We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Biochemical insights into the alleviated inhibition on nitrogen metabolism by micro-and nano-plastics at the biocathode of bioelectrochemical systems
ClearLong-term effect of polyethylene microplastics on the bioelectrochemical nitrogen removal process
Researchers explored how polyethylene microplastics affect nitrogen removal in bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment systems over long-term exposure. The study found that microplastic exposure reduced nitrogen removal efficiency by decreasing biofilm viability, lowering extracellular polymeric substance content, and significantly shifting the microbial community structure responsible for nitrogen processing.
Effects of multi-microplastic mixtures on the performance of constructed wetland microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment
Researchers tested how mixtures of four common microplastic types affect the performance of constructed wetland microbial fuel cells used for wastewater treatment. They found that while microplastics had minimal impact on organic matter removal, nitrogen removal efficiency dropped by about 20% due to suppression of key denitrifying bacteria. Interestingly, microplastics enhanced electricity generation by enriching electroactive bacteria like Geobacter in the fuel cell systems.
Removal of micro- and nano-plastics from aqueous matrices using modified biochar – A review of synthesis, applications, interaction, and regeneration
This review examines how modified biochar materials can be used to remove micro- and nanoplastics from water. Researchers found that chemical functionalization and nanoparticle integration of biochar significantly improve its ability to capture plastic particles through mechanisms like electrostatic interaction and physical adsorption. The study also highlights challenges in regenerating used biochar for sustainable reuse in water treatment applications.
Tandem catalysis in electrocatalytic nitrate reduction: Unlocking efficiency and mechanism
This review covers recent progress in designing catalysts that can efficiently convert harmful nitrate pollution in water into harmless nitrogen gas using electricity. While not directly about microplastics, the technology is relevant because nitrate and microplastic contamination often co-occur in polluted water, and better water treatment methods could address multiple pollutants. The research advances environmentally friendly approaches to cleaning up contaminated water supplies.
Bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion mitigates microplastic pollution and promotes methane recovery of wastewater treatment in biofilm system
Researchers found that bioelectrochemical systems can simultaneously break down microplastics in wastewater and recover methane gas for energy. The systems enhanced the degradation of polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride particles while maintaining healthy biofilm communities on the electrodes. The study suggests that combining electrochemistry with biological treatment could offer a practical approach to both microplastic removal and renewable energy recovery from wastewater.
Insight into effect of polyethylene microplastic on nitrogen removal in moving bed biofilm reactor: Focusing on microbial community and species interactions
Researchers studied how polyethylene microplastics affect nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment bioreactors and found that low concentrations slightly improved the process, while higher concentrations disrupted it. The microplastics changed the microbial communities responsible for breaking down nitrogen in wastewater. This matters because less effective wastewater treatment means more nitrogen pollution in waterways, and microplastics entering treatment plants could reduce their ability to clean water effectively.
Microplastics perturb nitrogen removal, microbial community and metabolism mechanism in biofilm system
Researchers found that polystyrene and PET microplastics reduced total nitrogen removal by 7-16% in biofilm wastewater treatment systems by causing cell damage, altering microbial community structure, and suppressing key genes involved in denitrification and nitrogen conversion.
Evaluating Microplastic Effects on Performance and Electrochemistry of Microbial Fuel Cells for Wastewater Treatment
Researchers evaluated how microplastics affect the performance of microbial fuel cells used for wastewater treatment. They found that low concentrations of microplastics actually improved chemical oxygen demand reduction and power production compared to wastewater without microplastics. However, at higher concentrations the beneficial effects diminished, suggesting that microplastic levels in wastewater could influence the efficiency of bioelectrochemical treatment systems.
Biochar Application for Mitigation of Coastal and Marine Pollution
Researchers investigated biochar as a technology for reducing microplastic contamination in coastal and marine environments, conducting experimental and computational modeling studies to assess the adsorption performance of biochar -- particularly algal waste-derived biochar -- in removing microplastics from wastewater discharge before it reaches marine ecosystems.
Sustainable control of microplastics in wastewater using the electrochemically enhanced living membrane bioreactor
Researchers evaluated a novel living membrane bioreactor for removing polyethylene microplastics from wastewater and found it achieved 95% removal, comparable to conventional membrane bioreactors. Adding an electrochemical enhancement slightly decreased microplastic mass removal but significantly improved the consistency of nutrient removal even in the presence of microplastics. The study suggests that electrochemically enhanced living membrane systems offer a sustainable approach to simultaneous microplastic and conventional pollutant removal in wastewater treatment.
Effect evaluation of microplastics on activated sludge nitrification and denitrification
Researchers found that microplastics entering wastewater treatment plants interfere with the nitrification and denitrification processes carried out by activated sludge microbes, potentially reducing the effectiveness of nutrient removal in sewage treatment. This effect could undermine water quality if microplastic loads in wastewater continue to increase.
Electrochemically Coupled Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor Facilitates Remediation of Microplastic-Containing Wastewater
Researchers tested an electrochemically coupled anaerobic membrane bioreactor for treating microplastic-containing wastewater and found that electrical stimulation effectively counteracted the inhibitory effects of microplastics on microbial metabolism. The system improved methane production, microbial viability, and enzyme activity compared to conventional anaerobic treatment in the presence of microplastics. The study suggests that combining electrochemical and biological approaches could improve both wastewater treatment efficiency and energy recovery when microplastics are present.
Electrochemical and microbiological response of exoelectrogenic biofilm to polyethylene microplastics in water
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics impaired exoelectrogenic biofilms used in microbial electrochemical water treatment by reducing electroactive bacteria abundance, suppressing electron transfer genes, and increasing system resistance.
Biochar applications in microplastic and nanoplastic removal: mechanisms and integrated approaches
This review explores how biochar, a charcoal-like material made from organic waste, can be used to filter microplastics and nanoplastics out of water. Researchers found that biochar works through several mechanisms and becomes even more effective when combined with other water treatment technologies. The study suggests biochar-based approaches could be a practical, low-cost strategy for tackling plastic pollution in water systems.
Evaluating the role of biochar in mitigating the inhibition of polyethylene nanoplastics on anaerobic granular sludge
Researchers found that biochar addition effectively mitigated the inhibitory effects of polyethylene nanoplastics on anaerobic granular sludge, restoring methane production by reducing oxidative stress and improving microbial community stability.
Effect of single and hybrid microplastic exposures on anaerobic sludge in microbial electrochemical technology (MET)
Researchers studied how single and mixed types of microplastics affect wastewater treatment performance in microbial electrochemical systems. They found that microplastics significantly impaired methane production, reduced pollutant removal efficiency, and increased oxidative stress in microbial communities, with PVC causing the strongest inhibition. Mixed microplastic exposure under electrical stimulation caused even greater disruption to key microbial populations involved in wastewater treatment.
Nitrogen removal performance of bioretention cells under polyethylene (PE) microplastic stress
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics affect the nitrogen removal performance of bioretention cells used to filter stormwater runoff. The study found that microplastic accumulation reduced overall nitrogen removal efficiency by up to 28% while altering the microbial community structure responsible for denitrification.
Insights into the impact of polyethylene microplastics on methane recovery from wastewater via bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics inhibited methane recovery in bioelectrochemical anaerobic digestion systems by disrupting microbial communities and electrochemical performance, though low concentrations had less severe effects.
Efficient removal of nanoplastics by iron-modified biochar: Understanding the removal mechanisms
Researchers created iron-modified biochar from green algae waste to remove nanoplastics from water. The modified biochar achieved a removal capacity three times higher than unmodified biochar, reaching up to 1,626 milligrams per gram, through a two-phase process of adsorption followed by aggregation. The study suggests this material could be recycled and reused at least three times, offering a practical approach to nanoplastic remediation.
Engineering a molecular electrocatalytic system for energy-efficient ammonia production from wastewater nitrate
This study developed an electrocatalytic system for converting nitrate from wastewater into ammonia, addressing both water pollution and fertilizer production simultaneously. Efficient wastewater treatment systems are also important for microplastic removal before treated water is discharged into the environment.
Toxic effects of nanoplastics on biological nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands: Evidence from iron utilization and metabolism
Researchers found that nanoplastics in wastewater disrupt biological nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands by interfering with intracellular iron homeostasis, which cripples the key enzymes and electron transport chains that microbes use for nitrogen metabolism, reducing nitrogen removal efficiency by about 30%.
Addition of biochar as thin preamble layer into sand filtration columns could improve the microplastics removal from water
Researchers found that adding a thin biochar layer to sand filtration columns greatly improved microplastic removal from water, with biochar produced at higher pyrolysis temperatures performing better due to stronger electrostatic interactions with plastic particles.
Impact of separate concentrations of polyethylene microplastics on the ability of pollutants removal during the operation of constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics at different concentrations affect constructed wetland microbial fuel cells over 360 days, finding that COD and phosphorus removal remained stable but nitrogen removal and power generation declined as microplastic concentrations increased.
Nanoplastics Disturb Nitrogen Removal in Constructed Wetlands: Responses of Microbes and Macrophytes
The impact of nanosized plastics on nitrogen removal in constructed wetlands was investigated by examining microbial community responses and denitrification processes. Nanoplastics disturbed biological nitrogen removal in the wetland system, with microorganisms showing altered community structure and reduced denitrification efficiency.