Formation of organic tracers for isoprene SOA under acidic conditions

The chemical compositions of a series of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) samples, formed by irradiating mixtures of isoprene and NO in a smog chamber in the absence or presence of acidic aerosols, were analyzed using derivatization-based GC–MS methods. In addition to the known isoprene photooxidation products 2-methylglyceric acid, 2-methylthreitol, and 2-methylerythritol, three other peaks of note were detected: one of these was consistent with a silylated-derivative of sulfuric acid, while the remaining two were other oxidized organic compounds detected only when acidic aerosol was present. These two oxidation products were also detected in field samples, and their presence was found to be dependent on both the apparent degree of aerosol acidity as well as the availability of isoprene aerosol. The average concentrations of the sum of these two compounds in the ambient PM_2.5 samples ranged from below the GC–MS detection limit during periods when the isoprene emission rate or apparent acidity were low to approximately 200 ng m^?3 (calibrations being based on a surrogate compound) during periods of high isoprene emissions. These compounds presently unidentified have the potential to serve as organic tracers of isoprene SOA formed exclusively in the presence of acidic aerosol and may also be useful in assessments in determining the importance and impact of aerosol acidity on ambient SOA formation.     

Formation of aerobic granules in the presence of a synthetic chelating agent

This paper examines the development of aerobic granular sludge in the presence of a synthetic chelating agent, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), in sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The growth of seed sludge at 0.26 mM, 0.52 mM and 1.05 mM of NTA was found to be significantly lower as compared to that in the absence of NTA. Aerobic granulation was significantly enhanced in the three SBRs (R2, R3 and R4), which were fed with 0.26 mM, 0.52 mM and 1.05 mM of NTA as a co-substrate, in comparison to the acetate-alone fed SBR (R1). After 2 months of operation, the mean diameter of the biomass stabilized at 0.35 mm in R1 (acetate alone), as compared to 2.18 mm in R4 (1.05 mM NTA+acetate). NTA degradation was established in SBRs, with almost complete removal during the SBR cycle. Batch experiments also showed efficient degradation of NTA by the aerobic granules.     

Rate of microbial degradation of high concentrations of α-hexachlorocyclohexane in soil under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

A case study was carried out to determine the bio-degradability of α-HCH in waste dumps polluted with HCH-isomers. Polluted soil was homogenized through a 2 mm sieve. The degradation of α-HCH (5300 mg kg^?1) occurred under anaerobic as well as under aerobic conditions; the concentration decreased in 20 weeks with 35% and 55% respectively. Addition of glucose, glutamic acid and peptone to the polluted soil hardly affected the degradation rate of α-HCH.     

Dynamic comparison on the usage of probiotics in organic wastewater treatment under aerobic conditions in a diurnal environment

This study aims at evaluating and comparing pollution removal in wastewater treatment via the use of probiotics alone or in combination under aerobic conditions in diurnal cycles. Herein, 650 mL of organic wastewater was stored in 1-L conical flasks and then randomly divided into three treatment groups, each experiment was repeated three times. Group A was supplemented with 2% (v/v) photosynthetic bacteria (PSB; Rhodopseudomonas palustris) alone; group B was supplemented with 2% (v/v) B. subtilis alone; and group C was supplemented with 1% (v/v) PSB and 1% (v/v) B. subtilis. Results showed that the pH increases were in the order: group A < group C < group B. The performance of the probiotics in terms of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen (TN) removal was in the order: group A < group C < group B, whereas in terms of total organic matter (TOC) and total carbon (TC) removal, the order was group C < group B < group A. These results showed that the effect of probiotics combination treatment on ammonia nitrogen and TN removal was better than that of using B. subtilis alone, but worse than that of using PSB alone. The effect of B. subtilis alone treatment on TOC and TC removal was better than that of using PSB alone, but the combination of PSB and B. subtilis showed greater benefits on TOC and TC removal.

Implications: Photosynthetic bacteria and B. subtilis were used in this study to investigate carbon and nitrogen metabolism via the use of different probiotics and then study further on comparing and achieving the best pollution removal performance in probiotics alone or in combination treatment. To make observations realistic, the experiments were conducted under aerobic conditions in a diurnal cycle environment.     

Biodegradation kinetics and toxicity of vegetable oil triacylglycerols under aerobic conditions

The aerobic biodegradation of five triacylglycerols (TAGs), three liquids [triolein (OOO), trilinolein (LLL), and trilinolenin (LnLnLn)] and two solids [tripalmitin (PPP) and tristearin (SSS)] was studied in water. Respirometry tests were designed and conducted to determine the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) parameters of the compounds. In the case of the solid lipids, the degradation process was limited by their extremely non-polar nature. When added to water, PPP and SSS formed irregular clumps or gumballs, not a fine and uniform suspension required for the lipase activity. After 30 days, appreciable mineralization was not achieved; therefore, first-order biodegradation coefficients could not be determined. The bioavailability of the liquid TAGs was restricted due to the presence of double bonds in the fatty acids (FAs). An autoxidation process occurred in the allylic chains, resulting in the production of hydroperoxides. These compounds polymerized and became non-biodegradable. Nevertheless, the non-oxidized fractions were readily mineralized, and BOD rate constants were estimated by non-linear regression: LLL (k = 0.0061 h⁻¹) and LnLnLn (k = 0.0071 h⁻¹) were degraded more rapidly than OOO (k = 0.0025 h⁻¹). Lipids strongly partitioned to the biomass and, therefore, Microtox^® toxicity was not observed in the water column. However, EC₅₀ values (<15% sample volume) were measured in the solid phase.     

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.     

Biodegradation of triclosan and formation of methyl-triclosan in activated sludge under aerobic conditions

Triclosan is an antimicrobial agent which is widely used in household and personal care products. Widespread use of this compound has led to the elevated concentrations of triclosan in wastewater, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and receiving waters. Removal of triclosan and formation of triclosan-methyl was investigated in activated sludge from a standard activated sludge WWTP equipped with enhanced biological phosphorus removal. The removal was found to occur mainly under aerobic conditions while under anoxic (nitrate reducing) and anaerobic conditions rather low removal rates were determined. In a laboratory-scale activated sludge reactor 75% of the triclosan was removed under aerobic conditions within 150 h, while no removal was observed under anaerobic or anoxic conditions. One percent of the triclosan was converted to triclosan-methyl under aerobic conditions, less under anoxic (nitrate reducing) and none under anaerobic conditions.     

Microbial bioavailability of pyrene in three laboratory-contaminated soils under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Changes in bioavailability of pyrene in three uncontaminated soils were examined under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Three soils were aerobically aged with pyrene and [(14)C]pyrene for 63 days, then incubated with water, nitrate, or sulfate under aerobic or anaerobic conditions for one year. Under aerobic conditions, microorganisms in two soils mineralized 58-82% of the added [(14)C]pyrene. The two soils amended with nitrate were seen to have enhanced aerobic mineralization rates. In one of these soils, non-extractable pyrene was seen to decrease over the course of the study due to desorption and mineralization, nitrate amendment enhanced this effect. Under anaerobic conditions, generated with a N(2):CO(2)(g) headspace, two soils with nitrate or sulfate amendment showed an increase in extractable [(14)C]pyrene at 365 days relative to inhibited controls, presumably due to microbially mediated oxidation-reduction potential and pH alteration of the soil environment. These observations in different soils incubated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions have important implications relative to the impact of microbial electron acceptors on bioavailability and transport of non-polar organic compounds in the environment suggesting that, given enough time, under the appropriate environmental conditions, non-extractable material becomes bioavailable. This information should be considered when assessing site specific exposure risks at PAH contaminated locations.     

Denitrification of synthetic concentrated nitrate wastes by aerobic granular sludge under anoxic conditions

The aim of the present work was to determine the denitrification potential of aerobic granular sludge for concentrated nitrate wastes. We cultivated mixed microbial granules in a sequencing batch reactor operated at a superficial air velocity of 0.8 cm s⁻¹. The denitrification experiments were performed under anoxic conditions using serum bottles containing synthetic media with 225-2250 mg L⁻¹ NO₃-N. Time required for complete denitrification varied with the initial nitrate concentration and acetate to nitrate-N mass ratio. Complete denitrification of 2250 mg L⁻¹ NO₃-N under anoxic conditions was accomplished in 120 h. Nitrite accumulation was not significant (<5 mg N L⁻¹) at initial NO₃-N concentrations below 677 mg L⁻¹. However, denitrification of higher concentrations of nitrate (?900 mg N L⁻¹) resulted in buildup of nitrite. Nevertheless, nitrite buildups observed in present study were relatively lower compared to that reported in previous studies using flocculent activated sludge. The experimental results suggest that acetate-fed aerobic granular sludge can be quickly adapted to treat high strength nitrate waste and can thus be used as seed biomass for developing high-rate bioreactors for efficient treatment of concentrated nitrate-bearing wastes.     

1-Butanol removal from a contaminated airstream under continuous and diurnal loading conditions

A polysulfone microporous membrane module was investigated for control of 1-butanol-contaminated gas streams. A diurnal loading condition, using two different butanol concentrations, was used to simulate start-up and stop conditions associated with shift work. The membrane module was also used to remove 1-butanol from air under continuous loading conditions in a bioreactor. The reactors were seeded with a mixed bacterial consortium capable of butanol biodegradation. Biokinetic parameters for butanol utilization were determined for the culture to be a maximum specific utilization rate (k) equal to 4.3 d(-1) and a half saturation constant (Ks) equal to 8.9 mg L(-1). A biofilter running only with diurnal loading conditions giving a "40-hr work-week" had an average 1-butanol removal rate of 29% (111 ppm, 74 gm(-3) hr(-1)) from a 350-ppm influent at the end of an 8-hr operational day. End-of-day removal varied between 4 and 67% during the operational period. With continuous steady-state operation followed by placement on a diurnal loading schedule and influent butanol concentrations increased to 700 ppm, butanol removal averaged 38% (269 ppm, 145 gm-3 hr(-1)). Under continuous loading, steady-state conditions, 1-butanol removal from the airstream was greater than 99% (200 ppm, 73 gm-3 hr(-1)). These results suggest that the bioreactor can be operated on a diurnal schedule or 40-hr week operational schedule without any decline in performance.     

Degradation of phenol by Acinetobacter strain isolated from aerobic granules

Aerobic granules effectively degrade phenol at high concentrations from which no Acinetobacter species, that can effectively degrade high concentrations of phenol, have ever been isolated from aerobic granules. The phenol-fed aerobic granule studied was made by merging several smaller granules, each with a core of proteins and nucleic acids surrounded by an outer layer enriched with polysaccharides. In the present study, a strain of Acinetobacter sp. was isolated from the phenol-fed aerobic granules and was identified using DNA sequencing. The fluorescent in situ hybridisation combined with the confocal laser scanning microscope test revealed that the isolated Acinetobacter strain was mainly distributed in the core regime of granule. Batch tests revealed that the suspended Acinetobacter strain could effectively degrade phenol at an initial phenol concentration of up to 1000 mg l(-1) with no cell growth taking place at a phenol concentration of 1500 mg l(-1). The Haldane model describes the inhibitory kinetics of the phenol degradation data. The suspended Acinetobacter strain had a propensity to attach to the surface of sterilized polyurethane foam at a concentration of 12.3mg dry cells mg(-1) dry foam. The immobilized cells could not only degrade phenol at a rate similar to the suspended cells at phenol concentration of 500 mg l(-1), but also effectively degraded phenol at 1500 mg l(-1). The polysaccharides outer layer protected the Acinetobacter strain from phenol's toxicity; while the strain may also contribute to bioaggregation of the granule for its high propensity to attach to solid surface.     

Bioaugmentation of aerobic microbial granules with Pseudomonas putida carrying TOL plasmid

This paper describes results of a successful bioaugmentation experiment on aerobic granular sludge using Pseudomonas putida KT2442 cells bearing the TOL (pWWO) plasmid. The methodology was designed to monitor incorporation of the added donor cells into pre-existent microbial granules and the subsequent plasmid transfer to the autochthonous microbial community using shake flask microcosms. Expression of reporter proteins (GFP and DsRed) allowed in situ monitoring of donor cell attachment and plasmid transfer to the recipient cells using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Concomitant with donor integration and transconjugant proliferation in the granules, a significant increase in degradation of benzyl alcohol (used as sole substrate) was observed in the augmented microcosms. In contrast, control microcosms (with non-augmented granules) did not show any noticeable increase in the degradation of the substrate. This study shows that bioaugmentation of aerobic granular sludge via donor colonization and plasmid transfer is feasible for enhanced biodegradation.     

A microcosm test for potential mineralization of chlorinated compounds under coupled aerobic/anaerobic conditions

In this study, the feasibility of using a mineralization test under coupled aerobic/anaerobic conditions was demonstrated. The coupling of anaerobic methanogenic and aerobic methanotrophic conditions in a microcosm required the presence of both a carbon source for anaerobic metabolism and oxygen for aerobic metabolism. These requirements were fulfilled by using a slow hydrolyzing organic matter along with intermittent addition of oxygen to the bottle headspace. Perchloroethylene (PCE) mineralization tests confirmed the effectiveness of the proposed methodology as well as PCE mineralization under coupled conditions.     

Integrated assessment for aerobic biodegradability of organic substances

In this paper, the amount of oxygen consumption, end products and activities of microorganisms are considered as the three factors which affect the biodegradability of organic substances in water. Two integrated assessment methods for biodegradability of organic substances, fuzzy clustering integrated assessment and weighted integrated assessment, have been developed. Simultaneously, the detail steps for assessing a new organic substance biodegradability with these two integrated assessment methods are proposed.     

Effects of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on activated sludge microbial community under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have received increasing attention due to their widespread presence in diverse environments including...     

Field and laboratory studies of the fate and enantiomeric enrichment of venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

The stereoselectivity of R,S-venlafaxine and its metabolites R,S-O-desmethylvenlafaxine, N-desmethylvenlafaxine, O,N-didesmethylvenlafaxine, N,N-didesmethylvenlafaxine and tridesmethylvenlafaxine was studied in three processes: (i) anaerobic and aerobic laboratory scale tests; (ii) six wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) operating under different conditions; and (iii) a variety of wastewater treatments including conventional activated sludge, natural attenuation along a receiving river stream and storage in operational and seasonal reservoirs. In the laboratory and field studies, the degradation of the venlafaxine yielded O-desmethylvenalfaxine as the dominant metabolite under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Venlafaxine was almost exclusively converted to O-desmethylvenlafaxine under anaerobic conditions, but only a fraction of the drug was transformed to O-desmethylvenlafaxine under aerobic conditions. Degradation of venlafaxine involved only small stereoisomeric selectivity. In contrast, the degradation of O-desmethylvenlafaxine yielded remarkable S to R enrichment under aerobic conditions but none under anaerobic conditions. Determination of venlafaxine and its metabolites in the WWTPs agreed well with the stereoselectivity observed in the laboratory studies. Our results suggest that the levels of the drug and its metabolites and the stereoisomeric enrichment of the metabolite and its parent drug can be used for source tracking and for discrimination between domestic and nondomestic wastewater pollution. This was indeed demonstrated in the investigations carried out at the Jerusalem WWTP.     

Biodegradation of polylactide in aerobic and anaerobic thermophilic conditions

Biodegradable polymers are designed to resist a number of environmental factors during use, but to be biodegradable under disposal conditions. The biodegradation of polylactide (PLLA) was studied at different elevated temperatures in both aerobic and anaerobic, aquatic and solid state conditions. In the aerobic aquatic headspace test the mineralisation of PLLA was very slow at room temperature, but faster under thermophilic conditions. The clear effect of temperature on the biodegradability of PLLA in the aquatic tests indicates that its polymer structure has to be hydrolysed before microorganisms can utilise it as a nutrient source. At similar elevated temperatures, the biodegradation of PLLA was much faster in anaerobic solid state conditions than in aerobic aquatic conditions. The behaviour of PLLA in the natural composting process was similar to that in the aquatic biodegradation tests, biodegradation starting only after the beginning of the thermophilic phase. These results indicate that PLLA can be considered as a compostable material, being stable during use at mesophilic temperatures, but degrading rapidly during waste disposal in compost or anaerobic treatment facilities.     

高负荷地下土壤法处理有机污水的模拟实验研究

针对传统地下污水渗滤系统的主要缺陷,提出了采用人工土壤提高系统的污水承载能力,采用多层过渡结构增大颗粒有机物的接触氧化表面积,采用高渗透性夹层增加氧气供应,以提高污水地下处理系统的水力负荷,延长其使用寿命.以我国南方典型的红壤土、砂和砾石为填充材料进行了实验室模拟实验,供试污水来自中国科学院广州地球化学研究所生活小区.结果显示,在25 cm/d的水力负荷下,系统没有被堵塞的迹象,采用每天2次投配污水的方式（每次12.5 cm）,渗透系数为0.6 cm/min的土柱可以达到很好的出水效果,其COD、BOD5、SS、TN和TP去除率分别达到81.5%、84.6%、88.8%、82.6%和98%.     

Experimental assessment of bio-reduction of di-2-thylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) under aerobic thermophilic conditions

The reduction of organic contaminants in sewage sludge is of great importance for a further sludge disposal or agricultural utilization. Laboratory scale batch experiments were performed to assess the potential use of the aerobic thermophilic treatment technique to reduce the concentration of difficult to degrade organic chemicals. Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was chosen as a model representative of these chemicals. The effect of the sludge temperature and aeration rate on the reduction of DEHP concentration as well as on the reduction of the organic dry solid (oDS) was investigated. With a specific air flow rate of 16 m3/m3.h and a thermophilic temperature of 63 degrees C it was possible to achieve up to 70% reduction of the DEHP concentration and 61% of oDS within 96 hours. The maximum degradation of the oDS matter occurred within the first 24 hours of operation whereby only little oDS was degraded afterward. During the experiments the reactor content was routinely monitored for pH, COD, along with the ammonia nitrogen and orthophosphate concentrations.     

The influence of storage on the morphology and physiology of phthalic acid-degrading aerobic granules

The precultured aerobic granules with special degradabilities could be used as a feasible bioseed for enhancement of aerobic granulation systems. In practice, the storage stability, physicochemical characteristics, and recovering efficiency of granules are crucial for a long-distance transportation and successful application. In this study, phthalic acid (PA)-degrading aerobic granules were cultivated and stored for 8 wk at 4 °C. The granular size, settling ability as well as structure integrity was found stable during the storage period. It was observed that the upper 1/3 part of granules stored in the reagent bottle turned to black color, while the lower 2/3 part granules did not significantly change color (brown–yellow) after the 8-wk storage. The black and brown–yellow color PA-degrading granules were manually separated and re-inoculated into two identical sequencing batch reactors for reviving the PA degradation capability. After a 7 d operation, both black and yellow granules restored their activities to the levels before storage, in terms of total organic carbon removal efficiency (100%), specific oxygen uptake rate (59 mg g VSS⁻¹ h⁻¹), and adenosine triphosphate content (0.016 mg g VSS⁻¹). This study demonstrated that aerobic granules grown on a complex substrate could tolerate storage conditions and rapidly restored their bioactivities toward the target pollutant. The results also shed the light on the future application of precultured aerobic granules with unique functions for biodegradation and bioremediation purpose.