1
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Chrysochoidis V, Andersen MH, Remigi EU, Faragó M, Smets BF, Domingo-Félez C, Valverde-Pérez B. Critical evaluation of different mass transfer equations to model N 2O emissions from water resource recovery facilities with diffuse aeration. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2024; 45:3339-3353. [PMID: 37191950 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2023.2215454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
N2O measurements by liquid sensors in aerated tanks are an input to gas-liquid mass-transfer models for the prediction of N2O off-gas emissions. The prediction of N2O emissions from Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRFs) was evaluated by three different mass-transfer models using Benchmark Simulation Model 1 (BSM1) as a reference model. Inappropriate selection of mass-transfer model may result in miscalculation of carbon footprints based on soluble N2O online measurements. The film theory considers a constant mass-transfer expression, while more complex models suggest that emissions are affected by the aeration type, efficiency, and tank design characteristics. The differences among model predictions were 10-16% at dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration of 0.6 g/m3, when biological N2O production was the highest, while the flux of N2O was 20.0-24 kg N2O-N/d. At lower DO, the nitrification rate was low, while at DO higher than 2 g/m3, the N2O production was reduced leading to higher rates of complete nitrification and a flux of 5 kg N2O-N/d. The differences increased to 14-26% in deeper tanks, due to the pressure assumed in the tanks. The predicted emissions are also affected by the aeration efficiency when KLaN2O depends on the airflow instead of the KLaO2. Increasing the nitrogen loading rate under DO concentration of 0.50-0.65 g/m3 increased the differences in predictions by 10-20% in both alpha 0.6 and 1.2. A sensitivity analysis indicated that the selection of different mass-transfer models did not affect the selection of biochemical parameters for N2O model calibration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maria Faragó
- Climate Adaptation and Green Infrastructure, Ramboll, Denmark
| | - Barth F Smets
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Denmark
| | - Carlos Domingo-Félez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Denmark
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
- Infrastructure and Environment, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, University Avenue, Glasgow, UK
| | - Borja Valverde-Pérez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Miljøvej, Denmark
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2
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Yin Y, Qi X, Gao L, Lu X, Yang X, Xiao K, Liu Y, Qiu Y, Huang X, Liang P. Quantifying Methane Influx from Sewer into Wastewater Treatment Processes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:9582-9590. [PMID: 38780619 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment contributes substantially to methane (CH4) emissions, yet monitoring and tracing face challenges because the treatment processes are often treated as a "black box". Particularly, despite growing interest, the amount of CH4 carryover and influx from the sewer and its impacts on overall emissions remain unclear. This study quantified CH4 emissions from six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) across China, utilizing existing multizonal odor control systems, with a focus on Beijing and Guiyang WWTPs. In the Beijing WWTP, almost 90% of CH4 emissions from the wastewater treatment process were conveyed through sewer pipes, affecting emissions even in the aerobic zone of biological treatment. In the Guiyang WWTP, where most CH4 from the sewer was released at the inlet well, a 24 h online monitoring revealed CH4 fluctuations linked to neighborhood water consumption and a strong correlation to influent COD inputs. CH4 emission factors monitored in six WWTPs range from 1.5 to 13.4 gCH4/kgCODrem, higher than those observed in previous studies using A2O technology. This underscores the importance of considering CH4 influx from sewer systems to avoid underestimation. The odor control system in WWTPs demonstrates its potential as a cost-effective approach for tracing, monitoring, and mitigating CH4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Yin
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Qi
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Lan Gao
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xi Lu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xufei Yang
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota 57007, United States
| | - Kang Xiao
- College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yanchen Liu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yong Qiu
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xia Huang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Peng Liang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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3
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Ayotte SH, Allen CR, Parker A, Stein OR, Lauchnor EG. Greenhouse gas production from an intermittently dosed cold-climate wastewater treatment wetland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171484. [PMID: 38462002 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171484] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from a two-stage, cold-climate vertical-flow treatment wetland (TW) treating ski area wastewater at 3 °C average water temperature. The system is designed like a modified Ludzack-Ettinger process with the first stage a partially saturated, denitrifying TW followed by an unsaturated nitrifying TW and recycle of nitrified effluent. An intermittent wastewater dosing scheme was established for both stages, with alternating carbon-rich wastewater and nitrate-rich recycle to the first stage. The system has demonstrated effective chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) removal in high-strength wastewater over seven years of winter operation. Following two closed-loop, intensive GHG winter sampling campaigns at the TW, the magnitude of N2O flux was 2.2 times higher for denitrification than nitrification. CH4 and N2O emissions were strongly correlated with hydraulic loading, whereas CO2 was correlated with surface temperature. GHG fluxes from each stage were related to both microbial activity and off-gassing of dissolved species during wastewater dosing, thus the time of sampling relative to dosing strongly influenced observed fluxes. These results suggest that estimates of GHG fluxes from TWs may be biased if mass transfer and mechanisms of wastewater application are not considered. Emission factors for N2O and CH4 were 0.27 % as kg-N2O-N/kg-TINremoved and 0.04 % kg-CH4-C/kg-CODremoved, respectively. The system had observed seasonal emissions of 600.5 kg CO2 equivalent of GHGs estimated over 130-days of operation. These results indicate a need for wastewater treatment processes to mitigate GHGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- S H Ayotte
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - C R Allen
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - A Parker
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Department of Mathematical Sciences, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - O R Stein
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - E G Lauchnor
- Center for Biofilm Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Department of Civil Engineering, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA; Thermal Biology Institute, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA.
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4
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Rovelli L, Morandi C, Abusafia A, Fuchs S, Dittmer U, Lorke A. The role of stormwater infrastructure in regional methane emissions. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120334. [PMID: 37482003 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater infrastructure has been recently indicated as a potential hotspot for methane (CH4) emissions. Although local assessments based on direct CH4 measurements are increasingly available, there is currently no standardized approach for evaluating CH4 emissions from different types of stormwater infrastructure, including permanently impounded or fast-draining structures in Urban Drainage Systems (UDS). Therefore, a comparative analysis with wastewater infrastructure systems, such as wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), is not yet possible. Here, we present a conceptual framework for the first-order quantification and upscaling of CH4 emissions from stormwater infrastructure at local and national scales. We combined in-situ and ex-situ measurements of CH4 emissions with purposely acquired data from selected stormwater facilities to provide initial estimates of CH4 emissions and emission factors for stormwater infrastructure in Germany. The results show that while stormwater infrastructure might emit comparable amounts of CH4 per area as natural and anthropogenically impacted inland waters, it may exhibit higher mean emission factors (up to 7 times) than conventional WWTPs, indicating less efficiency in limiting CH4 emissions than WWTPs. This is particularly true for permanently impounded facilities, which showed substantially higher mean surface CH4 emissions (up to 632 mg m-2 d-1) than fast-draining infrastructure (0.5-1.28 mg m-2 d-1). Permanently impounded sedimentation basins for stormwater management alone may reach up to 60% of the total CH4 emissions originating from WWTPs in Germany. These results are in conflict with the ongoing trend towards increasing implementation of impounded stormwater infrastructure systems, highlighting the urgent need for more extensive assessments of their impact on CH4 dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Rovelli
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, Landau 76829, Germany.
| | - Carlo Morandi
- Department of Urban Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 14, Kaiserslautern 67663, Germany
| | - Attaallah Abusafia
- Department of Urban Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 14, Kaiserslautern 67663, Germany
| | - Stephan Fuchs
- Institute for Water and River Basin Management, Department of Aquatic Environmental Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Gotthard-Franz-Straße 3, Karlsruhe 76131, Germany
| | - Ulrich Dittmer
- Department of Urban Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße 14, Kaiserslautern 67663, Germany
| | - Andreas Lorke
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstraße 7, Landau 76829, Germany
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5
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Ranieri E, D'Onghia G, Lopopolo L, Gikas P, Ranieri F, Gika E, Spagnolo V, Ranieri AC. Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions from aerobic and anaerobic wastewater treatment plants in Southeast of Italy. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 337:117767. [PMID: 36965371 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
An evaluation of the operative functioning data of 183 Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) in Apulia (Southeast of Italy) has been carried out aimed to assess their Green House Gases (GHGs) emissions and the level for which the use of anaerobic sludge treatment should be more convenient in terms of electricity consumption and of GHGs emissions. Out of the 183 studies WWTPs, 140 are practicing aerobic digestion of sludge, while the remaining 43 are practicing anaerobic digestion of sludge. WWTPs in Apulia are serving about 4,81 million PE (Population Equivalent), yielding approximately 600,000-ton equivalent CO2 per annum. The production of GHGs emissions has been estimated by evaluating the contribution of CO2 deriving from: a) electric energy consumption (fossil CO2), b) biogenic CO2, c) N2O and d) CH4 emissions. The present study investigates a number of technical measures for upgrading the existing WWTPs, so to reduce GHGs emissions through the amelioration of CH4 production and capture in the anaerobic step, and through reducing the production of biogenic N2O and CO2 emissions in the aerated basin. The methodology employees artificial intelligence-based control for upgrading the aerobic oxidation of the organic carbon and the nitrification-denitrification steps. As a result, GHGs emissions are expected to be reduced by approximately: 71% for CH4, 57% for N2O, 20% for biogenic CO2 and 15% for fossil derived CO2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezio Ranieri
- Universita Degli Studi di Bari, Dipartimento di Biologia, Bari, Italy.
| | | | - Luigi Lopopolo
- Universita Degli Studi di Bari, Dipartimento di Biologia, Bari, Italy.
| | - Petros Gikas
- Technical University of Crete, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Chania, Greece.
| | - Francesca Ranieri
- Universita Degli Studi di Foggia, Dipartimento di Dipartimento di Economia, Management e Territorio, Foggia, Italy.
| | - Eleni Gika
- Technical University of Crete, School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Chania, Greece.
| | - Vincenzo Spagnolo
- Politecnico di Bari, Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica, Bari, Italy.
| | - Ada Cristina Ranieri
- Politecnico di Bari, Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica, Bari, Italy; Universita Internazionale Telematica Uninettuno, Roma, Italy.
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6
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Moore D, Li NP, Wendt LP, Castañeda SR, Falinski MM, Zhu JJ, Song C, Ren ZJ, Zondlo MA. Underestimation of Sector-Wide Methane Emissions from United States Wastewater Treatment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:4082-4090. [PMID: 36848936 PMCID: PMC10018768 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
An increasing percentage of US waste methane (CH4) emissions come from wastewater treatment (10% in 1990 to 14% in 2019), although there are limited measurements across the sector, leading to large uncertainties in current inventories. We conducted the largest study of CH4 emissions from US wastewater treatment, measuring 63 plants with average daily flows ranging from 4.2 × 10-4 to 8.5 m3 s-1 (<0.1 to 193 MGD), totaling 2% of the 62.5 billion gallons treated, nationally. We employed Bayesian inference to quantify facility-integrated emission rates with a mobile laboratory approach (1165 cross-plume transects). The median plant-averaged emission rate was 1.1 g CH4 s-1 (0.1-21.6 g CH4 s-1; 10th/90th percentiles; mean 7.9 g CH4 s-1), and the median emission factor was 3.4 × 10-2 g CH4 (g influent 5 day biochemical oxygen demand; BOD5)-1 [0.6-9.9 × 10-2 g CH4 (g BOD5)-1; 10th/90th percentiles; mean 5.7 × 10-2 g CH4 (g BOD5)-1]. Using a Monte Carlo-based scaling of measured emission factors, emissions from US centrally treated domestic wastewater are 1.9 (95% CI: 1.5-2.4) times greater than the current US EPA inventory (bias of 5.4 MMT CO2-eq). With increasing urbanization and centralized treatment, efforts to identify and mitigate CH4 emissions are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel
P. Moore
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Nathan P. Li
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Lars P. Wendt
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Sierra R. Castañeda
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
- Now
at Department of Earth Systems Science, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Mark M. Falinski
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Jun-Jie Zhu
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Cuihong Song
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - Mark A. Zondlo
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
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7
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Song C, Zhu JJ, Willis JL, Moore DP, Zondlo MA, Ren ZJ. Methane Emissions from Municipal Wastewater Collection and Treatment Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:2248-2261. [PMID: 36735881 PMCID: PMC10041530 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems are critical infrastructures, and they are also identified as major sources of anthropogenic CH4 emissions that contribute to climate change. The actual CH4 emissions at the plant- or regional level vary greatly due to site-specific conditions as well as high seasonal and diurnal variations. Here, we conducted the first quantitative analysis of CH4 emissions from different types of sewers and water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs). We examined variations in CH4 emissions associated with methods applied in different monitoring campaigns, and identified main CH4 sources and sinks to facilitate carbon emission reduction efforts in the wastewater sector. We found plant-wide CH4 emissions vary by orders of magnitude, from 0.01 to 110 g CH4/m3 with high emissions associated with plants equipped with anaerobic digestion or stabilization ponds. Rising mains show higher dissolved CH4 concentrations than gravity sewers when transporting similar raw sewage under similar environmental conditions, but the latter dominates most collection systems around the world. Using the updated data sets, we estimated annual CH4 emission from the U.S. centralized, municipal wastewater treatment to be approximately 10.9 ± 7.0 MMT CO2-eq/year, which is about twice as the IPCC (2019) Tier 2 estimates (4.3-6.1 MMT CO2-eq/year). Given CH4 emission control will play a crucial role in achieving net zero carbon goals by the midcentury, more studies are needed to profile and mitigate CH4 emissions from the wastewater sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuihong Song
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544United States
| | - Jun-Jie Zhu
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
| | - John L. Willis
- Brown
and Caldwell, Atlanta, Georgia30328, United States
| | - Daniel P. Moore
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544United States
| | - Mark A. Zondlo
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544United States
| | - Zhiyong Jason Ren
- Department
of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey08544United States
- Andlinger
Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton
University, Princeton, New Jersey08544, United States
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8
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Yao H, Gao X, Guo J, Wang H, Zhang L, Fan L, Jia F, Guo J, Peng Y. Contribution of nitrous oxide to the carbon footprint of full-scale wastewater treatment plants and mitigation strategies- a critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120295. [PMID: 36181929 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, significantly contributes to the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and contributes significantly to global climate change and to the deterioration of the natural environment. Our understanding of N2O generation mechanisms has significantly improved in the last decade, but the development of effective N2O emission mitigation strategies has lagged owing to the complexity of parameter regulation, substandard monitoring activities, and inadequate policy criteria. Based on critically screened published studies on N2O control in full-scale WWTPs, this review elucidates N2O generation pathway identifications and emission mechanisms and summarizes the impact of N2O on the total carbon footprint of WWTPs. In particular, a linear relationship was established between N2O emission factors and total nitrogen removal efficiencies in WWTPs located in China. Promising N2O mitigation options were proposed, which focus on optimizing operating conditions and implementation of innovative treatment processes. Furthermore, the sustainable operation of WWTPs has been anticipated to convert WWTPs into absolute greenhouse gas reducers as a result of the refinement and improvement of on-site monitoring activities, mitigation mechanisms, regulation of operational parameters, modeling, and policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China.
| | - Xinyu Gao
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Jingbo Guo
- School of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin, 132012, China
| | - Hui Wang
- SINOPEC Research Institute of Petroleum Processing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Liru Fan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Fangxu Jia
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Aqueous Typical Pollutants Control and Water Quality Safeguard, School of Environment, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China
| | - Jianhua Guo
- Advanced Water Management Centre, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Yongzhen Peng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Advanced Municipal Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Technology, Engineering Research Center of Beijing, Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
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9
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Aryal B, Gurung R, Camargo AF, Fongaro G, Treichel H, Mainali B, Angove MJ, Ngo HH, Guo W, Puadel SR. Nitrous oxide emission in altered nitrogen cycle and implications for climate change. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120272. [PMID: 36167167 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Natural processes and human activities play a crucial role in changing the nitrogen cycle and increasing nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, which are accelerating at an unprecedented rate. N2O has serious global warming potential (GWP), about 310 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. The food production, transportation, and energy required to sustain a world population of seven billion have required dramatic increases in the consumption of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizers and fossil fuels, leading to increased N2O in air and water. These changes have radically disturbed the nitrogen cycle and reactive nitrogen species, such as nitrous oxide (N2O), and have impacted the climatic system. Yet, systematic and comprehensive studies on various underlying processes and parameters in the altered nitrogen cycle, and their implications for the climatic system are still lacking. This paper reviews how the nitrogen cycle has been disturbed and altered by anthropogenic activities, with a central focus on potential pathways of N2O generation. The authors also estimate the N2O-N emission mainly due to anthropogenic activities will be around 8.316 Tg N2O-N yr-1 in 2050. In order to minimize and tackle the N2O emissions and its consequences on the global ecosystem and climate change, holistic mitigation strategies and diverse adaptations, policy reforms, and public awareness are suggested as vital considerations. This study concludes that rapidly increasing anthropogenic perturbations, the identification of new microbial communities, and their role in mediating biogeochemical processes now shape the modern nitrogen cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babita Aryal
- Naaya Aayam Multidisciplinary Institute, NAMI, University of Northampton, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Roshni Gurung
- Naaya Aayam Multidisciplinary Institute, NAMI, University of Northampton, Jorpati, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Aline F Camargo
- Federal University of Santa Catarina, Post-graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biosciences, Florianopólis, Brazil; Laboratory of Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim, Brazil
| | - Gislaine Fongaro
- Laboratory of Applied Virology, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, 88040-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil
| | - Helen Treichel
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Bioprocesses, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Erechim, Brazil
| | - Bandita Mainali
- School of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3550, Australia; School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael J Angove
- Department of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC-3550, Australia
| | - Huu Hao Ngo
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Wenshan Guo
- Faculty of Engineering, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Shukra Raj Puadel
- Department of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, 44700, Nepal; Department of Environmental Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Korea University, Sejong, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Contreras JA, Valenzuela EI, Quijano G. Nitrate/nitrite-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (N-AOM) as a technology platform for greenhouse gas abatement in wastewater treatment plants: State-of-the-art and challenges. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 319:115671. [PMID: 35816965 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115671] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nitrate/nitrite-dependent anaerobic oxidation of methane (N-AOM) is a metabolic process recently discovered and partially characterized in terms of the microorganisms and pathways involved. The N-AOM process can be a powerful tool for mitigating the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from wastewater treatment plants by coupling the reduction of nitrate or nitrite with the oxidation of residual dissolved methane. Besides specific anaerobic methanotrophs such as bacteria members of the phylum NC10 and archaea belonging to the lineage ANME-2d, recent reports suggested that other methane-oxidizing bacteria in syntrophy with denitrifiers can also perform the N-AOM process, which facilitates the application of this metabolic process for the oxidation of residual methane under realistic scenarios. This work constitutes a state-of-art review that includes the fundamentals of the N-AOM process, new information on process microbiology, bioreactor configurations, and operating conditions for process implementation in WWTP. Potential advantages of the N-AOM process over aerobic methanotrophic biotechnologies are presented, including the potential interrelation of the N-AOM with other nitrogen removal processes within the WWTP, such as the anaerobic ammonium oxidation. This work also addressed the challenges of this biotechnology towards its application at full scale, identifying and discussing critical research niches.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Contreras
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Edgardo I Valenzuela
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Quijano
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico.
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Abstract
In recent years, anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBRs) technology, a combination of a biological reactor and a selective membrane process, has received increasing attention from both industrialists and researchers. Undoubtedly, this is due to the fact that AnMBRs demonstrate several unique advantages. Firstly, this paper addresses fundamentals of the AnMBRs technology and subsequently provides an overview of the current state-of-the art in the municipal and domestic wastewaters treatment by AnMBRs. Since the operating conditions play a key role in further AnMBRs development, the impact of temperature and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on the AnMBRs performance in terms of organic matters removal is presented in detail. Although membrane technologies for wastewaters treatment are known as costly in operation, it was clearly demonstrated that the energy demand of AnMBRs may be lower than that of typical wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Moreover, it was indicated that AnMBRs have the potential to be a net energy producer. Consequently, this work builds on a growing body of evidence linking wastewaters treatment with the energy-efficient AnMBRs technology. Finally, the challenges and perspectives related to the full-scale implementation of AnMBRs are highlighted.
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Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment of a Membrane Bioreactor–Membrane Distillation Wastewater Treatment System for Potable Reuse. SEPARATIONS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/separations9060151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater treatment for indirect potable reuse (IPR) is a possible approach to address water scarcity. In this study, a novel membrane bioreactor–membrane distillation (MBR-MD) system was evaluated to determine the environmental impacts of treatment compared to an existing IPR facility (“Baseline”). Physical and empirical models were used to obtain operational data for both systems and inform a life cycle inventory. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was used to compare the environmental impacts of each system. Results showed an average 53.7% reduction in environmental impacts for the MBR-MD system when waste heat is used to operate MD; however, without waste heat, the environmental impacts of MBR-MD are significantly higher, with average impacts ranging from 218% to 1400% greater than the Baseline, depending on the proportion of waste heat used. The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of the novel MBR-MD system for IPR and the reduced environmental impacts when waste heat is available to power MD.
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Valenzuela EI, Contreras JA, Quijano G. Fast development of microbial cultures for the anaerobic oxidation of CH4 coupled to denitrification employing widely available inocula. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Gålfalk M, Påledal SN, Sehlén R, Bastviken D. Ground-based remote sensing of CH 4 and N 2O fluxes from a wastewater treatment plant and nearby biogas production with discoveries of unexpected sources. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111978. [PMID: 34480946 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study is an attempt to assess CH4 and N2O emissions from all the treatment steps of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Sweden, serving 145 000 persons, and an adjacent biogas production facility. We have used novel mid-IR ground-based remote sensing with a hyperspectral camera to visualize and quantify the emissions on 21 days during a year, with resulting yearly fluxes of 90.4 ± 4.3 tonne CH4/yr and 10.9 ± 1.3 tonne N2O/yr for the entire plant. The most highly emitting CH4 source was found to be sludge storage, which is seldom included in literature as in-situ methods are not suitable for measuring emissions extended over large surfaces, still contributing 90 % to the total CH4 emission in our case. The dominating N2O source was found to be a Stable High rate Ammonia Removal Over Nitrite reactor, contributing 89 % to the total N2O emissions. We also discovered several unexpected CH4 sources. Incomplete flaring of CH4 gave fluxes of at least 30 kg CH4/min, corresponding to plume concentrations of 2.5 %. Such highly episodic fluxes could double the plant-wide yearly emissions if they occur 2 days per year. From a distance of 250 m we found a leak in the biogas production facility, corresponding to 1.1 % of the CH4 produced, and that loading of organic material onto trucks from a biofertilizer storage tank contributed with high emissions during loading events. These results indicate that WWTP emissions globally may have been grossly underestimated and that it is essential to have effective methods that can measure all types of fluxes, and discover new potential sources, in order to make adequate priorities and to take effective actions to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Gålfalk
- Department of Thematic Studies - Environmental Change, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
| | | | - Robert Sehlén
- Tekniska Verken i Linköping AB, Box 1500, 581 15, Linköping, Sweden.
| | - David Bastviken
- Department of Thematic Studies - Environmental Change, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
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Boiocchi R, Bertanza G. Evaluating the potential impact of energy-efficient ammonia control on the carbon footprint of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2022; 85:1673-1687. [PMID: 35290239 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2022.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An assessment was performed for elucidating the possible impact of different aeration strategies on the carbon footprint of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant. Using a calibrated model, the impact of different aeration strategies was simulated. The ammonia controller tested showed its ability in ensuring effluent ammonia concentrations compliant with regulation along with significant savings on aeration energy, compared to fixed oxygen set point (DOsp) control strategies. At the same time, nitrous oxide emissions increased due to accumulation of nitrification intermediates. Nevertheless, when coupled with the carbon dioxide emissions due to electrical energy consumption for aeration, the overall carbon footprint was only marginally affected. Using the local average CO2 emission factor, ammonia control slightly reduced the carbon footprint with respect to the scenario where DOsp was fixed at 2 mg·L-1. Conversely, no significant change could be detected when compared against the scenarios where the DOsp was fixed. Overall, the actual impact of ammonia control on the carbon footprint compared to other aeration strategies was found to be strictly connected to the sources of energy employed, where the larger amount of low CO2-emitting energy is, the higher the relative increase in the carbon footprint will be.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Boiocchi
- DICATAM - Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, Universita degli Studi di Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy E-mail:
| | - Giorgio Bertanza
- DICATAM - Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics, Universita degli Studi di Brescia, via Branze 43, 25123, Brescia, Italy E-mail:
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Hua H, Jiang S, Yuan Z, Liu X, Zhang Y, Cai Z. Advancing greenhouse gas emission factors for municipal wastewater treatment plants in China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 295:118648. [PMID: 34890748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Estimations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) remain significant uncertainties in China owing to a lack of reliable emission factors (EFs). This study developed a framework to obtain multi-level (technology, province, and nation) GHG EFs of MWTPs using a database containing 3107 MWTPs in China and published site-specific monitoring data. Results show that GHG EFs of different technologies range widely from 180.0 to 615.7 g CO2-eq/t wastewater, and significant differences are also observed among different provinces in China (190.5-600.3 g CO2-eq/t wastewater), which are generally lower than the previous estimates. It confirms the importance of more detailed technology classification and considering the technological disparity of different provinces in refining GHG estimations of MWTPs. To test the feasibility of the developed EFs, we compared GHG emissions from MWTPs based on multi-level EFs at different spatial and temporal scales. Similar estimation results imply that selecting corresponding EF depending on the availability of activity data would simplify GHG estimations of MWTPs without sacrificing much accuracy. This study contributes a set of well-developed EFs to improve the estimates of GHG emissions from MWTPs, and also offers a method to develop GHG EFs for other sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Hua
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Songyan Jiang
- School of Management Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, PR China
| | - Zengwei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China.
| | - Xuewei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - You Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
| | - Zican Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, PR China
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Marinelli E, Radini S, Foglia A, Lancioni N, Piasentin A, Eusebi AL, Fatone F. Validation of an evidence-based methodology to support regional carbon footprint assessment and decarbonisation of wastewater treatment service in Italy. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 207:117831. [PMID: 34798451 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a new regional methodological approach for determining direct and indirect emissions from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is proposed. Additionally, an entire territorial wastewater treatment service located in the northern Italy and serving 411,484 PE was assessed. The most accurate emission factor identification is presented using appropriate on-site measurements, monitoring different aerated operational units and sampling several streams in 12 relevant WWTPs of different treatment capacities, ranging from 3000 to 73,000 PE. Dissolved greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations from 0.2 to 24 mgN2O/L, 0.1 to 1 mgCH4/L and 1.8 to 52 mgCO2/L in effluent flows were detected. Specific carbon footprints resulted in the emissions of 0.04-0.20 tonCO2eq/PE/y, varying as per the size of the plants. The most impactful categories were identified for indirect emissions, associated with dissolved GHGs discharged in the surface water body and due to energy consumption, which accounted for 13-70% and 10-40%, respectively. The overall territorial carbon footprint of the wastewater treatment service was also quantified to provide evidence-based decision support system (DSS) and prepare systemic mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Marinelli
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche,12, Ancona 60131, Italy
| | - Serena Radini
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche,12, Ancona 60131, Italy
| | - Alessia Foglia
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche,12, Ancona 60131, Italy
| | - Nicola Lancioni
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche,12, Ancona 60131, Italy
| | - Alberto Piasentin
- Public-Owned Water Utility, Alto Trevigiano Servizi Srl, Via Schiavonesca Priula, 86 - 31044 Montebelluna, Treviso, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Eusebi
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche,12, Ancona 60131, Italy.
| | - Francesco Fatone
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Marche Polytechnic University, Via Brecce Bianche,12, Ancona 60131, Italy
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Chan-Pacheco CR, Valenzuela EI, Cervantes FJ, Quijano G. Novel biotechnologies for nitrogen removal and their coupling with gas emissions abatement in wastewater treatment facilities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 797:149228. [PMID: 34346385 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Wastewaters contaminated with nitrogenous pollutants, derived from anthropogenic activities, have exacerbated our ecosystems sparking environmental problems, such as eutrophication and acidification of water reservoirs, emission of greenhouse gases, death of aquatic organisms, among others. Wastewater treatment facilities (WWTF) combining nitrification and denitrification, and lately partial nitrification coupled to anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox), have traditionally been applied for the removal of nitrogen from wastewaters. The present work provides a comprehensive review of the recent biotechnologies developed in which nitrogen-removing processes are relevant for the treatment of both wastewaters and gas emissions. These novel processes include the anammox process with alternative electron acceptors, such as sulfate (sulfammox), ferric iron (feammox), and anodes in microbial electrolysis cells (anodic anammox). New technologies that couple nitrate/nitrite reduction with the oxidation of methane, H2S, volatile methyl siloxanes, and other volatile organic compounds are also described. The potential of these processes for (i) minimizing greenhouse gas emissions from WWTF, (ii) biogas purification, and (iii) air pollution control is critically discussed considering the factors that might trigger N2O release during nitrate/nitrite reduction. Moreover, this review provides a discussion on the main challenges to tackle towards the consolidation of these novel biotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos R Chan-Pacheco
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Engineering Institute, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, 76230 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Edgardo I Valenzuela
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Engineering Institute, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, 76230 Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Francisco J Cervantes
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Engineering Institute, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, 76230 Querétaro, Mexico.
| | - Guillermo Quijano
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Engineering Institute, Campus Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, 76230 Querétaro, Mexico.
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Liu L, Wang Y, Yang Y, Wang D, Cheng SH, Zheng C, Zhang T. Charting the complexity of the activated sludge microbiome through a hybrid sequencing strategy. MICROBIOME 2021; 9:205. [PMID: 34649602 PMCID: PMC8518188 DOI: 10.1186/s40168-021-01155-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-read sequencing has shown its tremendous potential to address genome assembly challenges, e.g., achieving the first telomere-to-telomere assembly of a gapless human chromosome. However, many issues remain unresolved when leveraging error-prone long reads to characterize high-complexity metagenomes, for instance, complete/high-quality genome reconstruction from highly complex systems. RESULTS Here, we developed an iterative haplotype-resolved hierarchical clustering-based hybrid assembly (HCBHA) approach that capitalizes on a hybrid (error-prone long reads and high-accuracy short reads) sequencing strategy to reconstruct (near-) complete genomes from highly complex metagenomes. Using the HCBHA approach, we first phase short and long reads from the highly complex metagenomic dataset into different candidate bacterial haplotypes, then perform hybrid assembly of each bacterial genome individually. We reconstructed 557 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) with an average N50 of 574 Kb from a deeply sequenced, highly complex activated sludge (AS) metagenome. These high-contiguity MAGs contained 14 closed genomes and 111 high-quality (HQ) MAGs including full-length rRNA operons, which accounted for 61.1% of the microbial community. Leveraging the near-complete genomes, we also profiled the metabolic potential of the AS microbiome and identified 2153 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoded within the recovered AS MAGs. CONCLUSION Our results established the feasibility of an iterative haplotype-resolved HCBHA approach to reconstruct (near-) complete genomes from highly complex ecosystems, providing new insights into "complete metagenomics". The retrieved high-contiguity MAGs illustrated that various biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were harbored in the AS microbiome. The high diversity of BGCs highlights the potential to discover new natural products biosynthesized by the AS microbial community, aside from the traditional function (e.g., organic carbon and nitrogen removal) in wastewater treatment. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Liu
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yulin Wang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yu Yang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Depeng Wang
- Nextomics Biosciences Institute, Wuhan, China
| | - Suk Hang Cheng
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chunmiao Zheng
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- Environmental Microbiome Engineering and Biotechnology Laboratory, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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20
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Valenzuela EI, Ortiz-Zúñiga MF, Carrillo-Reyes J, Moreno-Andrade I, Quijano G. Continuous anaerobic oxidation of methane: Impact of semi-continuous liquid operation and nitrate load on N 2O production and microbial community. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 278:130441. [PMID: 33838410 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This work proves the feasibility of employing regular secondary activated sludge for the enrichment of a microbial community able to perform the anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to nitrate reduction (N-AOM). After 96 days of activated sludge enrichment, a clear N-AOM activity was observed in the resulting microbial community. The methane removal potential of the enriched N-AOM culture was then studied in a stirred tank reactor (STR) operated in continuous mode for methane supply and semi-continuous mode for the liquid phase. The effect of applying nitrate loads of ∼22, 44, 66, and 88 g NO3- m-3 h-1 on (i) STR methane and nitrate removal performance, (ii) N2O emission, and (iii) microbial composition was investigated. Methane elimination capacities from 21 ± 13.3 to 55 ± 12 g CH4 m-3 h-1 were recorded, coupled to nitrate removal rates ranging from 6 ± 3.2 to 43 ± 14.9 g NO3- m-3 h-1. N2O production was not detected under the three nitrate loading rates applied for the assessment of potential N2O emission in the continuous N-AOM process (i.e. ∼22-66 g NO-3 m-3 h-1). The lack of N2O emissions during the process was attributed to the N2O reducing capacity of the bacterial taxa identified and the rigorous control of dissolved O2 and pH implemented (dissolved O2 values ≤ 0.07 g m-3 and pH of 7.6 ± 0.4). Microbial characterization showed that the N-AOM process was performed in absence of putative N-AOM archaea and bacteria (ANME-2d, M. oxyfera). Instead, microbial activity was driven by methane-oxidizing bacteria and denitrifying bacteria (Bacteroidetes, α-, and γ-proteobacteria).
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgardo I Valenzuela
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - María F Ortiz-Zúñiga
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Julián Carrillo-Reyes
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Iván Moreno-Andrade
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Quijano
- Laboratory for Research on Advanced Processes for Water Treatment, Instituto de Ingeniería, Unidad Académica Juriquilla, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Blvd. Juriquilla 3001, Querétaro, 76230, Mexico.
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21
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Feng C, Li Z, Zhu Y, Xu D, Geng J, Ren H, Xu K. Effect of magnetic powder on nitrous oxide emissions from a sequencing batch reactor for treating domestic wastewater at low temperatures. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2020; 315:123848. [PMID: 32707505 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2020.123848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/11/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Low temperatures can lead to an increase of N2O generation and emission from the nitrogen removal process in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the effect of the addition of magnetic powder on N2O generation and emission from a sequencing batch reactor treating domestic sewage at low temperatures. The results showed that the magnetic powder simultaneously inhibited N2O generation and emission and improved the removal of NH4+, total nitrogen (TN), and chemical oxygen demand at low temperatures. Furthermore, the conversion rate of N2O (N2O generation to TN removal) was reduced. The efficacy of the magnetic powder depended on its concentration, which could be ordered as 1 mg/L > 2 mg/L > 4 mg/L. With the addition of magnetic powder, especially at the 1 mg/L level, the activities of nitrification and denitrification enzymes in activated sludge were significantly improved and the growth of ammonium and nitrite oxidizing bacteria was also promoted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanwen Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhihao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuanmo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jinju Geng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ke Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Thakur IS, Medhi K. Nitrification and denitrification processes for mitigation of nitrous oxide from waste water treatment plants for biovalorization: Challenges and opportunities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2019; 282:502-513. [PMID: 30898409 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.03.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas. Even though its emissions is much lesser than CO2 but its global warming potential (GWP) is 298 times more than CO2. N2O emissions from wastewater treatment plants was caused due to incomplete nitrification or incomplete denitrification catalyzed by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and heterotrophic denitrifiers. Low dissolved oxygen, high nitrite accumulation, change in optimal pH or temperature, fluctuation in C/N ratio, short solid retention time and non-availability of Cu ions were responsible for higher N2O leakage. Regulation of enzyme metabolic pathways involved in N2O production and reduction has also been reviewed. Sequential bioreactors, bioscrubbers, membrane biofilters usage have helped microbial nitrification-denitrification processes in succumbing N2O production in wastewater treatment plants. Reduction of N2O negativity has been studied through its valorization for the formation of value added products such as biopolymers has led to biorefinery approaches as an upcoming mitigation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indu Shekhar Thakur
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India.
| | - Kristina Medhi
- School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India
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