Xenobiotic benzotriazoles—biodegradation under meso- and oligotrophic conditions as well as denitrifying,sulfate-reducing,and anaerobic conditions

The intensive use of benzotriazoles as corrosion inhibitors for various applications and their application in dishwasher detergents result in an almost omnipresence of benzotriazole (BTri), 4-methyl- and 5-methyl-benzotriazole (4-TTri and 5-TTri, respectively) in aquatic systems. This study aims on the evaluation of the biodegradation potential of activated sludge communities (ASCs) toward the three benzotriazoles regarding aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions and different nutrients. ASCs were taken from three wastewater treatment plants with different technologies, namely, a membrane bioreactor (MBR-MH), a conventional activated sludge plant CAS-E (intermittent nitrification/denitrification), and CAS-M (two-stage activated sludge treatment) and used for inoculation of biodegradation setups. All ASCs eliminated up to 30 mg L^?1 5-TTri and BTri under aerobic conditions within 2–7 and 21–49 days, respectively, but not under anoxic or anaerobic conditions. 4-TTri was refractory at all conditions tested. Significant differences were observed for BTri biodegradation with non-acclimated ASCs from MBR-MH with 21 days, CAS-E with 41 days, and CAS-M with 49 days. Acclimated ASCs removed BTri within 7 days. Furthermore, different carbon and nitrogen concentrations revealed that nitrogen was implicitly required for biodegradation while carbon showed no such effect. The fastest biodegradation occurred for 5-TTri with no need for acclimatization, followed by BTri. BTri showed sludge-specific biodegradation patterns, but, after sludge acclimation, was removed with the same pattern, regardless of the sludge used. Under anaerobic conditions in the presence of different electron acceptors, none of the three compounds showed biological removal. Thus, presumably, aerobic biodegradation is the major removal mechanism in aquatic systems.     

Investigation of OUR and NUR experiments for nitrogen and phosphorus removal with activated sludge: a lab-scale study

Activated sludge systems are widely used in wastewater treatment. Organic carbon removal and nutrient removal are important for stringent water discharge standards. Therefore, activated sludge systems are widely used to remove carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in new wastewater treatment systems or upgrades of existing systems. The determination of system compounds and kinetic parameters for modelling of these systems are important. For this purpose, respirometric measurements are used to reveal the electron consumption rate of biomass. In order to determine OUR (oxygen uptake rate) and NUR (nitrate uptake rate) parameters, a laboratory scale activated sludge system, including anaerobic, anoxic and aerobic zones, was developed. The performance of the system was continuously controlled from influent and effluent samples. OUR and NUR measurements indicated the kind of nitrogen-phosphorus removal systems required. Moreover, phosphorus uptake in the anoxic zone was investigated. It was found that phosphorus uptake in the anaerobic zone was related to substrate type consumed biologically. The OUR and NUR were found to be lower than in continuous activated sludge measurements. This may be because the mixed culture of the system affected the system performance, owing to competition between denitrification bacteria and poly-P bacteria.     

Biotransformation of estrogens in nitrifying activated sludge under aerobic and alternating anoxic/aerobic conditions.

Natural and synthetic estrogens present in municipal wastewater can be biodegraded during treatment, particularly in activated sludge. The objective was to assess the extent of transformation of 17-beta-estradiol (E2) and 17-alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) by nitrifying activated sludge and evaluate potential relationships between availability of oxygen, nitrification rate, and estrogen removal. For each batch experiment, two reactors were set up--aerobic and alternating anoxic/aerobic-which were then amended with E2 and EE2 from methanolic stock solutions. The EE2 was persistent under anoxic conditions; under aerobic conditions, the observed level of its removal was 22%. The E2 was readily converted to estrone (El)--faster under aerobic (nitrifying) than anoxic (denitrifying) conditions. During the initial anoxic conditions, a metabolite consistent with 17-alpha-estradiol transiently accumulated and was subsequently removed when the reactor was aerated. Higher removal rates of estrogens were associated with higher nitrification rates, which supports the contention that the nitrifying biomass was responsible for their removal.     

SBR中2种污泥对不同盐度污水中脱氮性能的对比研究

在2个相同的SBR中分别驯化普通污泥和耐盐污泥,研究两者在0%、0.9%、1.2%、1.5%和1.8%（W/V）的盐度（NaCl）下对生活污水脱氮性能的差异。SBR运行经过厌氧、好氧、缺氧3个阶段,HRT分别为1、6和1 h。研究结果表明：在每一级盐度下,耐盐污泥的脱氮性能都好于普通污泥。随着盐度的增大,耐盐污泥中氨氮...     

培养方式对废水脱氮与沼气脱硫污泥驯化影响

实验研究了底物、接种污泥和微生物生长方式对猪场废水脱氮和沼气脱硫耦联污泥驯化及活性恢复的影响,以解决快速富集培养废水脱氮与沼气脱硫微生物的问题。研究发现,就脱氮脱硫均达到60%的时间而言,接种厌氧污泥反应器为9 d,比接种好氧污泥反应器(18 d)和不接种污泥加填料反应器(21 d)更短。以含氮含硫废水为底物驯化时,接种厌氧污泥更有利于脱氮脱硫污泥的驯化;而同为接种好氧污泥时,以含氮含硫废水为底物的驯化方式更有利于脱氮脱硫污泥的驯化。污泥活性恢复实验中,以含氮废水+沼气(H2S)为底物培养驯化的污泥,硫转化活性恢复所用的时间为15 d,比含氮含硫废水为底物驯化污泥的活性恢复时间更长。     

生物铁泥的Fe（Ⅲ）还原能力及影响因素

以生物铁泥和普通活性污泥为对象,在不同碳源及兼氧/厌氧条件下采用实验室恒温培养的方法考察了不同活性污泥的Fe（Ⅲ）还原性能。研究结果表明,不同活性污泥Fe（Ⅲ）还原能力相差较大,生物铁泥的Fe（Ⅲ）还原性能明显优于普通活性污泥,在兼性厌氧与严格厌氧条件下,分别是普通活性污泥的1.87倍和1.76倍;碳源对生物铁泥的Fe（Ⅲ）还原影响较小,而对普通活性污泥的Fe（Ⅲ）还原过程呈现出较明显的负影响;在实验控制的兼氧/厌氧条件下,2种活性污泥厌氧条件下Fe（Ⅲ）还原能力均大于兼氧条件。为活性污泥Fe（Ⅲ）还原过程的工程实际应用提供了理论依据。     

Combined anaerobic/aerobic digestion: effect of aerobic retention time on nitrogen and solids removal

A combined anaerobic/aerobic sludge digestion system was studied to determine the effect of aerobic solids retention time (SRT) on its solids and nitrogen removal efficiencies. After the anaerobic digester reached steady state, effluent from the anaerobic digester was fed to aerobic digesters that were operated at 2- to 5-day SRTs. The anaerobic system was fed with a mixture of primary and secondary sludge from a local municipal wastewater treatment plant. Both systems were fed once per a day. The aerobic reactor was continuously aerated with ambient air, maintaining dissolved oxygen level at 1.1 +/- 0.3 mg/L. At a 4-day or longer SRT, more than 11% additional volatile solids and 90% or greater ammonia were removed in the aerobic digester, while 32.8 mg-N/L or more nitrite/nitrate also was measured. Most total Kjeldahl nitrogen removal was via ammonia removal, while little organic nitrogen was removed in the aerobic digester.     

Removal and formation of chlorinated triclosan derivatives in wastewater treatment plants using chlorine and UV disinfection

Triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent, may react during the disinfection of wastewater with free chlorine to form three chlorinated triclosan derivatives (CTDs). This is of concern because the CTDs may be photochemically transformed to tri- and tetra-chlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins when discharged into natural waters. In this study, wastewater influent, secondary (pre-disinfection) effluent, and final (post-disinfection) effluent samples were collected on two occasions each from two activated sludge wastewater treatment plants, one using chlorine disinfection and one using UV disinfection. Concentrations of triclosan and three CTDs were determined using ultra performance liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry with isotope dilution methodology. Triclosan and the CTDs were detected in every influent sample at levels ranging from 453 to 4530 and 2 to 98 ng L⁻¹, respectively, though both were efficiently removed from the liquid phase during activated sludge treatment. Triclosan concentrations in the pre-disinfection effluent ranged from 36 to 212 ng L⁻¹, while CTD concentrations were below the limit of quantification (1 ng L⁻¹) for most samples. In the treatment plant that used chlorine disinfection, triclosan concentrations decreased while CTDs were formed during chlorination, as evidenced by CTD levels as high as 22 ng L⁻¹ in the final effluent. No CTDs were detected in the final effluent of the treatment plant that used UV disinfection. The total CTD concentration in the final effluent of the chlorinating treatment plant reached nearly one third of the triclosan concentration, demonstrating that the chlorine disinfection step played a substantial role in the fate of triclosan in this system.     

Recovery of polyhydroxyalkanoate from activated sludge in an enhanced biological phosphorus removal bench-scale reactor.

A sequencing batch reactor was used to study the possibility of harvesting polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) from enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) processes without compromising treatment quality. Because, in EBPR, the highest PHA concentrations are observed after exposure of the sludge to anaerobic conditions, PHA accumulation was evaluated with collection of waste activated sludge (WAS) at the end of the anaerobic stage, in addition to the traditional removal after the aerobic stage. The system achieved good phosphorus removal, regardless of the point of WAS collection. When sludge was harvested at the end of the anaerobic stage, the PHA content of the sludge ranged from 7 to 16 mg PHA/100 mg mixed liquor volatile suspended solids. Although this level of PHA production is below levels obtained with pure cultures, the demonstrated ability to harvest PHA, while simultaneously satisfying phosphorus removal in an EBPR process, is a key initial step towards of the use of wastewater treatment plants for PHA production.     

Fate and transformation of naphthylaminesulfonic azo dye Reactive Black 5 during wastewater treatment process

Certain aromatic amines generated by the decolorization of some azo dyes are not removed substantially by conventional anaerobic–aerobic biotreatment. These aromatic amines are potentially toxic and often released in the wastewater of industrial plants. In this study, the fate and transformation of the naphthylaminesulfonic azo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5) during different phases of a sequencing batch reactor were investigated. The major products of RB5 decolorization during the anaerobic phase include 2-[(4-aminophenyl)sulfonyl]ethyl hydrogen sulfate (APSEHS) and 1-2-7-triamino-8-hydroxy-3-6-naphthalinedisulfate (TAHNDS). During the aerobic phase, APSEHS was hydrolyzed and produced 4-aminobenzenesulfonic acid, which was further degraded via dearomatization. TAHNDS was transformed rapidly via auto-oxidation into TAHNDS_DP-1 and TAHNDS_DP-2, which were not further removed by the activated sludge during the entire 30-day aerobic phase. In contrast, different behaviors of TAHNDS were observed during the anoxic phase. The transformation of TAHNDS was initiated either by deamination or desulfonation reaction. TAHNDS was then converted into 3,5-diamino-4-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, which was subsequently removed via ring cleavage reaction under aerobic condition. In conclusion, complete degradation of TAHNDS by activated sludge occurs only during anoxic/aerobic processes instead of the conventional anaerobic/aerobic processes.     

实际污水与模拟污水活性污泥系统的特性差异

实验中经常采用人工配置的模拟生活污水,为了研究其与实际生活污水活性污泥系统的特性差异,采用2个序批式间歇反应器(SBR)进行平行实验(厌氧、好氧方式运行),系统地考察了在进水主要组分和运行参数相同的情况下,不同原水对活性污泥系统脱氮、除磷、比好氧速率、污泥絮体形态和出水水质等方面的影响。结果表明,模拟污水系统的硝化活性强于实际污水系统,两者的平均硝化速率分别为7.43 mg NH4+-N/(L.h)和5.55 mg NH4+-N/(L.h)。在前置厌氧段,模拟污水系统的释磷量比实际污水系统高出36.45%。两者在后续好氧阶段都能够充分吸磷。模拟污水系统的平均比好氧速率(SOUR)高达64.54 mg O2/(g MLSS.h),而实际污水系统的则只有32.81 mg O2/(g MLSS.h)。模拟污水系统的污泥絮体疏松,粒径小,形状不规则,沉降性差,沉后出水平均悬浮物浓度(SS)为20 mg/L;而实际污水系统的污泥絮体则密实、粒径大,沉降性好,沉后水十分清澈,SS几乎检测不出。     

水解酸化-厌氧-好氧法处理NF合成制药废水研究

研究了序批式水解酸化 厌氧 好氧生物处理工艺对NF合成制药废水的处理。由于NF制药废水中含有大量有毒有机化合物 ,在生物处理过程中这些有毒物质会抑制活性污泥的活性 ,因此需经过适当稀释原水以达到处理单元可接受的毒性范围。采用BODTrack快速测定了不同原水稀释条件下活性污泥呼吸曲线第一段斜率的变化 ,结果表明 ,当原水稀释 2 0倍以上后 ,对活性污泥的活性没有明显的抑制。通过批量实验 ,优化了工艺的运行条件 ,并进行了小试的连续运行。采用本工艺可以达到NF制药废水COD的稳定高效去除 ,结果显示 ,COD的去除率可达 76 %。     

Operation of the SHARON denitrification process to treat sludge reject water using hydrolyzed primary sludge to denitrify.

An efficient biological treatment to treat reject water from anaerobic digestion of wastewater sludge is the SHARON denitrification process, which takes place in a chemostat reactor, where aerobic/anoxic periods are alternated under specific hydraulic retention time (HRT) and temperature conditions that favor ammonium oxidizers growth and ensure the total washout of nitrite oxidizers, achieving the biological nitrogen removal over nitrite. An optimized performance of this process to treat Spanish reject water was obtained using methanol and working at an HRT of 2 days, 33 degrees C, and cycle length of 2 hours. Supernatant of hydrolyzed primary sludge was tested to denitrify. Because biochemical oxygen demand was not extremely high in the primary sludge, the fluid dynamics of the system were changed, with respect to the strategy with methanol, but maintaining the reject water influent flowrate. The use of hydrolyzed primary sludge improved the process efficiency, because the alkalinity present in the primary sludge buffered the process until an optimum pH range.     

Investigation of Cr(VI) reduction in continuous-flow activated sludge systems

The aim of this research was to investigate hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), reduction by activated sludge and to evaluate the use of continuous-flow activated sludge systems for the treatment of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater. Three series of experiments were conducted using two parallel lab-scale activated sludge systems. During the first experiment, one system was used as a control, while the other received Cr(VI) concentrations equal to 0.5, 1, 3 and 5mg l(-1). For all concentrations added, approximately 40% of the added Cr(VI) was removed during the activated sludge process. Determination of chromium species in the dissolved and particulate phase revealed that the removed Cr(VI) was sorbed by the activated sludge flocs mainly as trivalent chromium, Cr(III), while the residual chromium in the dissolved phase was mainly detected as Cr(VI). Activated sludge ability to reduce Cr(VI) was independent of the acclimatization of biomass to Cr(VI) and it was not affected by the toxic effect of Cr(VI) on autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms. During the second experiment, both systems were operated under two different hydraulic residence time (theta equal to 20 and 28h) and three different initial organic substrate concentration (COD equal to 300, 150 and 0mg l(-1)). Cr(VI) reduction was favored by an increase of theta, while it was limited by influent COD concentration. Finally, at the last experiment the effect of anoxic and anaerobic reactors on Cr(VI) reduction was investigated. It was observed that the use of an anoxic zone or an anaerobic-anoxic zone ahead of the aerobic reactor favored Cr(VI) reduction, increasing mean percentage Cr(VI) reduction to almost 80%.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates in municipal wastewater treatment.

Biologically derived polyesters known as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) represent a potentially "sustainable" replacement to fossil-fuel-based thermoplastics. However, current commercial practices that produce PHA with pure microbial cultures grown on renewable, but refined, feedstocks (i.e., glucose) under sterile conditions do not represent a sustainable commodity. Here, we report on PHA production with a mixed microbial consortium indigenous to an activated sludge process on carbon present in municipal wastewaters. Reactors operated under anaerobic/aerobic and aerobic-only mode and fed primary solids fermenter liquor maintained a mixed microbial consortium capable of synthesizing PHA at 10 to 25% (w/w), while reducing soluble COD by approximately 62 to 71%. More critically, an aerobic batch reactor seeded from the anaerobic/aerobic reactor and fed fermenter liquor achieved approximately 53% PHA (w/w). Results presented suggest that environmentally benign production of biodegradable polymers is feasible. We further used PHA-rich biomass to produce a natural fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composite that can be used to offset advanced wastewater treatment costs.     

接种物对厌氧同步脱硫反硝化特性的影响实验研究

分别以厌氧污泥、脱氮硫杆菌菌悬液和厌氧污泥并添加脱氮硫杆菌菌悬液为接种物,以硫化物和硝酸盐为进水基质,考察不同接种物条件下,各反应器的硫化物氧化特性、反硝化特性、生化反应机理及微生物特性。结果表明,在无菌条件下,硫化物不能被硝酸盐化学氧化。接种脱氮硫杆菌菌悬液的2#反应器的硫氧化速率为1.98 g S/(m3.h),停留24 h硫化物的去除率高达97%,脱硫能力最强,该接种条件下以硝酸盐氧化硫化物为主反应,优势菌为杆菌,进水的NO3--N/S应控制在0.4以下,可以实现高效生物脱硫。接种厌氧污泥的1#和3#反应器的脱氮效果比2#反应器好,停留时间为24 h时,硝酸盐的平均去除率为96%。单独接种厌氧污泥的1#反应器的硫氧化速率为1.78 g S/(m3.h),其优势菌为球菌,该接种条件下以硝酸盐氧化硫化物和硝酸盐氧化单质硫为主反应,进水的NO3--N/S应控制在0.8左右。以厌氧污泥联合脱氮硫杆菌为接种物时,硫氧化速率为1.71 g S/(m3.h),反应器以硝酸盐氧化硫化物、硝酸盐氧化单质硫以及异养反硝化为主反应,驯化后优势菌为球形、卵圆形和短杆状,应控制进水NO3--N/S为1.2,可以实现同步脱硫反硝化,该工艺既可以用于含硫废水的处理,也可以用于C/N低的硝酸盐废水的处理。     

(AO)_2SBR同步脱氮除磷的研究

以人工配水为研究对象,采用厌氧/好氧/缺氧/好氧交替运行的序批式反应器,研究了(AO)2SBR系统同步脱氮除磷的效果,并结合批式实验讨论了同步脱氮除磷的反应机理。研究结果表明,该系统以厌氧1.5 h、好氧1 h、缺氧3h、好氧0.5 h的方式运行,在DO=2.5 mg/L,SRT=15 d的条件下,具有良好的脱氮除磷效果,配水中的总氮、总磷、COD和总有机碳的去除率分别为96.26%、99.87%、90.46%和85.57%。批式实验表明,合成的内碳源越多,氨氮的硝化越充分,反硝化除磷越多。     

污水生物除磷若干影响因素分析

在系统阐述污水生物除磷机理的基础上,深入分析了微生物群体平衡、城市污水水质、环境因子以及工艺运行参数和运行方式等方面对生物除磷效果的影响.分析结果表明:生物除磷系统的溶解氧浓度不宜太高,一般好氧区DO＜2 mg/L,厌氧区DO＜0.2 mg/L;厌氧段存在硝酸盐对生物释磷有负面影响,缺氧段存在一定浓度的硝酸盐有利于生物聚磷;碳源必须充分、易降解;TKN/COD＜0.1的城市污水有利于生物除磷;pH偏碱性可提高生物除磷效率;低温对生物除磷效果影响不明显.     

The fate and removal of triclosan during wastewater treatment.

This work examines the variation in removal efficiency of triclosan in wastewater treatment works in the United Kingdom between November 2003 and April 2004. Concentrations of triclosan were measured at set points within three different types of wastewater treatment works: rotating biological contactors, trickling filters, and activated sludge. Overall removal of triclosan through these plants ranged from 58 to 96% (rotating biological contactors), 86 to 97% (trickling filter), and 95 to 98% (activated sludge).     

硝态氮为惟一氮源时异养微生物增长特性

采用SBR研究了缺氧条件下硝态氮为惟一氮源时异养微生物的增长特性。结果表明,异养微生物能利用硝态氮作为氮源进行增殖。当进水COD浓度为1 400 mg/L,硝态氮浓度为280 mg/L时,COD和硝态氮的去除率分别达到97%和99%;污泥中微生物的含氮量为8.8%,低于常规利用氨氮作为氮源的微生物;在实验条件下活性污泥的产率系数为0.30 g VSS/g COD。反硝化菌可利用硝态氮作为氮源进行细胞合成对含硝氮的废水处理具有重要意义。一方面由于无需投加氨氮降低了废水处理成本,另一方面由于污泥产率低,降低了污泥处理成本。