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Microplastics reshape frozen algal-bacterial granular reactivation: Decoding structural collapse and microbial drivers of nutrient removal
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Researchers investigated how co-existing PET, PVC, and polyethylene microplastics affect the reactivation of frozen algal-bacterial granular sludge used in wastewater treatment, finding that moderate MP concentrations enhanced granular compactness and nitrogen and phosphorus removal while elevated concentrations disrupted structural stability and microbial dynamics. The study identifies MP concentration thresholds critical for maintaining granular sludge function after frozen storage.
The storage of mature algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) offers a sustainable solution for its large-scale wastewater applications. This study investigates the post-effects of co-existing polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene microplastics (MPs) on the reactivation of frozen ABGS, focusing on structural integrity, nutrient removal, and microbial dynamics. Results demonstrated that moderate MPs stress (12 mg/L) enhanced granular compactness, achieving superior nitrogen and phosphorus removal. However, elevated MPs (120 mg/L) deteriorated the systematic stability leading to declined structural integrity and settling capability through suppression of tightly bound extracellular polymeric substances and quenching of protein-like EPS components. Notably, photosynthetic pigments surged by 122 % under moderate MPs, but plummeted at high MPs correlating with suppressed metabolic activity. Microbial profiling linked enhanced nitrogen/phosphorus removal to enriched Nitrospirota and Candidatus Competibacter, while high MPs disrupt the functional consortia. This work pioneers MPs thresholds for ABGS preservation and provides insights for optimizing reactivation in MPs-contaminated environments.
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Impact of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Aerobic Granular Sludge Structure and EPS Composition in Wastewater Treatment
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Researchers investigated how PET microplastics affect the structure and function of aerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. Higher microplastic concentrations led to changes in granule size, altered the composition of extracellular polymeric substances, and shifted microbial community structure. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination in wastewater could compromise the stability and efficiency of biological treatment processes.
Revealing the influencing mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (MPs) on the performance and stability of the algal-bacterial granular sludge
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Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect algal-bacterial granular sludge used in wastewater treatment, finding that the sludge removed over 96% of incoming microplastics but that microplastics inhibited COD removal by 2.6 to 4.1% and total phosphorus removal by 2.9 to 5.8%. Structural stability was compromised through oxidative stress, altered protein composition, and reduced abundance of key functional bacteria.
Mechanisms underlying the detrimental impact of micro(nano)plastics on the stability of aerobic granular sludge: Interactions between micro(nano)plastics and extracellular polymeric substances
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Researchers found that both micro- and nanoplastics at realistic concentrations harmed the performance of aerobic granular sludge, a technology used for wastewater treatment, by reducing its ability to remove nitrogen. The plastic particles interacted with the sticky substances that hold the sludge granules together, weakening their structural integrity. The study reveals a specific mechanism by which plastic pollution can undermine wastewater treatment systems that communities rely on for clean water.
[Change in Granulation Potential and Microbial Enrichment Characteristics of Sludge Induced by Microplastics].
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This study found that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics accelerate the formation of granular sludge in wastewater treatment plants by increasing sticky protein secretions, but continuous exposure ultimately degrades treatment performance and disrupts the microbial communities responsible for removing nitrogen. This matters because it suggests microplastics entering sewage systems could compromise the efficiency of the very facilities designed to filter them out.
Microplastics in granular sequencing batch reactors: Effects on pollutant removal dynamics and the microbial community
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Researchers investigated how polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect pollutant removal in granular sludge wastewater treatment reactors. They found that microplastic type and concentration influenced nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic compound removal rates, with PET particles showing a stronger tendency to accumulate within the biomass. The study indicates that microplastic contamination in wastewater treatment systems may compromise treatment efficiency and alter microbial community dynamics.
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