Jurg Keller

Characterisation of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymers with controllable four-monomer composition

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.JBIOTEC.2008.01.013

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) copolymers comprising the four monomers 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB), 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), 3-hydroxy-2-methylvalerate (3HMV) and 3-hydroxy-2-methylbutyrate (3HMB) were generated using the recently discovered Defluviicoccus vanus-related glycogen accumulating organisms (DvGAOs) under anaerobic conditions without applying any nutrient limitations. The composition could be manipulated in a defined range by modifying the ratio of propionate and acetate provided in the feed stream. The PHAs produced were characterised as random copolymers (from propionate alone) or a mixture of random copolymers (from mixture of propionate and acetate) through microstructure analysis using 13C NMR spectroscopy. The sequence distribution of all eight comonomer pairs in the carbonyl region of 3HB and 3HV was identified and assigned with confidence utilising two-dimensional heteronuclear multiple bond coherence (HMBC) spectroscopy. Weight average molecular weights were in the range 390-560 kg/mol. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces showed that the melting temperature (Tm) varied between 70 and 161 degrees C and glass transition temperature (Tg) ranged from -8 to 0 degrees C. The incorporation of considerable amounts of 3HMV and 3HMB monomer units introduced additional "defects" into the PHBV copolymer structure and hence greatly lowered the crystallinity. The data indicate the potential of these four-monomer PHAs to be employed for practical applications, considering their favourable properties and the cost-effective production process using a mixed culture and simple carbon sources.

Hybrid electrochemical-granular activated carbon system for the treatment of greywater

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2018

DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2018.07.042

Wastewater-Enhanced Microbial Corrosion of Concrete Sewers

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 19-07-2016

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.6B02093

Abstract: Microbial corrosion of concrete in sewers is known to be caused by hydrogen sulfide, although the role of wastewater in regulating the corrosion processes is poorly understood. Flooding and splashing of wastewater in sewers periodically inoculates the concrete surface in sewer pipes. No study has systematically investigated the impacts of wastewater inoculation on the corrosion of concrete in sewers. This study investigated the development of the microbial community, sulfide uptake activity, and the change of the concrete properties for coupons subjected to periodic wastewater inoculation. The concrete coupons were exposed to different levels of hydrogen sulfide under well-controlled conditions in laboratory-scale corrosion chambers simulating real sewers. It was evident that the periodic inoculation induced higher corrosion losses of the concrete in comparison to noninoculated coupons. Instantaneous measurements such as surface pH did not reflect the cumulative corrosion losses caused by long-term microbial activity. Analysis of the long-term profiles of the sulfide uptake rate using a Gompertz model supported the enhanced corrosion activity and greater corrosion loss. The enhanced corrosion rate was due to the higher sulfide uptake rates induced by wastewater inoculation, although the increasing trend of sulfide uptake rates was slower with wastewater. Increased ersity in the corrosion-layer microbial communities was detected when the corrosion rates were higher. This coincided with the environmental conditions of increased levels of gaseous H2S and the concrete type.

Erratum: Methanobacterium enables high rate electricity-driven autotrophic sulfate reduction (RSC Adv. (2015) 5 (89368-89374))

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2015

DOI: 10.1039/C5RA90096D

Abstract: Correction for ‘ Methanobacterium enables high rate electricity-driven autotrophic sulfate reduction’ by Guillermo Pozo et al. , RSC Adv. , 2015, 5 , 89368–89374.

Electrochemical sulfide removal from synthetic and real domestic wastewater at high current densities

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2010.12.025

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide generation is the key cause of sewer pipe corrosion, one of the major issues in water infrastructure. Current abatement strategies typically involve addition of various types of chemicals to the wastewater, which incurs large operational costs. The transport, storage and application of these chemicals also constitute occupational and safety hazards. In this study, we investigated high rate electrochemical oxidation of sulfide at Ir/Ta mixed metal oxide (MMO) coated titanium electrodes as a means to remove sulfide from wastewater. Both synthetic and real wastewaters were used in the experiments. Electrochemical sulfide oxidation by means of indirect oxidation with in-situ produced oxygen appeared to be the main reaction mechanism at Ir/Ta MMO coated titanium electrodes. The maximum obtained sulfide removal rate was 11.8 ± 1.7 g S m(-2) projected anode surface h(-1) using domestic wastewater at sulfide concentrations of ≥ 30 mg L(-1) or higher. The final products of the oxidation were sulfate, thiosulfate and elemental sulfur. Chloride and acetate concentrations did not entail differences in sulfide removal, nor were the latter two components affected by the electrochemical oxidation. Hence, the use of electrodes to generate oxygen in sewer systems may constitute a promising method for reagent-free removal of sulfide from wastewater.

Optimization of intermittent, simultaneous dosage of nitrite and hydrochloric acid to control sulfide and methane productions in sewers

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.09.009

Abstract: Free nitrous acid (FNA) was previously demonstrated to be biocidal to anaerobic sewer biofilms. The intermittent dosing of FNA as a measure for controlling sulfide and methane productions in sewers is investigated. The impact of three key operational parameters namely the dosing concentration, dosing duration and dosing interval on the suppression and subsequent recovery of sulfide and methane production was examined experimentally using lab-scale sewer reactors. FNA as low as 0.26 mg-N/L was able to suppress sulfide production after an exposure of 12h. In comparison, 0.09 mg-N/L of FNA with 6-h exposure was adequate to restrain methanogenesis effectively. The recovery of sulfide production was well described by an exponential recovery equation. Model-based analysis revealed that 12-h dosage at an FNA concentration of 0.26 mg-N/L every 5 days can reduce the average sulfide production by >80%. Economic analysis showed that intermittent FNA dosage is potentially a cost-effective strategy for sulfide and methane control in sewers.

Towards reducing DBP formation potential of drinking water by favouring direct ozone over hydroxyl radical reactions during ozonation

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2015.09.007

Abstract: When ozonation is employed in advanced water treatment plants to produce drinking water, dissolved organic matter reacts with ozone (O3) and/or hydroxyl radicals (OH) affecting disinfection byproduct (DBP) formation with subsequently used chlorine-based disinfectants. This study presents the effects of varying exposures of O3 and •OH on DBP concentrations and their associated toxicity generated after subsequent chlorination. DBP formation potential tests and in vitro bioassays were conducted after batch ozonation experiments of coagulated surface water with and without addition of tertiary butanol (t-BuOH, 10 mM) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 1 mg/mg O3), and at different pH (6-8) and transferred ozone doses (0-1 mg/mg TOC). Although ozonation led to a 24-37% decrease in formation of total trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids, haloacetonitriles, and trihaloacetamides, an increase in formation of total trihalonitromethanes, chloral hydrate, and haloketones was observed. This effect however was less pronounced for s les ozonated at conditions favoring molecular ozone (e.g., pH 6 and in the presence of t-BuOH) over •OH reactions (e.g., pH 8 and in the presence of H2O2). Compared to ozonation only, addition of H2O2 consistently enhanced formation of all DBP groups (20-61%) except trihalonitromethanes. This proves that •OH-transformed organic matter is more susceptible to halogen incorporation. Analogously, adsorbable organic halogen (AOX) concentrations increased under conditions that favor •OH reactions. The ratio of unknown to known AOX, however, was greater at conditions that promote direct O3 reactions. Although significant correlation was found between AOX and genotoxicity with the p53 bioassay, toxicity tests using 4 in vitro bioassays showed relatively low absolute differences between various ozonation conditions.

A novel and simple treatment for control of sulfide induced sewer concrete corrosion using free nitrous acid

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2014.12.020

Abstract: Improved technologies are currently required for mitigating microbially induced concrete corrosion caused by the oxidation of sulfide to sulfuric acid in sewer systems. This study presents a novel strategy for reducing H2S oxidation on concrete surfaces that accommodate an active corrosion biofilm. The strategy aims to reduce biological oxidation of sulfide through treating the corrosion biofilm with free nitrous acid (FNA, i.e. HNO2). Two concrete coupons with active corrosion activity and surface pH of 3.8 ± 0.3 and 2.7 ± 0.2 were sprayed with nitrite. For both coupons, the H2S uptake rates were reduced by 84%-92% 15 days after the nitrite spray. No obvious recovery of the H2S uptake rate was observed during the entire experimental period (up to 12 months after the spray), indicating the long-term effectiveness of the FNA treatment in controlling the activity of the corrosion-causing biofilms. Live/Dead staining tests on the microorganisms on the concrete coupon surfaces demonstrated that viable bacterial cells decreased by > 80% 39 h after the nitrite spray, suggesting that biofilm cells were killed by the treatment. Examination of a corrosion layer within a suspended solution, containing the corrosion-causing biofilms, indicated that biological activity (ATP level and ratio of viable bacterial cells) was severely decreased by the treatment, confirming the bactericidal effect of FNA on the microorganisms in the biofilms. While field trials are still required to verify its effectiveness, it has been demonstrated here that the FNA spray is potentially a very cheap and effective strategy to reduce sewer corrosion.

Source-separated urine opens golden opportunities for microbial electrochemical technologies

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.TIBTECH.2015.01.007

Abstract: The food security of a booming global population demands a continuous and sustainable supply of fertilisers. Their current once-through use [especially of the macronutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K)] requires a paradigm shift towards recovery and reuse. In the case of source-separated urine, efficient recovery could supply 20% of current macronutrient usage and remove 50-80% of nutrients present in wastewater. However, suitable technology options are needed to allow nutrients to be separated from urine close to the source. Thus far none of the proposed solutions has been widely implemented due to intrinsic limitations. Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) have proved to be technically and economically viable for N recovery from urine, opening the path for novel decentralised systems focused on nutrient recovery and reuse.

The influence of substrate kinetics on the microbial community structure in granular anaerobic biomass

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2004

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2003.12.003

Bioelectrochemical systems: Microbial versus enzymatic catalysis

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2012.03.014

Ozonation and biological activated carbon filtration of wastewater treatment plant effluents

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.11.064

Abstract: This study investigates the fate of trace organic chemicals (TrOCs) in three full-scale reclamation plants using ozonation followed by biological activated carbon (BAC) filtration to treat wastewater treatment plant effluents. Chemical analysis was used to quantify a wide range of TrOCs and combined with bioanalytical tools to assess non-specific toxicity (Microtox assay) and estrogenicity (E-SCREEN assay). Limited dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal (<10%) was observed in the ozonation stages showing that oxidation leads to the formation of transformation products rather than mineralization. The quantified TrOCs were removed to a degree highly dependent on the compounds' structures and the specific ozone dose (mg(O3) mg(DOC)(-1)). Non-specific toxicity was reduced by 31-39%, demonstrating that the mixture of remaining parent compounds and their transformation products as well as newly formed oxidation by-products had an overall lower toxic potential than the mixture of parent compounds. Estrogenicity was reduced by more than 87% indicating that the transformation products of the estrogenic chemicals lost their specific toxicity potential. The subsequent BAC filtration removed between 20 and 50% of the DOC depending on the plant configuration, likely due to biodegradation of organic matter. The filtration was also able to reduce the concentrations of most of the remaining TrOCs by up to 99%, and reduce non-specific toxicity by 33-54%. Overall, the combination of ozonation and BAC filtration can achieve removals of 50% for DOC and more than 90% for a wide range of TrOCs as well as a reduction of 70% of non-specific toxicity and more than 95% of estrogenicity. This process combination is therefore suggested as an effective barrier to reduce the discharge of TrOCs into the environment or their presence in water recycling schemes.

Optimisation of poly-β-hydroxyalkanoate analysis using gas chromatography for enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2005

DOI: 10.1016/J.CHROMA.2005.02.020

Abstract: Poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a polymer commonly used in carbon and energy storage for many different bacterial cells. Polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs), store PHA anaerobically through metabolism of carbon substrates such as acetate and propionate. Although poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and poly-beta-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) are commonly quantified using a previously developed gas chromatography (GC) method, poly-beta-hydroxy-2-methylvalerate (PH2MV) is seldom quantified despite the fact that it has been shown to be a key PHA fraction produced when PAOs or GAOs metabolise propionate. This paper presents two GC-based methods modified for extraction and quantification of PHB, PHV and PH2MV from enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems. For the extraction of PHB and PHV from acetate fed PAO and GAO cultures, a 3% sulfuric acid concentration and a 2-20 h digestion time is recommended, while a 10% sulfuric acid solution digested for 20h is recommended for PHV and PH2MV analysis from propionate fed EBPR systems.

Ferrous salt demand for sulfide control in rising main sewers: Tests on a laboratory-scale sewer system

Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Date: 10-2010

DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000258

Long-term performance of enhanced-zero valent iron for drinking water treatment: A lab-scale study

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2017.01.016

Microstructure of copolymers of polyhydroxyalkanoates produced by glycogen accumulating organisms with acetate as the sole carbon source

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.PROCBIO.2008.04.023

Identifying novel wastewater treatment options through optimal technology integration

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 09-2015

DOI: 10.2166/WPT.2015.057

Abstract: This paper presents the outcomes of the first of four phases of a research project which aims to investigate the optimal integration of novel, yet largely already demonstrated technologies, in water recycling process train options. The research project has a particular focus on the minimisation of environmental and economic costs in the implementation and operation of the overall recycling process. In the Phase 1 desktop study, novel carbon and nitrogen removal technologies were selected through multi-criteria analysis and incorporated into two concept stage integrated treatment train options. The first treatment train option includes a main-stream anaerobic membrane bioreactor, followed by soluble methane stripping. Nitrogen removal is then achieved with a nitritation/Anammox moving bed biofilm reactor. The second alternative treatment train utilises a high rate/solids contact activated sludge system, with the separated excess biomass treated in a two-stage high-rate anaerobic sludge digester. The digested biosolids stream is treated separately to recover nutrients (as struvite) and to remove nitrogen with a nitritation/Anammox process. Further mainstream nitrogen removal is achieved with a nitrification/denitrification process in a sequencing batch reactor configuration. The two alternative treatment trains were compared to a typical existing treatment train for economics and environmental footprint under Australian conditions at two scales 10 and 100 ML/d average flow. Engineering analysis included high-level concept design and sizing, estimates of performance, assessment of environmental footprint and whole-of-life cost estimates (including capital and operating expenses). The results of the study indicated that the new treatment trains have the potential to significantly decrease the economic costs of wastewater treatment by between 10 and 46% (based on Net Present Value estimates), and have a lower environmental impact. In Phases 2 and 3, lab-scale and pilot studies are currently underway to further evaluate the performance and confirm the design/operating parameters of the core processes.

Characterisation of the bacterial consortium involved in nitrite oxidation in activated sludge

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00121-3

Model-based analysis of anaerobic acetate uptake by a mixed culture of polyphosphate-accumulating and glycogen-accumulating organisms

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 28-05-2003

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10671

Abstract: An increasing number of studies shows that the glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) can survive and may indeed proliferate under the alternating anaerobic/aerobic conditions found in EBPR systems, thus forming a strong competitor of the polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). Understanding their behaviors in a mixed PAO and GAO culture under various operational conditions is essential for developing operating strategies that disadvantage the growth of this group of unwanted organisms. A model-based data analysis method is developed in this paper for the study of the anaerobic PAO and GAO activities in a mixed PAO and GAO culture. The method primarily makes use of the hydrogen ion production rate and the carbon dioxide transfer rate resulting from the acetate uptake processes by PAOs and GAOs, measured with a recently developed titration and off-gas analysis (TOGA) sensor. The method is demonstrated using the data from a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) operated under alternating anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The data analysis using the proposed method strongly indicates a coexistence of PAOs and GAOs in the system, which was independently confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) measurement. The model-based analysis also allowed the identification of the respective acetate uptake rates by PAOs and GAOs, along with a number of kinetic and stoichiometric parameters involved in the PAO and GAO models. The excellent fit between the model predictions and the experimental data not involved in parameter identification shows that the parameter values found are reliable and accurate. It also demonstrates that the current anaerobic PAO and GAO models are able to accurately characterize the PAO/GAO mixed culture obtained in this study. This is of major importance as no pure culture of either PAOs or GAOs has been reported to date, and hence the current PAO and GAO models were developed for the interpretation of experimental results of mixed cultures. The proposed method is readily applicable for detailed investigations of the competition between PAOs and GAOs in enriched cultures. However, the fermentation of organic substrates carried out by ordinary heterotrophs needs to be accounted for when the method is applied to the study of PAO and GAO competition in full-scale sludges.

Variation in biofilm structure and activity along the length of a rising main sewer

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-2009

DOI: 10.2175/106143008X390771

Abstract: Sewers systems are dynamic in nature, with periodic variation of hydraulic flow and wastewater substrate concentrations. While various models are currently available for predicting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) production in rising mains, they assume constant biofilm activities along the length and ignore the effect of substrate availability on biofilm development. To investigate variation in rising main biofilm structure and activity, detailed studies were carried out on a Robbins device setup, which was established in parallel to a real rising main that it simulated. The changes in wastewater characteristics, as wastewater traveled through both the experimental setup and the real sewer system, were monitored. The study revealed that the biofilm activities varied significantly with locations, with biofilm corresponding to the start of the rising main capable of greater sulfide and volatile fatty acid production than biofilm downstream. Analysis of microbial community composition of these biofilms showed a difference in ersity and abundance, both with regard to general bacterial populations and sulfate reducers. These differences were hypothesized to be a consequence of varying substrate types and availability along the sewer line. The results suggest that the biofilm structure and activity may vary considerably along the length of rising mains and should be taken into consideration for improved sewer modeling and when considering the overall effect of different hydrogen sulfide management options.

Periodic deprivation of gaseous hydrogen sulfide affects the activity of the concrete corrosion layer in sewers

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2019.03.074

Abstract: Sulfide induced concrete corrosion significantly reduces the service life of the sewer systems. Gaseous hydrogen sulfide (H

Erratum: Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to nitrate reduction in a novel archaeal lineage (Nature (2013) 500 (567-570) doi:10.1038/nature12375)

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 09-2013

DOI: 10.1038/NATURE12619

Reverse osmosis integrity monitoring in water reuse: The challenge to verify virus removal - A review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 07-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.04.040

Abstract: A reverse osmosis (RO) process is often included in the treatment train to produce high quality reuse water from treated effluent for potable purposes because of its high removal efficiency for salinity and many inorganic and organic contaminants, and importantly, it also provides an excellent barrier for pathogens. In order to ensure the continued protection of public health from pathogen contamination, monitoring RO process integrity is necessary. Due to their small sizes, viruses are the most difficult class of pathogens to be removed in physical separation processes and therefore often considered the most challenging pathogen to monitor. To-date, there is a gap between the current log credit assigned to this process (determined by integrity testing approved by regulators) and its actual log removal capability as proven in a variety of laboratory and pilot studies. Hence, there is a challenge to establish a methodology that more closely links to the theoretical performance. In this review, after introducing the notion of risk management in water reuse, we provide an overview of existing and potentially new RO integrity monitoring techniques, highlight their strengths and drawbacks, and debate their applicability to full-scale treatment plants, which open to future research opportunities.

Electrochemical abatement of hydrogen sulfide from waste streams

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 26-09-2015

DOI: 10.1080/10643389.2014.966419

Bio-P and non-bio-P bacteria identification by a novel microbial approach

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00118-3

Effects of solids concentration, pH and carbon addition on the production rate and composition of volatile fatty acids in prefermenters using primary sewage sludge

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 04-2006

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2006.257

Abstract: Increasing evidence is emerging that the performance of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems relies on not only the total amount but also the composition of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Domestic wastewater often contains limited amounts of VFAs with acetic acid typically being the dominating species. Consequently, prefermenters are often employed to generate additional VFAs to meet the demand for carbon by EBPR and/or denitrification processes. Limited knowledge is currently available on the effects of operational conditions on the production rate and composition of VFAs in prefermenters. In this study, a series of controlled batch experiments were conducted with sludge from a full-scale prefermenter to determine the impact of solids concentration, pH and addition of molasses on prefermentation processes. It was found that an increase in solids concentration enhanced total VFA production with an increased propionic acid fraction. The optimal pH for prefermentation was in the range of 6–7 with significant productivity loss when pH was below 5.5. Molasses addition significantly increased the production of VFAs particularly the propionic acid. However, the fermentation rate was likely limited by the biological activity of the sludge rather than by the amount of molasses added.

Feasibility of sulfide control in sewers by reuse ofiron rich drinking water treatment sludge

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2014.12.044

Abstract: Dosage of iron salt is the most commonly used method for sulfide control in sewer networks but incurs high chemical costs. In this study, we experimentally investigate the feasibility of using iron rich drinking water treatment sludge for sulfide control in sewers. A lab-scale rising main sewer biofilm reactor was used. The sulfide concentration in the effluent decreased from 15.5 to 19.8 mgS/L (without dosing) to below 0.7-2.3 mgS/L at a sludge dosing rate achieving an iron to total dissolved inorganic sulfur molar ratio (Fe:S) of 1:1, with further removal of sulfide possible by prolonging the reaction time. In fact, batch tests revealed an Fe consumption to sulfide removal ratio of 0.5 ± 0.02 (mole:mole), suggesting the possible occurrence of other reactions involving the removal of sulfide. Modelling revealed that the reaction between iron in sludge and sulfide has reaction orders of 0.65 ± 0.01 and 0.77 ± 0.02 with respect to the Fe and sulfide concentrations, respectively. The addition of sludge slightly increased the total chemical oxidation demand (tCOD) concentration (by approximately 12%) as expected, but decreased the soluble chemical oxidation demand (sCOD) concentration and methane formation by 7% and 20%, respectively. Some phosphate removal (13%) was also observed at the sludge dosing rate of 1:1 (Fe:S), which is beneficial to nutrient removal from the wastewater. Overall, this study suggests that dosing iron-rich drinking water sludge to sewers could be an effective strategy for sulfide removal in sewer systems, which would also reduce the sludge disposal costs for drinking water treatment works. However, its potential side-effects on sewer sedimentation and on the wastewater treatment plant effluent remain to be investigated.

Non-catalyzed cathodic oxygen reduction at graphite granules in microbial fuel cells

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2007.07.037

Efficient hydrogen peroxide generation from organic matter in a bioelectrochemical system

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECOM.2009.07.008

Determining the fraction of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater originating from a hospital

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.08.002

Abstract: Pharmaceutical residues in water are frequently analysed and discussed in connection with sewage treatment, ecotoxicity and, natural and drinking water quality. Among different localities hospitals are suspected, or implied, to be a major and highly variable source of pharmaceuticals that substantially contribute to the total wastewater load. In this study, the contribution of pharmaceuticals from a hospital to a sewage treatment plant (STP) serving around 45,000 inhabitants was evaluated. Approximately 200 hospital beds result in a hospital bed density of 4.4 beds per 1000 inhabitants, which is a typical value for developed world countries. Prior to s ling, a sound systems analysis was performed, and a sophisticated continuous flow-proportional s ling regime was applied. Hence, overall experimental uncertainty was reduced to a minimum, and measurements provide clear evidence that, for 28 of 59 investigated substances, over 85% of the pharmaceutical residue loads do not originate from the hospital when applying a conservative error estimation. Only for 2 substances, trimethoprim (18%) and roxithromycin (56%), was the maximum observed contribution of the hospital >15%. On average, the contribution of the hospital for the compounds detected in both, hospital effluent and sewage treatment plant influent was small and fairly constant. Five compounds were only detected in hospital wastewater, and 24 neither in the hospital wastewater nor in the total wastewater at the influent of the STP. For these compounds no experimental contribution could be calculated. For the compounds where audit data for both the national consumption and the specific hospital under investigation were available, a prediction of the fraction of pharmaceuticals originating from the hospital was performed. Three quarters of the compounds, classified with the existing audit data, were in the same "hospital contribution category" as determined by measurements. For most of the other compounds, plausible reasons could be identified to explain the observed deviations.

Prediction of concrete corrosion in sewers with hybrid Gaussian processes regression model

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2017

DOI: 10.1039/C7RA03959J

Abstract: A hybrid Gaussian Processes Regression (GPR) model is to approach the evolution of the corrosion rate and corrosion initiation time, thereby supporting the calculation of service life of sewers.

Microbial electrosynthesis system with dual biocathode arrangement for simultaneous acetogenesis, solventogenesis and carbon chain elongation

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2019

DOI: 10.1039/C9CC00208A

Abstract: A microbial electrosynthesis cell comprising two biological cathode chambers sharing the same anode compartment is used to promote the production of C2–C4 carboxylic acids and alcohols from carbon dioxide.

Spontaneous electrochemical removal of aqueous sulfide

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2008.09.007

Abstract: Most of the existing sulfide removal processes from wastewaters and waste gases require substantial amounts of energy inputs. Here we present an electrochemical method by means of a fuel cell that removes sulfide while producing energy. A lab scale fuel cell was operated at ambient temperature and neutral pH, which was capable of removing aqueous sulfide continuously for 2 months at a rate of 0.62+/-0.1 kg S m(-3)d(-1) of net anodic compartment (NAC) (0.28+/-0.05 kg S m(-3)d(-1) of total anodic compartment, TAC). During continuous operation, on average, the power generated was 12+/-2 W m(-3) NAC (5+/-1 W m(-3) TAC), with a maximum capacity of the cell of 166 W m(-3) NAC (74 W m(-3) TAC). Potassium ferricyanide was used as cathodic electron acceptor. Elemental sulfur was identified as the predominant final oxidation product that was deposited on the anode. In this abiotic fuel cell, the sulfide oxidation rate was not diminished by the presence of an organic electron donor (acetate) during batch experiments while the acetate concentration remained unchanged. This is particularly important for selective sulfide removal from wastewater where organics are essential for downstream nutrient removal. Elemental sulfur deposited on the anode appeared to limit the operation of the fuel cell after 3 months of operation, necessitating periodic removal of the accumulated sulfur from the electrode.

Removal of micropollutants during tertiary wastewater treatment by biofiltration: Role of nitrifiers and removal mechanisms

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2014.01.030

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the extent to which a suite of organic micropollutants (MPs) can be removed by biological filtration and the role of bioavailability and ammonia oxidizing microorganisms (AOMs) in the biodegradation process. During approximately one year, laboratory-scale columns with 8 min empty bed contact time (EBCT) and packed with anthracite as filter media were used for treating a tertiary effluent spiked with a broad range of MPs at a target concentration of 2 μg L(-1). In parallel columns, aerobic biomass growth was inhibited by using either the biocide sodium azide (500 mg L(-1) NaN3) or allylthiourea (5 mg L(-1) ATU), specifically inhibiting nitrifying bacteria. Once the biomass had colonized the media, around 15% of the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) contained in the untreated tertiary effluent was removed by non-inhibited columns. The removal of several MPs increased over time indicating the relevance of biological activity for the removal of MPs, while the negative control, the NaN3 inhibited column, showed no significant removal. Out of 33 MPs, 19 were recalcitrant (<25%) to biodegradation under aerobic conditions with the others exhibiting a erse range of removal efficiency up to 95%. Through inhibition by ATU it was shown that nitrifying bacteria were clearly having a role in the degradation of several MPs, whereas the removal of other MPs was not affected by the presence of the nitrification inhibitor. A relationship between the qualitative assessment of sorption of MPs on granular activated carbon (GAC) and their removal efficiency by biodegradation on anthracite was observed. This result suggested that the affinity of the MPs for GAC media could be a useful indicator of the bioavailability of compounds during biofiltration on anthracite.

Detection of anthropogenic gadolinium in treated wastewater in South East Queensland, Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.04.033

Abstract: The use of refractory gadolinium (Gd) complexes as paramagnetic contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging has resulted in point source release of anthropogenic Gd (Gd(Anth)) into the environment, and presents opportunities to trace the fate of wastewater in natural environments. We demonstrate an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) technique that is capable of detecting Gd(Anth) at concentrations as low as 48 fM, approximately six orders of magnitude lower than most other micropollutants, without the need for preconcentration. Further, we establish the ubiquitous presence of Gd(Anth) in wastewater at eight separate wastewater treatment plants in Brisbane, Australia, over a 3-month time period. In contrast, there is no evidence of Gd(Anth) in tap water, or in four separate regional water supply dams in South East Queensland, Australia. It is, therefore, highly unlikely that other anthropogenic micropollutants sourced from urban wastewater would be present in the drinking water supply.

Free ammonia and free nitrous acid inhibition on the anabolic and catabolic processes of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 10-2007

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2007.612

Abstract: The inhibitory effects of free ammonia (FA) and free nitrous acid (FNA) on the catabolic and anabolic processes of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter were investigated using a method that allows decoupling the growth and energy generation processes. Lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated for the enrichment of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter. Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that the reactors were 82% and 73% enriched with Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter, respectively. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) by the enriched cultures at various FA and FNA levels, in the presence (OURwithCO2) or absence (OURwithoutCO2) of inorganic carbon (CO2, HCO3− and CO32−). FA up to 16.0 mgNH3-N.L−1 was not found to have any inhibitory effect on either the catabolic or anabolic processes of the Nitrosomonas culture, but both these processes were inhibited by FNA. While an FNA level of 0.40–0.63 mgHNO2-N.L−1 inhibited the energy production capability of Nitrosomonas by 50%, the growth process of the culture was completely inhibited by FNA at a concentration of 0.40 mgHNO2-N.L−1. Both FA and FNA were found to have strong inhibition on the anabolic processes of Nitrobacter, but with limited inhibitory effects on the catabolism of this culture. The biosynthesis of Nitrobacter was totally inhibited at an FA level of 6.0 mgNH3-N.L−1 (or above) or an FNA level of 0.02 mgHNO2-N.L−1 (or above). At the same level of FA, the energy production capability of Nitrobacter was only inhibited by 12%, whereas an FNA level of up to 0.024 mgHNO2-N.L−1 did not show any inhibition on the energy production of Nitrobacter. Further, these inhibitory effects appears to be much stronger on Nitrobacter than on Nitrosomonas, supporting that FA and FNA inhibition may play a major role in the elimination of nitrite oxidizing bacteria in processes treating wastewater containing a high level of nitrogen.

Mathematical modelling of prefermenters - I. Model development and verification

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(98)00516-8

A laboratory investigation of interactions between denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) and anammox processes in anoxic environments

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 03-03-2015

DOI: 10.1038/SREP08706

Abstract: This study investigates interactions between recently identified denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) processes in controlled anoxic laboratory reactors. Two reactors were seeded with the same inocula containing DAMO organisms Candidatus Methanoperedens nitroreducens and Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera and anammox organism Candidatus Kuenenia stuttgartiensis. Both were fed with ammonium and methane, but one was also fed with nitrate and the other with nitrite, providing anoxic environments with different electron acceptors. After steady state reached in several months, the DAMO process became solely rimarily responsible for nitrate reduction while the anammox process became solely responsible for nitrite reduction in both reactors. 16S rRNA gene licon sequencing showed that the nitrate-driven DAMO organism M. nitroreducens dominated both the nitrate-fed (~70%) and the nitrite-fed (~26%) reactors, while the nitrite-driven DAMO organism M. oxyfera disappeared in both communities. The elimination of M. oxyfera from both reactors was likely the results of this organism being outcompeted by anammox bacteria for nitrite. K. stuttgartiensis was detected at relatively low levels (1–3%) in both reactors.

Evaluation of oxygen injection as a means of controlling sulfide production in a sewer system

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2008.07.042

Abstract: Oxygen injection is often used to control biogenic production of hydrogen sulfide in sewers. Experiments were carried out on a laboratory system mimicking a rising main to investigate the impact of oxygen injection on anaerobic sewer biofilm activities. Oxygen injection (15-25mg O(2)/L per pump event) to the inlet of the system decreased the overall sulfide discharge levels by 65%. Oxygen was an effective chemical and biological oxidant of sulfide but did not cause a cessation in sulfide production, which continued in the deeper layers of the biofilm irrespective of the oxygen concentration in the bulk. Sulfide accumulation resumed instantaneously on depletion of the oxygen. Oxygen did not exhibit any toxic effect on sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) in the biofilm. It further stimulated SRB growth and increased SRB activity in downstream biofilms due to increased availability of sulfate at these locations as the result of oxic conditions upstream. The oxygen uptake rate of the system increased with repeated exposure to oxygen, with concomitant consumption of organic carbon in the wastewater. These results suggest that optimization of oxygen injection is necessary for maximum effectiveness in controlling sulfide concentrations in sewers.

Platforms for energy and nutrient recovery from domestic wastewater: A review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2014.10.021

Abstract: Alternative domestic wastewater treatment processes that recover energy and nutrients while achieving acceptable nutrient limits ( 650mgCODL(-1). PRR offers the possibility for recovery of nitrogen and other nutrients (including potassium) through assimilative recovery. However, the energetic overhead of this is substantial, requiring 5kWhkgN(-1) as electricity, which compares to ammonia fixation costs. The lower energy costs, and near to market status of LEM treatment make it likely as a recovery platform in the shorter term, while ability to recover other elements such as nitrogen and potassium, as well as enhance favourability on concentrated wastewaters may enhance the desirability of partitioning in the longer term.

The anode potential regulates bacterial activity in microbial fuel cells

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 03-2008

DOI: 10.1007/S00253-007-1327-8

Abstract: The anode potential in microbial fuel cells controls both the theoretical energy gain for the microorganisms as the output of electrical energy. We operated three reactors fed with acetate continuously at a poised anode potential of 0 (R0), -200 (R(-200)) and -400 (R(-400)) mV versus Ag/AgCl and investigated the resulting bacterial activity. The anode potential had no influence on the start-up time of the three reactors. During a 31-day period, R(-200) produced 15% more charge compared to R0 and R(-400). In addition, R(-200) had the highest maximal power density (up to 199 W m(-3) total anode compartment during polarization) but the three reactors evolved to the same power density at the end of the experimental period. During polarization, only the current of R(-400) levelled off at an anode potential of -300 mV versus Ag/AgCl. The maximum respiration rate of the bacteria during batch tests was also considerably lower for R(-400). The specific biomass activity however, was the highest for R(-400) (6.93 g chemical oxygen demand g(-1) biomass-volatile suspended solids (VSS) d(-1) on day 14). This lowered during the course of the experiment due to an increase of the biomass concentration to an average level of 578+/-106 mg biomass-VSS L(-1) graphite granules for the three reactors. This research indicated that an optimal anode potential of -200 mV versus Ag/AgCl exists, regulating the activity and growth of bacteria to sustain an enhanced current and power generation.

Stoichiometric and kinetic characterisation of Nitrobacter in mixed culture by decoupling the growth and energy generation processes

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 03-05-2006

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20956

Abstract: The growth, maintenance and lysis processes of Nitrobacter were characterised. A Nitrobacter culture was enriched in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR). Fluorescent in situ hybridisation showed that Nitrobacter constituted 73% of the bacterial population. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen uptake rate and/or nitrite consumption rate when both nitrite and CO2 were in excess, and in the absence of either of these two substrates. The results obtained, along with the SBR performance data, allowed the determination of the maintenance coefficient and in situ cell lysis rate of Nitrobacter. Nitrobacter spends a significant amount of energy for maintenance, which varies considerably with the specific growth rate. At maximum growth, Nitrobacter consume nitrite at a rate of 0.042 mgN/mgCOD(biomass) . h for maintenance purposes, which increases more than threefold to 0.143 mgN/mgCOD(biomass) . h in the absence of growth. In the SBR, where Nitrobacter grew at 40% of its maximum growth rate, a maintenance coefficient of 0.113 mgN/mgCOD . h was found, resulting in 42% of the total amount of nitrite being consumed for maintenance. The above three maintenance coefficient values obtained at different growth rates appear to support the maintenance model proposed in Pirt (1982). The in situ lysis rate of Nitrobacter was determined to be 0.07/day under aerobic conditions at 22 degrees C and pH 7.3. Further, the maximum specific growth rate of Nitrobacter was estimated to be 0.02/h (0.48/day). The affinity constant of Nitrobacter with respect to nitrite was determined to be 1.50 mgNO2(-)-N/L, independent of the presence or absence of CO2.

Microbial fuel cells operating on mixed fatty acids

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2009.09.054

Abstract: Strategies are being developed to harvest the energy content of the wasted sludge generated from the treatment of domestic wastewater. Sludge can be hydrolysed and fermented, giving a mixture of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Based on the composition of such a fermented stream, synthetic media were created and tested for VFA conversion in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Mainly acetate and propionate were preferred as electron donors in the mixed VFA system, which generated a power density of 49+/-1 mW L(NAC)(-1). The other VFAs (butyrates/valerates/caproic acid) were also removed, albeit at lower rates. In single VFA tests, each VFA could be removed, but particularly i-butyrate did not provide significant current generation. PCR-DGGE indicated that the microbial community structure was highly determined by the fed VFA, rather than by the initial inoculum. The communities were dominated by Proteobacteria such as Geobacter, Comamonas, Pseudomonas and Pelobacter species. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using fatty acids, as present in fermented sludge hydrolysates, for current generation.

Two-stage thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic digestion of waste activated sludge from a biological nutrient removal plant

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 04-2006

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2006.245

Abstract: A two-stage thermophilic-mesophilic anaerobic digestion pilot-plant was operated solely on waste activated sludge (WAS) from a biological nutrient removal (BNR) plant. The first-stage thermophilic reactor (HRT 2 days) was operated at 47, 54 and 60 °C. The second-stage mesophilic digester (HRT 15 days) was held at a constant temperature of 36–37 °C. For comparison with a single-stage mesophilic process, the mesophilic digester was also operated separately with an HRT of 17 days and temperature of 36–37 °C. The results showed a truly thermophilic stage (60 °C) was essential to achieve good WAS degradation. The lower thermophilic temperatures examined did not offer advantages over single-stage mesophilic treatment in terms of COD and VS removal. At a thermophilic temperature of 60 °C, the plant achieved 35% VS reduction, representing a 46% increase compared to the single-stage mesophilic digester. This is a significant level of degradation which could make such a process viable in situations where there is no primary sludge generated. The fate of the biologically stored phosphorus in this BNR sludge was also investigated. Over 80% of the incoming phosphorus remained bound up with the solids and was not released into solution during the WAS digestion. Therefore only a small fraction of phosphorus would be recycled to the main treatment plant with the dewatering stream.

Anaerobic metabolism of Defluviicoccus vanus related glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) with acetate and propionate as carbon sources

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.01.045

Abstract: The anaerobic uptake of acetate and propionate as single and dual carbon sources by the putative Defluviicoccus vanus related glycogen accumulating organisms (DvGAOs) is investigated. A high enrichment of DvGAOs, representing 95+/-3% of the bacterial community bound to the EUBMIX probes, was achieved in a lab-scale reactor operated under alternating anaerobic and aerobic conditions with acetate as the sole carbon source. The culture is able to take up both acetate and propionate under anaerobic conditions, and the metabolism in both cases is well described by the metabolic models previously proposed for GAOs and verified with experimental data obtained with other types of GAO cultures. In the simultaneous presence of acetate and propionate, DvGAOs take up these two carbon sources sequentially, with propionate uptake preceding acetate uptake. Through model-based analysis, we hypothesise that DvGAOs prefer propionate in order to maximise their production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with the same glycogen consumption, which would enhance their growth potential in the following aerobic period. Despite a low to negligible consumption of acetate in the presence of large amounts of propionate, the presence of acetate considerably stimulated the uptake of propionate with the rate increased by over 60% in comparison to the case where only propionate was present. This property enhances the competitive capability of DvGAOs in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) wastewater treatment systems, given the fact that wastewater typically contains both acetate and propionate.

Kinetic characterisation of an enriched Nitrospira culture with comparison to Nitrobacter

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 07-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.01.043

Abstract: Nitrospira and Nitrobacter are nitrite-oxidising bacteria commonly identified in nitrogen removal wastewater treatment plants. Little is known about the growth parameters of Nitrospira or the effects of environmental conditions or inhibitory compounds on Nitrospira activity. These bacterial properties were investigated using an enriched Nitrospira culture and an enriched Nitrobacter culture or Nitrobacter literature values. Compared to Nitrobacter, Nitrospira was found to have a comparable optimal pH range (8.0-8.3) similar normalised activity-temperature relationship (0.44e(0.055(T-15))) for temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees C and a similar oxygen half-saturation constant, K(O) (0.54+/-0.14 mgL(-1)). The major differences identified were that Nitrospira had a lower nitrite half-saturation constant, K(S) (0.9+/-0.07 mgNO(2)-NL(-1)) lower inhibition threshold concentrations for free ammonia (between 0.04 and 0.08 mg NH(3)-NL(-1)) and free nitrous acid (less than 0.03 mg HNO(2)-NL(-1)) and a higher yield (0.15+/-0.04 g VSS g N(-1)). Therefore, Nitrospira is more likely to dominate nitrite oxidation under conditions with low ammonium and nitrite concentrations, which would provide an advantage to them due to their lower K(S) value while avoiding any free ammonia or free nitrous acid inhibition.

Enhancing toxic metal removal from acidified sludge with nitrite addition

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 30-04-2015

DOI: 10.1021/ES504507M

Abstract: The production of sludge (biosolids) during wastewater treatment is a major issue for water utilities. A main issue limiting its beneficial reuse on agricultural lands is the presence of toxic metals. The currently used metal reduction technologies achieve insufficient removal of metals that are bound to the organic fraction of the sludge. In this study, we propose and demonstrate a novel method that involves the addition of nitrite during sludge acidification to enhance metal removal. Using waste activated sludge collected from three full-scale wastewater treatment plants, we found that acidification to pH 2.0 achieved good Zn solubilization of around 70%, but only 3-7% of Cu was being dissolved. Nitrite addition to the acidified sludge at a concentration of 20 mg NO2(-)-N/L (equals to 19.2 mg HNO2-N/L), substantially enhanced Cu removal to 45-64%, while Zn removal was also increased to over 81%. Metal distribution analysis using sequential chemical extraction revealed that the improvement of Cu and Zn removal was mainly due to the release of the organically bound metal fraction. We hypothesize that free nitrous acid (HNO2, FNA) may assist in the (partial) disruption of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the subsequent release and solubilization of fixed metals.

Stoichiometric and kinetic characterisation of Nitrosomonas sp. in mixed culture by decoupling the growth and energy generation processes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-11-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.JBIOTEC.2006.04.017

Abstract: A novel method that relies on the decoupling of the energy production and biosynthesis processes was used to characterise the maintenance, cell lysis and growth processes of Nitrosomonas sp. A Nitrosomonas culture was enriched in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with ammonium as the sole energy source. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) showed that Nitrosomonas bound to the NEU probe constituted 82% of the bacterial population, while no other known ammonium or nitrite oxidizing bacteria were detected. Batch tests were carried out under conditions that both ammonium and CO2 were in excess, and in the absence of one of these two substrates. The oxygen uptake rate and nitrite production rate were measured during these batch tests. The results obtained from these batch tests, along with the SBR performance data, allowed the determination of the maintenance coefficient and the in situ cell lysis rate, as well as the maximum specific growth rate of the Nitrosomonas culture. It is shown that, during normal growth, the Nitrosomonas culture spends approximately 65% of the energy generated for maintenance. The maintenance coefficient was determined to be 0.14-0.16 mgN mgCOD(biomass)(-1)h(-1), and was shown to be independent of the specific growth rate. The in situ lysis rate and the maximum specific growth rate of the Nitrosomonas culture were determined to be 0.26 and 1.0 day(-1) (0.043 h(-1)), respectively, under aerobic conditions at 30 degrees C and pH 7.

Identification and comparison of aerobic and denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 21-05-2003

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10652

Abstract: Two laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) in alternating anaerobic-aerobic or alternating anaerobic-anoxic modes, respectively. Polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) were enriched in the anaerobic-aerobic SBR and denitrifying PAOs (DPAOs) were enriched in the anaerobic-aerobic SBR. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated that the well-known PAO, "Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis" was abundant in both SBRs, and post-FISH chemical staining with 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindol (DAPI) confirmed that they accumulated polyphosphate. When the anaerobic-anoxic SBR enriched for DPAOs was converted to anaerobic-aerobic operation, aerobic uptake of phosphorus by the resident microbial community occurred immediately. However, when the anaerobic-aerobic SBR enriched for PAOs was exposed to one cycle with anoxic rather than aerobic conditions, a 5-h lag period elapsed before phosphorus uptake proceeded. This anoxic phosphorus-uptake lag phase was not observed in the subsequent anaerobic-aerobic cycle. These results demonstrate that the PAOs that dominated the anaerobic-aerobic SBR biomass were the same organisms as the DPAOs enriched under anaerobic-anoxic conditions.

Electrochemical regeneration of sulfur loaded electrodes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 07-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECOM.2009.05.024

The inhibitory effects of free nitrous acid on the energy generation and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 09-06-2006

DOI: 10.1021/ES051694K

Abstract: The inhibitory effects of nitrite (NO2-)/free nitrous acid (HNO2-FNA) on the metabolism of Nitrobacter were investigated using a method allowing the decoupling of the growth and energy generation processes. A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor was operated forthe enrichment of a Nitrobacter culture. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that 73% of the bacterial population was Nitrobacter. Batch tests were carried out to assess the oxygen and nitrite consumption rates of the enriched culture at low and high nitrite levels, in the presence or absence of inorganic carbon. It was observed that in the absence of CO2, the Nitrobacter culture was able to oxidize nitrite at a rate that is 76% of that in the presence of CO2, with an oxygen consumption rate that is 85% of that measured in the presence of CO2. This enabled the impacts of nitrite/FNA on the catabolic and anabolic processes of Nitrobacter to be assessed separately. FNA rather than nitrite was likely the actual inhibitor to the Nitrobacter metabolism. It was revealed that FNA of up to 0.05 mg HNO2-N x L(-1) (3.4 microM), which was the highest FNA concentration used in this study, did not have any inhibitory effect on the catabolic processes of Nitrobacter. However, FNA initiated its inhibition to the anabolic processes of Nitrobacterat approximately 0.011 mg HNO2-N x L(-1) (0.8 microM), and completely stopped biomass synthesis at a concentration of approximately 0.023 mg HNO2-N x L(-1) (1.6 microM). The inhibitory effect could be described by an empirical inhibitory model proposed in this paper, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be revealed.

Investigating the role of adsorption and biodegradation in the removal of organic micropollutants during biological activated carbon filtration of treated wastewater

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 09-2012

DOI: 10.2166/WRD.2012.012

Abstract: Municipal water recycling may expose humans and the environment to trace organic contaminants. We assessed biological activated carbon (BAC) filtration for removal of organic micropollutants (MPs). Adsorption experiments were carried out in batch reactors containing secondary effluent and new granular activated carbon (GAC) and preloaded BAC media. Results show that BAC has good potential for removal of dissolved organic carbon (40%) and MPs (60–95%). The primary objective was to better understand removal mechanisms of representative MPs at environmentally relevant concentrations. Adsorption and biodegradation of 20 compounds of varying physico-chemical properties were investigated by inhibiting the biomass with azide. Average removal of compounds by adsorption on GAC was 88 ± 5% with no influence of azide. Average BAC removal was 72 ± 15%, reduced to 59 ± 20% after azide addition, showing that biological activity is important for MP removal. Comparison of MP removal by BAC and BAC + azide showed a more important impact of the inhibition on the removal of negatively charged compounds. Sustained removal of recalcitrant compounds showed that BAC maintained sorption capacity. These results highlight the advantage of a combination of adsorption and biodegradation as compared to other biofiltration techniques for the long-term attenuation of MPs.

Oxygen suppresses light-driven anodic current generation by a mixed phototrophic culture

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 13-11-2014

DOI: 10.1021/ES5024702

Abstract: This paper describes the detrimental effect of photosynthetically evolved oxygen on anodic current generation in the presence of riboflavin upon illumination of a mixed phototrophic culture enriched from a freshwater pond at +0.6 V vs standard hydrogen electrode. In the presence of riboflavin, the phototrophic biomass in the anodic compartment produced an electrical current in response to light/dark cycles (12 h/12 h) over 12 months of operation, generating a maximum current density of 17.5 mA x m(-2) during the dark phase, whereas a much lower current of approximately 2 mA x m(-2) was generated during illumination. We found that the low current generation under light exposure was caused by high rates of reoxidation of reduced riboflavin by oxygen produced during photosynthesis. Quantification of biomass by fluorescence in situ hybridization images suggested that green algae were predominant in both the anode-based biofilm (55.1%) and the anolyte suspension (87.9%) with the remaining biovolume accounted for by bacteria. Genus-level sequencing analysis revealed that bacteria were dominated by cyanobacterium Leptolyngbia (∼35%), while the prevailing algae were Dictyosphaerium, Coelastrum, and Auxenochlorella. This study offers a key comprehension of mediator sensitivity to reoxidation by dissolved oxygen for improvement of microbial solar cell performance.

Characterization of secondary treated effluents for tertiary membrane filtration and water recycling

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 06-2012

DOI: 10.2166/WRD.2012.017

Abstract: This study evaluates the impacts of water quality from three different secondary effluents on low pressure membrane fouling. Effluent organic matter (EfOM) has been reported by previous studies as responsible for membrane fouling. However, the contribution of the different components of EfOM to membrane fouling is still not well understood. In order to improve and optimize treatment processes, characterization and quantification of the organic matter are important. The characterization methods used in this study are liquid chromatography coupled with an organic detector (LC-OCD) and excitation emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM). A bench-scale hollow fibre membrane system was used to identify the type of fouling depending on the feed water quality. Results showed no measurable dissolved organic carbon removal by the membranes for the three secondary effluents. Biopolymers and humic-like substances found in different proportions in the three effluents were partially retained by the membranes and were identified to contribute significantly to the flux decline of the low pressure membranes. The observed fouling was determined to be reversible by hydraulic backwashing for two effluents and only by chemical cleaning for the third effluent.

Dynamics and dynamic modelling of H2S production in sewer systems

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2008.02.013

Abstract: Accurate and reliable predictions of sulfide production in a sewer system greatly benefit formulation of appropriate strategies for optimal sewer management. Sewer systems, rising main systems in particular, are highly dynamic in terms of both flow and wastewater composition. In order to get an insight in sulfide production as a response to the dynamic changes in sewer conditions, several measurement c aigns were conducted in two rising mains in Gold Coast, Australia. The levels of various sulfur species and volatile fatty acids (VFAs) were monitored through hourly s ling for periods ranging from 8 to 29 h. The results of these field studies showed large temporal as well as spatial variations in sulfide generation. A dynamic sewer model taking into account the hydraulics and the biochemical transformation processes was formulated and calibrated and validated using the data collected during the four measurement c aigns at the two sites. The model was demonstrated to reasonably well describe the temporal and spatial variations in sulfide, sulfate and VFA concentrations. Application of the model was illustrated with a case study aimed to optimize oxygen injection to one of the two mains studied, which is being used as a means to control sulfide production on this site. The model predicted that, moving the current oxygen injection point to a location close to the end of the sewer line could achieve the same degree of sulfide control with only 50% of the current oxygen use. This study highlighted that the location at which oxygen is injected plays a major role in sulfide control and a dynamic model could be used to make a proper choice of the location.

Efficient and stable nitritation and denitritation of ammonium-rich sludge dewatering liquor using an SBR with continuous loading

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2006.05.003

Abstract: Separate treatment of dewatering liquor from anaerobic sludge digestion significantly reduces the nitrogen load of the main stream and improves overall nitrogen elimination. Such ammonium-rich wastewater is particularly suited to be treated by high rate processes which achieve a rapid elimination of nitrogen with a minimal COD requirement. Processes whereby ammonium is oxidised to nitrite only (nitritation) followed by denitritation with carbon addition can achieve this. Nitrogen removal by nitritation/denitritation was optimised using a novel SBR operation with continuous dewatering liquor addition. Efficient and robust nitrogen elimination was obtained at a total hydraulic retention time of 1 day via the nitrite pathway. Around 85-90% nitrogen removal was achieved at an ammonium loading rate of 1.2 kg [corrected] NH(4)(+)-N m(-3)d(-1). Ethanol was used as electron donor for denitritation at a ratio of 2.2 g COD g(-1) N removed. Conventional nitritation/denitritation with rapid addition of the dewatering liquor at the beginning of the cycle often resulted in considerable nitric oxide (NO) accumulation during the anoxic phase possibly leading to unstable denitritation. Some NO production was still observed in the novel continuous mode, but denitritation was never seriously affected. Thus, process stability can be increased and the high specific reaction rates as well as the continuous feeding result in decreased reactor size for full-scale operation.

Carbon and electron fluxes during the electricity driven 1,3-propanediol biosynthesis from glycerol

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 20-09-2013

DOI: 10.1021/ES402132R

Abstract: 1,3-Propanediol (1,3-PDO) can be produced biologically through glycerol fermentation. While such a process typically involves a pure culture system, particularly for crude glycerol, there would be operational advantages if a mixed population could be used. However, in the latter case the yield is typically low. Here, we use electrical current as the driving force for a mixed population fermenting glycerol in the cathode of a microbial bioelectrochemical system (BES). The carbon and electron flows were monitored by a titration and off-gas analysis (TOGA) sensor, and the syntrophic interactions in the BES were also investigated. Results show that on a carbon yield basis, current enhanced 1,3-PDO production from 24.8% (without current) to 50.1% (with a polarized biocathode at -0.9 V versus standard hydrogen electrode, SHE). Flux analysis indicated that the reductive current can be integrated into glycerol metabolism to enhance 1,3-PDO yield and that glycerol metabolism was redirected from propionate fermentation to 1,3-PDO production. A polarization of -0.6 V (vs SHE) resulted in more fermentative hydrogen production (from 2.7% to 8.0% on electron basis). 1,3-PDO production was also enhanced with hydrogen supply (37.7% on carbon basis), by suppressing hydrogen fermentation. Moreover, interspecies hydrogen transfer encouraged hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, which was also accelerated by the cathodic polarization.

Nitrobenzene removal in bioelectrochemical systems

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 14-10-2009

DOI: 10.1021/ES9020266

Abstract: Nitrobenzene occurs as a pollutant in wastewaters originating from numerous industrial and agricultural activities. It needs to be removed prior to discharge to sewage treatment works because of its high toxicity and persistence. In this study, we investigated the use of a bioelectrochemical system (BES) to remove nitrobenzene at a cathode coupled to microbial oxidation of acetate at an anode. Effective removal of nitrobenzene at rates up to 1.29 +/- 0.04 mol m(-3) TCC d(-1) (total cathodic compartment, TCC) was achieved with concomitant energy recovery. Correspondingly, the formation rate for the reduction product aniline was 1.14 +/- 0.03 mol m(-3) TCC d(-1). Nitrobenzene removal and aniline formation rates were significantly enhanced when the BES was supplied with power, reaching 8.57 +/- 0.03 and 6.68 +/- 0.03 mol m(-3) TCC d(-1), respectively, at an energy consumption of 17.06 +/- 0.16 W m(-3) TCC (current density at 59.5 A m(-3) TCC). Compared to those of conventional anaerobic biological methods for nitrobenzene removal, the required dosage of organic cosubstrate was significantly reduced in this system. Although aniline was always identified as the major product of nitrobenzene reduction at the cathode of BES in this study, the Coulombic efficiencies of nitrobenzene removal and aniline formation were dependent on the current density of the BES.

Removal of micropollutants and reduction of biological activity in a full scale reclamation plant using ozonation and activated carbon filtration

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.09.048

Abstract: Pharmaceutical compounds are found in secondary treated effluents up to microg L(-1) levels and therefore discharged into surface waters. Since the long term effects of these compounds on the environment and human health are, to date, largely unknown, implementation of advanced treatment of wastewaters is envisaged to reduce their discharge. This is of particular relevance where surface waters are used as drinking water sources and when considering indirect potable reuse. This study aimed at assessing the removal of organic micropollutants and the concurrent reduction of their biological activity in a full scale reclamation plant treating secondary effluent. The treatment consists of 6 stages: denitrification, pre-ozonation, coagulation/flocculation/dissolved air flotation and filtration (DAFF), main ozonation, activated carbon filtration and final ozonation for disinfection. For that purpose, representative 24-hour composite s les were collected after each stage. The occurrence of 85 compounds was monitored by LC/MS-MS. A battery of 6 bioassays was also used as a complementary tool to evaluate non-specific toxicity and 5 specific toxic modes of action. Results show that, among the 54 micropollutants quantified in the influent water, 50 were removed to below their limit of quantification representing more than 90% of concentration reduction. Biological activity was reduced, depending on the specific response that was assessed, from a minimum of 62% (AhR response) to more than 99% (estrogenicity). The key processes responsible for the plant's performances were the coagulation/flocculation/DAFF, main ozonation and activated carbon filtration. The effect of these 3 processes varied from one compound or bioassay to another but their combination was almost totally responsible for the overall observed reduction. Bioassays yielded complementary information, e.g. estrogenic compounds were not detected in the secondary effluent by chemical analysis, but the s les had an estrogenic effect. The main ozonation formed oxidation by-products of the organic micropollutants but decreased the level of non-specific toxicity and other specific toxic modes of action, demonstrating that the mixture of oxidation by-products was less potent than the mixture of the parent compounds for the considered effects.

Assessment of the impact of chloride on the formation of chlorinated by-products in the presence and absence of electrochemically activated sulfate

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2017.08.033

Effect of free ammonia and free nitrous acid concentration on the anabolic and catabolic processes of an enriched Nitrosomonas culture

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 2006

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.21018

Abstract: The effects of free ammonia (FA NH(3)) and free nitrous acid (FNA HNO(2)) concentrations on the metabolisms of an enriched ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) culture were investigated using a method allowing the decoupling of growth and energy generation processes. A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for the enrichment of an AOB culture. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that 82% of the bacterial population in the SBR bound to the NEU probe specifically designed for Nitrosomonas europaea. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen and ammonium consumption rates by the culture at various FA and FNA levels, in the presence or absence of inorganic carbon (CO(2), HCO(3) (-), and CO(3) (2-)). It was revealed that FA of up to 16.0 mgNH(3)-N . L(-1), which was the highest concentration used in this study, did not have any inhibitory effect on either the catabolic or anabolic processes of the Nitrosomonas culture. In contrast, FNA inhibited both the growth and energy production capabilities of the Nitrosomonas culture. The inhibition on growth initiated at approximately 0.10 mgHNO(2)-N . L(-1), and the data suggested that the biosynthesis was completely stopped at an FNA concentration of 0.40 mgHNO(2)-N . L(-1). The inhibition on energy generation initiated at a slightly lower level but the Nitrosomonas culture was still oxidizing ammonia at half of the maximum rate at an FNA concentration of 0.50-0.63 mgHNO(2)-N . L(-1). The affinity constant of the Nitrosomonas culture with respect to ammonia was determined to be 0.36 mgNH(3)-N . L(-1), independent of the presence or absence of inorganic carbon.

Removal of organic contaminants from secondary effluent by anodic oxidation with a boron-doped diamond anode as tertiary treatment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2014.10.003

Abstract: Electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) have been widely investigated as promising technologies to remove trace organic contaminants from water, but have rarely been used for the treatment of real waste streams. Anodic oxidation with a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode was applied for the treatment of secondary effluent from a municipal sewage treatment plant containing 29 target pharmaceuticals and pesticides. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed from the contaminants decay, dissolved organic carbon and chemical oxygen demand removal. The effect of applied current and pH was evaluated. Almost complete mineralization of effluent organic matter and trace contaminants can be obtained by this EAOP primarily due to the action of hydroxyl radicals formed at the BDD surface. The oxidation of Cl(-) ions present in the wastewater at the BDD anode gave rise to active chlorine species (Cl2/HClO/ClO(-)), which are competitive oxidizing agents yielding chloramines and organohalogen byproducts, quantified as adsorbable organic halogen. However, further anodic oxidation of HClO/ClO(-) species led to the production of ClO3(-) and ClO4(-) ions. The formation of these species h ers the application as a single-stage tertiary treatment, but posterior cathodic reduction of chlorate and perchlorate species may reduce the risks associated to their presence in the environment.

Microbial Fuel Cells

Publisher: Elsevier

Date: 2011

DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-444-53199-5.00098-1

Biofiltration of wastewater treatment plant effluent: Effective removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products and reduction of toxicity

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.02.013

Abstract: This study investigates biofiltration for the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), and for the reduction of non-specific toxicity expressed as baseline toxicity equivalent concentration (baseline-TEQ). Two filtering media, sand and granular activated carbon, were tested. The influence of pre-ozonation and empty-bed contact time (EBCT, from 30 to 120 min) was determined. The experiments were performed at a pilot-scale with real WWTP effluent. A previous study showed that biological activity had developed on the filtering media and dissolved organic removal had reached a steady state before s ling commenced. The results show that biological activated carbon (BAC) has a good potential for the removal of DOC (35-60%), PPCPs (>90%) and baseline-TEQ (28-68%) even without pre-ozonation. On the contrary, the sand shows limited improvement of effluent quality. Varying the EBCT does not influence the performance of the BAC filters however, dissolved oxygen concentration could be a limiting factor. The performances of the BAC filters were stable for over two years suggesting that the main mechanism of organic matter and PPCPs removal is biodegradation. It is concluded that BAC filtration without pre-ozonation could be implemented as a low cost advanced treatment option to improve WWTP effluent chemical quality.

Evaluation of data-driven models for predicting the service life of concrete sewer pipes subjected to corrosion

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.JENVMAN.2018.12.098

Abstract: Concrete corrosion is one of the most significant failure mechanisms of sewer pipes, and can reduce the sewer service life significantly. To facilitate the management and maintenance of sewers, it is essential to obtain reliable prediction of the expected service life of sewers, especially if that is based on limited environmental conditions. Recently, a long-term study was performed to identify the controlling factors of concrete sewer corrosion using well-controlled laboratory-scale corrosion chambers to vary levels of H

Analysis of biological wastewater treatment processes using multicomponent gas phase mass balancing

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 12-2001

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10097

Abstract: A reactor system using off-gas analysis was developed for analyzing wastewater treatment process reactions. Using a mass spectrometer for the gas analysis provides the ability to simultaneously measure several gas components (such as oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and argon). One of the benefits of the reactor design was the precise control of the dissolved oxygen concentration, uncoupled from the system turbulence, which was controlled via a gas recycle loop. This feature allowed control of the turbulence within the reactor without any need for mechanical stirring. Using oxygen as the test gas, the reactor was shown to perform well in the measurement of oxygen uptake rate of nitrifying activated sludge. The oxygen uptake rate calculations were made using a simple calibration method developed for the reactor system. The reactor was able to provide precise and accurate results for this test case. Furthermore, the system was capable of measuring under dynamic process conditions, as well as when the process rates were constant (steady state).

Role of sulfur during acetate oxidation in biological anodes

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 15-04-2009

DOI: 10.1021/ES803682K

Abstract: The treatment of wastewater containing sulfides in bioelec-trochemical systems (BES) causes deposition of sulfur on the anode as a result of a solely electrochemical process. In this study, we investigate whether microorganisms can use this sulfur, ratherthan the anode or soluble sulfate, as an electron acceptor for the oxidation of acetate. Our results indicate that microorganisms use electrodeposited sulfur as preferable electron acceptor over the anode and sulfate and produce sulfide irrespective of electrochemical conditions. Bioelectrochemical and biological sulfide generation pathways were studied under different electrochemical conditions. The obtained results show that the sulfide generation rate at open circuit condition (anode potential -235 +/- 5 mV versus standard hydrogen electrode, SHE)was higher in comparison to the electrochemical sulfide generation even at a lower potential of -275 mV (vs SHE), confirming that sulfide is produced through biological processes without any current generation. However, during closed circuit operation, the overall Coulombic efficiency (97% +/- 2%) is not affected as the produced sulfide (originating from the reduction of deposited sulfur) is spontaneously reoxidized to sulfur when a favorable potential is maintained. This confirms the mediator role of sulfur during acetate oxidation in BES. A diagrammatic representation of the mechanism is proposed to characterize the interactions between acetate oxidation and sulfur conversions on the anode.

Enrichment of denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms in anaerobic/anoxic activated sludge system

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 18-12-2003

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10484

Abstract: Denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAO) were successfully enriched in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) running with anaerobic/anoxic cycles and acetate feeding during the anaerobic period. Acetate was completely taken up anaerobically, which was accompanied by the consumption of glycogen and the production of poly-beta-hydroxy-alkanoates (PHA). In the subsequent anoxic stage, nitrate or nitrite was utilized as electron acceptor for the oxidation of PHA, resulting in glycogen replenishment and cell growth. The above phenotype showed by the enrichment culture demonstrates the existence of DGAO. Further, it was found that the anaerobic behavior of DGAO could be predicted well by the anaerobic GAO model of Filipe et al. (2001) and Zeng et al. (2002a). The final product of denitrification during anoxic stage was mainly nitrous oxide (N(2)O) rather than N(2). The data strongly suggests that N(2)O production may be caused by the inhibition of nitrous oxide reductase by an elevated level of nitrite accumulated during denitrification. The existence of these organisms is a concern in biological nutrient removal systems that typically have an anaerobic/anoxic/aerobic reactor sequence since they are potential competitors to the polyphosphate-accumulating organisms.

Identification of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms and design of 16S rRNA-directed probes for their detection and quantitation

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

Date: 03-2000

DOI: 10.1128/AEM.66.3.1175-1182.2000

Abstract: Laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) as models for activated sludge processes were used to study enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewater. Enrichment for polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) was achieved essentially by increasing the phosphorus concentration in the influent to the SBRs. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using domain-, ision-, and sub ision-level probes was used to assess the proportions of microorganisms in the sludges. The A sludge, a high-performance P-removing sludge containing 15.1% P in the biomass, was comprised of large clusters of polyphosphate-containing coccobacilli. By FISH, % of the A sludge bacteria were β-2 Proteobacteria arranged in clusters of coccobacilli, strongly suggesting that this group contains a PAO responsible for EBPR. The second dominant group in the A sludge was the Actinobacteria . Clone libraries of PCR- lified bacterial 16S rRNA genes from three high-performance P-removing sludges were prepared, and clones belonging to the β-2 Proteobacteria were fully sequenced. A distinctive group of clones (sharing ≥98% sequence identity) related to Rhodocyclus spp. (94 to 97% identity) and Propionibacter pelophilus (95 to 96% identity) was identified as the most likely candidate PAOs. Three probes specific for the highly related candidate PAO group were designed from the sequence data. All three probes specifically bound to the morphologically distinctive clusters of PAOs in the A sludge, exactly coinciding with the β-2 Proteobacteria probe. Sequential FISH and polyphosphate staining of EBPR sludges clearly demonstrated that PAO probe-binding cells contained polyphosphate. Subsequent PAO probe analyses of a number of sludges with various P removal capacities indicated a strong positive correlation between P removal from the wastewater as determined by sludge P content and number of PAO probe-binding cells. We conclude therefore that an important group of PAOs in EBPR sludges are bacteria closely related to Rhodocyclus and Propionibacter .

Enrichment of denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidizing microorganisms

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 10-2009

DOI: 10.1111/J.1758-2229.2009.00083.X

Abstract: The microorganisms responsible for anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) coupled to denitrification have not been clearly elucidated. Three recent publications suggested it can be achieved by a denitrifying bacterium with or without the involvement of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea. A key factor limiting the progress in this research field is the shortage of enrichment cultures performing denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO). In this study, DAMO cultures were enriched from mixed inoculum including sediment from a freshwater lake, anaerobic digester sludge and return activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant. Two reactors, operated at 35°C and at 22°C, respectively, showed simultaneous methane oxidation and nitrate reduction after several months of operation. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene clone libraries from the 35°C enrichment showed the presence of an archaeon closely related to other DAMO archaea and a dominated bacterium belonging to the yet uncultivated NC10 phylum. This culture preferred nitrite to nitrate as the electron acceptor. The present study suggests that the archaea are rather methanotrophs than methanogens. The highest denitrification rate achieved was 2.35 mmol NO3 (-) -N gVSS(-1) day(-1) . The culture enriched at 22°C contained the same NC10 bacterium observed in the culture enriched at 35°C but no archaea.

Phototrophic bacteria for nutrient recovery from domestic wastewater

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2013.10.051

Abstract: The organics and nutrients in industrial and domestic wastewater are increasingly being regarded as a valuable resource for energy and nutrient recovery. Emerging concepts to redesign wastewater treatment as resource recovery systems include the use of different bacteria and algae to partition carbon and nutrients to the particulate phase through assimilation or bio-accumulation. This study evaluates the use of purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) (also known as purple non-sulphur bacteria or PNSB) for such a biological concentration process through a series of batch tests. The key objectives are to (a) demonstrate consistent selection and enrichment of PPB using infrared light in a non-sterile medium, and (b) achieve effective partitioning of soluble organics, ammonium and phosphate into the PPB culture. PPB were successfully enriched from pre-settled domestic wastewater within 2-3 days and identified as members of the order Rhodobacterales. Under anaerobic conditions with infrared irradiation the enrichment culture was able to simultaneously remove COD (63 ± 5%), NH4-N (99.6%-0.12 ± 0.03 mgN L(-1)) and PO4-P (88%-0.8 ± 0.6 mgP L(-1)) from primary settled domestic wastewater in 24 h. In this experiment, acetate was added as an additional carbon source to demonstrate the maximal nitrogen and phosphorous elimination potential. Almost all the COD removed was assimilated into biomass rather than oxidised to CO2, with the total COD actually increasing during the batch experiments due to phototrophic synthesis. NH4-N and PO4-P were also assimilated by the biomass rather than removed through destructive oxidation or accumulation. The process offers the opportunity to concentrate organics and macronutrients from wastewater in one solids stream that can be anaerobically digested to generate energy and recover nutrients from the concentrated digestate. Technical challenges include the design of a continuous reactor system, as well as efficient delivery of electrons, either through light or chemical sources.

RNA-Seq analysis of the parietal cortex in Alzheimer's disease reveals alternatively spliced isoforms related to lipid metabolism

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.NEULET.2012.12.042

Abstract: The parietal cortex of the human brain plays a unique role in the coordination of movement and in the integration of signals from the other cortices. Because of its extensive connections and involvement in many higher-order cognitive functions, neurodegenerative changes in the parietal lobe are believed to be crucial in the early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Little is known about the transcriptome of this part of the human brain or how it is perturbed by the neurodegenerative process. To that end, we performed mRNA sequencing using the Illumina RNA-Seq technique on s les derived from normal and AD parietal lobes. Gene expression analysis evaluating alternatively spliced isoform expression and promoter usage revealed surprisingly elevated transcriptome activity in the AD condition. This phenomenon was particularly apparent in the alternative usage of transcriptional start sites. A Gene Ontology analysis of the differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment in the functional pathways related to lipid metabolism, thus highlighting the importance of astrocyte activity in the neurodegenerative process. We also identified an upregulation of the diazepam-binding inhibitor (DBI) gene in AD, as the result of a splicing switch toward shorter, intron-retaining isoforms driven by alternative promoters and was coupled with a simultaneous decrease in the abundance of protein-coding transcripts. These two DBI isoforms have not been described previously.

Biologically Induced Hydrogen Production Drives High Rate/High Efficiency Microbial Electrosynthesis of Acetate from Carbon Dioxide

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 13-01-2016

DOI: 10.1002/CELC.201500530

Biological phosphorus removal from abattoir wastewater at very short sludge ages mediated bynovel PAO clade Comamonadaceae

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2014.11.026

Abstract: Recent increases in global phosphorus costs, together with the need to remove phosphorus from wastewater to comply with water discharge regulations, make phosphorus recovery from wastewater economically and environmentally attractive. Biological phosphorus (Bio-P) removal process can effectively capture the phosphorus from wastewater and concentrate it in a form that is easily amendable for recovery in contrast to traditional (chemical) phosphorus removal processes. However, Bio-P removal processes have historically been operated at medium to long solids retention times (SRTs, 10-20 days typically), which inherently increases the energy consumption while reducing the recoverable carbon fraction and hence makes it incompatible with the drive towards energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment plants. In this study, a novel high-rate Bio-P removal process has been developed as an energy efficient alternative for phosphorus removal from wastewater through operation at an SRT of less than 4 days. The process was most effective at an SRT of 2-2.5 days, achieving >90% phosphate removal. Further reducing the SRT to 1.7 days resulted in a loss of Bio-P activity. 16S pyrotag sequencing showed the community changed considerably with changes in the SRT, but that Comamonadaceae was consistently abundant when the Bio-P activity was evident. FISH analysis combined with DAPI staining confirmed that bacterial cells of Comamonadaceae arranged in tetrads contained polyphosphate, identifying them as the key polyphosphate accumulating organisms at these low SRT conditions. Overall, this paper demonstrates a novel, high-rate phosphorus removal process that can be effectively integrated with short SRT, energy-efficient carbon removal and recovery processes.

Electrochemical sulfide removal and recovery from paper mill anaerobic treatment effluent

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2010.01.008

Abstract: Sulfide can be removed from wastewater and recovered as elemental sulfur using an electrochemical process. Recently, we demonstrated this principle of product recovery on synthetic feeds. Here, we present a lab scale electrochemical reactor continuously removing sulfide from the effluent of an anaerobic treatment process operated on paper mill wastewater. The effluent contained 44+/-7 mg of sulfide-S L(-1). Sulfide was reduced to 8+/-2 mg-S L(-1), at a removal rate of 0.845+/-0.133 kg-S m(-3) of total anodic compartment (TAC) d(-1). The removed sulfide was recovered (75+/-4% recovery) as pure concentrated alkaline sulfide olysulfide solution, from which solid elemental sulfur was obtained. The electrochemical sulfide removal was not affected by different soluble constituents or particulate materials present in the wastewater. However, over time sulfide removal decreased due to biological sulfur reduction using the organics present in the wastewater. Therefore, a periodic switching strategy between anode and cathode was developed. Biofilm formation was avoided as the pH of the cathode solution increased to inhibitory levels during cathodic operation, while still allowing full recovery of the sulfur as end product.

Anaerobic and aerobic metabolism of glycogen-accumulating organisms selected with propionate as the sole carbon source

Publisher: Microbiology Society

Date: 09-2006

DOI: 10.1099/MIC.0.28065-0

Abstract: In the microbial competition observed in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems, an undesirable group of micro-organisms known as glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) compete for carbon in the anaerobic period with the desired polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). Some studies have suggested that a propionate carbon source provides PAOs with a competitive advantage over GAOs in EBPR systems however, the metabolism of GAOs with this carbon source has not been previously investigated. In this study, GAOs were enriched in a laboratory-scale bioreactor with propionate as the sole carbon source, in an effort to better understand their biochemical processes. Based on comprehensive solid-, liquid- and gas-phase chemical analytical data from the bioreactor, a metabolic model was proposed for the metabolism of propionate by GAOs. The model adequately described the anaerobic stoichiometry observed through chemical analysis, and can be a valuable tool for further investigation of the competition between PAOs and GAOs, and for the optimization of the EBPR process. A group of Alphaproteobacteria dominated the biomass (96 % of Bacteria) from this bioreactor, while post-fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) chemical staining confirmed that these Alphaproteobacteria produced poly- β -hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) anaerobically and utilized them aerobically, demonstrating that they were putative GAOs. Some of the Alphaproteobacteria were related to Defluvicoccus vanus (16 % of Bacteria), but the specific identity of many could not be determined by FISH. Further investigation into the identity of other GAOs is necessary.

Selective cathodic microbial biofilm retention allows a high current-to-sulfide efficiency in sulfate-reducing microbial electrolysis cells

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOELECHEM.2017.07.001

Abstract: Selective microbial retention is of paramount importance for the long-term performance of cathodic sulfate reduction in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) due to the slow growth rate of autotrophic sulfate-reducing bacteria. In this work, we investigate the biofilm retention and current-to-sulfide conversion efficiency using carbon granules (CG) or multi-wall carbon nanotubes deposited on reticulated vitreous carbon (MWCNT-RVC) as electrode materials. For ~2months, the MECs were operated at sulfate loading rates of 21 to 309gSO

Improved understanding of the interactions and complexities of biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal processes

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 09-2004

DOI: 10.1007/S11157-004-7459-8

Cathodic biofilm activates electrode surface and achieves efficient autotrophic sulfate reduction

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2016.07.100

Opportunities for reducing coagulants usage in urban water management: The Oxley Creek Sewage Collection and Treatment System as an example

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2019.114996

Abstract: Iron and aluminium based coagulants are used in enormous amounts and play an essential role in urban water management globally. They are dosed at drinking water production facilities for the removal of natural organic matter. Iron salts are also dosed to sewers for corrosion and odour control, and at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for phosphate removal from wastewater and hydrogen sulfide removal from biogas. A recent laboratory study revealed that iron dosed to sewers is available for phosphate and hydrogen sulfide removal in the downstream WWTP. This study demonstrates for the first time under real-life conditions the practical feasibility and effectiveness of the strategy through a year-long full-scale investigation. Over a period of 5 months, alum dosing at ∼190 kg Al/day to the bioreactor in a full-scale WWTP was stopped, while FeCl

Endogenous metabolism of Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis under various starvation conditions

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.06.046

Abstract: The endogenous processes of Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis (referred to as Accumulibacter), a known polyphosphate-accumulating organism (PAO) responsible for enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems (EBPR), were characterized during 8-day starvation under anaerobic, anoxic, aerobic and intermittent aerobic-anaerobic conditions. A lab-scale EBPR culture with Accumulibacter representing over 85% of the entire bacterial population as quantified with fluorescence in-situ hybridization was used in the study. Cell decay rates were found to be negligible under anaerobic and anoxic conditions and may be ignored in activated sludge models. The decay rate under aerobic conditions was determined to be 0.03/d at 22 degrees C, considerably lower than the values commonly used in activated sludge modeling. Polyphosphate and glycogen were utilized simultaneously under anaerobic and anoxic conditions for maintenance energy production, with glycogen being the primary energy source until the glycogen content reached very low levels. Glycogen was used by Accumulibacter as the primary source of energy for maintenance under aerobic conditions in the absence of polyhydroxyalkanoates. However, Accumulibacter did not seem to use polyphosphate for energy production during aerobic starvation, clearly contrasting the anaerobic and particularly the anoxic case. Intermittent aerobic-anaerobic storage resulted in not only negligible cell decay rate, but also slower rates of glycogen and polyphosphate utilization, and may therefore be an effective strategy for long-term storage of EBPR sludge.

Bringing High-Rate, CO2-Based Microbial Electrosynthesis Closer to Practical Implementation through Improved Electrode Design and Operating Conditions

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 03-02-2016

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.5B04431

Abstract: The enhancement of microbial electrosynthesis (MES) of acetate from CO2 to performance levels that could potentially support practical implementations of the technology must go through the optimization of key design and operating conditions. We report that higher proton availability drastically increases the acetate production rate, with pH 5.2 found to be optimal, which will likely suppress methanogenic activity without inhibitor addition. Applied cathode potential as low as -1.1 V versus SHE still achieved 99% of electron recovery in the form of acetate at a current density of around -200 A m(-2). These current densities are leading to an exceptional acetate production rate of up to 1330 g m(-2) day(-1) at pH 6.7. Using highly open macroporous reticulated vitreous carbon electrodes with macropore sizes of about 0.6 mm in diameter was found to be optimal for achieving a good balance between total surface area available for biofilm formation and effective mass transfer between the bulk liquid and the electrode and biofilm surface. Furthermore, we also successfully demonstrated the use of a synthetic biogas mixture as carbon dioxide source, yielding similarly high MES performance as pure CO2. This would allow this process to be used effectively for both biogas quality improvement and conversion of the available CO2 to acetate.

Competition between polyphosphate and glycogen accumulating organisms in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems with acetate and propionate as carbon sources

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.JBIOTEC.2005.10.009

Abstract: Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a widely used process for achieving phosphorus removal from wastewater. A potential reason for EBPR failure is the undesirable growth of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs), which can compete for carbon sources with the bacterial group responsible for phosphorus removal from wastewater: the polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs). This study investigates the impact of carbon source on EBPR performance and the competition between PAOs and GAOs. Two sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated during a 4-6 month period and fed with a media containing acetate or propionate, respectively, as the sole carbon source. It was found that the acetate fed SBR rarely achieved a high level of phosphorus removal, and that a large portion of the microbial community was comprised of "Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis", a known GAO. The propionate fed SBR, however, achieved stable phosphorus removal throughout the study, apart from one brief disturbance. The bacterial community of the propionate fed SBR was dominated by "Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis", a known PAO, and did not contain Competibacter. In a separate experiment, another SBR was seeded with a mixture of PAOs and a group of alphaproteobacterial GAOs, both enriched with propionate as the sole carbon source. Stable EBPR was achieved and the PAO population increased while the GAOs appeared to be out-competed. The results of this paper suggest that propionate may provide PAOs with a selective advantage over GAOs in the PAO-GAO competition, particularly through the minimisation of Competibacter. Propionate may be a more suitable substrate than acetate for enhancing phosphorus removal in EBPR systems.

Effect of nitrate and nitrite on the selection of microorganisms in the denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation process

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 16-12-2011

DOI: 10.1111/J.1758-2229.2010.00227.X

Abstract: Two cultures were inoculated with sludges taken from a parent culture containing archaea distantly related to anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) and bacteria related to Candidatus Methylomirabilis oxyfera, both of which have previously been found in cultures performing denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation process. The cultures were fed with nitrate and nitrite, respectively, along with methane. The nitrate-fed culture, Culture B, showed a stable microbial community composition and denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation activity. In contrast, the nitrite-fed culture, Culture A, achieved a substantial increase in the nitrite consumption rate, from 1.1 to 7.3 mmol NO2 (-) -N (g VSS)(-1) day(-1) in 90 days. Concurrent with this activity increase, the archaeal population in Culture A decreased with time, and became undetectable after 100 days, while bacteria related to M. oxyfera increasingly dominated the culture. This observation suggests that the bacteria related to M. oxyfera are more competitive for nitrite reduction compared with the archaea related to ANME. This study showed that nitrate or nitrite feeding has a significant impact on the ecology and activities of microorganisms in the denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation process. This study also revealed that nitrite overloading may have a toxic effect on the bacteria related to M. oxyfera.

Odor emissions from domestic wastewater: A review

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 02-09-2017

DOI: 10.1080/10643389.2017.1386952

Monitoring the biological activity of micropollutants during advanced wastewater treatment with ozonation and activated carbon filtration

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.09.025

Abstract: A bioanalytical test battery was used to monitor the removal efficiency of organic micropollutants during advanced wastewater treatment in the South Caboolture Water Reclamation Plant, Queensland, Australia. This plant treats effluent from a conventional sewage treatment plant for industrial water reuse. The aqueous s les were enriched using solid-phase extraction to separate some organic micropollutants of interest from metals, nutrients and matrix components. The bioassays were chosen to provide information on groups of chemicals with a common mode of toxic action. Therefore they can be considered as sum indicators to detect certain relevant groups of chemicals, not as the most ecologically or human health relevant endpoints. The baseline toxicity was quantified with the bioluminescence inhibition test using the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri. The specific modes of toxic action that were targeted with five additional bioassays included aspects of estrogenicity, dioxin-like activity, genotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and phytotoxicity. While the accompanying publication discusses the treatment steps in more detail by drawing from the results of chemical analysis as well as the bioanalytical results, here we focus on the applicability and limitations of using bioassays for the purpose of determining the treatment efficacy of advanced water treatment and for water quality assessment in general. Results are reported in toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ), that is, the concentration of a reference compound required to elicit the same response as the unknown and unidentified mixture of micropollutants actually present. TEQ proved to be useful and easily communicable despite some limitations and uncertainties in their derivation based on the mixture toxicity theory. The results obtained were reproducible, robust and sensitive. The TEQ in the influent ranged in the same order of magnitude as typically seen in effluents of conventional sewage treatment plants. In the initial steps of the treatment chain, no significant degradation of micropollutants was observed, and the high levels of dissolved organic carbon probably affected the outcome of the bioassays. The steps of coagulation/flocculation/dissolved air flotation/sand filtration and ozonation decreased the effect-based micropollutant burden significantly.

Anaerobic oxidation of methane coupled to nitrate reduction in a novel archaeal lineage

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 28-07-2013

DOI: 10.1038/NATURE12375

Abstract: Anaerobic oxidation of methane (AOM) is critical for controlling the flux of methane from anoxic environments. AOM coupled to iron, manganese and sulphate reduction have been demonstrated in consortia containing anaerobic methanotrophic (ANME) archaea. More recently it has been shown that the bacterium Candidatus 'Methylomirabilis oxyfera' can couple AOM to nitrite reduction through an intra-aerobic methane oxidation pathway. Bioreactors capable of AOM coupled to denitrification have resulted in the enrichment of 'M. oxyfera' and a novel ANME lineage, ANME-2d. However, as 'M. oxyfera' can independently couple AOM to denitrification, the role of ANME-2d in the process is unresolved. Here, a bioreactor fed with nitrate, ammonium and methane was dominated by a single ANME-2d population performing nitrate-driven AOM. Metagenomic, single-cell genomic and metatranscriptomic analyses combined with bioreactor performance and (13)C- and (15)N-labelling experiments show that ANME-2d is capable of independent AOM through reverse methanogenesis using nitrate as the terminal electron acceptor. Comparative analyses reveal that the genes for nitrate reduction were transferred laterally from a bacterial donor, suggesting selection for this novel process within ANME-2d. Nitrite produced by ANME-2d is reduced to dinitrogen gas through a syntrophic relationship with an anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacterium, effectively outcompeting 'M. oxyfera' in the system. We propose the name Candidatus 'Methanoperedens nitroreducens' for the ANME-2d population and the family Candidatus 'Methanoperedenaceae' for the ANME-2d lineage. We predict that 'M. nitroreducens' and other members of the 'Methanoperedenaceae' have an important role in linking the global carbon and nitrogen cycles in anoxic environments.

Microbial fuel cell cathodes: From bottleneck to prime opportunity?

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 04-2008

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2008.103

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells that can generate energy out of wastewaters are close to pilot scale testing. As such, MFC technology is complementary to methane generation due to the possibility to rapidly convert organic acids, polish effluents and work at low substrate concentrations. The main bottleneck perceived at the moment is the cathodic electron transfer. A variety of catalysts has been investigated for the direct transfer of electrons from the cathode to oxygen in the air. Overlooked in this context were bacteria. Bacteria could indeed be worthwhile to replace chemical catalysts. Moreover, their versatility enables us to not only target at oxygen, but also at nitrous oxides and contaminants as possible drivers of electricity generation, nutrient removal and bioremediation. This paper addresses several recent developments in MFC cathode research, and demonstrates that energy generation is but an aspect of this versatile technology.

Obtaining highly enriched cultures of Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphates through alternating carbon sources

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2006.09.004

Abstract: Candidatus Accumulibacter Phosphatis is widely considered to be a polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAO) of prime importance in enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems. This organism has yet to be isolated, despite many attempts. Previous studies on the biochemical and physiological aspects of this organism, as well as its response to different EBPR operational conditions, have generally relied on the use of mixed culture enrichments. One frequent problem in obtaining highly enriched cultures of this organism is the proliferation of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAO) that can compete with PAOs for limited carbon sources under similar operational conditions. In this study, Candidatus Accumulibacter Phosphatis has been enriched in a lab-scale bioreactor to a level greater than 90% as quantified by fluorescence in situ hyrbridisation (FISH). This is the highest enrichment of this organism that has been reported thus far, and was obtained by alternating the sole carbon source in the feed between acetate and propionate every one to two sludge ages, and operating the bioreactor within a pH range of 7.0-8.0. Simultaneously, the presence of two known groups of GAOs was eliminated under these operational conditions. Excellent phosphorus removal performance and stability were maintained in this system, where the phosphorous concentration in the effluent was below 0.2 mg/L for more than 7 months. When a disturbance was introduced to this system by adding sludge from an enriched GAO culture, Candidatus Accumulibacter Phosphatis once again became highly enriched, while the GAOs were out-competed. This feeding strategy is recommended for future studies focused on describing the physiology and biochemistry of Accumulibacter, where a highly-enriched culture of this organism is of high importance.

Initial development and structure of biofilms on microbial fuel cell anodes

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 04-2010

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-10-98

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) rely on electrochemically active bacteria to capture the chemical energy contained in organics and convert it to electrical energy. Bacteria develop biofilms on the MFC electrodes, allowing considerable conversion capacity and opportunities for extracellular electron transfer (EET). The present knowledge on EET is centred around two Gram-negative models, i.e. Shewanella and Geobacter species, as it is believed that Gram-positives cannot perform EET by themselves as the Gram-negatives can. To understand how bacteria form biofilms within MFCs and how their development, structure and viability affects electron transfer, we performed pure and co-culture experiments. Biofilm viability was maintained highest nearer the anode during closed circuit operation (current flowing), in contrast to when the anode was in open circuit (soluble electron acceptor) where viability was highest on top of the biofilm, furthest from the anode. Closed circuit anode Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms were considerably thinner compared to the open circuit anode (30 ± 3 μm and 42 ± 3 μm respectively), which is likely due to the higher energetic gain of soluble electron acceptors used. The two Gram-positive bacteria used only provided a fraction of current produced by the Gram-negative organisms. Power output of co-cultures Gram-positive Enterococcus faecium and either Gram-negative organisms, increased by 30-70% relative to the single cultures. Over time the co-culture biofilms segregated, in particular, Pseudomonas aeruginosa creating towers piercing through a thin, uniform layer of Enterococcus faecium. P. aeruginosa and E. faecium together generated a current of 1.8 ± 0.4 mA while alone they produced 0.9 ± 0.01 and 0.2 ± 0.05 mA respectively. We postulate that this segregation may be an essential difference in strategy for electron transfer and substrate capture between the Gram-negative and the Gram-positive bacteria used here.

Optimization of integrated chemical-biological degradation of a reactive azo dye using response surface methodology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-11-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2006.05.054

Abstract: The integrated chemical-biological degradation combining advanced oxidation by UV/H(2)O(2) followed by aerobic biodegradation was used to degrade C.I. Reactive Azo Red 195A, commonly used in the textile industry in Australia. An experimental design based on the response surface method was applied to evaluate the interactive effects of influencing factors (UV irradiation time, initial hydrogen peroxide dosage and recirculation ratio of the system) on decolourisation efficiency and optimizing the operating conditions of the treatment process. The effects were determined by the measurement of dye concentration and soluble chemical oxygen demand (S-COD). The results showed that the dye and S-COD removal were affected by all factors in idually and interactively. Maximal colour degradation performance was predicted, and experimentally validated, with no recirculation, 30 min UV irradiation and 500 mgH(2)O(2)/L. The model predictions for colour removal, based on a three-factor/five-level Box-Wilson central composite design and the response surface method analysis, were found to be very close to additional experimental results obtained under near optimal conditions. This demonstrates the benefits of this approach in achieving good predictions while minimising the number of experiments required.

Engineered ecosystem for sustainable on-site wastewater treatment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.01.016

Abstract: A pilot-scale engineered ecosystem (PSEE) operated for over 2 years in sub-tropical conditions, produced an effluent with COD (median 38 mg/L) and TSS (median 3mg/L) levels comparable to that required by the AS/NZS 1547:2000 Onsite Domestic Wastewater Management standard. Only partial nitrification was achieved as dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia occurred however the level of NH(4)-N was reduced by 75% and total inorganic nitrogen by 53%. Phosphorus was not removed by the system due to the lack of regular sludge removal. Mass balances around the system showed that bacteria removed 36% of the influent nitrogen and 76% of the influent COD. Algae and plants were shown to remove 5% of the influent nitrogen, and 6% of the influent phosphorus. Challenges in developing a sustainable on-site wastewater treatment system were largely met by minimising chemical, energy and labour inputs, eliminating the need for frequent sludge handling, and creating an effluent quality suitable for re-use in non-potable applications. However, the sludge removal from the system needs to be adequately managed to avoid excessive accumulation as this can cause a range of negative impacts.

Oxidative capacitance of sulfate-based boron-doped diamond electrochemical system

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2018

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECOM.2018.02.007

Surface neutralization and H2S oxidation at early stages of sewer corrosion: Influence of temperature, relative humidity and H2S concentration

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2012.05.011

Abstract: While the involvement of a range of environmental factors in sewer corrosion is known, a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved and the exact role of in idual environmental factors in sewer corrosion is still lacking. The corrosion of concrete in sewer systems is reported to be initiated through chemical reactions (involving H(2)S and CO(2)) that lower the surface pH to a level then conducive for biological activity. However, the specific influence of environmental variables, such as H(2)S level, temperature, and relative humidity etc. remains unclear although, they are expected to control these initial surface reactions of the concrete sewer pipe. We examined changes in the surface chemistry of concrete during the early stages of corrosion by exposing concrete coupons to thirty-six independent conditions in well-controlled laboratory chambers that simulated conditions typically found in various sewer environments across Australia. The conditions employed were combinations of six H(2)S levels, three gas-phase temperatures and two relative humidity levels. Our results indicate that the role of CO(2) on initial surface pH reduction is insignificant when compared to the influence of H(2)S. Within the first 12 months, a decrease in surface pH by 4.8 units was observed for coupons exposed to 30 °C and 50 ppm H(2)S, while significantly lower pH reductions of 3.5 and 1.8 units were detected for coupons exposed to 25 °C and 18 °C respectively, and 50 ppm H(2)S. Elemental sulphur was found to be the major oxidation product of H(2)S and elevated concentrations were detected at the higher levels of H(2)S, temperature and relative humidity. More significantly, the data obtained from the controlled chamber experiments correlated with those obtained from the field-exposed coupons. Hence, these findings can be extended to real sewer corrosion processes.

Evaluation of anaerobic digestion processes for short sludge-age waste activated sludge combined with anammox treatment of digestate liquor

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 13-11-2016

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2015.582

Abstract: The need to reduce energy input and enhance energy recovery from wastewater is driving renewed interest in high-rate activated sludge treatment (i.e. short hydraulic and solids retention times (HRT and SRT, respectively)). This process generates short SRT activated sludge stream, which should be highly degradable. However, the evaluation of anaerobic digestion of short SRT sludge has been limited. This paper assesses anaerobic digestion of short SRT sludge digestion derived from meat processing wastewater under thermophilic and mesophilic conditions. The thermophilic digestion system (55°C) achieved 60 and 68% volatile solids destruction at 8 day and 10 day HRT, respectively, compared with 50% in the mesophilic digestion system (35°C, 10 day HRT). The digestion effluents from the thermophilic (8–10 day HRT) and mesophilic systems were stable, as assessed by residual methane potentials. The ammonia rich sludge dewatering liquor was effectively treated by a batch anammox process, which exhibited comparable nitrogen removal rate as the tests using a control synthetic ammonia solution, indicating that the dewatering liquor did not have inhibiting/toxic effects on the anammox activity.

A comparative study of methanol as a supplementary carbon source for enhancing denitrification in primary and secondary anoxic zones

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 21-09-2009

DOI: 10.1007/S10532-008-9215-1

Abstract: A comparative study on the use of methanol as a supplementary carbon source to enhance denitrification in primary and secondary anoxic zones is reported. Three lab-scale sequencing batch reactors (SBR) were operated to achieve nitrogen and carbon removal from domestic wastewater. Methanol was added to the primary anoxic period of the first SBR, and to the secondary anoxic period of the second SBR. No methanol was added to the third SBR, which served as a control. The extent of improvement on the denitrification performance was found to be dependent on the reactor configuration. Addition to the secondary anoxic period is more effective when very low effluent nitrate levels are to be achieved and hence requires a relatively large amount of methanol. Adding a small amount of methanol to the secondary anoxic period may cause nitrite accumulation, which does not improve overall nitrogen removal. In the latter case, methanol should be added to the primary anoxic period. The addition of methanol can also improve biological phosphorus removal by creating anaerobic conditions and increasing the availability of organic carbon in wastewater for polyphosphate accumulating organisms. This potentially provides a cost-effective approach to phosphorus removal from wastewater with a low carbon content. New fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes targeting methanol-utilising denitrifiers were designed using stable isotope probing. Microbial structure analysis of the sludges using the new and existing FISH probes clearly showed that the addition of methanol stimulated the growth of specific methanol-utilizing denitrifiers, which improved the capability of sludge to use methanol and ethanol for denitrification, but reduced its capability to use wastewater COD for denitrification. Unlike acetate, long-term application of methanol has no negative impact on the settling properties of the sludge.

Modelling anaerobic degradation of complex wastewater. I: Model development

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2000

DOI: 10.1016/S0960-8524(00)00018-3

Study of factors affecting simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND)

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00123-7

Effects of in-sewer dosing of iron-rich drinking water sludge on wastewater collection and treatment systems

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2019.115396

Abstract: The use of coagulants and flocculants in the water and wastewater industry is predicted to increase further in the coming years. Alum is the most widely used coagulant, however, the use of ferric chloride (FeCl

Corrigendum to Fate of N-nitrosodimethylamine, trihalomethane and haloacetic acid precursors in tertiary treatment including biofiltration [Water Research 45 (2011) 5695-5704]

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.10.044

Dehalogenation of iodinated x-ray contrast media in a bioelectrochemical system

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 08-12-2011

DOI: 10.1021/ES1022812

Abstract: Iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) are only to a limited extent removed from conventional wastewater treatment plants, due to their high recalcitrance. This work reports on the cathodic dehalogenation of the ICM iopromide in a bioelectrochemical system (BES), fed with acetate at the anode and iopromide at the cathode. When the granular graphite cathode potential was decreased from -500 to -850 mV vs standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), the iopromide removal and the iodide release rates increased from 0 to 4.62 ± 0.01 mmol m(-3) TCC d(-1) and 0 to 13.4 ± 0.16 mmol m(-3) TCC d(-1) (Total Cathodic Compartment, TCC) respectively. Correspondingly, the power consumption increased from 0.4 ± 1 to 20.5 ± 3.3 W m(-3) TCC. The Coulombic efficiency of the iopromide dehalogenation at the cathode was less than 1%, while the Coulombic efficiency of the acetate oxidation at the anode was lower than 50% at various granular graphite cathode potentials. The results suggest that iopromide could be completely dehalogenated in BESs when the granular graphite cathode potential was controlled at -800 mV vs SHE or lower. This finding was further confirmed using mass spectrometry to identify the dehalogenated intermediates and products of iopromide in BESs. Kinetic analysis indicates that iopromide dehalogenation in batch experiments can be described by a first-order model at various cathode potentials. This work demonstrates that the BESs have a potential for efficient dehalogenation of ICM from wastewater or environmental streams.

A rapid, non-destructive methodology to monitor activity of sulfide-induced corrosion of concrete based on H2S uptake rate

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2014.04.016

Abstract: Many existing methods to monitor the corrosion of concrete in sewers are either very slow or destructive measurements. To overcome these limitations, a rapid, non-invasive methodology was developed to monitor the sulfide-induced corrosion process on concrete through the measurement of the H2S uptake rates of concrete at various corrosion stages. The H2S uptake rate for a concrete coupon was determined by measuring the gaseous H2S concentrations over time in a temperature- and humidity-controlled gas-tight reactor. The reliability of this method was evaluated by carrying out repeated tests on different concrete coupons previously exposed to 50 ppm of H2S, at 30 °C and 100% relative humidity for over 32 months. The H2S uptake measurements showed good reproducibility. It was also shown that a severely corroded coupon exhibited higher sulfide uptake rates than a less corroded coupon. This could be explained by the corrosion layer in the more corroded coupon having a higher biological sulfide oxidation activity than the less corroded coupon. Additionally, temperature changes had a stronger effect on the uptake rate of the heavily corroded coupon compared to the less corroded coupon. A corrosion rate of 8.9 ± 0.5 mm/year, estimated from the H2S uptake results, agreed well with the corrosion rate observed in real sewers under similar conditions. The method could be applied to investigate important factors affecting sulfide-induced concrete corrosion, particularly temperature, fluctuating gaseous H2S concentrations, oxygen concentrations, surface pH and relative humidity.

Anaerobic phosphate release from activated sludge with enhanced biological phosphorus removal. A possible mechanism of intracellular pH control

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 05-06-1999

DOI: 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0290(19990605)63:5<507::AID-BIT1>3.0.CO;2-A

Abstract: The biochemical mechanisms of the wastewater treatment process known as enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) are presently described in a metabolic model. We investigated details of the EBPR model to determine the nature of the anaerobic phosphate release and how this may be metabolically associated with polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) formation. Iodoacetate, an inhibitor of glycolysis, was found to inhibit the anaerobic formation of PHA and phosphate release, supporting the pathways proposed in the EBPR metabolic model. In the metabolic model, it is proposed that polyphosphate degradation provides energy for the microorganisms in anaerobic regions of these treatment systems. Other investigations have shown that anaerobic phosphate release depends on the extracellular pH. We observed that when the intracellular pH of EBPR sludge was raised, substantial anaerobic phosphate release was caused without volatile fatty acid (VFA) uptake. Acidification of the sludge inhibited anaerobic phosphate release even in the presence of VFA. From these observations, we postulate that an additional possible role of anaerobic polyphosphate degradation in EBPR is for intracellular pH control. Intracellular pH control may be a metabolic feature of EBPR, not previously considered, that could have some use in the control and optimisation of EBPR. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Determination of growth rate and yield of nitrifying bacteria by measuring carbon dioxide uptake rate

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 11-2007

DOI: 10.2175/106143007X212139

Abstract: Nitrifier growth parameters--the maximum growth rate (microAmax) and yield (YA)--were estimated by measuring the rate of carbon dioxide uptake and additional rates of oxygen uptake and ammonia (or nitrite) use. Batch tests in a combined titrimetric and offgas analyzer with enriched Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas cultures and an activated sludge s le were performed. The measured microAmax values for the Nitrobacter and Nitrosomonas cultures were 0.67 +/- 0.03 day(-1) and 0.54 +/- 0.09 day(-1), while the YA values were 0.072 +/- 0.01 g volatile suspended solids (VSS) x g nitrogen (N)(-1) and 0.14 +/- 0.02 gVSS x gN(-1), respectively. For the activated sludge s le, microAmax was observed to increase with pH (microAmax = 0.72 x 3.3(pH-7.1)) over the range 6.8 to 7.1. All microAmax and YA values determined by this method were similar to those previously reported. Compared with other microAmax and YA estimation methods, this method allows for unique microAmax and YA estimations for given conditions from a single experiment.

Towards practical implementation of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.TIBTECH.2008.04.008

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs), are generally regarded as a promising future technology for the production of energy from organic material present in wastewaters. The current densities that can be generated with laboratory BESs now approach levels that come close to the requirements for practical applications. However, full-scale implementation of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment is not straightforward because certain microbiological, technological and economic challenges need to be resolved that have not previously been encountered in any other wastewater treatment system. Here, we identify these challenges, provide an overview of their implications for the feasibility of bioelectrochemical wastewater treatment and explore the opportunities for future BESs.

Metabolic Model for Glycogen-Accumulating Organisms in Anaerobic/Aerobic Activated Sludge Systems

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 13-11-2003

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10455

Abstract: Glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAO) have the potential to directly compete with polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) in EBPR systems as both are able to take up VFA anaerobically and grow on the intracellular storage products aerobically. Under anaerobic conditions GAO hydrolyse glycogen to gain energy and reducing equivalents to take up VFA and to synthesise polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). In the subsequent aerobic stage, PHA is being oxidised to gain energy for glycogen replenishment (from PHA) and for cell growth. This article describes a complete anaerobic and aerobic model for GAO based on the understanding of their metabolic pathways. The anaerobic model has been developed and reported previously, while the aerobic metabolic model was developed in this study. It is based on the assumption that acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA go through the catabolic and anabolic processes independently. Experimental validation shows that the integrated model can predict the anaerobic and aerobic results very well. It was found in this study that at pH 7 the maximum acetate uptake rate of GAO was slower than that reported for PAO in the anaerobic stage. On the other hand, the net biomass production per C-mol acetate added is about 9% higher for GAO than for PAO. This would indicate that PAO and GAO each have certain competitive advantages during different parts of the anaerobic/aerobic process cycle.

Size fractionation characterisation of removed organics in reverse osmosis concentrates by ferric chloride

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 05-2011

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2011.379

Abstract: Reverse osmosis membrane separation is the leading method for manufacturing potable purified water. It also produces a concentrate stream, namely reverse osmosis concentrates (ROC), with 10–20% of the water, and almost all other compounds. One method for further treating this stream is by coagulation with ferric chloride. This study evaluates removed organics in ROC treated with ferric chloride. Fractionation with ultrafiltration membranes allows separation of organics based on a nominal molecular weight. A stirred cell system was applied for serial fractionation to classify organic compounds into six groups of & .5 kDa, 0.5–1 kDa, 1–3 kDa, 3–5 kDa, 5–10 kDa and & kDa. The study found that raw ROC is rich in low molecular weight compounds (& kDa) with almost 50% of the organics. These compounds include soluble microbial products (SMPs) and smaller humic and fulvic acids as indicated by fluorescence scanning. Conversely, colour was mostly contributed by medium to large molecules of humic and fulvic acids (& .5 kDa). Organics and colour were reduced in all molecular groups at an optimum treatment dose 1.48 mM FeCl3 and a pH of 5. However, ferric seemed to effectively remove colour in all size ranges while residual nitrogen was found mostly in the & kDa sizes. Further, the fluorescence indicated that larger humic and fulvic acids were removed with considerable SMPs remaining in the & .5 kDa.

Eco-physiological characterization of fluorescence in situ hybridization probe-targeted denitrifiers in activated sludge using culture-independent methods

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 04-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1472-765X.2006.02089.X

Anaerobic metabolism of propionate by polyphosphate-accumulating organisms in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 2005

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20480

Abstract: Propionate, a carbon substrate abundant in many prefermenters, has been shown in several previous studies to be a more favorable substrate than acetate for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). The anaerobic metabolism of propionate by polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) is studied in this paper. A metabolic model is proposed to characterize the anaerobic biochemical transformations of propionate uptake by PAOs. The model is demonstrated to predict very well the experimental data from a PAO culture enriched in a laboratory-scale reactor with propionate as the sole carbon source. Quantitative fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) analysis shows that Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis, the only identified PAO to date, constitute 63% of the bacterial population in this culture. Unlike the anaerobic metabolism of acetate by PAOs, which induces mainly poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) production, the major fractions of poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoate (PHA) produced with propionate as the carbon source are poly-beta-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) and poly-beta-hydroxy-2-methylvalerate (PH2MV). PHA formation correlates very well with a selective (or nonrandom) condensation of acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA molecules. The maximum specific propionate uptake rate by PAOs found in this study is 0.18 C-mol/C-mol-biomass . h, which is very similar to the maximum specific acetate uptake rate reported in literature. The energy required for transporting 1 carbon-mole of propionate across the PAO cell membrane is also determined to be similar to the transportation of 1 carbon-mole of acetate. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that PAOs possess a similar preference toward acetate and propionate uptake on a carbon-mole basis.

Microbial fuel cells for simultaneous carbon and nitrogen removal

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2008.03.017

Abstract: The recent demonstration of cathodic nitrate reduction in a microbial fuel cell (MFC) creates opportunities for a new technology for nitrogen removal from wastewater. A novel process configuration that achieves both carbon and nitrogen removal using MFC is designed and demonstrated. The process involves feeding the ammonium-containing effluent from the carbon-utilising anode to an external biofilm-based aerobic reactor for nitrification, and then feeding the nitrified liquor to the MFC cathode for nitrate reduction. Removal rates up to 2 kg COD m(-3)NCC d(-1) (chemical oxygen demand: COD, net cathodic compartment: NCC) and 0.41 kg NO(3)(-)-Nm(-3)NCC d(-1) were continuously achieved in the anodic and cathodic compartment, respectively, while the MFC was producing a maximum power output of 34.6+/-1.1 Wm(-3)NCC and a maximum current of 133.3+/-1.0 Am(-3)NCC. In comparison to conventional activated sludge systems, this MFC-based process achieves nitrogen removal with a decreased carbon requirement. A COD/N ratio of approximately 4.5 g COD g(-1) N was achieved, compared to the conventionally required ratio of above 7. We have demonstrated that also nitrite can be used as cathodic electron acceptor. Hence, upon creating a loop concept based on nitrite, a further reduction of the COD/N ratio would be possible. The process is also more energy effective not only due to the energy production coupled with denitrification, but also because of the reduced aeration costs due to minimised aerobic consumption of organic carbon.

Author Correction: Global diversity and biogeography of bacterial communities in wastewater treatment plants

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 14-11-2019

DOI: 10.1038/S41564-019-0617-0

Abstract: An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Domestic wastewater treatment with purple phototrophic bacteria using a novel continuous photo anaerobic membrane bioreactor

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.04.061

Abstract: A key future challenge of domestic wastewater treatment is nutrient recovery while still achieving acceptable discharge limits. Nutrient partitioning using purple phototrophic bacteria (PPB) has the potential to biologically concentrate nutrients through growth. This study evaluates the use of PPB in a continuous photo-anaerobic membrane bioreactor (PAnMBR) for simultaneous organics and nutrient removal from domestic wastewater. This process could continuously treat domestic wastewater to discharge limits ( 60% of PPB, though the PPB community was highly variable. The outcomes from the current work demonstrate the potential of PPB for continuous domestic (and possibly industrial) wastewater treatment and nutrient recovery. Technical challenges include the in situ COD supply in a continuous reactor system, as well as efficient light delivery. Addition of external (agricultural or fossil) derived organics is not financially nor environmentally justified, and carbon needs to be sourced internally from the biomass itself to enable this technology. Reduced energy consumption for lighting is technically feasible, and needs to be addressed as a key objective in scaleup.

Unravelling the mechanisms controlling the electro-generation of ferrate using four iron salts in boron-doped diamond electrodes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.JELECHEM.2019.113501

Development of bioelectrocatalytic activity stimulates mixed-culture reduction of glycerol in a bioelectrochemical system

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 26-03-2015

DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.12240

Advances in enhanced biological phosphorus removal: From micro to macro scale

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.02.030

Abstract: The enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process has been implemented in many wastewater treatment plants worldwide. While the EBPR process is indeed capable of efficient phosphorus (P) removal performance, disturbances and prolonged periods of insufficient P removal have been observed at full-scale plants on numerous occasions under conditions that are seemingly favourable for EBPR. Recent studies in this field have utilised a wide range of approaches to address this problem, from studying the microorganisms that are primarily responsible for or detrimental to this process, to determining their biochemical pathways and developing mathematical models that facilitate better prediction of process performance. The overall goal of each of these studies is to obtain a more detailed insight into how the EBPR process works, where the best way of achieving this objective is through linking together the information obtained using these different approaches. This review paper critically assesses the recent advances that have been achieved in this field, particularly relating to the areas of EBPR microbiology, biochemistry, process operation and process modelling. Potential areas for future research are also proposed. Although previous research in this field has undoubtedly improved our level of understanding, it is clear that much remains to be learned about the process, as many unanswered questions still remain. One of the challenges appears to be the integration of the existing and growing scientific knowledge base with the observations and applications in practice, which this paper hopes to partially achieve.

SCORe-CT: A new method for testing effectiveness of sulfide-control chemicals used in sewer systems

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 12-2011

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2011.809

Abstract: A new method for testing the effectiveness of chemical products for sulfide control in sewers is reported. The method, called SCORe-CT (Sewer Corrosion and Odour Research – Chemical Testing), consists of two specially designed laboratory-scale systems that mimic sulfide production in real rising main sewers, and a multi-phase and multi-facet testing protocol. The monitoring tools/methods include both routine chemical analysis of various sulfurous and carbonaceous compounds in liquid and their on-line monitoring using advanced sensors. Molecular methods and microelectrodes can also be employed to examine the microbial structure and activity of sewer biofilms. The SCORe-CT method is not proposed to replace field trials but to screen chemicals prior to their often costly trials/applications in field conditions. For effective chemicals the method helps to reveal the mechanisms involved, and assists with the design of optimal dosage strategies, which would significantly reduce application costs. In this paper, the method is explained in detail and demonstrated with several case studies.

Two dimensional computational fluid dynamic models for waste stabilisation ponds

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-1998

DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(97)00316-3

Effect of free ammonia on the respiration and growth processes of an enriched Nitrobacter culture

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2006.11.030

Abstract: The inhibitory effect of free ammonia (FA NH(3)) on the metabolism of Nitrobacter is investigated using a method that allows decoupling energy generation from growth processes. A lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for the enrichment of Nitrobacter. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that 73% of the bacterial population in the reactor was Nitrobacter, while no Nitrospira was detected. Batch tests were carried out to measure the oxygen uptake rate (OUR) by the culture at various FA levels, in the presence (OUR with CO(2)) or absence (OUR without CO(2)) of inorganic carbon (CO(2), HCO(3)(-) and CO(3)(2-)). The FA inhibition on the respiration initiated at below 1mgNH(3)-NL(-1) in both cases. OUR without CO(2) gradually decreased by 12% when the FA concentration increased from 0 to approximately 4mgNH(3)-NL(-1) and remained at the same level till an FA level of 9mgNH(3)-NL(-1) (the highest FA concentration applied in this study). This indicates that FA has a limited inhibitory effect on the respiratory capability of Nitrobacter. Starting from a level that is 15% higher than OUR without CO(2) when no FA was present, OUR with CO(2)decreased more rapidly than OUR without CO(2) reaching the same level as OUR without CO(2) when FA was between 6-9mgNH(3)-NL(-1). This implies that in this range of FA the presence of inorganic carbon did not cause any increase in the respiration activity of Nitrobacter. The results suggest that, while still oxidizing nitrite at approximately 75% of the non-inhibited rate, Nitrobacter likely ceased to grow at an FA level of above 6mgNH(3)-NL(-1). While the real mechanisms remain to be identified, this study indicates that the FA inhibition on Nitrobacter is likely much more serious than suggested by previous studies where OUR with CO(2) (or the equivalent nitrite oxidation rate) was used as the sole measure of the inhibitory effects.

Effects of surface charge and hydrophobicity on anodic biofilm formation, community composition, and current generation in bioelectrochemical systems

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 19-06-2013

DOI: 10.1021/ES400901U

Abstract: The focus of this study was to investigate the effects of surface charge and surface hydrophobicity on anodic biofilm formation, biofilm community composition, and current generation in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Glassy carbon surfaces were modified with -OH, -CH3, -SO3(-), or -N(+)(CH3)3 functional groups by electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts and then used as anodes with poised potential of -0.2 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The average startup times and final current densities for the -N(+)(CH3)3, -OH, -SO3(-), and -CH3, electrodes were (23 d, 0.204 mA/cm(2)), (25.4 d, 0.149 mA/cm(2)), (25.9 d, 0.114 mA/cm(2)), and (37.2 d, 0.048 mA/cm(2)), respectively. Biofilms on different surfaces were analyzed by nonturnover cyclic voltammetry (CV), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and 16S rRNA gene licon pyrosequencing. The results demonstrated that 1) differences in the maximum current output between surface modifications was correlated with biomass quantity, and 2) all biofilms were dominated by Geobacter populations, but the composition of -CH3-associated biofilms differed from those formed on surfaces with different chemical modification. This study shows that anode surface charge and hydrophobicity influences biofilm development and can lead to significant differences in BESs performance. Positively charged and hydrophilic surfaces were more selective to electroactive microbes (e.g. Geobacter) and more conducive for electroactive biofilm formation.

Modern scientific methods and their potential in wastewater science and technology

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2002

DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00220-2

Abstract: Application of novel analytical and investigative methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), microelectrodes and advanced numerical simulation has led to new insights into micro- and macroscopic processes in bioreactors. However, the question is still open whether or not these new findings and the subsequent gain of knowledge are of significant practical relevance and if so, where and how. To find suitable answers it is necessary for engineers to know what can be expected by applying these modern analytical tools. Similarly, scientists could benefit significantly from an intensive dialogue with engineers in order to find out about practical problems and conditions existing in wastewater treatment systems. In this paper, an attempt is made to help bridge the gap between science and engineering in biological wastewater treatment. We provide an overview of recently developed methods in microbiology and in mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. A questionnaire is presented which may help generate a platform from which further technical and scientific developments can be accomplished. Both the paper and the questionnaire are aimed at encouraging scientists and engineers to enter into an intensive, mutually beneficial dialogue.

Development of a model for assessing methane formation in rising main sewers

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.03.040

Abstract: Significant methane formation in sewers has been reported recently, which may contribute significantly to the overall greenhouse gas emission from wastewater systems. The understanding of the biological conversions occurring in sewers, particularly the competition between methanogenic and sulfate-reducing populations for electron donors, is an essential step for minimising methane emissions from sewers. This work proposes an extension to the current state-of-the-art models characterising biological and physicochemical processes in sewers. This extended model includes the competitive interactions of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogenic archaea in sewers for various substrates available. The most relevant parameters of the model were calibrated with lab-scale experimental data. The calibrated model described field data reasonably well. The model was then used to investigate the effect of several key sewer design and operational parameters on methane formation. The simulation results showed that methane production was highly correlated with the hydraulic residence time (HRT) and pipe area to volume (A/V) ratio showing higher methane concentrations at a long HRT or a larger A/V ratio.

Integrating process engineering and microbiology tools to advance activated sludge wastewater treatment research and development

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 03-2002

DOI: 10.1023/A:1015187630064

Impact of oxygen mass transfer on nitrification reactions in suspended carrier reactor biofilms

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.PROCBIO.2008.09.004

MIB and geosmin removal during adsorption and biodegradation phases of GAC filtration

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 25-10-2017

DOI: 10.2166/WS.2017.213

Abstract: Biologically active carbon (BAC) filtration is a robust process for removal of many contaminants of concern. In this study, the effectiveness of BAC filtration to remove natural organic matter (NOM) and taste and odor (T& O) compounds was investigated by long-term (7 months) bench-scale filtration experiments. Filters contained fresh granular activated carbon (GAC) and a 2-year-old BAC which were fed with ozonated water from a full-scale water treatment plant spiked with 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin. The study aims to evaluate T& O removal of GAC transitioning from its adsorptive to biological state, and to determine the effects of changing hydraulic loading during T& O episodes and its effect on dissolved oxygen (DO) consumption. Sequencing of microbial communities in the BAC revealed that 20% of the identified bacteria were of genus Nitrospira. Based on nitrate formation and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal of the 2-year-old BAC, the fresh GAC turned biological after approximately 32,000 bed volumes. DOC removal of the GAC decreased from the initial 80% to 17%, however, the removal of MIB and geosmin remained & % throughout the experiment (i.e., from adsorption to biodegradation). The 2-year-old BAC showed 9% lower MIB removals than the transitioned GAC filter indicating a contribution of remaining adsorption sites on MIB removal. When challenging the filters at different hydraulic loadings, higher T& O removal was achieved at higher empty bed contact times, which correlated well with increased DO consumption.

A novel electrochemical process for the recovery and recycling of ferric chloride from precipitation sludge

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2013.12.020

Abstract: During wastewater treatment and drinking water production, significant amounts of ferric sludge (comprising ferric oxy-hydroxides and FePO4) are generated that require disposal. This practice has a major impact on the overall treatment cost as a result of both chemical addition and the disposal of the generated chemical sludge. Iron sulfide (FeS) precipitation via sulfide addition to ferric phosphate (FePO4) sludge has been proven as an effective process for phosphate recovery. In turn, iron and sulfide could potentially be recovered from the FeS sludge, and recycled back to the process. In this work, a novel process was investigated at lab scale for the recovery of soluble iron and sulfide from FeS sludge. Soluble iron is regenerated electrochemically at a graphite anode, while sulfide is recovered at the cathode of the same electrochemical cell. Up to 60 ± 18% soluble Fe and 46 ± 11% sulfide were recovered on graphite granules for up-stream reuse. Peak current densities of 9.5 ± 4.2 A m(-2) and minimum power requirements of 2.4 ± 0.5 kWh kg Fe(-1) were reached with real full strength FeS suspensions. Multiple consecutive runs of the electrochemical process were performed, leading to the successful demonstration of an integrated process, comprising FeS formation/separation and ferric/sulfide electrochemical regeneration.

Kinetics and mechanisms of nitrate and ammonium formation during ozonation of dissolved organic nitrogen

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.10.021

Abstract: Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) is an emerging concern in oxidative water treatment because it exerts oxidant demand and may form nitrogenous oxidation/disinfection by-products. In this study, we investigated the reactions of ozone with DON with a special emphasis on the formation of nitrate (NO

Impact of iron salt dosage to sewers on downstream anaerobic sludge digesters: Sulfide control and methane production

Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Date: 04-2013

DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000650

Fate of N-nitrosodimethylamine, trihalomethane and haloacetic acid precursors in tertiary treatment including biofiltration

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.08.033

Abstract: The presence of disinfection by-products (DBPs) such as trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs) and N-nitrosamines in water is of great concern due to their adverse effects on human health. In this work, the removal of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), total THM and five HAA precursors from secondary effluent by biological activated carbon (BAC) is investigated at full and pilot scale. In the pilot plant two filter media, sand and granular activated carbon, are tested. In addition, we evaluate the influence of ozonation prior to BAC filtration on its performance. Among the bulk of NDMA precursors, the fate of four pharmaceuticals containing a dimethylamino moiety in the chemical structure are in idually investigated. Both NDMA formation potential and each of the studied pharmaceuticals are dramatically reduced by the BAC even in the absence of main ozonation prior to the filtration. The low removal of NDMA precursors at the sand filtration in comparison to the removal of NDMA precursors at the BAC suggests that adsorption may play an important role on the removal of NDMA precursors by BAC. Contrary, the precursors for THM and HAA formation are reduced in both sand filtration and BAC indicating that the precursors for the formation of these DBPs are to some extent biodegradable.

Biodegradability of DBP precursors after drinking water ozonation

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.10.022

Abstract: Ozonation is known to generate biodegradable organic matter, which is typically reduced by biological filtration to avoid bacterial regrowth in distribution systems. Post-chlorination generates halogenated disinfection byproducts (DBPs) but little is known about the biodegradability of their precursors. This study determined the effect of ozonation and biofiltration conditions, specifically ozone exposure and empty bed contact time (EBCT), on the control of DBP formation potentials in drinking water. Ozone exposure was varied through addition of H

Impact of nitrate addition on biofilm properties and activities in rising main sewers

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.06.021

Abstract: Anaerobic sewer biofilm is a composite of many different microbial populations, including sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB), methanogens and heterotrophic bacteria. Nitrate addition to sewers in an attempt to control hydrogen sulfide concentrations affects the behaviour of these populations, which in turn impacts on wastewater characteristics. Experiments were carried out on a laboratory reactor system simulating a rising main to determine the impact of nitrate addition on the microbial activities of anaerobic sewer biofilm. Nitrate was added to the start of the rising main during sewage pump cycles at a concentration of 30 mg-N L(-1) for over 5 months. While it reduced sulfide levels at the outlet of the system by 66%, nitrate was not toxic or inhibitory to SRB activity and did not affect the dominant SRB populations in the biofilm. Long-term nitrate addition in fact stimulated additional SRB activity in downstream biofilm. Nitrate addition also stimulated the activity of nitrate reducing, sulfide oxidizing bacteria that appeared to be primarily responsible for the prevention of sulfide build up in the wastewater in the presence of nitrate. A short adaptation period of three to four nitrate exposure events (approximately 10 h) was required to stimulate biological sulfide oxidation, beyond which no sulfide accumulation was observed under anoxic conditions. Nitrate addition effectively controlled methane concentrations in the wastewater. The nitrate uptake rate of the biofilm increased with repeated exposure to nitrate, which in turn increased the consumption of biodegradable COD in the wastewater. These results provide a comprehensive understanding of the impact of nitrate addition on wastewater composition and sewer biofilm microbial activities, which will facilitate optimization of nitrate dosing for effective sulfide control in rising main sewers.

Simultaneous nitrification, denitrification and carbon removal in microbial fuel cells

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2010.02.022

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can use nitrate as a cathodic electron acceptor, allowing for simultaneous removal of carbon (at the anode) and nitrogen (at the cathode). In this study, we supplemented the cathodic process with in situ nitrification through specific aeration, and thus obtained simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) in the one half-cell. Synthetic wastewater containing acetate and ammonium was supplied to the anode the effluent was subsequently directed to the cathode. The influence of oxygen levels and carbon/nitrogen concentrations and ratios on the system performances was investigated. Denitrification occurred simultaneously with nitrification at the cathode, producing an effluent with levels of nitrate and ammonium as low as 1.0+/-0.5 mg N L(-1) and 2.13+/-0.05 mg N L(-1), respectively, resulting in a nitrogen removal efficiency of 94.1+/-0.9%. The integration of the nitrification process into the cathode solves the drawback of ammonium losses due to diffusion between compartments in the MFC, as previously reported in a system operating with external nitrification stage. This work represents the first successful attempt to combine SND and organics oxidation while producing electricity in an MFC.

Modelling anaerobic degradation of complex wastewater. II: Parameter estimation and validation using slaughterhouse effluent

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2000

DOI: 10.1016/S0960-8524(00)00019-5

Microscale structure and function of anaerobic-aerobic granules containing glycogen accumulating organisms

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 08-2003

DOI: 10.1016/S0168-6496(03)00159-4

Effect of pH on the ageing of reverse osmosis membranes upon exposure to hypochlorite

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.DESAL.2012.09.027

Sequential anode-cathode configuration improves cathodic oxygen reduction and effluent quality of microbial fuel cells

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.10.007

Abstract: The reduction of oxygen at the cathode and the diffusion of protons from the anode to the cathode are currently perceived as two major bottlenecks of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). To address these issues, we have designed an MFC configuration in which the effluent of an acetate-fed anode was used as a feed for an aerated, biocatalysed cathode. The development of a cathodic biofilm achieved a four-fold increase of the current output compared with the non-catalysed graphite cathode, while the pH variation in the cathode compartment was reduced due to the additional transfer of protons via the liquid stream. The sequential anode-cathode configuration also provided for chemical oxygen demand (COD) polishing at the cathode by heterotrophic bacteria, with overall acetate removal consistently greater than 99%. The anode achieved an organic substrate removal of up to 2.45kg COD/m(3) of anode liquid volume per day, at Coulombic efficiencies of 65-95%. Electron balances at the cathode revealed that the main cathodic process was oxygen reduction to water with no significant Coulombic losses. The maximal power output during polarization was 110W/m(3) cathode liquid volume. The process could be operated in a stable way during more than 9 months of continuous operation. Excessive organic loading to the cathode should be avoided as it can reduce the long-term performance through the growth of heterotrophic bacteria.

Nutrient removal from industrial wastewater using single tank sequencing batch reactors

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1997

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00104-2

Understanding the properties of aerobic sludge granules as hydrogels

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 04-2009

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.22164

Abstract: Aerobic sludge granules are larger, denser microbial aggregates than activated sludge flocs with a smoother and more regular surface, which facilitates greater wastewater treatment intensity. Factors important in their growth are still poorly understood, which is an impediment to the construction and operation of full-scale aerobic sludge granule processes. Data in this article obtained with granules treating an abattoir wastewater provide evidence that aerobic sludge granules are hydrogels. The results also demonstrate a method for characterizing macromolecular associations. The rheological profile of these granules was found to be analogous with that of typical polymer gels. Water uptake or swelling reflects an equilibrium between granule elastic modulus and osmotic pressure, whereby uptake is increased by reducing solute concentration or the elastic modulus. A weakening of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix as demonstrated with mechanical spectroscopy was induced by several environmental factors including temperature, pH and ionic strength. Uniform and elastic deformation was observed at low strain. Enzymatic degradation studies indicate that proteins and alpha-polysaccharides were the major granule structural materials. The aerobic sludge granules in the current study were therefore protein-polysaccharide composite physical hydrogels. While aerobic sludge granules treating an abattoir wastewater are used as a case study, many of the fundamental principles detailed here are relevant to other granulation processes. The paradigm established in this study can potentially be applied to better understand the formation of aerobic sludge granules and thus overcome a hurdle in the acceptance of aerobic sludge granulation as an alternative to more traditional wastewater treatment processes.

Impact of effluent organic matter on low-pressure membrane fouling in tertiary treatment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2013.01.043

Abstract: This study aims at comparing low-pressure membrane fouling obtained with two different secondary effluents at bench and pilot-scale based on the determination of two fouling indices: the total fouling index (TFI) and the hydraulically irreversible fouling index (HIFI). The main objective was to investigate if simpler and less costly bench-scale experimentation can substitute for pilot-scale trials when assessing the fouling potential of secondary effluent in large scale membrane filtration plants producing recycled water. Absolute values for specific flux and total fouling index for the bench-scale system were higher than those determined from pilot-scale, nevertheless a statistically significant correlation (r(2) = 0.63, α = 0.1) was obtained for the total fouling index at both scales. On the contrary no such correlation was found for the hydraulically irreversible fouling index. Advanced water characterization tools such as excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy (EEM) and liquid chromatography with organic carbon detection (LC-OCD) were used for the characterization of foulants. On the basis of statistical analysis, biopolymers and humic substances were found to be the major contribution to total fouling (r(2) = 0.95 and r(2) = 0.88, respectively). Adsorption of the low molecular weight neutral compounds to the membrane was attributed to hydraulically irreversible fouling (r(2) = 0.67).

Anodic reactivity of ferrous sulfide precipitates changing over time due to particulate speciation

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 22-10-2013

DOI: 10.1021/ES402967E

Abstract: The disposal of ferric phosphate (FePO4) sludge, routinely generated in wastewater and drinking water treatment, has a major impact on the overall treatment cost. Iron sulfide (FeSx) precipitation via sulfide addition to ferric phosphate (FePO4) sludge has been proven to be an effective method for phosphate recovery. Electrochemical oxidation of FeSx can then be utilized to recover ferric iron for reuse back in the phosphate removal process. In this study, the reactivity of FeSx particles for anodic oxidation at pH 4 was studied as a function of time after FeSx precipitate generation at a S/Fe molar ratio of 1.75. Cyclic voltammetry showed high reactivity for fresh FeSx particles, but the reactivity diminished significantly over a period of 1 month. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) revealed that this reduced reactivity with time is a consequence of the transformation of the FeSx particles in suspension from mackinawite (FeS) to pyrite (FeS2).

Microbial ecology meets electrochemistry: Electricity-driven and driving communities

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 05-2007

DOI: 10.1038/ISMEJ.2007.4

Abstract: Bio-electrochemical systems (BESs) have recently emerged as an exciting technology. In a BES, bacteria interact with electrodes using electrons, which are either removed or supplied through an electrical circuit. The most-described type of BES is microbial fuel cells (MFCs), in which useful power is generated from electron donors as, for ex le, present in wastewater. This form of charge transport, known as extracellular electron transfer, was previously extensively described with respect to metals such as iron and manganese. The importance of these interactions in global biogeochemical cycles is essentially undisputed. A wide variety of bacteria can participate in extracellular electron transfer, and this phenomenon is far more widespread than previously thought. The use of BESs in erse research projects is helping elucidate the mechanism by which bacteria shuttle electrons externally. New forms of interactions between bacteria have been discovered demonstrating how multiple populations within microbial communities can co-operate to achieve energy generation. New environmental processes that were difficult to observe or study previously can now be simulated and improved via BESs. Whereas pure culture studies make up the majority of the studies performed thus far, even greater contributions of BESs are expected to occur in natural environments and with mixed microbial communities. Owing to their versatility, unmatched level of control and capacity to sustain novel processes, BESs might well serve as the foundation of a new environmental biotechnology. While highlighting some of the major breakthroughs and addressing only recently obtained data, this review points out that despite rapid progress, many questions remain unanswered.

Electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance to monitor biofilm growth and properties during bioelectrochemical system inoculation and load conditions

Publisher: The Electrochemical Society

Date: 08-10-2010

DOI: 10.1149/1.3492222

Abstract: BioElectrochemical Systems are an emerging technology of interest. Central to the successful operation of these systems is the development of a biofilm on an electrode surface that facilitates the interaction of microorganisms capable of extra-cellular electron transfer. Porous graphite is typically chosen as the electrode material. However, other materials could contribute to a significant improvement in reactor performance. In order to evaluate these novel materials, a platform methodology is required. In this study, E-QCM-D was evaluated using a gold electrode, a mixed biofilm population and a challenging real influent (fermented solubilised sludge). The results gave real-time feedback on both the acoustic and electrochemical impedance of the working electrode, hence providing information about biofilm thickness, viscoelasticity, kinetics and mass transport. The use of E-QCM-D is novel for this field and has the potential to provide a wealth of new data to help optimise the performance of biofilms in these systems.

Understanding colloidal FeS x formation from iron phosphate precipitation sludge for optimal phosphorus recovery

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCIS.2013.04.001

Abstract: The use of sulfide to form iron sulfide precipitates is an attractive option for separation and recovery of phosphorus and ferric iron from ferric phosphate sludge generated in wastewater treatment. The key factors affecting the simultaneous generation and separation of iron sulfide precipitates and phosphate solution from ferric phosphate sludge have so far not been thoroughly investigated. This study therefore focuses on the recovery of phosphorus from synthetic sludge by controlled sulfide addition under different operating conditions. The factors that affect the phosphorus recovery, as well as the optimal process conditions to achieve an effective solid-liquid separation, were investigated. The separation of the FeSx particles is a significant challenge due to the colloidal nature of the particles formed. Faster separation and higher phosphorus recovery was achieved when operating at pH 4 with dosing times of at least 1h. At this pH, phosphorus recovery of 70±6% was reached at the stoichiometric S/Fe molar ratio of 1.5, increasing to over 90% recovery at a S/Fe molar ratio of 2.5. Zeta potential results confirmed the colloidal nature of the iron sulfide precipitate, with the isoelectric point around pH 4, explaining the fast separation of the FeSx particles at this pH.

A comprehensive laboratory assessment of the effects of sewer-dosed iron salts on wastewater treatment processes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2018

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2018.09.021

Abstract: The effect of iron-dosing in the sewer system, on wastewater treatment processes, was investigated using laboratory-scale wastewater systems comprising sewers, wastewater treatment reactors, sludge thickeners, and anaerobic sludge digesters. Two systems, fed with real domestic wastewater, were operated for over a year. The experimental system received ferric chloride (FeCl

Marine phototrophic consortia transfer electrons to electrodes in response to reductive stress

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 25-09-2016

DOI: 10.1007/S11120-015-0193-Y

Abstract: This work studies how extracellular electron transfer (EET) from cyanobacteria-dominated marine microbial biofilms to solid electrodes is affected by the availability of inorganic carbon (Ci). The EET was recorded chrono erometrically in the form of electrical current by a potentiostat in two identical photo-electrochemical cells using carbon electrodes poised at a potential of +0.6 V versus standard hydrogen electrode under 12/12 h illumination/dark cycles. The Ci was supplied by the addition of NaHCO3 to the medium and/or by sparging CO2 gas. At high Ci conditions, EET from the microbial biofilm to the electrodes was observed only during the dark phase, indicating the occurrence of a form of night-time respiration that can use insoluble electrodes as the terminal electron acceptor. At low or no Ci conditions, however, EET also occurred during illumination suggesting that, in the absence of their natural electron acceptor, some cyanobacteria are able to utilise solid electrodes as an electron sink. This may be a natural survival mechanism for cyanobacteria to maintain redox balance in environments with limiting CO2 and/or high light intensity.

Impact of a severe rain event on C- and N-DBP precursor removal using IEX

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 13-02-2018

DOI: 10.2166/WS.2018.033

Abstract: During disinfection, dissolved organic matter (DOM) is the major precursor to form disinfection by-products (DBPs), which may be of potential human health concern. Previous research focused on waters of continental climates and less on subtropical environments. However, water sources in subtropical climates are regularly impacted by major rain events during the summer months. This study evaluated the C- and N-DBP precursor removal capacity of two conventional ion exchange (IEX) resins and one magnetic ion exchange (MIEX) resin with a raw water at normal conditions and impacted by a heavy rain event. The rain event introduced 3 mg C/L total organic carbon (TOC) comprised mainly of low to medium molecular weight organics. All three resins were able to remove TOC and DBP precursors (& %) but being less efficient in reducing turbidity (3–48%) and colour (9–24%). The resin with the smallest bead size was affected the most by the increased medium MW DOM loading resulting in DOM and C-DBP precursor removal performance losses of 10% and 22%. When applied as a pre-treatment for coagulation, MIEX was more efficient in DBP precursor control than coagulation in addressing the additional organic and DBP precursor loading after a heavy rain event.

Development and validation of a prognostic 15-gene signature for stratifying HER2+/ER+ breast cancer

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2023

DOI: 10.1016/J.CSBJ.2023.05.002

Microbial fuel cells: Methodology and technology

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 14-07-2006

DOI: 10.1021/ES0605016

Abstract: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) research is a rapidly evolving field that lacks established terminology and methods for the analysis of system performance. This makes it difficult for researchers to compare devices on an equivalent basis. The construction and analysis of MFCs requires knowledge of different scientific and engineering fields, ranging from microbiology and electrochemistry to materials and environmental engineering. Describing MFC systems therefore involves an understanding of these different scientific and engineering principles. In this paper, we provide a review of the different materials and methods used to construct MFCs, techniques used to analyze system performance, and recommendations on what information to include in MFC studies and the most useful ways to present results.

The effect of pH on the competition between polyphosphate-accumulating organisms and glycogen-accumulating organisms

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2005

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2005.06.031

Abstract: In enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) processes, glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) may compete with polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) for the often-limited carbon substrates, potentially resulting in disturbances to phosphorus removal. A detailed investigation of the effect of pH on the competition between PAOs and GAOs is reported in this study. The results show that a high external pH ( approximately 8) provided PAOs with an advantage over GAOs in EBPR systems. The phosphorus removal performance improved due to a population shift favouring PAOs over GAOs, which was shown through both chemical and microbiological methods. Two lab-scale reactors fed with propionate as the carbon source were subjected to an increase in pH from 7 to 8. The phosphorus removal and PAO population (as measured by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis of "Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis") increased in each system, where the PAOs appeared to out-compete a group of Alphaproteobacteria GAOs. A considerable improvement in the P removal was also observed in an acetate fed reactor, where the GAO population (primarily "Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis") decreased substantially after a similar increase in the pH. The results from this study suggest that pH could be used as a control parameter to reduce the undesirable proliferation of GAOs and improve phosphorus removal in EBPR systems.

Methanobacterium enables high rate electricity-driven autotrophic sulfate reduction

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2015

DOI: 10.1039/C5RA18444D

Abstract: The autotrophic reduction of sulfate can be sustained with a cathode as the only electron donor in bioelectrochemical systems (BES).

Partial nitrification to nitrite using low dissolved oxygen concentration as the main selection factor

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 05-07-2008

DOI: 10.1007/S10532-007-9136-4

Abstract: Partial nitrification to nitrite (nitritation) can be achieved in a continuous process without sludge retention by wash out of nitrite oxidising bacteria (NOB) while retaining ammonia oxidising bacteria (AOB), at elevated temperatures (the SHARON process) and, as demonstrated in this paper, also at low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Enriched AOB was attained at a low DO concentration (0.4 mg l(-1)) and a dilution rate of 0.42 day(-1) in a continuous process. A higher oxygen affinity of AOB compared to NOB seemed critical to achieving this. This was verified by determining the oxygen half saturation constant, Ko, with similar oxygen mass transfer resistances for enriched AOB and NOB as 0.033+/-0.003 mg l(-1) and 0.43+/-0.08 mg l(-1), respectively. However, the extent of nitritation attained was found to be highly sensitive to process upsets.

The role of iron in sulfide induced corrosion of sewer concrete

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2013.11.007

Abstract: The sulfide-induced corrosion of concrete sewer is a widespread and expensive problem for water utilities worldwide. Fundamental knowledge of the initiation and propagation of sewer corrosion, especially the interactions between chemical reactions and physical structure changes, is still largely unknown. Advanced mineral analytical techniques were applied to identify the distribution of corrosion products and the micro-cracking that developed along the corrosion boundary. It was found that sewer concrete corrosion caused by reactions with sulfuric acid progressed uniformly in the cement of concrete. In contrast to conventional knowledge, iron rust rather than gypsum and ettringite was likely the factor responsible for cracking ahead of the corrosion front. The analysis also allowed quantitative determination of the major corrosion products, i.e., gypsum and ettringite, with the latter found closer to the corrosion front. The conceptual model based on these findings clearly demonstrated the complex interactions among different chemical reactions, diffusion, and micro-structure changes.

Effects of surface washing on the mitigation of concrete corrosion under sewer conditions

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.CEMCONCOMP.2016.02.013

Sex-Based Diverse Plaque Microbiota in Children with Severe Caries

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 28-02-2020

DOI: 10.1177/0022034520908595

Abstract: Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is a multifactorial disease that can lead to suffering and reduced oral health–related quality of life in young children. The bacterial and fungal composition of dental plaque and how children’s sex is associated with S-ECC are largely unknown. In this study, V4-16S rRNA and ITS1 rRNA gene licon sequencing was used to compare the plaque bacteriome and mycobiome of children mo of age: 40 with S-ECC (15 males, 25 females) and 40 caries-free (19 males, 21 females). Health- and nutrition-related questionnaire data were also investigated. This study aimed to analyze potential sex-based differences in the supragingival plaque microbiota of young children with S-ECC and those caries-free. Behavioral and nutritional habit differences were observed between children with S-ECC and those caries-free and between male and female children. Overall, higher levels of Veillonella dispar, Streptococcus mutans, and other bacterial species were found in the S-ECC group as compared with caries-free controls ( P 0.05). A significant difference in the abundance of Neisseria was observed between males and females with S-ECC ( P .05). Fungal taxonomic analysis showed significantly higher levels of Candida dubliniensis in the plaque of children with S-ECC as compared with those caries-free ( P 0.05), but no differences were observed with Candida albicans ( P 0.05). Significant differences in the relative abundance of Mycosphaerella, Cyberlindnera, and Trichosporon fungal species were also observed between the caries-free and S-ECC groups ( P 0.05). Machine learning analysis revealed the most important bacterial and fungal species for classifying S-ECC versus caries-free. Different patterns of crosstalk between microbial species were observed between male and female children. Our work demonstrates that plaque microbiota and sex may be important determinants for S-ECC and could be factors to consider for inclusion in caries risk assessment tools.

Demonstration of nitrogen removal via nitrite in a sequencing batch reactor treating domestic wastewater

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.11.029

Abstract: Nitrogen removal via nitrite, as opposed to the traditional nitrate, may be beneficial for carbon-limited biological wastewater treatment plants. However, reliable termination of nitrification at nitrite (nitritation) has proved difficult in the treatment of domestic wastewater. In this study, nitritation was attained in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with pre-denitrification treating domestic wastewater (total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) concentration of about 43 mg NL(-1)) by aerobic duration control. The aerobic duration control strategy terminates aeration upon completion of ammonium oxidation with accumulated nitrite still remaining. The SBR was purposefully operated such that the influence of other known selection factors for nitritation was absent. The process proved effective in achieving a steady state whereby over 80% nitritation was sustained. Investigation of the cause of nitritation by a calibrated ammonium and nitrite oxidation model showed aerobic duration control as the key factor leading to nitritation.

Understanding the operational parameters affecting NDMA formation at Advanced Water Treatment Plants

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2010.10.090

Abstract: N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) can be formed when secondary effluents are disinfected by chloramines. By means of bench scale experiments this paper investigates operational parameters than can help Advanced Water Treatment Plants (AWTPs) to reduce the formation of NDMA during the production of high quality recycled water. The formation of NDMA was monitored during a contact time of 24h using dimethylamine as NDMA model precursor and secondary effluent from wastewater treatment plants. The three chloramine disinfection strategies tested were pre-formed and in-line formed monochloramine, and pre-formed dichloramine. Although the latter is not employed on purpose in full-scale applications, it has been suggested as the main contributing chemical generating NDMA during chloramination. After 24h, the NDMA formation decreased in both matrices tested in the order: pre-formed dichloramine>in-line formed monochloramine≫pre-formed monochloramine. The most important parameter to consider for the inhibition of NDMA formation was the length of contact time between disinfectant and wastewater. Formation of NDMA was initially inhibited for up to 6h with concentrations consistently <10 ng/L during these early stages of disinfection, regardless of the disinfection strategy. The reduction of the contact time was implemented in Bundamba AWTP (Queensland, Australia), where NDMA concentrations were reduced by a factor of 20 by optimizing the disinfection strategy.

Removal of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents through advanced water treatment plants

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 02-2010

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2010.885

Abstract: Stable gadolinium (Gd) complexes have been used as paramagnetic contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for over 20 years, and have recently been identified as environmental contaminants. As the rare earth elements (REE), which include Gd, are able to be measured accurately at very low concentrations (e.g. Tb is measured at 7 fmol/kg in this study) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), it is possible to determine the fate of this class of compounds during the production of purified recycled water from effluent. Coagulation and microfiltration have negligible removal, with the major removal step occurring across the reverse osmosis membrane where anthropogenic Gd (the amount of Gd attributable to MRI contrast agents) is reduced from 0.39 nmol/kg to 0.59 pmol/kg, a reduction of 99.85%. The RO concentrate has anthropogenic Gd concentrations of 2.6 nmol/kg, an increase in concentration in line with the design characteristics of the plant. The increased concentration in the RO concentrate may allow further development of anthropogenic Gd as a tracer of the fate of the RO concentrate in the environment.

Investigation of an acetate-fed denitrifying microbial community by stable isotope probing, full-cycle rRNA analysis, and fluorescent in situ hybridization-microautoradiography

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

Date: 12-2005

DOI: 10.1128/AEM.71.12.8683-8691.2005

Abstract: The acetate-utilizing microbial consortium in a full-scale activated sludge process was investigated without prior enrichment using stable isotope probing (SIP). [ 13 C]acetate was used in SIP to label the DNA of the denitrifiers. The [ 13 C]DNA fraction that was extracted was subjected to a full-cycle rRNA analysis. The dominant 16S rRNA gene phylotypes in the 13 C library were closely related to the bacterial families Comamonadaceae and Rhodocyclaceae in the class Betaproteobacteria . Seven oligonucleotide probes for use in fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were designed to specifically target these clones. Application of these probes to the sludge of a continuously fed denitrifying sequencing batch reactor (CFDSBR) operated for 16 days revealed that there was a significant positive correlation between the CFDSBR denitrification rate and the relative abundance of all probe-targeted bacteria in the CFDSBR community. FISH-microautoradiography demonstrated that the DEN581 and DEN124 probe-targeted cells that dominated the CFDSBR were capable of taking up [ 14 C]acetate under anoxic conditions. Initially, DEN444 and DEN1454 probe-targeted bacteria also dominated the CFDSBR biomass, but eventually DEN581 and DEN124 probe-targeted bacteria were the dominant bacterial groups. All probe-targeted bacteria assessed in this study were denitrifiers capable of utilizing acetate as a source of carbon. The rapid increase in the number of organisms positively correlated with the immediate increase in denitrification rates observed by plant operators when acetate is used as an external source of carbon to enhance denitrification. We suggest that the impact of bacteria on activated sludge subjected to intermittent acetate supplementation should be assessed prior to the widespread use of acetate in the wastewater industry to enhance denitrification.

Organic matter removal and disinfection byproduct management in South East Queensland's drinking water

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 24-03-2014

DOI: 10.2166/WS.2014.025

Abstract: Over the past several decades, much research has been carried out to understand and control the formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) of potential human health concern in drinking water. The majority of these studies have taken place in continental climates of North America and Europe, with less work investigating waters in tropical and subtropical climates. This study evaluated the occurrence, precursors and formation potentials of a range of DBPs across nine water treatment plants (WTPs) in South East Queensland, Australia. Average total organic nitrogen concentrations in raw and final waters were 0.35 and 0.15 mg N/L, respectively, and total organic carbon levels were 9.2 and 3.7 mg C/L in raw and final waters, respectively. DBP formation potential was lower on average in final waters of advanced compared to conventional WTPs, demonstrating the effectiveness of ozone/biological activated carbon (BAC) treatment at removing DBP precursors. While ozone on its own increased the formation potentials of chloral hydrate, halonitromethanes, and haloketones when followed by chlorination or chloramination, subsequent BAC treatment reduced the potential to produce these DBPs, except for tribromonitromethane. DBPs measured in the finished water leaving the WTPs were all below the Australian Drinking Water Guideline levels.

Identification of controlling factors for the initiation of corrosion of fresh concrete sewers

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2015.04.015

Abstract: The development of concrete corrosion in new sewer pipes undergoes an initiation process before reaching an active corrosion stage. This initiation period is assumed to last several months to years but the key factors affecting the process, and its duration, are not well understood. This study is therefore focused on this initial stage of the corrosion process and the effect of key environmental factors. Such knowledge is important for the effective management of corrosion in new sewers, as every year of life extension of such systems has a very high financial benefit. This long-term (4.5 year) study has been conducted in purpose-built corrosion chambers that closely simulated the sewer environment, but with control of three key environmental factors being hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas phase concentration, relative humidity and air temperature. Fresh concrete coupons, cut from an industry-standard sewer pipe, were exposed to the corrosive conditions in the chambers, both in the gas phase and partially submerged in wastewater. A total of 36 exposure conditions were investigated to determine the controlling factors by regular retrieval of concrete coupons for detailed analysis of surface pH, sulfur compounds (elemental sulfur and sulfate) and concrete mass loss. Corrosion initiation times were thus determined for different exposure conditions. It was found that the corrosion initiation time of both gas-phase and partially-submerged coupons was positively correlated with the gas phase H2S concentration, but only at levels of 10 ppm or below, indicating that sulfide oxidation rate rather than the H2S concentration was the limiting factor during the initiation stage. Relative humidity also played a role for the corrosion initiation of the gas-phase coupons. However, the partially-submerged coupons were not affected by humidity as these coupons were in direct contact with the sewage and hence did have sufficient moisture to enable the microbial processes to proceed. The corrosion initiation time was also shortened by higher gas temperature due to its positive impact on reaction kinetics. These findings provide real opportunities for pro-active sewer asset management with the aim to delay the on-set of the corrosion processes, and hence extend the service life of sewers, through improved prediction and optimization capacity.

Effects of acetate and propionate on the performance of a photosynthetic biofilm reactor for sulfide removal

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 2005

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20319

Abstract: The effects of acetate and propionate on the performance of a recently proposed and characterized photosynthetic biological sulfide removal system have been investigated with a view to predicting this concept's suitability for removing sulfide from wastewater undergoing or having undergone anaerobic treatment. The concept relies on substratum-irradiated biofilms dominated by green sulfur bacteria (GSB), which are supplied with radiant energy in the band 720-780 nm. A model reactor was fed for 7 months with a synthetic wastewater free of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), after which time intermittent dosing of the wastewater with acetate or propionate was begun. Such dosing suppressed the areal net sulfide removal rate by approximately 50%, and caused the principal net product of sulfide removal to switch from sulfate to elemental-S. Similarly suppressed values of this rate were observed when the wastewater was dosed continuously with acetate, and this rate was not significantly affected by changes in the concentration of ammonia-N in the feed. The main net product of sulfide removal was again elemental-S, which was scarcely released into the liquid, however. Sulfate reduction and sulfur reduction were observed when the light supply was interrupted and were inferred to be occurring within the irradiated biofilm. A preexisting conceptual model of the biofilm was augmented with both of these reductive processes, and this augmented model was shown to account for most of the observed effects of VFA dosing. The implications of these findings for the practicality of the technology are considered.

Operating aerobic wastewater treatment at very short sludge ages enables treatment and energy recovery through anaerobic sludge digestion

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2013.08.017

Abstract: Conventional abattoir wastewater treatment processes for carbon and nutrient removal are typically designed and operated with a long sludge retention time (SRT) of 10-20 days, with a relatively high energy demand and physical footprint. The process also generates a considerable amount of waste activated sludge that is not easily degradable due to the long SRT. In this study, an innovative high-rate sequencing batch reactor (SBR) based wastewater treatment process with short SRT and hydraulic retention time (HRT) is developed and characterised. The high-rate SBR process was shown to be most effective with SRT of 2-3 days and HRT of 0.5-1 day, achieving >80% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phosphorus and approximately 55% nitrogen removal. A majority of carbon removal (70-80%) was achieved by biomass assimilation and/or accumulation, rather than oxidation. Anaerobic degradability of the sludge generated in the high-rate SBR process was strongly linked to SRT, with measured degradability extent being 85% (2 days SRT), 73% (3 days), and 63% (4 days), but it was not influenced by digestion temperature. However, the rate of degradation for 3 and 4 days SRT sludge was increased by 45% at thermophilic conditions compared to mesophilic conditions. Overall, the treatment process provides a very compact and energy efficient treatment option for highly degradable wastewaters such as meat and food processing, with a substantial space reduction by using smaller reactors and a considerable net energy output through the reduced aerobic oxidation and concurrent increased methane production potential through the efficient sludge digestion.

Continuous measurement of dissolved sulfide in sewer systems

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 02-2008

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2008.132

Abstract: Sulfides are particularly problematic in the sewage industry. Hydrogen sulfide causes corrosion of concrete infrastructure, is dangerous at high concentrations and is foul smelling at low concentrations. Despite the importance of sulfide monitoring there is no commercially available system to quantify sulfide in waste water. In this article we report on our use of an in situ spectrometer to quantify bisulfide in waste water and additional analysis with a pH probe to calculate total dissolved sulfide. Our results show it is possible to use existing commercially available and field proven sensors to measure sulfide to mg/l levels continuously with little operator intervention and no s le preparation.

Microbial Electrosynthesis of Isobutyric, Butyric, Caproic Acids, and Corresponding Alcohols from Carbon Dioxide

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 04-06-2018

DOI: 10.1021/ACSSUSCHEMENG.8B00739

A review of ADM1 extensions, applications, and analysis: 2002-2005

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 08-2006

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2006.520

Abstract: Since publication of the Scientific and Technical Report (STR) describing the ADM1, the model has been extensively used, and analysed in both academic and practical applications. Adoption of the ADM1 in popular systems analysis tools such as the new wastewater benchmark (BSM2), and its use as a virtual industrial system can stimulate modelling of anaerobic processes by researchers and practitioners outside the core expertise of anaerobic processes. It has been used as a default structural element that allows researchers to concentrate on new extensions such as sulfate reduction, and new applications such as distributed parameter modelling of biofilms. The key limitations for anaerobic modelling originally identified in the STR were: (i) regulation of products from glucose fermentation, (ii) parameter values, and variability, and (iii) specific extensions. Parameter analysis has been widespread, and some detailed extensions have been developed (e.g., sulfate reduction). A verified extension that describes regulation of products from glucose fermentation is still limited, though there are promising fundamental approaches. This is a critical issue, given the current interest in renewable hydrogen production from carbohydrate-type waste. Critical analysis of the model has mainly focused on model structure reduction, hydrogen inhibition functions, and the default parameter set recommended in the STR. This default parameter set has largely been verified as a reasonable compromise, especially for wastewater sludge digestion. One criticism of note is that the ADM1 stoichiometry focuses on catabolism rather than anabolism. This means that inorganic carbon can be used unrealistically as a carbon source during some anabolic reactions. Advances and novel applications have also been made in the present issue, which focuses on the ADM1. These papers also explore a number of novel areas not originally envisaged in this review.

Characterisation of enhanced biological phosphorus removal activated sludges with dissimilar phosphorus removal performances

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1998

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00161-9

Autotrophic hydrogen-producing biofilm growth sustained by a cathode as the sole electron and energy source

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOELECHEM.2014.12.001

Abstract: It is still unclear whether autotrophic microbial biocathode biofilms are able to self-regenerate under purely cathodic conditions without any external electron or organic carbon sources. Here we report on the successful development and long-term operation of an autotrophic biocathode whereby an electroactive biofilm was able to grow and sustain itself with CO2 as a sole carbon source and using the cathode as electron source, with H2 as sole product. From a small inoculum of 15 mg COD (in 250 mL), containing 30.3% Archaea, the bioelectrochemical system operating at -0.5 V vs. SHE enabled an estimated biofilm growth of 300 mg as COD over a period of 276 days. A dramatic change in the microbial population was observed during this period with Archaea disappearing completely (<0.1% of population). The predominant phyla enriched were Proteobacteria (57.3%), Firmicutes (12.4%), Bacteroidetes (11.6%) and Actinobacteria (1.1%). Up to 9.2 L H2 m(-2) day(-1) (1.88 A m(-2)) was achieved when the cathode potential was decreased to -0.75 V vs. SHE. This study demonstrates that purely autotrophic biofilm growth coupled to proton reduction to hydrogen alone can be sustained with a cathode as the sole electron source, while avoiding the development of H2-consuming microorganisms such as methanogens and acetogens.

Evaluating a strategy for maintaining nitrifier activity during long-term starvation in a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) treating reverse osmosis concentrate

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 08-2012

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2012.252

Abstract: A two-stage moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was applied at the Bundamba advanced water treatment plant (AWTP) (Queensland, Australia) to treat the reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) for inorganic nutrient removal. One of the operational challenges for the system was to cope with the large fluctuations of the ROC flow. This study investigated the decay rates of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and biofilm detachment in MBBR during starvation for up to one month. An intermittent aeration strategy of 15 min aeration every 6 h was applied. This study also evaluated the activity recovery of both AOB and NOB after normal operation was resumed. The results showed that the activity loss of AOB and NOB was relatively minor (& %) within 10 days of starvation, which ensured relatively quick recovery of ammonium removal when normal operation resumed. In contrast, the AOB and NOB activity loss reached 60–80% when the starvation time was longer than 20 days, resulting in slower recovery of ammonium removal after starvation. Starvation for less than 20 days didn't result in an apparent biomass detachment from carriers.

Impact of fluctuations in gaseous H2S concentrations on sulfide uptake by sewer concrete: The effect of high H2S loads

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2015.05.044

Abstract: The acid production from the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in sewer air results in serious corrosion of exposed concrete surfaces in sewers. Large fluctuations of gaseous H2S concentrations occur in sewers due to the diurnal profiles of sewage flow and retention times and the necessity of intermittent pumping of sewage from pressure pipes into gravity pipes. How the high concentrations of H2S due to these events may affect H2S uptake and subsequent corrosion by concrete sewers is largely unknown. This study determined the effect of short- and long-term increases in H2S levels on the sulfide uptake rate (SUR) of concrete surfaces with an active corrosion layer. The results showed that during the high load situation the SUR increased significantly but then decreased (compared to the baseline SUR) by about 7-14% and 41-50% immediately after short- and long-term H2S high-load periods, respectively. For both exposure conditions, the SUR gradually (over several hours) recovered to approximately 90% of the baseline SUR. Further tests suggest multiple factors may contribute to the observed decrease of SUR directly after the high H2S load. This includes the temporary storage of elemental sulfur in the corrosion layer and inhibition of sulfide oxidizing bacteria (SOB) due to high H2S level and temporary acid surge. Additionally, the delay of the corrosion layer to fully recover the SUR after the high H2S load suggests that there is a longer-term inhibitive effect of the high H2S levels on the activity of the SOB in the corrosion layer. Due to the observed activity reductions, concrete exposed to occasional short-term high H2S load periods had an overall lower H2S uptake compared to concrete exposed to constant H2S levels at the same average concentration. To accurately predict H2S uptake by sewer concrete and hence the likely maximum corrosion rates, a correction factor should be adopted for the H2S fluctuations when average H2S levels are used in the prediction.

A novel bioelectrochemical system for chemical-free permanent treatment of acid mine drainage

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2017.09.058

Abstract: The mining sector is currently under unprecedented pressure due to stringent environmental regulations. As a consequence, a permanent acid mine drainage (AMD) treatment is increasingly being regarded as a desirable target with direct benefits for the environment and the operational and economic viability of the resources sector. In this study we demonstrate that a novel bioelectrochemical system (BES) can deliver permanent treatment of acid mine drainage without chemical dosing. The technology consists of a two-cell bioelectrochemical setup to enable the removal of sulfate from the ongoing reduction-oxidation sulfur cycle to less than 550 mg L

Reconsidering the Use of Photosynthetic Bacteria for Removal of Sulfide from Wastewater

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 25-11-2004

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10816

Abstract: The feasibility of using photosynthetic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria to remove sulfide from wastewater in circumstances where axenic cultures are unrealistic has been completely reconsidered on the basis of known ecophysiological data, and the principles of photobioreactor and chemical reactor engineering. This has given rise to the development of two similar treatment concepts relying on biofilms dominated by green sulfur bacteria (GSB) that develop on the exterior of transparent surfaces suspended in the wastewater. The GSB are sustained and selected for by radiant energy in the band 720-780 nm, supplied from within the transparent surface. A model of one of these concepts was constructed and with it the reactor concept was proven. The dependence of sulfide-removal rate on bulk sulfide concentration has been ascertained. The maximum net areal sulfide removal rate was 2.23 g m-(2) day-(1) at a bulk sulfide concentration of 16.5 mg L(-1) and an incident irradiance of 1.51 W m(-2). The system has a demonstrated capacity to mitigate surges in sulfide load, and appears to use much less radiant power than comparable systems. The efficacy with which this energy was used for sulfide removal was 1.47 g day(-1) W(-1). The biofilm was dominated by GSB, and evidence gathered indicated that other types of phototrophs were not present.

Removal of the X-ray contrast media diatrizoate by electrochemical reduction and oxidation

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 21-11-2013

DOI: 10.1021/ES403410P

Abstract: Due to their resistance to biological wastewater treatment, iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) have been detected in municipal wastewater effluents at relatively high concentrations (i.e., up to 100 μg L(-1)), with hospitals serving as their main source. To provide a new approach for reducing the concentrations of ICMs in wastewater, electrochemical reduction at three-dimensional graphite felt and graphite felt doped with palladium nanoparticles was examined as a means for deiodination of the common ICM diatrizoate. The presence of palladium nanoparticles significantly enhanced the removal of diatrizoate and enabled its complete deiodination to 3,5-diacetamidobenzoic acid. When the system was employed in the treatment of hospital wastewater, diatrizoate was reduced, but the extent of electrochemical reduction decreased as a result of competing reactions with solutes in the matrix. Following electrochemical reduction of diatrizoate to 3,5-diacetamidobenzoic acid, electrochemical oxidation with boron-doped diamond (BDD) anodes was employed. 3,5-Diacetamidobenzoic acid disappeared from solution at a rate that was similar to that of diatrizoate, but it was more readily mineralized than the parent compound. When electrochemical reduction and oxidation were coupled in a three-compartment reactor operated in a continuous mode, complete deiodination of diatrizoate was achieved at an applied cathode potential of -1.7 V vs SHE, with the released iodide ions electrodialyzed in a central compartment with 80% efficiency. The resulting BDD anode potential (i.e., +3.4-3.5 V vs SHE) enabled efficient oxidation of the products of the reductive step. The presence of other anions (e.g., chloride) was likely responsible for a decrease in I(-) separation efficiency when hospital wastewater was treated. Reductive deiodination combined with oxidative degradation provides benefits over oxidative treatment methods because it does not produce stable iodinated intermediates. Nevertheless, the process must be further optimized for the conditions encountered in hospital wastewater to improve the separation efficiency of halide ions prior to the electrooxidation step.

Occurrence of N-nitrosodimethylamine precursors in wastewater treatment plant effluent and their fate during ultrafiltration-reverse osmosis membrane treatment

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 02-2011

DOI: 10.2166/WST.2011.207

Abstract: The formation of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is of major concern among wastewater recycling utilities practicing disinfection with chloramines. The NDMA formation potential (FP) test is a simple and straightforward method to evaluate NDMA precursor concentrations in waters. In this paper we show the NDMA FP results of a range of tertiary wastewater treatment plants that are also the source for production of recycled water using an Ultrafiltration – Reverse Osmosis (UF-RO) membrane process. The results indicate that the NDMA FP of different source waters range from 350 to 1020±20 ng/L. The fate of these NDMA precursors was also studied across the different stages of two Advanced Water Treatment Plants (AWTP) producing recycled water. These results show that more than 98.5±0.5% of NDMA precursors are effectively removed by the Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes used at the AWTPs. This drastically reduces any potential for re-formation of NDMA after the RO stage even if chloramines may be present (or added) there.

Elucidation of metabolic pathways in glycogen‐accumulating organisms with in vivo¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 26-07-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1462-2920.2007.01382.X

Abstract: Glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) are found in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems where they compete with polyphosphate-accumulating organisms for external carbon substrates. (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance ((13)C-NMR) was used to elucidate the metabolic pathways operating in an enriched GAO culture dominated by two known GAOs (81.2%). The experiments consisted of adding (13)C-acetate (labelled on position 1 or 2) to the culture under anaerobic conditions, and operating the culture through a cycle consisting of an anaerobic, an aerobic and a further anaerobic phase. The carbon transformations over the cycle were monitored using in vivo(13)C-NMR. The two-carbon moieties in hydroxybutyrate and hydroxyvalerate were derived from acetate, while the propionyl precursor of hydroxyvalerate was primarily derived from glycogen, with only a small fraction originating from acetate. Comparison of the labelling patterns in hydroxyvalerate at the end of the first and the second anaerobic periods in pulse experiments with 2-(13)C-acetate showed that the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway was used for the breakdown of glycogen. This conclusion was further supported by the labelling pattern on glycogen observed in the pulse experiments with 1-(13)C-acetate, which can only be explained by the operation of ED with recycling of pyruvate and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate via gluconeogenesis. The activity of the ED pathway for glycogen degradation by GAOs is demonstrated here for the first time. In addition, the decarboxylating part of the tricarboxylic acid cycle was confirmed to operate also under anaerobic conditions.

Comparison of microbial communities across sections of a corroding sewer pipe and the effects of wastewater flooding

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 28-09-2017

DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2017.1369050

Abstract: This study investigated the variation in microbially induced concrete corrosion communities at different circumferential locations of a real sewer pipe and the effects of a wastewater flooding event on the community. Three distinct microbial community groups were found in different corrosion s les. The physico-chemical properties of the corrosion layers and the microbial communities were distinct for the cross-sectional positions within the pipe, ie ceiling, wall and tidal zones. The microbial communities detected from the same positions in the pipe were consistent over the length of the pipe, as well as being consistent between the replicate pipes. The dominating ceiling communities were members of the bacterial orders Rhodospirillales, Acidithiobacillales, Actinomycetales, Xanthomonadales and Acidobacteriales. The wall communities were composed of members of the Xanthomonadales, Hydrogenophilales, Chromatiales and Sphingobacteriales. The tidal zones were dominated by eight bacterial and one archaeal order, with the common physiological trait of anaerobic metabolism. Sewage flooding within the sewer system did not change the tidal and wall communities, although the corrosion communities in ceiling s les were notably different, becoming more similar to the wall and tidal s les. This suggests that sewage flooding has a significant impact on the corrosion community in sewers.

Global diversity and biogeography of bacterial communities in wastewater treatment plants

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 13-05-2019

DOI: 10.1038/S41564-019-0426-5

Abstract: Microorganisms in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are essential for water purification to protect public and environmental health. However, the ersity of microorganisms and the factors that control it are poorly understood. Using a systematic global-s ling effort, we analysed the 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequences from ~1,200 activated sludge s les taken from 269 WWTPs in 23 countries on 6 continents. Our analyses revealed that the global activated sludge bacterial communities contain ~1 billion bacterial phylotypes with a Poisson lognormal ersity distribution. Despite this high ersity, activated sludge has a small, global core bacterial community (n = 28 operational taxonomic units) that is strongly linked to activated sludge performance. Meta-analyses with global datasets associate the activated sludge microbiomes most closely to freshwater populations. In contrast to macroorganism ersity, activated sludge bacterial communities show no latitudinal gradient. Furthermore, their spatial turnover is scale-dependent and appears to be largely driven by stochastic processes (dispersal and drift), although deterministic factors (temperature and organic input) are also important. Our findings enhance our mechanistic understanding of the global ersity and biogeography of activated sludge bacterial communities within a theoretical ecology framework and have important implications for microbial ecology and wastewater treatment processes.

Removal of Persistent Organic Contaminants by Electrochemically Activated Sulfate

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 03-12-2015

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.5B02705

Abstract: Solutions of sulfate have often been used as background electrolytes in the electrochemical degradation of contaminants and have been generally considered inert even when high-oxidation-power anodes such as boron-doped diamond (BDD) were employed. This study examines the role of sulfate by comparing electro-oxidation rates for seven persistent organic contaminants at BDD anodes in sulfate and inert nitrate anolytes. Sulfate yielded electro-oxidation rates 10-15 times higher for all target contaminants compared to the rates of nitrate anolyte. This electrochemical activation of sulfate was also observed at concentrations as low as 1.6 mM, which is relevant for many wastewaters. Electrolysis of diatrizoate in the presence of specific radical quenchers (tert-butanol and methanol) had a similar effect on electro-oxidation rates, illustrating a possible role of the hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) in the anodic formation of sulfate radical (SO4(•-)) species. The addition of 0.55 mM persulfate increased the electro-oxidation rate of diatrizoate in nitrate from 0.94 to 9.97 h(-1), suggesting a nonradical activation of persulfate. Overall findings indicate the formation of strong sulfate-derived oxidant species at BDD anodes when polarized at high potentials. This may have positive implications in the electro-oxidation of wastewaters containing sulfate. For ex le, the energy required for the 10-fold removal of diatrizoate was decreased from 45.6 to 2.44 kWh m(-3) by switching from nitrate to sulfate anolyte.

Modeling the aerobic metabolism of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms enriched with propionate as a carbon source

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 03-2007

DOI: 10.2175/106143007X184717

Abstract: Thermophilic anaerobic digestion of swine manure represents a potential waste treatment technology to address environmental concerns, such as odor emissions and removal of pathogenic microorganisms. However, there are concerns relative to the stability of this process when swine manure is the sole substrate. In this study, the potential of biogas production from swine manure as the sole substrate under thermophilic (50 degrees C) conditions was investigated in the laboratory, to determine whether separation of urine and feces as part of the waste collection process would benefit anaerobic digestion. Effluent from a continuously stirred tank reactor was used as the inoculum for batch tests, in which the substrate contained three different concentrations of urine (urine-free, as-excreted urine-to-feces ratio and double the as-excreted urine-to-feces ratio). Inocula were acclimated to these same urine-to-feces ratios to determine methane production. Results show that both urine-free and as-excreted substrates were not inhibitory to anaerobic inocula. Anaerobic microorganisms can be readily acclimated to substrate with double the as-excreted urine concentration, which contained nitrogen concentrations up to 7.20 g/L. Cumulative methane production reached similar levels in the batch tests, regardless of the substrate urine concentration.

Inhibition of sulfate-reducing and methanogenic activities of anaerobic sewer biofilms by ferric iron dosing

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.06.013

Abstract: Ferric iron is commonly used for sulfide precipitation in sewers, thus achieving corrosion and odour control. Its impact on the activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria and methanogens in anaerobic sewer biofilms is investigated in this study. Two lab-scale rising main sewer systems fed with real sewage were operated for 8 months. One received Fe(3+) dosage (experimental system) and the other was used as a control. In addition to precipitating sulfide from bulk water, Fe(3+) dosage was found to significantly inhibit sulfate reduction and methane production by sewer biofilms. The experimental reactor discharged an effluent containing a higher concentration of sulfate and a lower concentration of methane in comparison with the reference reactor. Batch experiments showed that the addition of ferric ions reduced the sulfate reduction and methane production rates of the sewer biofilms by 60% and 80%, respectively. The batch experiments further showed that Fe(3+) dosage changed the final products of sulfate reduction with sulfide accounting for only 54% of the sulfate reduced. The other products could not be confirmed, but were not dissolved inorganic sulfur species such as sulfite or thiosulfate. The results suggest the addition of Fe(3+) at upstream locations would minimize the ferric salts required for achieving the same level of sulfide removal. Fe(3+) dosing could also substantially reduce the formation of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in sewers.

Reducing natural organic matter and disinfection by-product precursors by alternating oxic and anoxic conditions during engineered short residence time riverbank filtration: A laboratory-scale column study

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.05.061

Abstract: Riverbank filtration (RBF) with days to months of residence time has been successfully used as treatment or pre-treatment process to improve water quality for decades. However, its feasibility depends on the local hydrogeological conditions. Therefore, for sites unsuitable to traditional RBF, a smaller engineered RBF may be an option. This study evaluates the performance of engineered short residence time RBF on improving water quality, focusing on the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) and the reduction of precursors of carbon and nitrogen disinfection by-products (DBP). Lab-scale experiments were conducted with surface feed water from a drinking water plant. The results showed that within 6days hydraulic retention time (HRT), 60-70% dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and 70-80% ultraviolet absorbance at 254nm (UV254) could be removed. During the whole filtration process, biodegradation was responsible for the removal of organic matter, and it was found that alternating redox condition between oxic and anoxic was beneficial for the overall performance of the RBF. Dissolved oxygen (DO) had a substantial impact on the removal of DBP precursors. For carbon-containing DBP (C-DBP) precursors' removal, re-aeration after a sequence of oxic and anoxic conditions could further increase the removal efficiencies from 50%, 60%, and 60% to 80%, 90%, and 80% for trihalomethanes (THMs), chloral hydrate (CH), and haloketones (HKs). Prolonged anoxic conditions were however beneficial for the removal of nitrogen-containing DBP (N-DBP) precursors.

Development of a novel titration and off-gas analysis (TOGA) sensor for study of biological processes in wastewater treatment systems

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 18-12-2003

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10490

Abstract: The development of the new TOGA (titration and off-gas analysis) sensor for the detailed study of biological processes in wastewater treatment systems is outlined. The main innovation of the sensor is the amalgamation of titrimetric and off-gas measurement techniques. The resulting measured signals are: hydrogen ion production rate (HPR), oxygen transfer rate (OTR), nitrogen transfer rate (NTR), and carbon dioxide transfer rate (CTR). While OTR and NTR are applicable to aerobic and anoxic conditions, respectively, HPR and CTR are useful signals under all of the conditions found in biological wastewater treatment systems, namely, aerobic, anoxic and anaerobic. The sensor is therefore a powerful tool for studying the key biological processes under all these conditions. A major benefit from the integration of the titrimetric and off-gas analysis methods is that the acid/base buffering systems, in particular the bicarbonate system, are properly accounted for. Experimental data resulting from the TOGA sensor in aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions demonstrates the strength of the new sensor. In the aerobic environment, carbon oxidation (using acetate as an ex le carbon source) and nitrification are studied. Both the carbon and ammonia removal rates measured by the sensor compare very well with those obtained from off-line chemical analysis. Further, the aerobic acetate removal process is examined at a fundamental level using the metabolic pathway and stoichiometry established in the literature, whereby the rate of formation of storage products is identified. Under anoxic conditions, the denitrification process is monitored and, again, the measured rate of nitrogen gas transfer (NTR) matches well with the removal of the oxidised nitrogen compounds (measured chemically). In the anaerobic environment, the enhanced biological phosphorus process was investigated. In this case, the measured sensor signals (HPR and CTR) resulting from acetate uptake were used to determine the ratio of the rates of carbon dioxide production by competing groups of microorganisms, which consequently is a measure of the activity of these organisms. The sensor involves the use of expensive equipment such as a mass spectrometer and requires special gases to operate, thus incurring significant capital and operational costs. This makes the sensor more an advanced laboratory tool than an on-line sensor.

Proposed modifications to metabolic model for glycogen-accumulating organisms under anaerobic conditions

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 11-09-2002

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.10370

Abstract: Filipe et al. (2001) proposed an anaerobic metabolic model for glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAO) in which the succinate-propionate pathway was used to describe the production of propionyl-CoA. However, propionyl-CoA is only an intermediate product in the above pathway. Stopping at propionyl-CoA instead of propionate (the end product of the pathway) results in the consumption of one ATP from succinate to succinyl-CoA, which was not accounted for in the model of Filipe et al. (2001). This resulted in significant errors in the stoichiometric coefficients in the final metabolic model. A modified model is presented in this communication and is shown to fit the experimental data significantly better than the original model.

Nitrite addition to acidified sludge significantly improves digestibility, toxic metal removal, dewaterability and pathogen reduction

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 22-12-2016

DOI: 10.1038/SREP39795

Abstract: Sludge management is a major issue for water utilities globally. Poor digestibility and dewaterability are the main factors determining the cost for sludge management, whereas pathogen and toxic metal concentrations limit beneficial reuse. In this study, the effects of low level nitrite addition to acidified sludge to simultaneously enhance digestibility, toxic metal removal, dewaterability and pathogen reduction were investigated. Waste activated sludge (WAS) from a full-scale waste water treatment plant was treated at pH 2 with 10 mg NO 2 − -N/L for 5 h. Biochemical methane potential tests showed an increase in the methane production of 28%, corresponding to an improvement from 247 ± 8 L CH 4 /kg VS to 317 ± 1 L CH 4 /kg VS. The enhanced removal of toxic metals further increased the methane production by another 18% to 360 ± 6 L CH 4 /kg VS (a total increase of 46%). The solids content of dewatered sludge increased from 14.6 ± 1.4% in the control to 18.2 ± 0.8%. A 4-log reduction for both total coliforms and E. coli was achieved. Overall, this study highlights the potential of acidification with low level nitrite addition as an effective and simple method achieving multiple improvements in terms of sludge management.

Electrochemical sulfide oxidation from domestic wastewater using mixed metal-coated titanium electrodes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.07.033

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide generation is a major issue in sewer management. A novel method based on electrochemical sulfide oxidation was recently shown to be highly effective for sulfide removal from synthetic and real sewage. Here, we compare the performance of five different mixed metal oxide (MMO) coated titanium electrode materials for the electrochemical removal of sulfide from domestic wastewater. All electrode materials performed similarly in terms of sulfide removal, removing 78±5%, 77±1%, 85±4%, 84±1%, and 83±2% at a current density of 10 mA/cm(2) using Ta/Ir, Ru/Ir, Pt/Ir, SnO(2) and PbO(2), respectively. Elevated chloride concentrations, often observed in coastal areas, did not entail any significant difference in performance. Independent of the electrode material used, sulfide oxidation by in situ generated oxygen was the predominant reaction mechanism. Passivation of the electrode surface by deposition of elemental sulfur did not occur. However, scaling was observed in the cathode compartment. This study shows that all the MMO coated titanium electrode materials studied are suitable anodic materials for sulfide removal from wastewater. Ta/Ir and Pt/Ir coated titanium electrodes seem the most suitable electrodes since they possess the lowest overpotential for oxygen evolution, are stable at low chloride concentration and are already used in full scale applications.

Oxidised stainless steel: A very effective electrode material for microbial fuel cell bioanodes but at high risk of corrosion

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2015.01.175

Variation of bulk properties of anaerobic granules with wastewater type

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2001

DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(00)00446-2

Abstract: Development of a granular sludge with high strength, high biological activity and a narrow settling distribution is necessary for optimal operation of high-rate upflow anaerobic treatment systems. Several studies have compared granules produced from different wastewaters but these have largely been from laboratory-fed reactors or compared granules from full-scale reactors fed similar wastewater types. Though two authors have commented on the inferiority of granules produced by a protein-based feed, the properties of these granules have not been characterised. In this paper, granules from full-scale reactors treating fruit and vegetable cannery effluent, two brewery effluents and a pig abattoir (slaughterhouse) were compared in terms of basic composition, size distribution, density, settling velocity, shear strength, and EPS content. The results supported previous qualitative observations by other researchers that indicate granule properties depend more on wastewater type rather than reactor design or operating conditions such as pre-acidification level. The cannery-fed granules had excellent shear strength, settling distribution and density. Granules from the two brewery-fed reactors had statistically the same bulk properties, which were still acceptable for upflow applications. The protein-grown granule had poor strength and settling velocity.

Determination of external and internal mass transfer limitation in nitrifying microbial aggregates

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 24-03-2004

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20058

Abstract: In this article we present a study of the effects of external and internal mass transfer limitation of oxygen in a nitrifying system. The oxygen uptake rates (OUR) were measured on both a macro-scale with a respirometric reactor using off-gas analysis (Titrimetric and Off-Gas Analysis (TOGA) sensor) and on a micro-scale with microsensors. These two methods provide independent, accurate measurements of the reaction rates and concentration profiles around and in the granules. The TOGA sensor and microsensor measurements showed a significant external mass transfer effect at low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the bulk liquid while it was insignificant at higher DO concentrations. The oxygen distribution with anaerobic or anoxic conditions in the center clearly shows major mass transfer limitation in the aggregate interior. The large drop in DO concentration of 22-80% between the bulk liquid and aggregate surface demonstrates that the external mass transfer resistance is also highly important. The maximum OUR even for floccular biomass was only attained at much higher DO concentrations (approximately 8 mg/L) than typically used in such systems. For granules, the DO required for maximal activity was estimated to be >20 mg/L, clearly indicating the effects of the major external and internal mass transfer limitations on the overall biomass activity. Smaller aggregates had a larger volumetric OUR indicating that the granules may have a lower activity in the interior part of the aggregate.

Erratum to Efficient and stable nitritation and denitritation of ammonium-rich sludge dewatering liquor using an SBR with continuous loading. [Water Res. 40/14 (2006)] (DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2006.05.003)

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2006.07.024

Removal of sulfate from high-strength wastewater by crystallisation

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2008.11.008

Abstract: Sulfate causes considerable problems in anaerobic digesters, related to generation of sulfides, loss of electrons (and hence methane), and contamination of gas streams. Removal of sulfides is generally expensive, and still results in methane losses. In this paper, we evaluate the use of precipitation for low-cost sulfate removal, in highly contaminated streams (>1 gS L(-1)). The main precipitate assessed is calcium sulfate (gypsum), though the formation of complex precipitates such as jarosite and ettringite to remove residual sulfate is also evaluated. The four main concerns in contaminated wastewater are:- high solubility, caused by high ion activity and ion pairing slow kinetics inhibition of nucleation and poisoning of crystals by impurities, rendering product unsuitable for reuse as seed. These concerns were addressed through batch experiments on a landfill wastewater with a similar composition to other sulfate rich industrial wastewaters (high levels of organic and inorganic contaminants). Crystallisation rates were rapid and comparable to what is observed by others for pure solutions (2-5 h). The kinetics of crystallisation showed a 2nd order dependence on supersaturation, which have implications for crystalliser design, as discussed in the paper. No spontaneous nucleation was observed (seed was required). Seed poisoning did not occur, and product crystals were as effective as pure seed. Solubility was increased by an order of magnitude compared to a pure solution (2.6x10(-3) M2 vs. 0.22x10(-3) M2). As evaluated using equilibrium modelling, this was caused equally by non-specific ion activity, and specific ion pairing. Jarosite and ettringite could not be formed at reasonable pH and temperature levels. Given the lack of complex precipitates, and relatively high solubility, gypsum crystallisation cannot practically be used to remove sulfate to very low levels, and gas-sulfide treatment will likely still be required. It can however, be used for low-cost bulk removal of sulfate.

High-throughput amplicon sequencing reveals distinct communities within a corroding concrete sewer system

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

Date: 10-2012

DOI: 10.1128/AEM.01582-12

Abstract: Microbially induced concrete corrosion (MICC) is an important problem in sewers. Here, small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene licon pyrosequencing was used to characterize MICC communities. Microbial community composition differed between wall- and ceiling-associated MICC layers. Acidithiobacillus spp. were present at low abundances, and the communities were dominated by other sulfur-oxidizing-associated lineages.

Modelling of two-stage anaerobic digestion using the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No. 1 (ADM1)

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2005

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2004.07.024

Abstract: The aim of the study presented was to implement a process model to simulate the dynamic behaviour of a pilot-scale process for anaerobic two-stage digestion of sewage sludge. The model implemented was initiated to support experimental investigations of the anaerobic two-stage digestion process. The model concept implemented in the simulation software package MATLAB/Simulink is a derivative of the IWA Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 (ADM1) that has been developed by the IWA task group for mathematical modelling of anaerobic processes. In the present study the original model concept has been adapted and applied to replicate a two-stage digestion process. Testing procedures, including balance checks and 'benchmarking' tests were carried out to verify the accuracy of the implementation. These combined measures ensured a faultless model implementation without numerical inconsistencies. Parameters for both, the thermophilic and the mesophilic process stage, have been estimated successfully using data from lab-scale experiments described in literature. Due to the high number of parameters in the structured model, it was necessary to develop a customised procedure that limited the range of parameters to be estimated. The accuracy of the optimised parameter sets has been assessed against experimental data from pilot-scale experiments. Under these conditions, the model predicted reasonably well the dynamic behaviour of a two-stage digestion process in pilot scale.

Plasma treatment of electrodes significantly enhances the development of anodic electrochemically active biofilms

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.ELECTACTA.2013.06.145

Decolorization of azo dyes in bioelectrochemical systems

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 27-05-2009

DOI: 10.1021/ES900057F

Abstract: Azo dyes are ubiquitously used in the textile industry. These dyes need to be removed from the effluent prior to discharge to sewage due to their intense color and toxicity. In this study we investigated the use of a bioelectrochemical system (BES) to abioticlly cathodic decolorization of a model azo dye, Acid Orange 7 (AO7), where the process was driven by microbial oxidation of acetate atthe anode. Effective decolorization of AO7 at rates up to 264 +/- 0.03 mol m(-3) NCC d(-1) (net cathodic compartment, NCC) was achieved at the cathode, with concomitant energy recovery. The AO7 decolorization rate was significantly enhanced when the BES was supplied with power, reaching 13.18 +/- 0.05 mol m(-3) NCC d(-1) at an energy consumption 0.012 +/- 0.001 kWh mol(-1) AO7 (at a controlled cathode potential of -400 mV vs SHE). Compared with conventional anaerobic biological methods, the required dosage of organic cosubstrate was significantly reduced in the BES. A possible cathodic reaction mechanism for the decolorization of AO7 is suggested based on the decolorization products identified: the azo bond of AO7 was cleaved at the cathode, resulting in the formation of the colorless sulfanilic acid and 1-amino-2-naphthol.

Computational fluid dynamic modelling of wastewater ponds to improve design

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1995

DOI: 10.1016/0273-1223(95)00498-C

Sludge population optimisation in biological nutrient removal wastewater treatment systems through on-line process control: A re/view

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 14-04-2008

DOI: 10.1007/S11157-008-9134-Y

Effective removal of MIB and geosmin using MBBR for drinking water treatment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2018.11.034

Abstract: Biodegradation is an effective method for the removal of taste and odour (T&O) compounds from drinking water sources. In this study, the applicability of a moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) as biological treatment step for the control of MIB and geosmin was studied at pilot-scale. After a 3.5 month acclimation period both T&O compounds could be reliably removed by at least 80%. Biodegradation was found to be the dominant removal mechanism with air stripping contributing up to 25% at shorter HRTs. Also sorption of MIB and geosmin onto carriers and biofilm did occur, simultaneously facilitating the biodegradation process. The biodegradation of MIB and geosmin followed pseudo-first-order kinetics.

Why are decentralised urban water solutions still rare given all the claimed benefits, and how could that be changed?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2023

DOI: 10.1016/J.WROA.2023.100180

Syntrophic processes drive the conversion of glucose in microbial fuel cell anodes

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 24-09-2008

DOI: 10.1021/ES800482E

Abstract: Microbial fuel cell (MFC) anodes are anaerobic bioreactors. Processes such as fermentations and methanogenesis are likely competitors to electricity generation. This work studied the pathway of glucose conversion in continuous microbial fuel cell anodes with an adapted bacterial community. The study revealed that the majority of glucose is first fermented to hydrogen and acetate. Both are then used as substrates for bacterial electricity generation. When methanogens are present methane production occurs at a rate that slightly increases with the current. Methanogenesis and electricity generation compete for hydrogen, causing increased fermentation rates. In a rather young anodic biofilm on granular graphite, methanogenesis can be suppressed by aerating the anode compartment for one hour. Only short-term inhibition can be achieved applying the same technique on a well established biofilm on granular graphite. This study shows that fermentative processes are not detrimental to current generation, and that direct oxidation of glucose does not play a major role in mixed population conversions in a MFC anode.

Predicting concrete corrosion of sewers using artificial neural network

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2016.01.029

Abstract: Corrosion is often a major failure mechanism for concrete sewers and under such circumstances the sewer service life is largely determined by the progression of microbially induced concrete corrosion. The modelling of sewer processes has become possible due to the improved understanding of in-sewer transformation. Recent systematic studies about the correlation between the corrosion processes and sewer environment factors should be utilized to improve the prediction capability of service life by sewer models. This paper presents an artificial neural network (ANN)-based approach for modelling the concrete corrosion processes in sewers. The approach included predicting the time for the corrosion to initiate and then predicting the corrosion rate after the initiation period. The ANN model was trained and validated with long-term (4.5 years) corrosion data obtained in laboratory corrosion chambers, and further verified with field measurements in real sewers across Australia. The trained model estimated the corrosion initiation time and corrosion rates very close to those measured in Australian sewers. The ANN model performed better than a multiple regression model also developed on the same dataset. Additionally, the ANN model can serve as a prediction framework for sewer service life, which can be progressively improved and expanded by including corrosion rates measured in different sewer conditions. Furthermore, the proposed methodology holds promise to facilitate the construction of analytical models associated with corrosion processes of concrete sewers.

Effects of aging of ferric-based drinking water sludge on its reactivity for sulfide and phosphate removal

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2020.116179

Model development for simultaneous nitrification and denitrification

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(98)00789-6

A novel carbon nanotube modified scaffold as an efficient biocathode material for improved microbial electrosynthesis

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2014

DOI: 10.1039/C4TA03101F

Abstract: Enhanced performance for the bioelectrosynthesis of acetate from carbon dioxide is achieved with a new three-dimensional CNT-modified scaffold electrode.

Model development and full scale validation for anaerobic treatment of protein and fat based wastewater

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1997

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(97)00551-9

Long-term field test of an electrochemical method for sulfide removal from sewage

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2012.03.013

Abstract: Corrosion caused by hydrogen sulfide leads to significant costs for the rehabilitation or replacement of corroded sewer pipes. Conventional methods to prevent sewer corrosion normally involve the dosing of significant amounts of chemicals with the associated transport and storage costs as well as considerable maintenance and control requirement. Recently, a novel chemical free method for sulfide abatement based on electrochemical sulfide oxidation was shown to be highly effective for the removal of sulfide from synthetic and real sewage. Here, we report on the electrochemical removal of sulfide using Ta/Ir and Pt/Ir coated titanium electrodes under simulated sewer conditions during field trials. The results showed that sulfide can successfully be removed to levels below the normal target value at the end of a simulated rising main (i.e. <1mg/L). A coulombic efficiency for dissolved oxygen generation of ≈ 60% was obtained and was independent of the current density. Scaling of the electrode and the membrane was observed in the cathode compartment and as a result the cell potentials increased over time. The cathode potentials returned to their original potential after switching the polarity every two days, but a more frequent switching would be needed to reduce the energy requirements of the system. Accelerated lifetime experiments indicated that a lifetime of 6.0 ± 1.9 years can be expected under polarity switching conditions at a pH of 14 and significantly longer at lower pH values. As operating the system without switching simplifies construction as well as operation, the choice whether to switch or not will in practice depend on operational cost (higher/lower energy) versus capital cost (reactor and peripherals). Irrespective of the approach, our study demonstrates that electrochemical sulfide control in sewer systems may be an attractive new option.

Electron fluxes in a microbial fuel cell performing carbon and nitrogen removal

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 29-05-2009

DOI: 10.1021/ES8036302

Abstract: The electron recovery in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is decreased by processes like methanogenesis, bacterial growth, and the accumulation of intermediates. Using a suite of analytical techniques, including electrochemical monitoring, chemical analysis, microsensor analysis, and Titration and Off-Gas Analysis (TOGA), this study aimed to (a) identify and quantify the electron losses occurring at the anode and the cathode of a MFC removing acetate and nitrate (NO3-), respectively, and (b) to investigate the impact of the operational characteristics of the cathode on the denitrification process. Our results show that methane (CH4) production and estimated biomass formation at the anode and nitrous oxide (N2O) accumulation at the cathode were responsible for the reduction of Coulombic efficiency (epsilon) during continuous feeding conditions. At the anode, up to 40.1% of the acetate consumed was released as methane at closed circuit. At the cathode, N2O accumulation represented instead the main loss accounting for up to 10.0 +/- 2.1% of the oxidation capacity of the electron acceptor provided as NO3-. Batch experiments at controlled potentials and currents revealed that for a given current the fraction of electron transferred and released as N2O is significantly reduced by low cathodic potentials.

Determining the long-term effects of H2S concentration, relative humidity and air temperature on concrete sewer corrosion

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2014

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2014.07.026

Abstract: Many studies of sewer corrosion are performed in accelerated conditions that are not representing the actual corrosion processes. This study investigated the effects of various factors over 3.5 years under controlled conditions simulating the sewer environment. Concrete coupons prepared from precorroded sewers were exposed, both in the gas phase and partially submerged in wastewater, in laboratory controlled corrosion chambers. Over the 45 month exposure period, three environmental factors of H2S concentration, relative humidity and air temperature were controlled at different levels in the corrosion chambers. A total of 36 exposure conditions were investigated to determine the long term effects of these factors by regular retrieval of concrete coupons for detailed analysis of surface pH, corrosion layer sulfate levels and concrete loss. Corrosion rates were also determined for different exposure periods. It was found that the corrosion rate of both gas-phase and partially-submerged coupons was positively correlated with the H2S concentration in the gas phase. Relative humidity played also a role for the corrosion activity of the gas-phase coupons. However, the partially-submerged coupons were not affected by humidity as the surfaces of these coupons were saturated due to capillary suction of sewage on the coupon surface. The effect of temperature on corrosion activity varied and possibly the acclimation of corrosion-inducing microbes to temperature mitigated effects of that factor. It was apparent that biological sulfide oxidation was not the limiting step of the overall corrosion process. These findings provide real insights into the long-term effects of these key environmental factors on the sewer corrosion processes.

Performance of a substratum-irradiatad photosynthetic biofilm reactor for the removal of sulfide from wastewater

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 2004

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20062

Abstract: The performance of a sulfide-removal system based on biofilms dominated by green sulfur bacteria (GSB) has been investigated. The system was supplied with radiant energy in the band 720-780 nm, and fed with a synthetic wastewater. The areal net sulfide removal rate and the efficacy of the incident radiant energy for sulfide removal have been characterized over ranges of bulk sulfide concentration (1.6-11.5 mg L(-1)) and incident irradiance (0.21-1.51 W m(-2)). The areal net sulfide removal rate increased monotonically with both increasing incident irradiance and increasing bulk sulfide concentration. The efficacy of the radiant energy for sulfide removal (the amount of sulfide removed per unit energy supplied) also increased monotonically with rising bulk sulfide concentration, but exhibited a maximum value with respect to incident irradiance. The maximum observed values of this net removal rate and this efficacy were, respectively, 2.08 g m(-2) d(-1) and 2.04 g W(-1) d(-1). In-band changes in the spectral composition of the radiant energy affected this efficacy only slightly. The products of sulfide removal were sulfate and elemental-S. The elemental-S was scarcely released into the liquid, however, and reasons for this, such as sulfur reduction and polysulfide formation, are considered. Between 1.45 and 3.85 photons were needed for the net removal of one electron from S-species. Intact s les of the biofilm were characterized by microscopy, and their thicknesses lay between 39 +/- 9 and 429 +/- 57 microm. The use of the experimentally determined rates and efficacies for the design of a pilot-scale system is illustrated.

The nanostructure of three-dimensional scaffolds enhances the current density of microbial bioelectrochemical systems

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2013

DOI: 10.1039/C3EE00052D

Enhancing zero valent iron based natural organic matter removal by mixing with dispersed carbon cathodes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.01.067

Abstract: Former studies have shown that adding granular activated carbon (GAC) cathodes could enhance the overall performance of the zero valent iron (ZVI) process for organics removal. The present study evaluates for the first time the performance of such an enhanced ZVI process to remove natural organic matter (NOM), an important water quality parameter in drinking water. Lab-scale batch tests were conducted with surface reservoir feed water from a drinking water plant. In the GAC enhanced ZVI process dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and UV254 were reduced by 61±3% and 70±2%, respectively, during 24h treatment corresponding to 1.8min empty bed contact time. The process was superior to ZVI alone, particularly during the earlier stages of the process due to the synergistically increased iron dissolution rate. Besides GAC, graphite and anthracite also prove to be suitable and potentially more cost-effective options as cathode materials for the enhanced ZVI process, whereby electrically conductive graphite clearly outperformed anthracite. The dominant mechanisms in terms of NOM removal from surface water were found to be coagulation following iron dissolution and adsorption in the case of employing GAC. Oxidation was also occurring to a lesser degree, converting some non-biodegradable into biodegradable DOC.

Electrochemical oxidation of trace organic contaminants in reverse osmosis concentrate using RuO2/IrO2-coated titanium anodes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2010.11.035

Abstract: During membrane treatment of secondary effluent from wastewater treatment plants, a reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) containing trace organic contaminants is generated. As the latter are of concern, effective and economic treatment methods are required. Here, we investigated electrochemical oxidation of ROC using Ti/Ru(0.7)Ir(0.3)O(2) electrodes, focussing on the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), specific ultra-violet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA(254)), and 28 pharmaceuticals and pesticides frequently encountered in secondary treated effluents. The experiments were conducted in a continuously fed reactor at current densities (J) ranging from 1 to 250 A m(-2) anode, and a batch reactor at J = 250 A m(-2). Higher mineralization efficiency was observed during batch oxidation (e.g. 25.1 ± 2.7% DOC removal vs 0% removal in the continuous reactor after applying specific electrical charge, Q = 437.0 A h m(-3) ROC), indicating that DOC removal is depending on indirect oxidation by electrogenerated oxidants that accumulate in the bulk liquid. An initial increase and subsequent slow decrease in SUVA(254) during batch mode suggests the introduction of auxochrome substituents (e.g. -Cl, NH(2)Cl, -Br, and -OH) into the aromatic compounds. Contrarily, in the continuous reactor ring-cleaving oxidation products were generated, and SUVA(254) removal correlated with applied charge. Furthermore, 20 of the target pharmaceuticals and pesticides completely disappeared in both the continuous and batch experiments when applying J ≥ 150 A m(-2) (i.e. Q ≥ 461.5 A h m(-3)) and 437.0 A h m(-3) (J = 250 A m(-2)), respectively. Compounds that were more persistent during continuous oxidation were characterized by the presence of electrophilic groups on the aromatic ring (e.g. triclopyr) or by the absence of stronger nucleophilic substituents (e.g. ibuprofen). These pollutants were oxidized when applying higher specific electrical charge in batch mode (i.e. 1.45 kA h m(-3) ROC). However, baseline toxicity as determined by Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition tests (Microtox) was increasing with higher applied charge during batch and continuous oxidation, indicating the formation of toxic oxidation products, possibly chlorinated and brominated organic compounds.

Comparison of acetate and propionate uptake by polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 12-05-2005

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20500

Abstract: Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) performance is directly affected by the competition between polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs). This study investigates the effects of carbon source on PAO and GAO metabolism. Enriched PAO and GAO cultures were tested with the two most commonly found volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in wastewater systems, acetate and propionate. Four sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) were operated under similar conditions and influent compositions with either acetate or propionate as the sole carbon source. The stimulus for selection of the PAO and GAO phenotypes was provided only through variation of the phosphorus concentration in the feed. The abundance of PAOs and GAOs was quantified using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). In the acetate fed PAO and GAO reactors, "Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis" (a known PAO) and "Candidatus Competibacter phosphatis" (a known GAO) were present in abundance. A novel GAO, likely belonging to the group of Alphaproteobacteria, was found to dominate the propionate fed GAO reactor. The results clearly show that there are some very distinctive differences between PAOs and GAOs in their ability to take up acetate and propionate. PAOs enriched with acetate as the sole carbon source were immediately able to take up propionate, likely at a similar rate as acetate. However, an enrichment of GAOs with acetate as the sole carbon source took up propionate at a much slower rate (only about 5% of the rate of acetate uptake on a COD basis) during a short-term switch in carbon source. A GAO enrichment with propionate as the sole carbon source took up acetate at a rate that was less than half of the propionate uptake rate on a COD basis. These results, along with literature reports showing that PAOs fed with propionate (also dominated by Accumulibacter) can immediately switch to acetate, suggesting that PAOs are more adaptable to changes in carbon source as compared to GAOs. This study suggests that the PAO and GAO competition could be influenced in favour of PAOs through the provision of propionate in the feed or even by regularly switching the dominant VFA species in the wastewater. Further study is necessary in order to provide greater support for these hypotheses.

Reducing sewer corrosion through integrated urban water management

Publisher: American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Date: 15-08-2014

DOI: 10.1126/SCIENCE.1251418

Abstract: Sewer systems are corroding at an alarming rate, costing governments billions of dollars to replace. Differences among water treatment systems make it difficult to track down the source of corrosive sulfide responsible for this damage. Pikaar et al. performed an extensive industry survey and s ling c aign across Australia (see the Perspective by Rauch and Kleidorfer). Aluminum sulfate added as a coagulant during drinking water treatment was the primary culprit in corroding sewer systems. Modifying this common treatment strategy to include sulfate-free coagulants could dramatically reduce sewer corrosion across the globe. Science , this issue p. 812 see also p. 734

Recovering Nitrogen as a Solid without Chemical Dosing: Bio-Electroconcentration for Recovery of Nutrients from Urine

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 03-02-2017

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.ESTLETT.7B00024

Consumption-based approach for assessing the contribution of hospitals towards the load of pharmaceutical residues in municipal wastewater

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2012.03.008

Abstract: Hospitals are considered as major sources of pharmaceutical residues discharged to municipal wastewater, but recent experimental studies showed that the contribution of hospitals to the loads of selected, quantifiable pharmaceuticals in sewage treatment plant (STP) influents was limited. However such conclusions are made based on the experimental analysis of pharmaceuticals in hospital wastewater which is hindered by a number of factors such as access to suitable s ling sites, difficulties in obtaining representative s les and availability of analytical methods. Therefore, this study explores a refined and extended consumption-based approach to predict the contribution of six selected Australian hospitals to the loads of 589 pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater. In addition, the possibility that hospital-specific substances are present at levels that may pose a risk for human health was evaluated. For 63 to 84% of the pharmaceuticals investigated, the selected hospitals are not a major point source with in idual contributions likely to be less than 15% which is in line with previous experimental studies. In contrast, between 10 and 20% of the pharmaceuticals consumed in the selected hospitals are exclusively used in these hospitals. For these hospital-specific substances, 57 distinct pharmaceuticals may cause concerns for human health as concentrations predicted in hospital effluents are less than 100-fold lower than effect thresholds. However, when concentrations were predicted in the influent of the corresponding STP, only 12 compounds (including the antineoplastic vincristine, the antibiotics tazobactam and piperacillin) remain in concentration close to effect thresholds, but further decrease is expected after removal in STP, dilution in the receiving stream and drinking water treatment. The results of this study suggest that risks of human exposure to the pharmaceuticals exclusively administered in the investigated hospitals are limited and decentralised wastewater treatment at these sites would not have a substantial impact on pharmaceutical loads entering STPs, and finally the environment. Overall, our approach demonstrates a unique opportunity to screen for pharmaceuticals used in hospitals and identifying priority pollutants in hospital wastewater explicitly accounting for site-specific conditions. Being based on consumption and loads discharged by hospitals into municipal wastewater, it is not limited by 1) the big effort to obtain representative s les from sewers, 2) the availability of sensitive chemical analysis or 3) a pre-selection of consumption data (e.g. consumption volume).

Production of targeted poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) copolymers by glycogen accumulating organisms using acetate as sole carbon source

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.JBIOTEC.2007.01.036

Abstract: One of the main limitations in bacterial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production with mixed cultures is the fact that primarily polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) homopolymers are generated from acetate as the main carbon source, which is brittle and quite fragile. The incorporation of different 3-hydroxyalkanoate (HA) components into the polymers requires the addition of additional carbon sources, leading to extra costs and complexity. In this study, the production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB)-co-3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV)-co-3-hydroxy-2-methylvalerate (3HMV)), with 7-35C-mol% of 3HV fractions from acetate as the only carbon source was achieved with the use of glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs). An enriched GAO culture was obtained in a lab-scale reactor operated under alternating anaerobic and aerobic conditions with acetate fed at the beginning of the anaerobic period. The production of PHAs utilizing the enriched GAO culture was investigated under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. A polymer content of 14-41% of dry cell weight was obtained. The PHA product accumulated by GAOs under anaerobic conditions contained a relatively constant proportion of non-3HB monomers (30+/-5C-mol%), irrespective of the amount of acetate assimilated. In contrast, under aerobic conditions, GAOs only produced 3HB monomers from acetate causing a gradually decreasing 3HV fraction during this aerobic feeding period. The PHAs were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The data demonstrated that the copolymers possessed similar characteristics to those of commercially available poly(3HB-co-3HV) (PHBV) products. The PHAs produced under solely anaerobic conditions possessed lower melting points and crystallinity, higher molecular weights, and narrower molecular-weight distributions, compared to the aerobically produced polymers. This paper hence demonstrates the significant potential of GAOs to produce high quality polymers from a simple and cheap carbon source, contributing considerably to the growing research body on bacterial PHA production by mixed cultures.

Effect of temperature and free ammonia on nitrification and nitrite accumulation in landfill leachate and analysis of its nitrifying bacterial community by FISH

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2005.03.032

Abstract: The cause of seasonal failure of a nitrifying municipal landfill leachate treatment plant utilizing a fixed biofilm was investigated by wastewater analyses and batch respirometric tests at every treatment stage. Nitrification of the leachate treatment plant was severely affected by the seasonal temperature variation. High free ammonia (NH3-N) inhibited not only nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) but also ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB). In addition, high pH also increased free ammonia concentration to inhibit nitrifying activity especially when the NH4-N level was high. The effects of temperature and free ammonia of landfill leachate on nitrification and nitrite accumulation were investigated with a semi-pilot scale biofilm airlift reactor. Nitrification rate of landfill leachate increased with temperature when free ammonia in the reactor was below the inhibition level for nitrifiers. Leachate was completely nitrified up to a load of 1.5 kg NH4-N m(-3)d(-1) at 28 degrees C. The activity of NOB was inhibited by NH3-N resulting in accumulation of nitrite. NOB activity decreased more than 50% at 0.7 mg NH3-N L(-1). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out to analyze the population of AOB and NOB in the nitrite accumulating nitrifying biofilm. NOB were located close to AOB by forming small clusters. A significant fraction of AOB identified by probe Nso1225 specifically also hybridized with the Nitrosomonas specific probe Nsm156. The main NOB were Nitrobacter and Nitrospira which were present in almost equal amounts in the biofilm as identified by simultaneous hybridization with Nitrobacter specific probe Nit3 and Nitrospira specific probe Ntspa662.

Methane formation in sewer systems

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2007.10.014

Abstract: Methane formation and emission in sewer systems has not received as much attention as hydrogen sulphide formation. Through field measurements from two rising mains, with an average sewage temperature of 28.4 and 26.6 degrees C, respectively, at the time of s ling, this study shows that a significant amount of methane can be produced in sewer systems, and that this production is positively correlated with the hydraulic retention time of wastewater in these systems. The experimental results from a laboratory-scale sewer system fed with real sewage with a temperature of approximately 21 degrees C confirmed these field observations and further revealed that methanogenesis and sulphate reduction occur simultaneously in sewers, with methane production contributing considerably more to the loss of soluble COD in sewers than sulphate reduction. The production of methane in sewers at levels revealed by this study is a serious environmental concern as it potentially results in greenhouse emissions that is comparable to that caused by the energy consumption for the treatment of the same wastewater. Further, methane production in sewers influences sulphide production and its management due to the competition between methanogens and sulphate-reducing bacteria for potentially the same electron donors. The potential interactions between sulphate-reducing and methanogenic bacteria in sewer networks are discussed.

Scaling-Free Electrochemical Production of Caustic and Oxygen for Sulfide Control in Sewers

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 24-09-2015

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.5B02188

Abstract: Caustic shock-loading and oxygen injection are commonly used by the water industry for biofilm and sulfide control in sewers. Caustic can be produced onsite from wastewater using a two-compartment electrochemical cell. This avoids the need for import and storage of caustic soda, which typically represents a cost and a hazard. An issue limiting the practical implementation of this approach is the occurrence of membrane scaling due to the almost universal presence of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) in wastewater. It results in a rapid increase in the cell voltage, thereby increasing the energy consumption of the system. Here, we propose and experimentally demonstrate an innovative solution for this problem involving the inclusion of a middle compartment between the anode and cathode compartments. Caustic was efficiently produced from wastewater over a period of 12 weeks and had an average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 84.1 ± 1.1% at practically relevant caustic strengths (∼3 wt %). Neither membrane scaling nor an increase in the cell voltage was observed throughout the experiments. In addition, dissolved oxygen was produced in the anode, resulting in continuously oxygenated wastewater leaving the three-compartment cell. This membrane-scaling control strategy represents a major step forward toward practical implementation of on-site simultaneous electrochemical caustic and oxygen generation for sulfide control in sewers and also has the potential to be applied to other (bio)electrochemical systems receiving wastewater as source for product recovery.

Reductive electrochemical remediation of emerging and regulated disinfection byproducts

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.12.042

Abstract: Long-term exposure to low concentrations of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water has been associated with increased human-health risks of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes. In this study, we investigated electrochemical reduction utilizing a resin-impregnated graphite cathode for the degradation of 17 DBPs (i.e. halomethanes, haloacetonitriles, halopropanones, chloral hydrate and trichloronitromethane) at low μg L(-1) concentration levels. The reduction experiments were potentiostatically controlled at cathode potentials -700, -800 and -900 mV vs Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE) during 24 h. At the lowest potential applied (i.e. -900 mV vs SHE), the disappearance of DBPs from the solution after 24 h of reduction was >70%, except for chloroform (32%), 1,1-dichloropropanone (48%), and chloral hydrate (31%). Due to the participation of several removal mechanisms (e.g. electrochemical reduction, adsorption, volatilization and/or hydrolysis) it was not possible to distinguish the removal efficiencies of electrochemical reduction of in idual compounds. Adsorption of the more hydrophilic DBPs (i.e. haloacetonitriles, chloral hydrate, and 1,1-dichloropropanone) onto the electrode seems to be affected by the cathode polarization, as the removals observed in the open circuit experiments were significantly higher than the ones obtained in electrochemical reduction under the same conditions. The overall efficiency of reduction was estimated based on the analyses of the released Cl(-), Br(-) and I(-) ions. Nearly complete C-I bond cleavage was achieved at all three potentials applied, and from the theoretically predicted release of I(-) ions, calculated based on the removed DBPs, 86 ± 9 to 92 ± 1% was measured in the catholyte solution at -700 to -900 mV vs SHE. Debromination efficiencies obtained were 74 ± 3, 79 ± 6 and 68 ± 4% at -700, -800 and -900 mV vs SHE, while for C-Cl bond cleavage the obtained values were 69 ± 1, 72 ± 1 and 76 ± 4%, respectively. Nevertheless, dechlorination efficiencies are to be considered as approximate, since an increase in Cl(-) concentration was observed in the open circuit experiments due to the hydrolysis of some of the chlorine-containing DBPs. Although the Coulombic efficiencies for DPBs dehalogenation were only 1.9 ± 0.3 (-900 mV vs SHE) -4.1 ± 0.2% (-700 mV vs SHE), relatively low energy consumption of the process was observed, estimated at 72 ± 2 Wh m(-3) at -900 mV vs SHE for the concentration range of DBPs in this study (i.e. 65.3-129.7 μg L(-1)). The study demonstrated that reductive electrochemical treatment has the potential to be a modern remediation technology for the removal of low concentrations of halogenated DBPs in water.

Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in bench-scale sequencing batch reactors

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-1996

DOI: 10.1016/0043-1354(95)00174-3

Electron and carbon balances in microbial fuel cells reveal temporary bacterial storage behavior during electricity generation

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 20-03-2007

DOI: 10.1021/ES062611I

Abstract: Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are emerging as a novel technology with a great potential to reduce the costs of wastewater treatment. Their most studied application is organic carbon removal. One of the parameters commonly used to quantify the performance of these cells is the Coulombic efficiency, i.e., the electron recovery as electricity from the removed substrate. However, the "inefficiencies" of the process have never been fully identified. This study presents a method that uses the combination of electrochemical monitoring, chemical analysis, and a titration and off-gas analysis (TOGA) sensor to identify and quantify the sources of electron loss. The method was used successfully to close electron, carbon, and proton balances in acetate and glucose fed microbial fuel cells. The method revealed that in the case that a substrate is loaded as pulses carbon is stored inside the cells during initial high substrate conditions and consumed during starvation, with up to 57% of the current being generated after depletion of the external carbon source. Nile blue staining of biomass s les revealed lipophilic inclusions during high substrate conditions, thus confirming the storage of polymeric material in the bacterial cells. The method also allows for indirect measurement of growth yields, which ranged from 0 to 0.54 g biomass-C formed per g substrate-C used, depending on the type of substrate and the external resistance of the circuit.

High Acetic Acid Production Rate Obtained by Microbial Electrosynthesis from Carbon Dioxide

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 28-10-2015

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.5B03821

Abstract: High product specificity and production rate are regarded as key success parameters for large-scale applicability of a (bio)chemical reaction technology. Here, we report a significant performance enhancement in acetate formation from CO2, reaching comparable productivity levels as in industrial fermentation processes (volumetric production rate and product yield). A biocathode current density of -102 ± 1 A m(-2) and an acetic acid production rate of 685 ± 30 (g m(-2) day(-1)) have been achieved in this study. High recoveries of 94 ± 2% of the CO2 supplied as the sole carbon source and 100 ± 4% of electrons into the final product (acetic acid) were achieved after development of a mature biofilm, reaching an elevated product titer of up to 11 g L(-1). This high product specificity is remarkable for mixed microbial cultures, which would make the product downstream processing easier and the technology more attractive. This performance enhancement was enabled through the combination of a well-acclimatized and enriched microbial culture (very fast start-up after culture transfer), coupled with the use of a newly synthesized electrode material, EPD-3D. The throwing power of the electrophoretic deposition technique, a method suitable for large-scale production, was harnessed to form multiwalled carbon nanotube coatings onto reticulated vitreous carbon to generate a hierarchical porous structure.

Modeling aerobic carbon oxidation and storage by integrating respirometric, titrimetric, and off-gas CO2 measurements

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 2004

DOI: 10.1002/BIT.20199

Abstract: A method for detailed investigation of aerobic carbon degradation processes by microorganisms is presented. The method relies on an integrated use of the respirometric, titrimetric, and off-gas CO(2) measurements. The oxygen uptake rate (OUR), hydrogen ion production rate (HPR), and the carbon dioxide transfer rate (CTR) resulting from the biological as well as physicochemical processes, coupled with a metabolic model characterizing both the growth and carbon storage processes, enables the comprehensive study of the carbon degradation processes. The method allows the formation of carbon storage products and the biomass growth rates to be estimated without requiring any off-line biomass or liquid-phase measurements, although the practical identifiability of the system could be improved with additional measurements. Furthermore, the combined yield for biomass growth and carbon storage is identifiable, along with the affinity constant with respect to the carbon substrate. However, the in idual yields for growth and carbon storage are not identifiable without further knowledge about the metabolic pathways employed by the microorganisms in the carbon conversion. This is true even when more process variables are measured. The method is applied to the aerobic carbon substrate degradation by a full-scale sludge using acetate as an ex le carbon source. The sludge was able to quickly take up the substrate and store it as poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). The PHB formation rate was a few times faster than the biomass growth rate, which was confirmed by off-line liquid- and solid-phase analysis. The estimated combined yield for biomass growth and carbon storage compared closely to that determined from the theoretical yields reported in literature based on thermodynamics. This suggests that the theoretical yields may be used as default parameters for modeling purposes.

Nitrogen removal from wastewater by coupling anammox and methane-dependent denitrification in a membrane biofilm reactor

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 26-09-2013

DOI: 10.1021/ES402775Z

Abstract: This work demonstrates, for the first time, the feasibility of nitrogen removal by using the synergy of anammox and denitrifying anaerobic methane oxidation (DAMO) microorganisms in a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR). The reactor was fed with synthetic wastewater containing nitrate and ammonium. Methane was delivered from the interior of hollow fibres in the MBfR to the biofilm that grew on the fiber's outer wall. After 24 months of operation, the system achieved a nitrate and an ammonium removal rate of about 190 mgN L(-1) d(-1) (or 86 mgN m(-2) d(-1), with m(2) referring to biofilm surface area) and 60 mgN L(-1) d(-1) (27 mgN m(-2) d(-1)), respectively. No nitrite accumulation was observed. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis indicated that DAMO bacteria (20-30%), DAMO archaea (20-30%) and anammox bacteria (20-30%) jointly dominated the microbial community. Based on the known metabolism of these microorganisms, mass balance, and isotope studies, we hypothesize that DAMO archaea converted nitrate, both externally fed and produced by anammox, to nitrite, with methane as the electron donor. Anammox and DAMO bacteria jointly removed the nitrite produced, with ammonium and methane as the electron donor, respectively. The process could potentially be used for anaerobic nitrogen removal from wastewater streams containing ammonium and nitrate/nitrite.

Sulfur transformation in rising main sewers receiving nitrate dosage

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.07.001

Abstract: The anoxic and anaerobic sulfur transformation pathways in a laboratory-scale sewer receiving nitrate were investigated. Four reactors in series were employed to imitate a rising main sewer. The nitrate-dosing strategy was effective in controlling sulfide, as confirmed by the long-term sulfide measurements. Anoxic sulfide oxidation occurred in two sequential steps, namely the oxidation of sulfide to elemental sulfur (S(0)) and the oxidation of S(0) to sulfate (SO(4)(2-)). The second oxidation step, which primarily occurred when the first step was completed, had a rate that is approximately 15% of the first step. When nitrate was depleted, sulfate and elemental sulfur were reduced simultaneously to sulfide. Sulfate reduction had a substantially higher rate (5 times) than S(0) reduction. The relatively slower S(0) oxidation and reduction rates implied that S(0) was an important intermediate during anoxic and anaerobic sulfur transformation. Electron microscopic studies indicated the presence of elemental sulfur, which was at a significant level of 9.9 and 16.7 mg-S/g-biomass in nitrate-free and nitrate-exposed sewer biofilms, respectively. A conceptual sulfur transformation model was established to characterize predominant sulfur transformations in rising main sewers receiving nitrate dosage. The findings are pertinent for optimizing nitrate dosing to control sulfide in rising main sewers.

Nutrient removal and energy recovery from high-rate activated sludge processes – Impact of sludge age

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2017.08.115

Abstract: This study evaluated high-rate activated sludge treatment across a broad range of short solids retention times (SRT)s (0.5-3d) and found a strong SRT-outcome dependence for performance and subsequent anaerobic degradability of the sludge. Up to 50% total nitrogen, and 35% ammonia removal was also achieved at the longer SRTs, via partitioning rather than reaction. The aerobic SRT significantly affected the anaerobic degradability of the sludge produced (p<0.001), with degradability increasing from 66% to over 80% while reducing the SRT from 3d to 0.5d. This is higher than predicted by conventional models, likely due to additional mechanisms such as adsorption and storage, not included in these.

Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Illicit Drugs from Wastewater Due to Ferric Dosing in Sewers

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 09-05-2019

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.EST.8B07155

Abstract: Ferric (Fe

Use of stable-isotope probing, full-cycle rRNA analysis, and fluorescence in situ hybridization-microautoradiography to study a methanol-fed denitrifying microbial community

Publisher: American Society for Microbiology

Date: 2004

DOI: 10.1128/AEM.70.1.588-596.2004

Abstract: A denitrifying microbial consortium was enriched in an anoxically operated, methanol-fed sequencing batch reactor (SBR) fed with a mineral salts medium containing methanol as the sole carbon source and nitrate as the electron acceptor. The SBR was inoculated with sludge from a biological nutrient removal activated sludge plant exhibiting good denitrification. The SBR denitrification rate improved from less than 0.02 mg of NO 3 − -N mg of mixed-liquor volatile suspended solids (MLVSS) −1 h −1 to a steady-state value of 0.06 mg of NO 3 − -N mg of MLVSS −1 h −1 over a 7-month operational period. At this time, the enriched microbial community was subjected to stable-isotope probing (SIP) with [ 13 C]methanol to biomark the DNA of the denitrifiers. The extracted [ 13 C]DNA and [ 12 C]DNA from the SIP experiment were separately subjected to full-cycle rRNA analysis. The dominant 16S rRNA gene phylotype (group A clones) in the [ 13 C]DNA clone library was closely related to those of the obligate methylotrophs Methylobacillus and Methylophilus in the order Methylophilales of the Betaproteobacteria (96 to 97% sequence identities), while the most abundant clone groups in the [ 12 C]DNA clone library mostly belonged to the family Saprospiraceae in the Bacteroidetes phylum. Oligonucleotide probes for use in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were designed to specifically target the group A clones and Methylophilales (probes DEN67 and MET1216, respectively) and the Saprospiraceae clones (probe SAP553). Application of these probes to the SBR biomass over the enrichment period demonstrated a strong correlation between the level of SBR denitrification and relative abundance of DEN67-targeted bacteria in the SBR community. By contrast, there was no correlation between the denitrification rate and the relative abundances of the well-known denitrifying genera Hyphomicrobium and Paracoccus or the Saprospiraceae clones visualized by FISH in the SBR biomass. FISH combined with microautoradiography independently confirmed that the DEN67-targeted cells were the dominant bacterial group capable of anoxic [ 14 C]methanol uptake in the enriched biomass. The well-known denitrification lag period in the methanol-fed SBR was shown to coincide with a lag phase in growth of the DEN67-targeted denitrifying population. We conclude that Methylophilales bacteria are the dominant denitrifiers in our SBR system and likely are important denitrifiers in full-scale methanol-fed denitrifying sludges.

High current generation coupled to caustic production using a lamellar bioelectrochemical system

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 06-05-2010

DOI: 10.1021/ES9037963

Abstract: Recently, bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) have emerged as a promising technology for energy and product recovery from wastewaters. To become economically viable, BESs need to (i) reach sufficient turnover rates at scale and (ii) generate a product that offsets the investment costs within a reasonable time frame. Here we used a liter scale, lamellar BES to produce a caustic solution at the cathode. The reactor was operated as a three-electrode system, in which the anode potential was fixed and power was supplied over the reactor to allow spontaneous anodic current generation. In laboratory conditions, with acetate as electron donor in the anode, the system generated up to 1.05 A (at 1.77 V applied cell voltage, 1015 A m(-3) anode volume), and allowed for the production of caustic to 3.4 wt %, at an acetate to caustic efficiency of 61%. The reactor was subsequently operated on a brewery site, directly using effluent from the brewing process. Currents of up to 0.38 A were achieved within a six-week time frame. Considerable fluctuations over weekly periods were observed, due to operational parameter changes. This study is the first to demonstrate effective production of caustic at liter scale, using BESs both in laboratory and field conditions. It also shows that input of power can easily be justified by product value.

Characterisation and removal of recalcitrants in reverse osmosis concentrates from water reclamation plants

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2011.01.024

Abstract: Water reclamation plants frequently utilise reverse osmosis (RO), generating a concentrated reject stream as a by-product. The concentrate stream contains salts, and dissolved organic compounds, which are recalcitrant to biological treatment, and may have an environmental impact due to colour and embedded nitrogen. In this study, we characterise organic compounds in RO concentrates (ROC) and treated ROC (by coagulation, adsorption, and advanced oxidation) from two full-scale plants, assessing the ersity and treatability of colour and organic compounds containing nitrogen. One of the plants was from a coastal catchment, while the other was inland. Stirred cell membrane fractionation was applied to fractionate the treated ROC, and untreated ROC along with chemical analysis (DOC, DON, COD), colour, and fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) scans to characterise changes within each fraction. In both streams, the largest fraction contained 10 kDa molecules, with 17-34% of organic compounds as COD. Iron coagulation affected a wider size range, with better removal of organics (41-49% as COD) at the same molar dosage. As with iron, adsorption reduced organics of a broader size range, including organic nitrogen (26-47%). Advanced oxidation (UV/H2O2) was superior for complete decolourisation and provided superior organics removal (50-55% as COD).

Online titrimetric and off-gas analysis for examining nitrification processes in wastewater treatment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2003

DOI: 10.1016/S0043-1354(03)00022-8

Gel-forming exopolysaccharides explain basic differences between structures of aerobic sludge granules and floccular sludges

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2009

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2009.07.018

Abstract: The sol-gel transition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) derived from sludge flocs and granules is investigated in order to explain basic differences between the two aggregates. A reversible, pH dependent sol-gel transition was observed at pH 9.0-12.0 in EPS extracted from granules. At pH <9 granule EPS existed as a strong gel, indicating that their EPS exist in a gel state at normal operating pH of a wastewater treatment system (i.e. 6.0-8.5). This characteristic transition from solution to strong gel was not observed in any of the EPS s les derived from floccular sludges. A transition to a weak gel was however, observed at pH 4.0-5.0. Enriched exopolysaccharides from the granular EPS exhibited rheological behaviour analogous to the granules and the granule EPS. The critical overlap concentration (c*) of the exopolysaccharide concentrate was 0.33% w/w, similar to the c* of other known bacterial exopolysaccharides. Additionally, the protein content was found to be not contributing to the storage modulus of granule EPS gels. These factors suggest that exopolysaccharides or glycosides were the gelling agent in aerobic sludge granules. Given that EPS derived from aerobic sludge granules and flocs are distinguished by such a sol-strong gel transition, these exopolysaccharides therefore likely play an important role in granulation.

Differential distribution of ammonia- and nitrite-oxidising bacteria in flocs and granules from a nitrifying/denitrifying sequencing batch reactor

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2006

DOI: 10.1016/J.ENZMICTEC.2006.03.024

Modelling biological processes under anaerobic conditions through integrating titrimetric and off-gas measurements - Applied to EBPR systems

Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg

Date: 2006

DOI: 10.1007/11758501_28

A decision support system for selecting sanitation systems in developing countries

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2002

DOI: 10.1016/S0038-0121(02)00007-1

Biological nutrient removal efficiency in treatment of saline wastewater

Publisher: IWA Publishing

Date: 1999

DOI: 10.1016/S0273-1223(99)00138-9

Biofilm stratification during simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) at a biocathode

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2010.06.155

Abstract: The aeration of the cathode compartment of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) was recently shown to promote simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND). This study investigates the cathodic metabolism under different operating conditions as well as the structural organization of the cathodic biofilm during SND. Results show that a maximal nitrogen removal efficiency of 86.9 ± 0.5%, and a removal rate of 3.39 ± 0.08 mg NL(-1)h(-1) could be achieved at a dissolved oxygen (DO) level of 5.73 ± 0.03 mg L(-1) in the catholyte. The DO levels used in this study are higher than the thresholds previously reported as detrimental for denitrification. Analysis of the cathodic half-cell potential during batch tests suggested the existence of an oxygen gradient within the biofilm while performing SND. FISH analysis corroborated this finding revealing that the structure of the biofilm included an outer layer occupied by putative nitrifying organisms, and an inner layer where putative denitrifying organisms were most dominant. To our best knowledge this is the first time that nitrifying and denitrifying microorganisms are simultaneously observed in a cathodic biofilm.

Fully reversible current driven by a dual marine photosynthetic microbial community

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2015.06.055

Abstract: The electrochemical activity of two seawater microbial consortia were investigated in three-electrode bioelectrochemical cells. Two seawater inocula - from the Sunshine Coast (SC) and Gold Coast (GC) shores of Australia - were enriched at +0.6 V vs. SHE using 12/12 h day/night cycles. After re-inoculation, the SC consortium developed a fully-reversible cathodic/anodic current, with a max. of -62 mA m(-2) during the day and +110 mA m(-2) at night, while the GC exhibited negligible daytime output but +98 mA m(-2) at night. Community analysis revealed that both enrichments were dominated by cyanobacteria, indicating their potential as biocatalysts for indirect light conversion to electricity. Moreover, the presence of γ-proteobacterium Congregibacter in SC biofilm was likely related to the cathodic reductive current, indicating its effectiveness at catalysing cathodic oxygen reduction at a surprisingly high potential. For the first time a correlation between a dual microbial community and fully reversible current is reported.

Western University

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Dalhousie University

Location: Canada

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York University

Location: Canada

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Cooperative Research Centre For Water Sensitive Cities

Location: No location found

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Cooperative Research Centre For Water Sensitive Cities

Location: Australia

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The University Of Manitoba

Location: Canada

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Western University

Location: Canada

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University Of Queensland

Location: Australia

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ETH Zürich

Location: Switzerland

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Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP140100386

Start Date: 06-2015

End Date: 09-2017

Amount: $400,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP110100539

Start Date: 2011

End Date: 12-2014

Amount: $360,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0989159

Start Date: 09-2009

End Date: 08-2012

Amount: $300,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0210502

Start Date: 2002

End Date: 09-2005

Amount: $248,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0454182

Start Date: 06-2004

End Date: 06-2007

Amount: $708,168.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0562707

Start Date: 03-2006

End Date: 12-2010

Amount: $355,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP120104415

Start Date: 2012

End Date: 02-2016

Amount: $400,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0669527

Start Date: 12-2007

End Date: 12-2009

Amount: $164,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP150100402

Start Date: 02-2016

End Date: 12-2019

Amount: $420,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP100200223

Start Date: 06-2011

End Date: 06-2014

Amount: $300,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100032

Start Date: 05-2011

End Date: 05-2012

Amount: $240,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100129

Start Date: 2014

End Date: 05-2015

Amount: $249,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0666927

Start Date: 2006

End Date: 12-2011

Amount: $1,300,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0666762

Start Date: 07-2006

End Date: 02-2010

Amount: $560,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP100100325

Start Date: 08-2010

End Date: 03-2015

Amount: $293,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0342658

Start Date: 2003

End Date: 05-2006

Amount: $199,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0882016

Start Date: 10-2008

End Date: 10-2013

Amount: $4,656,803.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0883080

Start Date: 2008

End Date: 12-2008

Amount: $490,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP160102308

Start Date: 2016

End Date: 12-2019

Amount: $509,801.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354632

Start Date: 03-2004

End Date: 06-2004

Amount: $10,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0985317

Start Date: 2009

End Date: 06-2014

Amount: $520,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP120200238

Start Date: 02-2013

End Date: 02-2016

Amount: $320,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage - International - Grant ID: LX0346843

Start Date: 2003

End Date: 12-2003

Amount: $116,058.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP0347793

Start Date: 2003

End Date: 12-2007

Amount: $574,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100027

Start Date: 05-2019

End Date: 05-2023

Amount: $1,086,676.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP220100336

Start Date: 2023

End Date: 12-2025

Amount: $718,413.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE190100201

Start Date: 05-2019

End Date: 05-2021

Amount: $725,405.00

Funder: Australian Research Council