We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Enhanced performance and electron transfer of sulfur-mediated biological process under polyethylene terephthalate microplastics exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polyethylene terephthalate microplastics affect sulfur-based wastewater treatment processes. The study found that low concentrations of PET microplastics actually improved treatment efficiency by stimulating microbial metabolic activity and enhancing electron transfer, though transformation products from the PET degradation were also detected in the system.
Microplastics are ubiquitous in estuaries, coasts, sewage and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), which could arouse unexpected effects on critical microbial processes in wastewater treatment. In this study, polyethylene terephthalate microplastics (PET-MPs) were selected to investigate the mechanism of its influence on the performance of sulfur-mediated biological process from the perspective of microbial metabolic activity, electron transfer capacity and microbial community. The results indicated that the exposure of 50 particles/L PET-MPs improved the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and sulfate removal efficiencies by 6.6 ± 0.5% and 4.5 ± 0.3%, respectively, due to the stimulation of microbial metabolic activity and the enrichment of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) species, such as Desulfobacter. In addition, we found that the PET-MPs promoted Cytochrome C (Cyt C) production and improved the direct electron transfer (DET) capacity mediated by Cyt C. The long-term presence of PET-MPs stimulated the secretion of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS), especially the proteins and humic substances, which have been verified to be electroactive polymers to act as electron shuttles to promote the interspecies electron transfer pathway in sulfur-mediated biological process. Meanwhile, the transformation products (bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) and Mono (2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalic acid (MHET) of PET-MPs were detected in sulfur-mediated biological process. These findings indicate that the sulfur-mediated biological process has good adaptability to the toxicity of PET-MPs, which strengthens a deeper understanding of the dual function of microplastics in WWTPs.
More Papers Like This
The entering of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics into biological wastewater treatment system affects aerobic sludge digestion differently from their direct entering into sludge treatment system
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that PET microplastics entering a biological wastewater treatment system before the sludge treatment stage affected aerobic sludge digestion differently than microplastics added directly to the sludge, highlighting that the treatment pathway determines the nature of microplastic impacts on sludge processing systems.
Insights into the microbial response of anaerobic granular sludge during long-term exposure to polyethylene terephthalate microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Biodegradation of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics by bacterial communities from activated sludge
AI summary Read the abstract
Bacterial communities from activated sludge were shown to grow on PET microplastics as a sole carbon source and achieved measurable biodegradation of heat-pretreated PET fragments in a standardized CO₂ evolution test, identifying activated sludge as a source of PET-degrading microbes.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Biodegradation of Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Microplastics by Baceterial Communities From Activated Sludge
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists isolated bacteria from wastewater treatment sludge that can biodegrade PET plastic, used in plastic bottles and food packaging. The bacteria broke down PET microplastics over a 60-day period, pointing toward a potential biological tool for removing plastic contamination from water treatment systems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.