We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effects of excess sludge composting process, environmentally persistent free radicals, and microplastics on antibiotics degradation efficiency of aging biochar
Summary
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.
Simulation of microbial aging biochar in compost is an important index for evaluating the biochar degradation efficiency of antibiotics. In this study, biochar was prepared by adding microplastics (MPs) to sludge, and the degradation effect of biochar/(peroxymonosulfate, PMS) on antibiotics was evaluated during the compost aging process of biochar. After the compost aging of biochars, the antibiotic degradation efficiency of HPBC500, HPBC500 + polystyrene (PS), HPBC900/PMS, and HPBC900 + PS/PMS decreased by 6.47, 15.2, 10.16, and 10.33 %, respectively. Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) and defect structure were the main contributors to the activation of PMS. EPFRs produced through PS pyrolysis of biochar exhibited strong reactivity but poor stability during the degradation of antibiotics. Biochar enhanced the growth of microorganisms in compost but reduced its specific surface area. The antibiotic degradation efficiency of the biochar was positively correlated with the concentration of EPFRs. This study elucidated the durability of different biochar toward antibiotic degradation.
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.
Mechanisms of microorganisms and environmentally persistent free radicals in biochar/PMS degradation of antibiotics after the aging process of fermentation
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.
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.
Free radicals accelerate in situ ageing of microplastics during sludge composting
Researchers discovered that free radicals generated during sludge composting, including persistent free radicals and reactive oxygen species, significantly accelerate the aging and degradation of microplastics, revealing an overlooked abiotic transformation pathway.
Performance and Mechanism of Sulfathiazole Adsorption by Magnetic Biochar: Promoting Effect of Co-existing Polystyrene and Simultaneous Removal
Researchers synthesized a magnetic biochar and tested its ability to remove the antibiotic sulfathiazole from water containing polystyrene microplastics, finding that the biochar achieved efficient removal of both contaminants simultaneously, with the microplastics actually promoting antibiotic adsorption.