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Anaerobic granular sludge and biofilms in anaerobic wastewater fermentation remodeled by co-exposure to microplastics and antibiotics
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Researchers compared how granular sludge and biofilm-based anaerobic digestion systems respond to combined microplastic and antibiotic stress, finding that prolonged dual exposure reduced methane production and led to different microbial adaptation strategies in each sludge type.
Wastewater treatment plants are important areas for the concentration of antibiotics (ATBs) and microplastics (MPs), and anaerobic digestion (AD) is a green, efficient, and clean technology in wastewater treatment. Activated granular sludge (AGS) and biofilm methods are the two most critical biotreatment processes in the AD reactor; their differential response to complex pollutant exposure significantly affects wastewater treatment efficacy. However, differences regarding the response of the two sludge types to complex pollutants are not currently being explored. This study examines microbial adaptations to dual MPs (6 mg/L)-ATBs (1 mg/L) stress. Prolonged exposure reduced methanogenesis by 49.34 % and COD removal by 53.11 % while triggering microbial defense mechanisms: diminished cellular damage and enhanced antioxidant capacity, albeit at the cost of reduced electron transfer and energy metabolism efficacy. Extracellular polymeric substance secretion decreased, weakening structural integrity. Community restructuring featured declining Euryarchaeota and rising Actinomycetota, with biofilms enriching fermenters, acetogens, and electrogens versus AGS retaining more methanogens. Acetoclastic methanogenesis was dominated by upregulated acetate-to-acetyl-CoA genes (EC:2.7.2.1/2.3.1.8). Biofilms showed higher ARG loads but unchanged types, while AGS's granular structure conferred superior contaminant shielding. Enhanced denitrification gene expression contrasted with suppressed ammonium conversion, alongside elevated sulfide transformation potential (notably in biofilms). Biofilms demonstrated superior genetic-level resilience, cellular integrity, and energy generation. These findings yield mechanistic insights into AGS and biofilm responses during complex wastewater treatment scenarios.
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Dissecting the effects of co-exposure to microplastics and sulfamethoxazole on anaerobic digestion
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Researchers examined how microplastics combined with the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole affect the anaerobic digestion process used in wastewater treatment. They found that the combination reduced methane production and altered microbial communities, while also promoting widespread antibiotic resistance among the microorganisms. The study highlights concerns about how co-occurring microplastics and antibiotics in sewage could undermine wastewater treatment efficiency.
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Researchers exposed anaerobic granular sludge to polyether sulfone microplastics combined with aromatic carboxylic acids and found that both contaminants impaired sludge granule stability, reduced methane production, and shifted microbial community composition toward less efficient fermenters.
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Researchers explored the impacts of polyamide, polyethylene, and polypropylene microplastics on methanogenesis and antibiotic resistance gene dynamics during anaerobic digestion of waste sludge, examining how microplastic contamination affects both biogas production and resistance gene enrichment.
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This study measured microplastic concentrations in Canadian drinking water, sampling from multiple water sources and treatment stages to assess the prevalence and characteristics of plastic contamination. The findings raise concerns about human exposure to microplastics through tap water consumption and highlight gaps in current water treatment efficiency.
Evaluating effects of tetrabromobisphenol A and microplastics on anaerobic granular sludge: Physicochemical properties, microbial metabolism, and underlying mechanisms
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Researchers investigated the combined effects of the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A and two types of microplastics on anaerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. They found that co-exposure altered the physicochemical properties, microbial communities, and metabolic activity of the sludge. The study suggests that the interaction between microplastics and other emerging contaminants may compound their effects on wastewater treatment processes.
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