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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Human Health Effects Remediation Sign in to save

New Insight into the Performance and Self-Defensive Responses of the Algal–Bacterial Granular Sludge Process under Cr(VI)-Induced Stress

Sustainability 2023 4 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 45 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Yu Zhang, Shulian Wang, Kewu Pi, Andrea R. Gerson

Summary

This paper is not about microplastics. It investigates how chromium(VI), a heavy metal contaminant, affects the performance of algal-bacterial granular sludge used in wastewater treatment, examining the microorganisms' stress responses and pollutant removal capabilities. The study focuses on heavy metal remediation technology with no connection to microplastic pollution.

Study Type Environmental

Algal–bacterial granular sludge, a new biological technology, has been widely recognized due to its highly effective pollutant treatment and energy efficiency. This study investigated the effects of environmental concentrations of Cr(VI) (0.5–2.5 mg/L) on the performance of algal–bacterial granular sludge and self-defensive responses after 90 days of cultivation. The results showed that Cr(VI) affected chemical oxygen demand (COD) decrease, ammonia-N and phosphate removal, with different trends being apparent. A linear decline in COD decrease was observed, whereas an initial decrease and then increase in ammonia-N and phosphate removal took place. Algal–bacterial granular sludge effectively removed Cr(VI) from wastewater through biological adsorption and reduction, showing the potential to treat Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewater. Cr(VI) affected the community abundance of the algal–bacterial granular sludge, in which Chlorophyceae and cyanobacteria were vulnerable under Cr(VI)-induced stress. To reduce the toxicity of Cr(VI), over-produced EPS-PN and antioxidant enzymes (MDA, SOD and CAT) acted as self-defensive responses to resist oxidative damage. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive environmental sustainability assessment of the algal–bacterial granular sludge process in treating municipal wastewater containing Cr(VI). It is hoped that this study can provide useful information for improved engineering feasibility of algal–bacterial granular sludge.

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New Insight into the Performance and Self-Defensive Responses of Algal-Bacterial Granular Sludge Process under Cr(VI)-Induced Stress

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