zhou J, Liu J, Zeng L, Chen Q, Gu Y, Zou L, Zhao K, Xiang Q, Ma M, Li S. Effects of Co-application of Cadmium-Immobilizing Bacteria and Organic Fertilizers on Houttuynia cordata and Microbial Communities in a Cadmium-Contaminated Field. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:809834. [PMID: 35601203 PMCID: PMC9122265 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.809834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium pollution is a serious threat to the soil environment. The application of bio-based fertilizers in combination with beneficial microbial agents is a sustainable approach to solving Cd pollution in farm soil. The present study investigated the effects of co-application of a Cd-immobilizing bacterial agent and two fermented organic fertilizers (fermentative edible fungi residue; fermentative cow dung) on Houttuynia cordata and its microbial communities in a Cd-polluted field. It showed that both the application of the Cd-immobilizing bacterial agent alone and the combined application of bio-based soil amendments and the bacterial agent effectively reduced >20% of the uptake of Cd by the plant. Soil nitrogen level was significantly raised after the combined fertilization. The multivariate diversity analysis and co-occurrence network algorithm showed that a significant shift of microbial communities took place, in which the microbial populations tended to be homogeneous with reduced microbial richness and increased diversity after the co-application. The treatment of fermentative cow dung with the addition of the bacterial agent showed a significant increase in the microbial community dissimilarity (R = 0.996, p = 0.001) compared to that treated with cow dung alone. The co-application of the bacterial agent with both organic fertilizers significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The FAPROTAX soil functional analysis revealed that the introduction of the microbial agent could potentially suppress human pathogenic microorganisms in the field fertilized with edible fungi residue. It also showed that the microbial agent can reduce the nitrite oxidation function in the soil when applied alone or with the organic fertilizers. Our study thus highlights the beneficial effects of the Cd-immobilizing bacterial inoculant on H. cordata and provides a better understanding of the microbial changes induced by the combined fertilization using the microbial agent and organic soil amendments in a Cd-contaminated field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Yu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Yan
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongliang Cui
- Sichuan Provincial Academy of Natural Resource Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongyi Liu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Liu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Zeng
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunfu Gu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Likou Zou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Quanju Xiang
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Menggen Ma
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuangcheng Li
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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24
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Feng X, Qian Y, Xi P, Cao R, Qin L, Zhang S, Chai G, Huang M, Li K, Xiao Y, Xie L, Song Y, Wang D. Partial Nitrification and Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal in a Sequencing Batch Reactor Treating High-Strength Wastewater. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095653. [PMID: 35565048 PMCID: PMC9105176 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Complex and high levels of various pollutants in high-strength wastewaters hinder efficient and stable biological nutrient removal. In this study, the changes in pollutant removal performance and microbial community structure in a laboratory-scale anaerobic/aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating simulated pre-fermented high-strength wastewater were investigated under different influent loading conditions. The results showed that when the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and orthophosphate (PO43−-P) concentrations in the SBR increased to 983, 56, and 20 mg/L, respectively, the COD removal efficiency was maintained above 85%, the TN removal efficiency was 64.5%, and the PO43−-P removal efficiency increased from 78.3% to 97.5%. Partial nitrification with simultaneous accumulation of ammonia (NH4+-N) and nitrite (NO2−-N) was observed, which may be related to the effect of high influent load on ammonia- and nitrite-oxidising bacteria. The biological phosphorus removal activity was higher when propionate was used as the carbon source instead of acetate. The relative abundance of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) increased significantly with the increase in organic load, while Tetrasphaera was the consistently dominant polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAO) in the reactor. Under high organic loading conditions, there was no significant PAO–GAO competition in the reactor, thus the phosphorus removal performance was not affected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Feng
- Xi’an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi’an 710065, China; (X.F.); (Y.Q.); (P.X.)
| | - Yishi Qian
- Xi’an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi’an 710065, China; (X.F.); (Y.Q.); (P.X.)
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Peng Xi
- Xi’an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi’an 710065, China; (X.F.); (Y.Q.); (P.X.)
| | - Rui Cao
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Lu Qin
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Guodong Chai
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Mengbo Huang
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Kailong Li
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Lin Xie
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Yuxin Song
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
| | - Dongqi Wang
- Department of Municipal and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China; (R.C.); (L.Q.); (S.Z.); (G.C.); (M.H.); (K.L.); (Y.X.); (L.X.); (Y.S.)
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710048, China
- Correspondence:
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25
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Al-Ajeel S, Spasov E, Sauder LA, McKnight MM, Neufeld JD. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea and complete ammonia-oxidizing Nitrospira in water treatment systems. WATER RESEARCH X 2022; 15:100131. [PMID: 35402889 PMCID: PMC8990171 DOI: 10.1016/j.wroa.2022.100131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Nitrification, the oxidation of ammonia to nitrate via nitrite, is important for many engineered water treatment systems. The sequential steps of this respiratory process are carried out by distinct microbial guilds, including ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and newly discovered members of the genus Nitrospira that conduct complete ammonia oxidation (comammox). Even though all of these nitrifiers have been identified within water treatment systems, their relative contributions to nitrogen cycling are poorly understood. Although AOA contribute to nitrification in many wastewater treatment plants, they are generally outnumbered by AOB. In contrast, AOA and comammox Nitrospira typically dominate relatively low ammonia environments such as drinking water treatment, tertiary wastewater treatment systems, and aquaculture/aquarium filtration. Studies that focus on the abundance of ammonia oxidizers may misconstrue the actual role that distinct nitrifying guilds play in a system. Understanding which ammonia oxidizers are active is useful for further optimization of engineered systems that rely on nitrifiers for ammonia removal. This review highlights known distributions of AOA and comammox Nitrospira in engineered water treatment systems and suggests future research directions that will help assess their contributions to nitrification and identify factors that influence their distributions and activity.
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26
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Mavriou Ζ, Alexandropoulou I, Melidis P, Karpouzas DG, Ntougias S. Bioprocess performance, transformation pathway, and bacterial community dynamics in an immobilized cell bioreactor treating fludioxonil-contaminated wastewater under microaerophilic conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:29597-29612. [PMID: 34542817 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16452-3] [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: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fludioxonil is a post-harvest fungicide contained in effluents produced by fruit packaging plants, which should be treated prior to environmental dispersal. We developed and evaluated an immobilized cell bioreactor, operating under microaerophilic conditions and gradually reduced hydraulic retention times (HRTs) from 10 to 3.9 days, for the biotreatment of fludioxonil-rich wastewater. Fludioxonil removal efficiency was consistently above 96%, even at the shortest HRT applied. A total of 12 transformation products were tentatively identified during fludioxonil degradation by using liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight Mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS). Fludioxonil degradation pathway was initiated by successive hydroxylation and carbonylation of the pyrrole moiety and disruption of the oxidized cyanopyrrole ring at the NH-C bond. The detection of 2,2-difluoro-2H-1,3-benzodioxole-4-carboxylic acid verified the decyanation and deamination of the molecule, whereas its conversion to the tentatively identified compound 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid indicated its defluorination. High-throughput amplicon sequencing revealed that HRT shortening led to reduced α-diversity, significant changes in the β-diversity, and a shift in the bacterial community composition from an initial activated sludge system typical community to a community composed of bacterial taxa like Clostridium, Oligotropha, Pseudomonas, and Terrimonas capable of performing advanced degradation and/or aerobic denitrification. Overall, the immobilized cell bioreactor operation under microaerophilic conditions, which minimizes the cost for aeration, can provide a sustainable solution for the depuration of fludioxonil-contaminated agro-industrial effluents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ζografina Mavriou
- Laboratory of Wastewater Management and Treatment Technologies, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Vas. Sofias 12, 67132, Xanthi, Greece
| | - Ioanna Alexandropoulou
- Laboratory of Wastewater Management and Treatment Technologies, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Vas. Sofias 12, 67132, Xanthi, Greece
| | - Paraschos Melidis
- Laboratory of Wastewater Management and Treatment Technologies, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Vas. Sofias 12, 67132, Xanthi, Greece
| | - Dimitrios G Karpouzas
- Laboratory of Plant and Environmental Biotechnology, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, 41500, Larissa, Greece
| | - Spyridon Ntougias
- Laboratory of Wastewater Management and Treatment Technologies, Department of Environmental Engineering, Democritus University of Thrace, Vas. Sofias 12, 67132, Xanthi, Greece.
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27
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Aziz A, Asif M, Ashraf G, Iftikhar T, Hu J, Xiao F, Wang S. Boosting electrocatalytic activity of carbon fiber@fusiform-like copper-nickel LDHs: Sensing of nitrate as biomarker for NOB detection. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 422:126907. [PMID: 34418835 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Morphological evolution of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) with preferential crystal facets has appealed gigantic attention of research community. Herein, we prepare hierarchical hybrid material by structurally integrating fusiform-like CuNiAl LDHs petals on conductive backbone of CF (CF@CuNiAl LDHs) and investigate electrocatalytic behavior in nitrate reduction over a potential window of -0.7 V to +0.7 V. The CF@CuNiAl LDHs electrode exhibits remarkable electrocatalytic aptitude in nitrate sensing including broad linear ranges of 5 nM to 40 µM and 75 µM to 2.4 mM with lowest detection limit of 0.02 nM (S/N = 3). The sensor shows sensitivity of 830.5 ± 1.84 µA mM1- cm2- and response time within 3 s. Owing to synergistic collaboration of improved electron transfer kinetics, specific fusiform-like morphology, presence of more catalytically active {111} facets and superb catalytic activity of LDHs, CF@CuNiAl LDHs electrode has outperformed as electrochemical sensor. Encouraged from incredible performance, CF@CuNiAl LDHs flexible electrode has been applied in real-time in-vitro detection of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) through the sensing of nitrate because NOB convert nitrite into nitrate by characteristic metabolic process to obtain their energy. Further, CF@CuNiAl LDHs based sensing podium has also been employed in in-vitro detection of nitrates from mineral water, tap water and Pepsi drink.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Aziz
- Advanced Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Centre, School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Muhammad Asif
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, PR China
| | - Ghazala Ashraf
- Advanced Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Centre, School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Tayyaba Iftikhar
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China
| | - Jinlong Hu
- College of Resources and Environment, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, PR China
| | - Fei Xiao
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
| | - Shenqi Wang
- Advanced Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Centre, School of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China.
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28
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Alam MM, Masud A, Scharf B, Bradley I, Aich N. Long-Term Exposure and Effects of rGO-nZVI Nanohybrids and Their Parent Nanomaterials on Wastewater-Nitrifying Microbial Communities. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:512-524. [PMID: 34931813 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02586] [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] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Single nanomaterials and nanohybrids (NHs) can inhibit microbial processes in wastewater treatment, especially nitrification. While existing studies focus on short-term and acute exposures of single nanomaterials on wastewater microbial community growth and function, long-term, low-exposure, and emerging NHs need to be examined. These NHs have distinctly different physicochemical properties than their parent nanomaterials and, therefore, may exert previously unknown effects onto wastewater microbial communities. This study systematically investigated long-term [∼6 solid residence time [(SRT)] exposure effects of a widely used carbon-metal NH (rGO-nZVI = 1:2 and 1:0.2, mass ratio) and compared these effects to their single-parent nanomaterials (i.e., rGO and nZVI) in nitrifying sequencing batch reactors. nZVI and NH-dosed reactors showed relatively unaffected microbial communities compared to control, whereas rGO showed a significantly different (p = 0.022) and less diverse community. nZVI promoted a diverse community and significantly higher (p < 0.05) biomass growth under steady-state conditions. While long-term chronic exposure (10 mg·L-1) of single nanomaterials and NHs had limited impact on long-term nutrient recovery, functionally, the reactors dosed with higher iron content, that is, nZVI and rGO-nZVI (1:2), promoted faster NH4+-N removal due to higher biomass growth and upregulation of amoA genes at the transcript level, respectively. The transmission electron microscopy images and scanning electron microscopy─energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed high incorporation of iron in nZVI-dosed biomass, which promoted higher cellular growth and a diverse community. Overall, this study shows that NHs have unique effects on microbial community growth and function that cannot be predicted from parent materials alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Arvid Masud
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Brianna Scharf
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Ian Bradley
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
- Research and Education in Energy, Environmental and Water (RENEW) Institute, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
| | - Nirupam Aich
- Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York 14260, United States
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29
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Kim Y, Oh S. Machine-learning insights into nitrate-reducing communities in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 300:113795. [PMID: 34560468 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study carried out machine-learning (ML) modeling using activated sludge microbiome data to predict the operational characteristics of biological unit processes (i.e., anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic) in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant. An ML application pipeline with optimization strategies (e.g., model selection, input data preprocessing, and hyperparameter tuning) could significantly improve prediction performance. Comparative analysis of the ML prediction performance suggested that linear models (support vector machine and logistic regression) had a high prediction performance (93% accuracy), comparable to that of non-linear models such as random forest. Feature importance analysis using the linear ML models identified the microbial taxa that were specifically associated with anoxic processes, many of which (e.g., Ferruginibacter) were found to have ecologically important genomic and phenotypic characteristics (e.g., for nitrate reduction). Time-series microbial community dynamics demonstrated that the taxa identified using ML were frequently occurring and dominating in the anoxic process over time, thus representing the core nitrate-reducing community. Despite the general dominance of the core community over time, the analysis further revealed successional seasonal patterns of distinct sub-groups, indicating differences in the functional contribution of sub-groups by season to the overall nitrate-reducing potential of the system. Overall, the results of this study suggest that ML modeling holds great promise for the predictive identification and understanding of key microbial players governing the functioning and stability of biological wastewater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngjun Kim
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungdae Oh
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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Havlíček K, Nechanická M, Lederer T, Kolčavová Sirková B. Analysis of nitrifying bacteria growth on two new types of biomass carrier using respirometry and molecular genetic methods. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 225:112795. [PMID: 34544026 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This work addresses the testing of two newly produced biomass carriers (micro- and nanofibers) and one commercially available AnoxKaldnes™ K3 carrier in a laboratory post-nitrification reactor. The carriers were prepared under parameters suitable for high-quality biomass adhesion to their surface, and each was characterized by its specific structures. As part of the evaluation of the biofilms using respirometry and molecular genetic methods, the carriers were assessed in terms of their effectiveness and comparability. The rate of biofilm development was dependent on the structure and surface properties of the individual carriers. The results showed that the biofilm most strongly adhered to nanofiber carriers, where nitrating bacteria's slower but more abundant development occurred. Microfiber carriers were more stable, but a diverse internal structure may be unsuitable in a populated carrier's early stages. The AnoxKaldnes™ K3 carriers showed the slowest growth of biofilm, but the monitored nitrifying bacteria were abundant after an extended time. AOB representatives are likely to prefer an environment with a high amount of biomass and a large active area. Conversely, NOB representatives thrive better in a slowly forming biofilm. The methods used to monitor biofilm are challenging to compare directly, but they do complement each other, which aids in verifying the individual test results. Developing new types of biomass carriers with the potential for high-quality adhesion of microorganisms is a prerequisite for the expansion of highly efficient biotechnological processes, especially for wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karel Havlíček
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technology and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentska 2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic.
| | - Magda Nechanická
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technology and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentska 2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Lederer
- Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technology and Innovation, Technical University of Liberec, Studentska 2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
| | - Brigita Kolčavová Sirková
- Faculty of Textile Engineering, Department of Technologies and Structures, Technical University of Liberec, Studentska 2, 461 17 Liberec, Czech Republic
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Challenges in Treatment of Digestate Liquid Fraction from Biogas Plant. Performance of Nitrogen Removal and Microbial Activity in Activated Sludge Process. ENERGIES 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/en14217321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Even thoughdigestate, which is continually generated in anaerobic digestion process, can only be used as fertilizer during the growing season, digestate treatment is still a critical, environmental problem. That is why the present work aims to develop a method to manage digestate in agricultural biogas plant in periods when its use as fertilizer is not possible. A lab-scale system for the biological treatment of the digestate liquid fraction using the activated sludge method with a separate denitrification chamber was constructed and tested. The nitrogen load that was added tothe digestate liquid fraction accounted for 78.53% of the total nitrogen load fed into the reactor. External carbon sources, such as acetic acid, as well as flume water and molasses, i.e., wastewater and by-products from a sugar factory, were used to support the denitrification process. The best results were obtained using an acetic acid and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand)/NO3–N (Nitrate Nitrogen) ratio of 7.5. The removal efficiency of TN (Total Nitrogen), NH4–N (Ammonia Nitrogen) and COD was 83.73%, 99.94%, 86.26%, respectively. It was interesting to see results obtained that were similar to those obtained when using flume water and COD/NO3–N at a ratio of 8.7. This indicates that flume water can be used as an alternative carbon source to intensify biological nitrogen removal from digestate.
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Zhang Y, Ye X, Fang Y, Zhang H. Treatment of municipal wastewater by employing membrane bioreactors combined with efficient nitration microbial communities isolated by Isolation Chip with Plate Streaking technology. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2021; 93:2576-2588. [PMID: 34250663 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this research, we developed a method so-called Isolation Chip with Plate Streaking (ICPS) to selectively enrich nitrifying microbial consortium for treating municipal wastewater. In batch experiment, these bacterial communities were able to remove NH3 -N in 72 h with an efficiency of 96%. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria species are dominant bacteria in these communities. When the bacterial communities were used in the membrane bioreactor under typical condition, the removal efficiency was 81.0%. In contrast, under the actual wastewater condition, the efficiency could reach 91.2%. All above results showed clearly that the consortium selected by our ICPS method could achieve high-efficient NH3 -N removal, thus offering a reliable technique for screening functional microorganisms in the field of water treatment. PRACTITIONER POINTS: ICPS technology was designed and used for screening specialized NH3 -N-removing isolates. The screening process benefited the growth of the dominant nitrifying bacteria Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. When the functional bacteria applied into the MBR, the NH3 -N removal efficiency was 91.2% under actual wastewater conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan Zhang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xueping Ye
- Agriculture Ministry Key Laboratory of Healthy Freshwater Aquaculture, Key Laboratory of Fish Health and Nutrition of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Institute of Freshwater Fisheries, Huzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Fang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangjun Zhang
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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Manirakiza B, Sirotkin AC. Bioaugmentation of nitrifying bacteria in up-flow biological aerated filter's microbial community for wastewater treatment and analysis of its microbial community. SCIENTIFIC AFRICAN 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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Friedrich KL, Souza ADR, Fia R, Leal CD, Araújo JCD, Siniscalchi LAB. Nitratation in pilot-scale bioreactors fed with effluent from a submerged biological aerated filter used in the treatment of dog wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 42:3852-3862. [PMID: 32167421 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2020.1742796] [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: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Nitrification is a biochemical process that allows oxidation of ammonium ion to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate in a system. Aerobic processes, such as use of submerged biological aerated filter (SBAF), enable nitrification. However, some variables that are entirely unavailable or not available at the required concentration range may hamper the process. In this study, nitratation under high dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations was evaluated in laboratory-scale bioreactors containing 10% inoculum (0.5 kg kg-1) fed with affluent from a SBAF that receive the sewage generated from washing the bays of a dog kennel. The following variables were monitored over time: ammoniacal nitrogen (12.44-29.62 mg L-1), nitrite (0.28-0.54 mg L-1), nitrate (1.75-3.55 mg L-1), pH (8.11 ± 0.62), temperature (21.61 ± 1.24°C) and DO (9.69 ± 0.36 mg L-1). Quantification of nitrifying bacteria by the multiple tube technique showed the value of 1.4 × 1012 MPN mL-1for ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and 9.2 × 1014 MPN mL-1 for nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. These values were higher than those found in a synthetic medium, which can be explained by the greater availability of ammonium and nitrite in the effluent. By the extraction of genomic DNA, and PCR, with specific primers, the presence of the AmoA (Ammonia monooxygenase) gene for AOB and of the Nitrobacter was detected in the bioreactor samples. By PCR-DGGE, the sequenced bands showed high similarity with denitrifying bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Limnobacter, Thauera, Rhodococcus, and Thiobacillus. Thus, the saturation of dissolved oxygen in the system resulted in improvement in the nitratation step and allowed detection of bacterial genera involved in the process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Lydia Friedrich
- Department of Water Resource and Sanitation, Universidade Federal Lavras, Aquenta Sol, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Aline Dos Reis Souza
- Department of Water Resource and Sanitation, Universidade Federal Lavras, Aquenta Sol, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Fia
- Department of Water Resource and Sanitation, Universidade Federal Lavras, Aquenta Sol, Lavras, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Dutra Leal
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana Calábria de Araújo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Hu Z, Duan H, Wang Z, Zhao J, Ye L, Yuan Z, Zheng M, Hu S. Centralized iron-dosing into returned sludge brings multifaceted benefits to wastewater management. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 203:117536. [PMID: 34403845 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Iron salts (i.e. FeCl3) are the most used chemicals in the urban wastewater system. Iron is commonly dosed into sewage or the mainstream system, which provides multiple benefits such as enhanced phosphorus removal and improved sludge settleability/dewaterability. This study reported and demonstrated a new approach that dosed FeCl3 into returned sludge in order to bring two more benefits to wastewater management: short-cut nitrogen removal via the nitrite pathway and less biomass production. This approach is achieved based on our findings that with similar amount of FeCl3, centralized iron dosing into a sidestream sludge unit generated iron concentration two orders of magnitude higher than the common mainstream dosing (e.g. 10-40 mg Fe/L-wastewater), leading to sludge acidification (pH = 2.1) with Fe (III) hydrolysis. Together with accumulated nitrite in the supernatant of the sludge, ppm-level of free nitrous acid was generated and thus enabled sludge disintegration, cell lysis, and selective elimination of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Long-term effects on nitrifying bacteria and overall reactor performance were evaluated using two laboratory reactor experiments for over one year. The experimental reactor showed stable nitrite accumulation with an average NO2-/(NO2- + NO3-) ratio above 80% and ∼30% observed biomass yield reduction compared to those in control reactors. In addition, the centralized sludge dosing strategy still provided benefits such as improved settleability and dewaterability of sludge and enhanced phosphorus removal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhetai Hu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Haoran Duan
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia; School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhiyao Wang
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jing Zhao
- Advanced Water Management Centre, 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
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Min Zheng
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Shihu Hu
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia
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Ronan E, Aqeel H, Wolfaardt GM, Liss SN. Recent advancements in the biological treatment of high strength ammonia wastewater. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 37:158. [PMID: 34420110 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-021-03124-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The estimated global population growth of 81 million people per year, combined with increased rates of urbanization and associated industrial processes, result in volumes of high strength ammonia wastewater that cannot be treated in a cost-effective or sustainable manner using the floc-based conventional activated sludge approach of nitrification and denitrification. Biofilm and aerobic granular sludge technologies have shown promise to significantly improve the performance of biological nitrogen removal systems treating high strength wastewater. This is partly due to enhanced biomass retention and their ability to sustain diverse microbial populations with juxtaposing growth requirements. Recent research has also demonstrated the value of hybrid systems with heterogeneous bioaggregates to mitigate biofilm and granule instability during long-term operation. In the context of high strength ammonia wastewater treatment, conventional nitrification-denitrification is hampered by high energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Anammox-based processes such as partial nitritation-anammox and partial denitrification-anammox represent more cost-effective and sustainable methods of removing reactive nitrogen from wastewater. There is also growing interest in the use of photosynthetic bacteria for ammonia recovery from high strength waste streams, such that nitrogen can be captured and concentrated in its reactive form and recycled into high value products. The purpose of this review is to explore recent advancements and emerging approaches related to high strength ammonia wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Ronan
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Hussain Aqeel
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Gideon M Wolfaardt
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa
| | - Steven N Liss
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada. .,School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, K7L 3N6, Canada. .,Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602, South Africa.
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Burut-Archanai S, Ubertino D, Chumtong P, Mhuantong W, Powtongsook S, Piyapattanakorn S. Dynamics of Microbial Community During Nitrification Biofilter Acclimation with Low and High Ammonia. MARINE BIOTECHNOLOGY (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2021; 23:671-681. [PMID: 34414527 DOI: 10.1007/s10126-021-10056-1] [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: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The acclimation of a nitrifying biofilter is a crucial and time-consuming task for setting up a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS). Gaining a better understanding of the dynamics of the microbial community during the acclimation period in the system could be useful for the development of mature nitrifying biofilters. In this study, high-throughput DNA sequencing was applied to monitor the microbial communities on a biofilter during the acclimation period (7 weeks) in high (100 mg N/L) and low (5 mg N/L) total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) treatments. Both treatments were successful for developing a mature nitrifying biofilter, dominated by Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Nitrospirae. Complete nitrification was found after 7 days of biofilter acclimation as indicated by decreasing TAN concentration, increasing nitrate concentration, and high abundances of the nitrifying bacteria, Nitrosomonadaceae and Nitrospiraceae. The beta diversity analysis of microbial communities showed different clustering of the samples between high and low TAN treatment groups. A greater abundance of nitrifying bacteria was found in the high TAN treatments (27-51%) than in the low TAN treatment (15-29%). The bacterial diversity in biofilters acclimated at high TAN concentration (Shannon's index 5.40-6.15) were lower than those found at low TAN treatment levels (Shannon's index 6.40-7.01). The higher diversity in biofilters acclimated at low TAN concentrations, consisting of Planctomycetes and Archaea, might benefit the nutrient recycling in the system. Although nitrification activity was observed from the first week of the acclimation period, the acclimation period should be taken as at least 6 weeks for full development of nitrifying biofilm. Moreover, the reduction of potentially pathogenic Vibrio on biofilters was found at that period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Surachet Burut-Archanai
- Center of Excellence for Marine Biotechnology, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Marine Biotechnology Research Team, Integrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Déborah Ubertino
- University of Clermont Auvergne, 49 bd Francois Mitterrand, 63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Parichat Chumtong
- Center of Excellence for Marine Biotechnology, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Marine Biotechnology Research Team, Integrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Wuttichai Mhuantong
- Enzyme Technology Research Team, Biorefinery and Bioproduct Technology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, 12120, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, Thailand
| | - Sorawit Powtongsook
- Center of Excellence for Marine Biotechnology, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Marine Biotechnology Research Team, Integrative Aquaculture Biotechnology Research Group, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), 113 Thailand Science Park, Phahonyothin Road, Khlong Nueng, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120, Thailand
| | - Sanit Piyapattanakorn
- Center of Excellence for Marine Biotechnology, Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
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Salcedo Moyano AJ, Delforno TP, Subtil EL. Simultaneous nitrification-denitrification (SND) using a thermoplastic gel as support: pollutants removal and microbial community in a pilot-scale biofilm membrane bioreactor. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 43:1-15. [PMID: 34191684 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2021.1950843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this study, experiments were carried out to treat sanitary wastewater in a biofilm membrane bioreactor using a thermoplastic gel as a support to assist the nitrification-denitrification process. For this purpose, the system was operated in two different dissolved oxygen concentrations (2.3 ± 0.2 and 0.9 ± 0.3 mg O2/L for Phases I and II, respectively) and the removal of organic compounds and nitrogen, as well as the microbial community in suspended biomass and biofilm were evaluated. The MB-MBR system was able to withstand raw wastewater variations and maintaining a low permeate COD concentration (18 mg/L) even at low DO concentrations. On the other hand, it was found that oxygen concentration significantly influenced the process of nitrogen conversion. In Phase I the average removal of total nitrogen was 18 ± 8%, while in Phase II it increased to 66 ± 11%. The denitrification rate was two times higher (7.8 mg NO 3 - -N/h) at low dissolved oxygen, with a significant contribution of the biofilm (41%). Additionally, the high-throughput 16S rDNA sequencing showed that the oxygen concentration was determinant for arrangement patterns of the samples and not the sampling site (suspended biomass and support material). Thiothrix, Comamonas, Rhodobacter, Mycobacterium, Thermomonas, Sphingobium, Sphigopyxis, Pseudoxanthomonas, Nitrospira and, Novosphingobium were the main genera regarding the nitrogen cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Javier Salcedo Moyano
- Engineering, Modeling and Applied Social Sciences Center (CECS), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Tiago Palladino Delforno
- Microbial Resources Division, Research Center for Chemistry, Biology and Agriculture (CPQBA), Campinas University - UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Lucas Subtil
- Engineering, Modeling and Applied Social Sciences Center (CECS), Federal University of ABC (UFABC), São Paulo, Brazil
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Development of Strategies for AOB and NOB Competition Supported by Mathematical Modeling in Terms of Successful Deammonification Implementation for Energy-Efficient WWTPs. Processes (Basel) 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/pr9030562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel technologies such as partial nitritation (PN) and partial denitritation (PDN) could be combined with the anammox-based process in order to alleviate energy input. The former combination, also noted as deammonification, has been intensively studied in a frame of lab and full-scale wastewater treatment in order to optimize operational costs and process efficiency. For the deammonification process, key functional microbes include ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and anaerobic ammonia oxidation bacteria (AnAOB), which coexisting and interact with heterotrophs and nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). The aim of the presented review was to summarize current knowledge about deammonification process principles, related to microbial interactions responsible for the process maintenance under varying operational conditions. Particular attention was paid to the factors influencing the targeted selection of AOB/AnAOB over the NOB and application of the mathematical modeling as a powerful tool enabling accelerated process optimization and characterization. Another reviewed aspect was the potential energetic and resources savings connected with deammonification application in relation to the technologies based on the conventional nitrification/denitrification processes.
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Yu J, Widyaningsih E, Park Y, Lee T. Nitrogen removal and microbial community diversity in single-chamber electroactive biofilm reactors with different ratios of the cathode surface area to reactor volume. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 758:143677. [PMID: 33288255 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Removal of nitrogen compounds is particularly important domestic wastewater treatment. Our recent study reported the successful removal of nitrogen in single-chamber electroactive biofilm reactors (EBRs) under aeration-free conditions. We hypothesized that the oxygen diffused from the air-cathode is a key factor in the removal of nitrogen in the EBR. If so, the effect of the penetrated oxygen would vary according to the ratio of the air-cathode surface area to the reactor volume (AV ratio) and the hydraulic retention time (HRT). In this study, single-chamber EBRs with three different AV ratios: 125 m2/m3 (EBR-125), 250 m2/m3 (EBR-250), and 500 m2/m3 (EBR-500) were evaluated for the removal of nitrogen under different HRTs of 0.5-6 h. The higher the AV ratio, the greater the increase in nitrification. The total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency of EBR-125 and EBR-250 decreased as the HRT decreased, while that of EBR-500 increased. EBR-250 showed the highest TN removal (62.0%) with well-balanced nitrification (83.9%) and denitrification (75.1%) at an HRT of 6 h. However, EBR-500 appeared to be superior for practical application because it showed a comparable TN removal (59%) at a substantially short HRT of 1 h. The microbial communities that were involved in the nitrogen cycle varied according to whether the biofilms were located on the anodes, separators, and cathodes but were similar among EBRs with different AV ratios. Nitrifying bacteria were detected in the biofilms that were presented on the cathodes (approximately 7.8% of the total phylotypes), while denitrifying bacteria were mainly found in biofilm that were located on the anodes (approximately 23.3%). Anammox bacteria were also detected on the anode (approximately 3.7%) and in the separator biofilms (approximately 1.9%) of all the EBRs. These results suggest that both the A/V ratio and the HRT could affect the counter diffusion of substrates (NH4+ and organic compounds) and oxygen in the biofilms and allow interactions between a diversity of microorganisms for the successful removal of nitrogen in EBRs. These findings are expected to aid in the development of new applications using EBR for energy-saving wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaecheul Yu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Evy Widyaningsih
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghyun Park
- Korea Testing & Research Institute, Ulsan 44412, Republic of Korea
| | - Taeho Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea.
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Rodríguez-Gómez LE, Rodríguez-Sevilla J, Hernández A, Álvarez M. Factors affecting nitrification with nitrite accumulation in treated wastewater by oxygen injection. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 42:813-825. [PMID: 31314696 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1645742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work provides information on nitrification with nitrite accumulation in low strength ammonia (below 50 mg L-1 NH4-N) and low organic matter (below 150 mg L-1 COD) reclaimed wastewater. In the South Tenerife reclaimed wastewater pipeline (62 km long), injection of O2 has been applied to promote a nitrification process in order to improve water quality and to avoid anaerobic conditions. Nitrification occurs, in most cases, with nitrite accumulation. The amount of oxidized nitrogen compounds produced increases with the oxygen dose applied. The nitrification process is usually favoured instead of the organic matter transformation, due to the low organic matter/ammonia nitrogen ratio of water. The influence of organic matter content on nitrification has been analysed, and a good suitability for COD has been found as an indicator for nitrification limitation (for the range of COD and NH4-N concentrations of the system). Nitrification limitation has been observed above 85 mg L-1 COD, and nitrification inhibition above a concentration of 105 mg L-1. In addition, the limitation of nitrite oxidation bacteria activity (nitrite accumulation) by free ammonia and temperature has been assessed, finding that, for the range of free ammonia (0.6-2.1 mg L-1 NH3) and temperature (20.4-27.0°C) in the study, temperature plays a much more relevant role than free ammonia on nitrite accumulation. The lower limiting temperature for nitrite build-up in the system has been 21.0°C. Below this temperature, nitrite accumulation did not exist or was very low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Rodríguez-Gómez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Juan Rodríguez-Sevilla
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Antonio Hernández
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
| | - Manuel Álvarez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Química y Tecnología Farmacéutica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, La Laguna, Spain
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González-Cabaleiro R, Martinez-Rabert E, Argiz L, van Kessel MA, Smith CJ. A framework based on fundamental biochemical principles to engineer microbial community dynamics. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 67:111-118. [PMID: 33540361 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Microbial communities are complex but there are basic principles we can apply to constrain the assumed stochasticity of their activity. By understanding the trade-offs behind the kinetic parameters that define microbial growth, we can explain how local interspecies dependencies arise and shape the emerging properties of a community. If we integrate these theoretical descriptions with experimental 'omics' data and bioenergetics analysis of specific environmental conditions, predictions on activity, assembly and spatial structure can be obtained reducing the a priori unpredictable complexity of microbial communities. This information can be used to define the appropriate selective pressures to engineer bioprocesses and propose new hypotheses which can drive experimental research to accelerate innovation in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca González-Cabaleiro
- James Watt School of Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment Research Division, University of Glasgow, Rankine Building, Glasgow, G12 8LT, UK.
| | - Eloi Martinez-Rabert
- James Watt School of Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment Research Division, University of Glasgow, Rankine Building, Glasgow, G12 8LT, UK
| | - Lucia Argiz
- CRETUS Institute, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain
| | - Maartje Ahj van Kessel
- Radboud University, Department of Microbiology, Institute of Water and Wetland Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cindy J Smith
- James Watt School of Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment Research Division, University of Glasgow, Rankine Building, Glasgow, G12 8LT, UK
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Effect of biomass immobilization and reduced graphene oxide on the microbial community changes and nitrogen removal at low temperatures. Sci Rep 2021; 11:840. [PMID: 33436937 PMCID: PMC7804202 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80747-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The slow growth rate and high optimal temperatures for the anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria are significant limitations of the anammox processes application in the treatment of mainstream of wastewater entering wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). In this study, we investigate the nitrogen removal and microbial community changes in sodium alginate (SA) and sodium alginate–reduced graphene oxide (SA-RGO) carriers, depending on the process temperature, with a particular emphasis on the temperature close to the mainstream of wastewater entering the WWTP. The RGO addition to the SA matrix causes suppression of the beads swelling, which intern modifies the mechanical properties of the gel beads. The effect of the temperature drop on the nitrogen removal rate was reduced for biomass entrapped in SA and SA-RGO gel beads in comparison to non-immobilized biomass, this suggests a ‘‘protective” effect caused by immobilization. However, analyses performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and qPCR revealed that the microbial community composition and relative gene abundance changed significantly, after the implementation of the new process conditions. The microbial community inside the gel beads was completely remodelled, in comparison with inoculum, and denitrification contributed to the nitrogen transformation inside the beads.
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Yu X, Yan M, Cui Y, Liu Z, Liu H, Zhou J, Liu J, Zeng L, Chen Q, Gu Y, Zou L, Zhao K, Xiang Q, Ma M, Li S. Effects of Co-application of Cadmium-Immobilizing Bacteria and Organic Fertilizers on Houttuynia cordata and Microbial Communities in a Cadmium-Contaminated Field. Front Microbiol 2021. [PMID: 35601203 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.687888/full] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadmium pollution is a serious threat to the soil environment. The application of bio-based fertilizers in combination with beneficial microbial agents is a sustainable approach to solving Cd pollution in farm soil. The present study investigated the effects of co-application of a Cd-immobilizing bacterial agent and two fermented organic fertilizers (fermentative edible fungi residue; fermentative cow dung) on Houttuynia cordata and its microbial communities in a Cd-polluted field. It showed that both the application of the Cd-immobilizing bacterial agent alone and the combined application of bio-based soil amendments and the bacterial agent effectively reduced >20% of the uptake of Cd by the plant. Soil nitrogen level was significantly raised after the combined fertilization. The multivariate diversity analysis and co-occurrence network algorithm showed that a significant shift of microbial communities took place, in which the microbial populations tended to be homogeneous with reduced microbial richness and increased diversity after the co-application. The treatment of fermentative cow dung with the addition of the bacterial agent showed a significant increase in the microbial community dissimilarity (R = 0.996, p = 0.001) compared to that treated with cow dung alone. The co-application of the bacterial agent with both organic fertilizers significantly increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. The FAPROTAX soil functional analysis revealed that the introduction of the microbial agent could potentially suppress human pathogenic microorganisms in the field fertilized with edible fungi residue. It also showed that the microbial agent can reduce the nitrite oxidation function in the soil when applied alone or with the organic fertilizers. Our study thus highlights the beneficial effects of the Cd-immobilizing bacterial inoculant on H. cordata and provides a better understanding of the microbial changes induced by the combined fertilization using the microbial agent and organic soil amendments in a Cd-contaminated field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiumei Yu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Min Yan
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yongliang Cui
- Sichuan Provincial Academy of Natural Resource Sciences, Chengdu, China
| | - Zhongyi Liu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Han Liu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiahao Liu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lan Zeng
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiang Chen
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yunfu Gu
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Likou Zou
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ke Zhao
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Quanju Xiang
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Menggen Ma
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuangcheng Li
- College of Resources, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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Dos Reis Souza A, Batista AMM, Leal CD, Fia R, de Araújo JC, Siniscalchi LAB. Evaluation of nitrogen removal and the microbial community in a submerged aerated biological filter (SABF), secondary decanters (SD), and horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF-CW) for the treatment of kennel effluent. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:43125-43137. [PMID: 32729043 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10263-8] [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: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
To ensure microbial activity and a reaction equilibrium with efficiency and energy saving, it is important to know the factors that influence microbiological nitrogen removal in wastewater. Thus, it was investigated the microorganisms and their products involved in the treatment of kennel effluents operated with different aeration times, phase 1 (7 h of continuous daily aeration), phase 2 (5 h of continuous daily aeration), and phase 3 (intermittent aeration every 2 h), monitoring chemical and physical parameters weekly, monthly microbiological, and qualitative and quantitative microbiological analyzes at the end of each applied aeration phase. The results showed a higher mean growth of nitrifying bacteria (NB) (106) and denitrifying bacteria (DB) (1022) in phase with intermittent aeration, in which better total nitrogen (TN) removal performance, with 33%, was achieved, against 21% in phase 1 and 17% in phase 2, due to the longer aeration time and lower carbon/nitrogen ratio (15.7), compared with the other phases. The presence of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), the genus Nitrobacter nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and DB were detected by PCR with specific primers at all phases. The analysis performed by 16S-rRNA DGGE revealed the genres Thauera at all phases; Betaproteobacteria and Acidovorax in phase 3; Azoarcus in phases 2 and 3; Clostridium, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Turicibacter, Rhodopseudomonas, and Saccharibacteria in phase 1, which are related to the nitrogen removal, most of them by denitrifying. It is concluded that, with the characterization of the microbial community and the analysis of nitrogen compounds, it was determined, consistently, that the studied treatment system has microbiological capacity to remove TN, with the phase 3 aeration strategy, by simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND). Due to the high density of DB, most of the nitrification occurred by heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic. And denitrification occurred by heterotrophic and autotrophic forms, since the higher rate of oxygen application did not harm the DB. Therefore, the aeration and carbon conditions in phase 3 favored the activity of the microorganisms involved in these different routes. It is considered that, in order to increase autotrophic nitrification-aerobic, it is necessary to exhaust the volume of sludge in the secondary settlers (SD), further reducing the carbon/nitrogen ratio, through more frequent cleaning, whose periodicity should be the object of further studies. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Dos Reis Souza
- Department of Water Resource and Sanitation, Federal University Lavras, Aquenta Sol, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Moreira Batista
- State University of Minas Gerais, João Monlevade Unit, Brasília Avenue, 1304 - Bau, João Monlevade, Minas Gerais, 35930-314, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Dutra Leal
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-90, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Fia
- Department of Water Resource and Sanitation, Federal University Lavras, Aquenta Sol, Lavras, Minas Gerais, 37200-000, Brazil
| | - Juliana Calábria de Araújo
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Antônio Carlos Avenue, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, 31270-90, Brazil
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Wang BB, Luo Q, Li HJ, Yao Q, Zhang L, Zou JT, He F. Characterization of aerobic granules formed in an aspartic acid fed sequencing batch reactor under unfavorable hydrodynamic selection conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2020; 260:127600. [PMID: 32758769 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Granules initiation and development is the backbone of aerobic granular sludge technology. Feed composition can notably affect initiation and development of aerobic granules, and yield aerobic granules with distinct microbial community, morphology and structure. This paper reports an unexpected formation of aerobic granules in an aspartic acid fed SBR under unfavorable hydrodynamic selection conditions. Detailed characteristics of these aerobic granules were investigated in terms of morphology, structure, bioactivity and EPS. The results showed that due to the absence of favorable hydrodynamic selection pressure, the formed aerobic granules had an irregular shape with a rough outline and loose internal structure, which was quite different from mature aerobic granules. Bacteria in these aerobic granules were mainly presented in the form of microcolony with calcium and β-polysaccharides responsible for its mechanical stability. The high N/C ratio of aspartic acid enabled the enrichment of significant amount of nitrifiers within aerobic granules and thus resulted in high nitrification activity of these aerobic granules. The negatively charged and hydrophilic aspartic acid also induced the bacteria to secrete more exopolysaccharides for contributing to more neutral and hydrophilic surface of the aerobic granules, which was beneficial for aspartic acid capture. As a result, polysaccharides, rather than proteins, became the major components of EPS in these aerobic granules. This paper provides us a foundation to better understand the granulation potential of proteinaceous substrates that is frequently encountered in industrial wastewaters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin-Bin Wang
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Qin Luo
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Hui-Juan Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Xi'an Polytechnic University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710048, China
| | - Qian Yao
- School of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi'an University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710065, China
| | - Lin Zhang
- Center for Environmental Education and Communications, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jin-Te Zou
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China
| | - Feng He
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310014, China.
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Park S, Seungdae O. Inhibitory mechanisms and fate of the analgesic drug acetaminophen in nitrifying activated sludge. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 399:123104. [PMID: 32544770 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This work investigated the inhibitory effects and fate of acetaminophen (N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) on activated sludge (AS) under nitrifying and aerobic conditions. APAP disrupted the two-step biological nitrification process in a dose-dependent manner. 100 mg/L APAP inhibited ammonia oxidation (the first step of nitrification) accompanied by a significant reduction (> 80 %) of Nitrosomonas oligotropha in relative abundance. 50 mg/L of APAP had no significant effects on ammonia oxidation but interrupted nitrite oxidation (the second step of nitrification) with more than 90 % reduction of Candidatus Nitrospira defluvii. APAP was removed in nitrifying activated sludge via largely the biotransformation route. Both nitrifiers and heterotrophic microorganisms contributed to overall APAP removal. An AS bioreactor was acclimated to 100 mg/L APAP as the sole source of carbon, nitrogen, and energy to enrich the microbial community with APAP-metabolizing heterotrophs. During acclimation, dynamic changes in community phenotypes occurred with significant reduction in species richness and diversity. Community acclimation significantly increased APAP biotransformation rates. 16S rRNA gene-based community profiling showed selective enrichment for Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas, both with demonstrated APAP metabolic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangeun Park
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Oh Seungdae
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
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Aqeel H, Liss SN. Autotrophic Fixed-Film Systems Treating High Strength Ammonia Wastewater. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:551925. [PMID: 33013783 PMCID: PMC7506033 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.551925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was enrichment of nitrifying bacteria and to investigate the potential of autotrophic fixed-film and hybrid bioreactors to treat high strength ammonia wastewater (up to 1,000 mg N/L). Two types of fixed-film systems [moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) and BioCordTM] in two different configurations [sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR)] were operated for 306 days. The laboratory-scale bioreactors were seeded with activated sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant and fed synthetic wastewater with no organics. Strategies for acclimation included biomass reseeding (during bioreactor start-up), and gradual increase in the influent ammonia concentration [from 130 to 1,000 mg N/L (10% every 5 days)]. Stable ammonia removal was observed up to 750 mg N/L from 45 to 145 days in the MBBR SBR (94-100%) and CSTR (72-100%), and BioCordTM SBR (96-100%) and CSTR (92-100%). Ammonia removal declined to 87% ± 6, in all bioreactors treating 1,000 mg N/L (on day 185). Following long-term operation at 1,000 mg N/L (on day 306), ammonia removal was 93-94% in both the MBBR SBR and BioCordTM CSTR; whereas, ammonia removal was relatively lower in MBBR CSTR (20-35%) and BioCordTM SBR (45-54%). Acclimation to increasing concentrations of ammonia led to the enrichment of nitrifying (Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, and Nitrobacter) and denitrifying (Comamonas, OLB8, and Rhodanobacter) bacteria [16S rRNA gene sequencing (Illumina)] in all bioreactors. In the hybrid bioreactor, the nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria were relatively more abundant in flocs and biofilms, respectively. The presence of dead cells (in biofilms) suggests that in the absence of an organic substrate, endogenous decay is a likely contributor of nutrients for denitrifying bacteria. The nitrite accumulation and abundance of denitrifying bacteria indicate partial denitrification in fixed-film bioreactors operated under limited carbon conditions. Further studies are required to assess the contribution of organic material produced in autotrophic biofilms (by endogenous decay and soluble microbial products) to the overall treatment process. Furthermore, the possibility of sustaining autotrophic nitrogen in high strength waste-streams in the presence of organic substrates warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussain Aqeel
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Steven N Liss
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.,Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Microbiology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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De Sotto R, Bae S. Nutrient removal performance and microbiome of an energy-efficient reciprocation MLE-MBR operated under hypoxic conditions. WATER RESEARCH 2020; 182:115991. [PMID: 32739686 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A critical challenge in the application of membrane bioreactors (MBR) for domestic wastewater treatment is its high energy consumption caused by continuous aeration for biofouling control. To reduce energy consumption and mitigate fouling in membranes, alternative configurations using dynamic shear-enhanced filtration by membrane reciprocation, rotation, and vibration to mechanically impose shear on membrane surfaces have been recently introduced. However, although these methods are effective at lowering energy usage, the nutrient removal efficiencies and microbial community compositions of these systems have not been well studied. In this study, a lab-scale no-aeration reciprocation membrane bioreactor was used to characterize the microbial composition, functional profile and nutrient removal of the reciprocation MBR system operated under hypoxic conditions. Microbial community analysis showed Proteobacteria (35%) and Saccharibacteria (27%) to be the most abundant phyla in the sludge and the biofilm samples, respectively. Nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiencies were observed at 70% and 50% while the chemical oxygen demand concentration had about a 99% decrease in the effluent. Quantitative PCR of nutrient-removing genes revealed the presence of complete ammonia-oxidizing organisms (comammox) with a mean abundance of 1.88 × 104 gene copies/g sludge, which explains the high ammonia removal despite a low abundance of canonical ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB). Fluorescence in-situ hybridization showed a prevalence of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) with clusters that are distant from other nutrient-removing communities, suggesting that their metabolism is not dependent on ammonia oxidizers. The reciprocation MBR configuration may be a suitable, more energy-efficient alternative to conventional air-scouring systems because of its biofouling mitigation and promising nutrient removal performed by the diverse microbial communities in its system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan De Sotto
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, #07-03 E1A, 117576, Singapore
| | - Sungwoo Bae
- Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, #07-03 E1A, 117576, Singapore.
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Chen H, Wang M, Chang S. Disentangling Community Structure of Ecological System in Activated Sludge: Core Communities, Functionality, and Functional Redundancy. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2020; 80:296-308. [PMID: 32076744 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-020-01492-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The microbial ecosystems of the sludge were characterized in terms of the core community structure, functional pathways, and functional redundancy through Illumina MiSeq sequencing and PICRUSt analysis on the activated sludge (AS) samples from an extended activated aeration process. Based on the identified OTU distribution, we identified 125 core community genera, including 3 abundant core genera and 21 intermittent abundant core genera. Putative genera Nitrosomonas, Nitrotoga, Zoogloea, Novosphingobium, Thermomonas, Amaricoccus, Tetrasphaera, Candidatus Microthrix, and Haliscomenobacter, which are associated with functions of nitrifying, denitrifying, phosphorus accumulating, and bulking and foaming, were found to present as the core community organisms in the AS sampled from the conventional extended aeration AS processes. The high-abundant nitrogen metabolic pathways were associated with nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA and ANRA), denitrification, and nitrogen fixation, while the ammonia oxidation-related genes (amo) were rarely annotated in the AS samples. Strict functional redundancy was not found with the AS ecosystem as it showed a high correlation between the community composition similarity and function similarity. In addition, the classified dominant core genera community was found to be sufficient to characterize the functionality of AS, which could invigorate applications of 16S rDNA MiSeq sequencing and PICRUSt for the prediction of functions of AS ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huibin Chen
- School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Meiying Wang
- School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Sheng Chang
- School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
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