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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Over-Produced Extracellular Polymeric Substances and Activated Antioxidant Enzymes Attribute to Resistance of Pb(II) for Algal–Bacterial Granular Sludge in Municipal Wastewater Treatment
ClearEnhancement of Pb(II) Adsorption by Aged Microplastics in the Presence of Microalgae: Kinetic and Mechanistic
Researchers investigated how UV light, potassium permanganate, and sodium hydroxide aging treatments affect lead (Pb(II)) adsorption by PET microplastics, and examined the additional influence of the microalga Microcystis aeruginosa. Aging increased adsorption capacity through greater surface functional groups and porosity, while microalgae further enhanced Pb(II) uptake via extracellular polymeric substances, suggesting that algal presence amplifies microplastics as heavy metal carriers in aquatic environments.
Polyethylene microplastics increase extracellular polymeric substances production in aerobic granular sludge
Polyethylene microplastics at concentrations of 1-50 mg/L did not impair biological nutrient removal efficiency in aerobic granular sludge but stimulated production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), including alginate, by up to several-fold. The EPS response may represent a defensive microbial adaptation that also affects sludge settling behavior in wastewater treatment.
Revealing the influencing mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (MPs) on the performance and stability of the algal-bacterial granular sludge
Researchers investigated how polystyrene microplastics affect algal-bacterial granular sludge used in wastewater treatment, finding that the sludge removed over 96% of incoming microplastics but that microplastics inhibited COD removal by 2.6 to 4.1% and total phosphorus removal by 2.9 to 5.8%. Structural stability was compromised through oxidative stress, altered protein composition, and reduced abundance of key functional bacteria.
New Insight into the Performance and Self-Defensive Responses of Algal-Bacterial Granular Sludge Process under Cr(VI)-Induced Stress
Not relevant to microplastics — this study investigates how chromium(VI) contamination affects the pollutant removal performance and microbial community structure of an algal-bacterial granular sludge wastewater treatment system.
Biopolymers in Aerobic Granular Sludge—Their Role in Wastewater Treatment and Possibilities of Re-Use in Line with Circular Economy
This review examines the composition and role of extracellular polymeric substances in aerobic granular sludge, finding that the high alginate content of granules not only improves wastewater treatment performance but also presents opportunities for polymer recovery aligned with circular economy principles.
Mechanisms underlying the detrimental impact of micro(nano)plastics on the stability of aerobic granular sludge: Interactions between micro(nano)plastics and extracellular polymeric substances
Researchers found that both micro- and nanoplastics at realistic concentrations harmed the performance of aerobic granular sludge, a technology used for wastewater treatment, by reducing its ability to remove nitrogen. The plastic particles interacted with the sticky substances that hold the sludge granules together, weakening their structural integrity. The study reveals a specific mechanism by which plastic pollution can undermine wastewater treatment systems that communities rely on for clean water.
New Insight into the Performance and Self-Defensive Responses of the Algal–Bacterial Granular Sludge Process under Cr(VI)-Induced Stress
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.
Role of extracellular polymeric substances in the acute inhibition of activated sludge by polystyrene nanoparticles
Researchers investigated how extracellular polymeric substances — the sticky biofilm matrix produced by bacteria — affected the acute inhibition of activated sludge by microplastics, finding that these substances played a protective role by reducing microplastic toxicity in wastewater treatment systems.
Spirulina platensis Immobilized Alginate Beads for Removal of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solutions
Researchers immobilized the blue-green microalga Spirulina platensis in alginate beads and tested its ability to remove lead (Pb(II)) from water, finding that the protein-rich biomass provided effective adsorption sites. The approach offers a bio-based, eco-friendly alternative to conventional heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions.
Enhancement of Pb(II) adsorption by aged polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in the presence of microalgae: kinetic and mechanistic
UV, permanganate, and alkaline aging treatments all increased PET microplastic adsorption capacity for lead, and Microcystis aeruginosa microalgae further enhanced Pb(II) adsorption by coating PET surfaces with organic matter, demonstrating how environmental aging and biofouling amplify MP-metal interactions.
Impact of Nano–Sized Polyethylene Terephthalate on Microalgal–Bacterial Granular Sludge in Non–Aerated Wastewater Treatment
This study found that nano-sized PET microplastics at concentrations up to 30 mg/L had little impact on a microalgal-bacterial wastewater treatment system, but at 50 mg/L began degrading performance after two weeks by suppressing algal growth and disrupting energy metabolism in the microbial community. The granular sludge responded by producing extracellular polymers that adsorbed the nanoplastics, acting as a partial defense mechanism. These findings suggest that current nanoplastic contamination levels in municipal wastewater are unlikely to severely compromise this emerging treatment technology, but higher concentrations could be problematic.
Response of aerobic granular sludge under polyethylene microplastics stress: Physicochemical properties, decontamination performance, and microbial community
Researchers investigated the impact of polyethylene microplastics on aerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. The study found that microplastics significantly disrupted sludge structure, settling properties, and enzyme activities related to denitrification and phosphorus removal, with increased reactive oxygen species and cell membrane damage at higher concentrations.
Organics removal pathways and algae-bacteria interactions of microalgal-bacterial granular sludge treating real municipal wastewater
Researchers investigated organic removal performance and mechanisms in microalgal-bacterial granular sludge treating real municipal wastewater across day-night cycles, finding that algae-bacteria interactions drive effective disposal of complex organics through complementary metabolic pathways.
Microplastics reshape frozen algal-bacterial granular reactivation: Decoding structural collapse and microbial drivers of nutrient removal
Researchers investigated how co-existing PET, PVC, and polyethylene microplastics affect the reactivation of frozen algal-bacterial granular sludge used in wastewater treatment, finding that moderate MP concentrations enhanced granular compactness and nitrogen and phosphorus removal while elevated concentrations disrupted structural stability and microbial dynamics. The study identifies MP concentration thresholds critical for maintaining granular sludge function after frozen storage.
Impact of Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastics on Aerobic Granular Sludge Structure and EPS Composition in Wastewater Treatment
Researchers investigated how PET microplastics affect the structure and function of aerobic granular sludge used in wastewater treatment. Higher microplastic concentrations led to changes in granule size, altered the composition of extracellular polymeric substances, and shifted microbial community structure. The findings suggest that microplastic contamination in wastewater could compromise the stability and efficiency of biological treatment processes.
Exploring Humic Acid as an Efficient and Selective Adsorbent for Lead Removal in Multi-Metal Coexistence Systems: A Review
This review examines how humic acid, a natural substance found in soil and water, can selectively remove lead from water contaminated with multiple heavy metals. The research explores how to enhance humic acid's ability to capture lead ions specifically, including through chemical activation and pH control. While focused on heavy metals, the work is relevant to microplastics research because microplastics can concentrate and transport lead and other heavy metals, and better lead removal from water could reduce this combined pollution threat.
When aerobic granular sludge faces emerging contaminants: A review
This review examines how aerobic granular sludge technology performs when confronted with emerging contaminants including persistent organic pollutants, endocrine disruptors, antibiotics, and microplastics in wastewater treatment. The study highlights that aerobic granular sludge shows strong application potential through biodegradation and adsorption mechanisms, with extracellular polymeric substances playing a critical role in both sludge stability and contaminant removal.
Biomineralization of Cd2+ and Pb2+ by sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfovibrio desulfuricans and Desulfobulbus propionicus
Researchers used sulfate-reducing bacteria to immobilize cadmium and lead ions through biomineralization, finding that microplastics present in the system affected bacterial activity and metal precipitation efficiency, with implications for using biological approaches to treat heavy metal contamination in MP-polluted environments.
Evaluating effects of tetrabromobisphenol A and microplastics on anaerobic granular sludge: Physicochemical properties, microbial metabolism, and underlying mechanisms
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.
Algal–Bacterial Symbiotic Granular Sludge Technology in Wastewater Treatment: A Review on Advances and Future Prospects
This review examines algal-bacterial granular sludge technology for wastewater treatment, which achieves over 90% organic matter removal and can adsorb microplastics and heavy metals. The technology reduces aeration energy consumption by 30-50% compared to conventional systems through microalgal oxygen production, and machine learning models enable real-time optimization of treatment performance.
Evaluation of Efficient Pb Removal from Aqueous Solutions using Biochar Beads
Researchers developed alginate-biochar bead composites to improve the removal of lead from water compared to powdered biochar alone. The beads were easier to separate from solution and maintained high removal efficiency. This approach could make biochar-based heavy metal remediation more practical for real-world water treatment applications.
Single and combined effects of microplastics and lead on the freshwater algae Microcystis aeruginosa
Researchers tested the individual and combined effects of microplastics and lead (Pb) on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidant responses of the freshwater cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. They found that microplastics alone inhibited growth while low-dose Pb promoted it, but their combination altered toxicity outcomes in complex ways depending on concentration, indicating that co-exposure risks in freshwater cannot be predicted from single-contaminant studies.
Toxicity effects of microplastics and lead(II) ion co-exposure on Chlorella: Protein- and enzyme-level responses
Researchers examined the combined toxic effects of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics with lead ions on the freshwater alga Chlorella, focusing on protein and enzyme-level responses. They found that co-exposure altered protein expression and enzymatic activity in ways that differed from single-pollutant exposure. The study highlights that microplastics and heavy metals can interact to produce complex biomolecular responses in aquatic organisms.
Combined toxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics and lead on Chlorella vulgaris growth, membrane lipid peroxidation, antioxidant capacity, and morphological alterations
Researchers found that amino-functionalized polystyrene nanoplastics and lead act synergistically to inhibit the growth of the microalga Chlorella vulgaris, with combined exposure producing greater reductions in chlorophyll, biomass, and cell size than either pollutant alone.