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Impact of phenolic-formaldehyde resin microplastics on anaerobic granular sludge: EPS interaction mechanisms and impacts on reactor performance
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Researchers studied how microplastics made from phenolic-formaldehyde resin affect wastewater treatment systems that use anaerobic granular sludge. They found that smaller microplastic particles provided new surfaces for bacteria to grow on, initially boosting treatment performance, but over time the increased microbial activity weakened the structure of the sludge granules. The study reveals a trade-off where microplastics can temporarily improve wastewater processing while ultimately destabilizing the treatment system.
This paper investigates the effects of phenolic-formaldehyde resin microplastics (PF-MPs) with different particle sizes on anaerobic granular sludge (AnGS) and reveals the complex interaction mechanisms between extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and PF-MPs through the combination of molecular dynamics simulations and spectroscopy. PF-MPs provide a new ecological niche for microorganisms. Microorganisms and EPS can adhere and accumulate on the surface of PF-MPs, producing highly active floc sludge inside the reactor, thereby increasing the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal rate and methane production of the reactor. However, the high metabolic activity of floc sludge consumes the biodegradable components in EPS, resulting in loose rupture of the sludge particles and reduced particle size. In addition, small particle size S-PF can adhere to the sludge surface，which caused mass transfer barriers and reduced the expression of genes and enzyme activities for the sludge acidification process and the main methanogenic processes. Insufficient internal nutrients lead to endogenous metabolism within the granules, causing internal hollowing, which affects the density and settling performance of the sludge. Monolayer physical adsorption plays a major role in the adsorption of EPS on PF-MPs. 2D-COS and FTIR spectroscopy were used to elucidate the preferential binding of polysaccharides to PF-MPs. This paper explores the fate of PF-MPs in anaerobic systems and demonstrates the important role of EPS in the capture of microplastics by granular sludge, providing a theoretical basis for understanding the migration of microplastics 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.
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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.
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Researchers investigated the impact of polyethylene microplastics on aerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. The study found that microplastics significantly disrupted sludge structure, settling properties, and enzyme activities related to denitrification and phosphorus removal, with increased reactive oxygen species and cell membrane damage at higher concentrations.
Insights into the microbial response of anaerobic granular sludge during long-term exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
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Researchers investigated how polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect anaerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment over 84 days. The study found that at relatively low concentrations, PET microplastics had minimal impact, but at higher concentrations they disrupted the microbial community structure and reduced the efficiency of the anaerobic treatment process.
Influence of polyether sulfone microplastics and bisphenol A on anaerobic granular sludge: Performance evaluation and microbial community characterization
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This study found that polyether sulfone (PES) microplastics and bisphenol A (BPA) together disrupted the performance of anaerobic granular sludge in wastewater treatment, altering microbial communities and reducing organic matter removal efficiency. The results suggest that microplastics and plastic chemical additives entering wastewater treatment systems can impair the biological processes that clean the water.
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