We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Mechanisms of microorganisms and environmentally persistent free radicals in biochar/PMS degradation of antibiotics after the aging process of fermentation
Summary
Researchers studied how microbial aging of biochar via anaerobic fermentation affects the degradation of antibiotics using biochar/peroxymonosulfate systems, finding that microplastic-aged biochar altered the formation of persistent free radicals and reduced antibiotic removal efficiency.
The aging of pyrocarbon under the activity of microorganisms is a long and slow process. Microbial aging will affect the physicochemical properties of pyrocarbon and the removal of organic pollutants. Aging pyrocarbon through anaerobic fermentation more closely simulated the natural microbial processes. Anaerobic fermentation can be used to evaluate the degradation of organic pollutants by pyrocarbon/peroxymonosulfate. Pyrocarbon (HPBC), pyrocarbon + microplastics (HPBC + MPs), and MPs were added in fermentation system. The relative bacterial abundance confirmed that the addition of pyrocarbon and MPs provided carriers for bacterial growth, but it inhibited bacterial growth through biotoxicity. Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) were used to activate PMS to degrade antibiotics after aging. The concentration of EPFRs in the process of degradation of antibiotics by biochar/PMS first increased and then decreased, while the concentration of EPFRs in the natural environment continued to decrease. During the 30-day fermentation process, the degradation efficiency of antibiotics by biochar/PMS first decreased and then increased. After fermentation, the degradation efficiency on day 30 was 6.68%, 8.76%, and 7.24% higher than that on day 10. The aging process of anaerobic fermentation enhanced the biochar/PMS degradation of antibiotics, which suggested that pyrocarbon could be effectively used over the long term.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Effect of aged biochar after microbial fermentation on antibiotics removal: Key roles of microplastics and environmentally persistent free radicals
Researchers prepared biochar from sludge containing varying amounts of polystyrene and tested its ability to remove antibiotics after microbial aging. The study found that while aging reduced biochar's surface area and removal efficiency by 6-14%, increasing the polystyrene content actually improved antibiotic removal due to the positive effects of environmentally persistent free radicals.
Effects of excess sludge composting process, environmentally persistent free radicals, and microplastics on antibiotics degradation efficiency of aging biochar
Researchers examined how microplastics (specifically polystyrene) added to sewage sludge affect a biochar's long-term ability to degrade antibiotics in compost environments. After composting, the antibiotic-degrading efficiency of biochar decreased — and decreased more when polystyrene microplastics were present — primarily because composting reduced the reactive free radicals that drive antibiotic breakdown. This matters because biochar is increasingly proposed as a tool for removing antibiotic contaminants from waste streams, and microplastic co-contamination of sludge could undermine this function over time.
Influence of microplastics and environmentally persistent free radicals on the ability of biochar components to promote degradation of antibiotics by activated peroxymonosulfate
Researchers investigated how microplastics and environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) together influence the activity of soil enzymes, finding that combined exposure produced greater inhibition of dehydrogenase and urease activity than either contaminant alone. The results indicate EPFRs can amplify the toxic effects of microplastics on soil microbial processes.
Efficient tetracycline hydrochloride degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation by N doped coagulated sludge based biochar: Insights on the nonradical pathway
Researchers found a way to repurpose waste sludge from microplastic removal processes by converting it into a nitrogen-doped carbon material that can break down the antibiotic tetracycline in water. The recycled material performed well across a wide pH range and worked primarily through a nonradical pathway to degrade the antibiotic. The study offers a dual benefit approach that addresses both microplastic waste management and antibiotic contamination in water systems.
Activation of peroxymonosulfate by(sunlight)FeCl3-modified biochar for efficient degradation of contaminants of emerging concern: Comparison with H2O2 and effect of microplastics
Researchers investigated how microplastics affect the ability of iron-modified biochar to break down emerging contaminants in wastewater when activated by peroxymonosulfate and sunlight. Surprisingly, they found that the presence of microplastics actually enhanced the treatment efficiency by up to 42%. The study demonstrates that the coexistence of microplastics and biochar in wastewater can influence the effectiveness of advanced oxidation treatment processes.