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The microbial response to biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics during anaerobic fermentation of waste activated sludge
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Polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics — often assumed to be benign because they are 'biodegradable' — were found to inhibit the breakdown of organic matter in wastewater sludge by 5–18%, disrupting microbial communities and key enzymes. The result challenges the assumption that biodegradable plastics are environmentally safe once they enter wastewater treatment systems.
The global accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in natural environments has raised significant ecological concerns, with wastewater treatment plants serving as major accumulation points. This study investigated the impact of polylactic acid (PLA) MPs on volatile fatty acid (VFA) production from waste activated sludge (WAS). Under different PLA MPs levels (0-200 particles/g-TS), the VFA production, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) structure, and the microbial community responses were systematically examined. Results demonstrated a clear inhibition on acidogenic efficiency by PLA MPs, with VFA yields decreased by 5.14-18.18% compared to the control. Although PLA MPs enhanced sludge solubilization (increased by 2.3-11.91%), they significantly inhibited subsequent hydrolysis and acidification processes through: (1) inhibition of key enzymatic activities, (2) increase of oxidative stress (39.9% increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage), and (3) alteration of microbial community structure (reduced Bacteroidota and key functional genera). These findings provide novel insights into the complex interactions between biodegradable MPs and anaerobic fermentation processes, highlighting the need for mitigation strategies in WAS treatment systems confronted with increasing biodegradable microplastic contamination.
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This study found that polylactic acid microplastics at higher concentrations impaired nitrification and phosphorus removal in activated sludge wastewater treatment systems. Even biodegradable microplastics can disrupt the microbial communities essential for wastewater treatment, potentially reducing the quality of treated water discharged to the environment.
Impacts of Polylactic Acid Microplastics on Performance and Microbial Dynamics in Activated Sludge System
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Researchers examined the effects of polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics at different concentrations on activated sludge system performance, including nitrification, phosphorus removal, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The study found that PLA microplastics disrupted microbial activity and pollutant removal performance in wastewater treatment under comparable conditions.
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Researchers compared the effects of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics and non-biodegradable polyethylene microplastics on aerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. They found that high concentrations of both types impaired the sludge's ability to remove organic pollutants, but both actually enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal at moderate levels. The study reveals that even biodegradable microplastics can disrupt wastewater treatment processes in unexpected ways.
Microbial Degradation of Polylactic Acid Bioplastic
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This review covers how microorganisms degrade polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastic under different environmental conditions. Understanding PLA biodegradation is important for assessing whether PLA products actually break down as intended in real-world environments rather than persisting as microplastics.
Fate of polylactic acid microplastics during anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste: Insights on property changes, released dissolved organic matters, and biofilm formation
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Polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics were tracked through the anaerobic digestion of kitchen waste, revealing that PLA particles underwent surface changes and released dissolved organic matter but were not fully degraded during the process. The study shows that even supposedly biodegradable plastics can persist and alter biofilm formation in anaerobic digestion systems.
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