Review
Agricultural Engineering
Mark T. Holtzapple, Haoran Wu, Paul J. Weimer, Rachel Dalke, Cesar B. Granda, Jesse Mai, Meltem Urgun-Demirtas
Summary: The carboxylate platform utilizes a diverse microbial consortium to digest biomass and produce high yields of products without sterilization, accepting a wide range of feedstocks. It is highlighted for its thermodynamic basis, inoculum source and operating conditions, and downstream chemical processes for converting carboxylates to fuels and chemicals, establishing it as a viable and economical route for industrial biomass utilization.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Dawei Yu, Qingqing Zhang, Bram De Jaegher, Jibao Liu, Qianwen Sui, Xiang Zheng, Yuansong Wei
Summary: The study found that in anaerobic digestion under ammonia stress, proton pump inhibitors can mitigate ammonia accumulation by inhibiting beta-oxidation of fatty acids and stimulating syntrophic acetate oxidation, thereby enhancing methane production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Najoua Mlaik, Fatma Karray, Sami Sayadi, Firas Feki, Sonia Khoufi
Summary: The study examined the anaerobic digestion of organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) and its impact on the microbial community. The results showed that the biogas yield decreased with increased organic loading rates (OLRs) and the microbial community composition changed during the digestion process.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Haiquan Dong, Liangchen Yue, Jun Cheng, Rongxin Xia, Junhu Zhou
Summary: Microbial electro-chemical degradation was proposed to enhance methane production from lipids in anaerobic digestion. Applying a voltage strengthened the beta-oxidation of lipids, promoting electron transfer and methane yield. The overall energy conversion efficiency in methane production increased due to microbial electrochemical degradation of lipids.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Zuopeng Lv, Pingli Lyu, Kunyao Li, Fuyu Song, Zhen Zhang, Ying Yang, Haiying Yu
Summary: This research reveals the impact of high temperature shock on microbial diversity and network traits in anaerobic digestion process. It shows that the rise in temperature reduces biogas production and network modularity, resulting in a loss of system functioning. The stability of methanogenic process is also disrupted by high temperature shock.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yusron Sugiarto, Nimas Mayang S. Sunyoto, Mingming Zhu, Isabelle Jones, Dongke Zhang
Summary: Compared to the control without biochar addition, the addition of raw biochar significantly increased YM by 46.9% and RM by 43.0%, while leached biochar only increased the YM by 33.2% and RM by 18.2%, respectively. The Fe-containing minerals in biochar were found to enhance VFA degradation and increase population of Clostridia and Methanosaeta, improving the CH4 production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yanqing Duan, Aijuan Zhou, Xiuping Yue, Sufang Wang, Yanjuan Gao, Yanhong Luo, Xiao Zhang, Jiaguang Zhang
Summary: The exploration of value-added products from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) shows promising potential for sustainable development. This study investigated the production boost of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and recovery of cellulosic components from fine-sieving fractions (FSF) under initial alkaline conditions. The fermentation under high alkaline intensity resulted in the highest VFAs yields, but also caused protein denaturation, highlighting the potential of this initial-alkaline motivated fermentation technology to be cost economic, energy positive and environmentally friendly.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Phillimon T. Odirile, Potlako M. Marumoloa, Anthoula Manali, Petros Gikas
Summary: Two types of primary sewage sludge, PC and MS, were used for biogas production through anaerobic digestion. PC sludge showed higher daily biogas production initially, while MS sludge reached a stable peak after 14 days. Although the cumulative biogas production over 30 days was similar for both sludges, PC sludge demonstrated higher daily production compared to MS sludge.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhen Zhou, Qiang Ming, Ying An, Danian Ruan, Guang Chen, Haijuan Wei, Mengyu Wang, Zhichao Wu
Summary: The study found that in-situ microaeration can increase biogas production and VS removal rate of sludge through mechanisms such as stimulating hydrolytic enzyme activity, enlarging sludge particle size, and improving sludge dewaterability.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Juan Cubero-Cardoso, Egidio Russo, Antonio Serrano, Angeles Trujillo-Reyes, Denys Villa-Gomez, Giovanni Esposito, Fernando G. Fermoso
Summary: This study assessed the potential use of strawberry extrudate (SE) as a carbon source for volatile fatty acid (VFA) production under different pH conditions. Anaerobic digestion at pH 7 resulted in methane production, while at pH 9 and 5, VFA accumulated with acetic acid being the predominant VFA at pH 9 and propionic and butyric acids being the major VFAs at pH 5.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Junkai Hu, Yongde Liu, Xue Song, Jihong Zhao, Qiaochong He
Summary: This study investigated the potential of using Brassica chinensis waste (BCW) for anaerobic fermentative production of volatile fatty acids (VFA). The results showed that stacking time, initial pH, inoculum dose, and temperature all had significant effects on VFA yield and the microbial community structure. Stacking BCW for 3 days resulted in the highest VFA yield of 187.79 mgCOD/gVS. VFA production was inhibited under acidic and alkaline conditions, and the optimal inoculum dose was found to be 2 gTS/L. Firmicutes and Proteobacteria were identified as the dominant microorganisms involved in the acid production step of hydrolysis in anaerobic fermentation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mario F. Castellon-Zelaya, Simon Gonzalez-Martinez
Summary: The study shows that the production of metabolites during silage increases with decreasing solids concentration regardless of the temperature, and methane production from ensiled OFMSW at 10% solids concentration is better than from fresh OFMSW under all tested conditions. Ensiled OFMSW produces more methane than fresh OFMSW, and methane production is highest at 35 degrees C.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Judd Adam Larson, David Michael Bagley
Summary: This study investigated the taxonomies of bacteria, archaea, and fungi in a cellulolytic enrichment reactor using sequencing techniques. The study also demonstrated the use of a centrifugation separation technique to analyze different biomass fractions. The results showed significant differences in taxonomic compositions between the sessile and planktonic biomass fractions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hao Guo, Junjie Hua, Jun Cheng, Liangchen Yue, Junhu Zhou
Summary: Microbial electrodes were used to enhance electron transfer in lactic acid anaerobic digestion system, reducing the inhibition effect of propionic acid on methane production. Excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy analysis showed that electrochemical treatment changed the intercellular electron transfer pathway and reduced the content of humic acids. The abundance of electron-producing bacteria Firmicutes and hydrogenotrophic methanogens Methanoculleus increased, leading to more electron generation and methane production.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kasra Khatami, Merve Atasoy, Maximilian Ludtke, Christian Baresel, Ozge Eyice, Zeynep Cetecioglu
Summary: The study investigated the impact of different sludge inoculums, pH levels, and retention times on the generation of VFAs during anaerobic digestion of food waste. Acetic acid was the dominant product under alkaline conditions, while propionic and acetic acids were dominant under acidic conditions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Tao, Mustafa Evren Ersahin, Dara S. M. Ghasimi, Hale Ozgun, Haoyu Wang, Xuedong Zhang, Miao Guo, Yunfeng Yang, David C. Stuckey, Jules B. van Lier
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chao Li, Yu Tao, Jun Fang, Qiang Li, Wenjing Lu
Article
Engineering, Environmental
G. Kooijman, M. K. de Kreuk, C. Houtman, J. B. van Lier
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lenno van den Berg, Catherine M. Kirkland, Joseph D. Seymour, Sarah L. Codd, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Merle K. de Kreuk
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jin Li, Xiuqin Chen, Wenzong Liu, Yu Tao
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lenno van den Berg, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Merle K. de Kreuk
Summary: This study investigated the impact of different methods on the measurement of diffusion coefficients in biofilm processes. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to assess the precision of each method, revealing a wide range of variability. The results suggest that existing experimental methods may lead to inaccurate determination of diffusion coefficients.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Adrian Gonzalez, Hongxiao Guo, Oscar Ortega-Ibanez, Coert Petri, Jules B. van Lier, Merle de Kreuk, Alexander Hendriks
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shan-Shan Yang, Xin-Lei Yu, Meng-Qi Ding, Lei He, Guang-Li Cao, Lei Zhao, Yu Tao, Ji-Wei Pang, Shun-Wen Bai, Jie Ding, Nan-Qi Ren
Summary: The study developed an AO ALK/ULS system to enhance biological nitrogen removal in domestic wastewater with a low C/N ratio, with a real-time control strategy and a BPANN model used to optimize process control. The BPANN model effectively captured complex nonlinear relationships, enabling real-time dynamic response and process optimization control for treating low C/N domestic wastewater.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hao Wang, Hui Yun, Xiaodan Ma, Minghan Li, Mengyuan Qi, Ling Wang, Zhiling Li, Shuhong Gao, Yu Tao, Bin Liang, Aijie Wang
Summary: This study investigated the bioelectrochemical catabolism of the emerging contaminant TCC in domestic wastewater and its subsequent mineralization. The microbial degradation of TCC to chloroanilines and CO2 was achieved through the adaptation of specific microbial communities. The addition of TCC enhanced the synergistic effect within functional microbial communities. This study provides a new approach for the efficient removal of TCC from domestic wastewater using a green and low-carbon bioelectrochemical method.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lenno van den Berg, Mario Pronk, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Merle K. de Kreuk
Summary: This study compared four methods to measure the density of granular sludge in a full-scale plant treating domestic sewage, and assessed the effect of salinity on granule density. Most methods yielded reliable results, as long as the effect of salinity was considered.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tiefu Xu, Yu Tao, Lan Song, Haoyu Wang, Binqiao Ren
Summary: Microbial activities in highly polluted waters are promoted, and a unique microbiome was discovered in East Lake with Proteobacteria being the dominant taxonomic group. Functional analysis revealed abundant predicted functional genes for sulfur compound respiration and sulfate respiration. This work provides evidence for future microbiome studies in nutrient-rich, alkalic, and seasonally frozen water habitats.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xi-Qi Li, Wen-Zong Liu, Ai-Jie Wang, Xiang-Yu Gao, Yu Tao, Xiao-Li Ge, Zhen Lin
Summary: Ink wastewater containing hazardous substances can be efficiently treated by utilizing nano-materials to remove oil and pollutants, leading to good coagulation and sedimentation.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Javier A. Pavez-Jara, Jules B. van Lier, Merle K. de Kreuk
Summary: Full-scale thermal hydrolysis processes (THP) can negatively impact methanogenesis during anaerobic digestion (AD). This research investigates the distribution and degradation of nutrients and melanoidins in THP-sludge during AD. The results show that THP-formed soluble melanoidins have partial biodegradability, especially those with a molecular weight below 1.1 kDa. TAN concentration increased after AD, and the presence of TAN and associated FAN strongly inhibited methanogenesis.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Antonella Piaggio, Srilekha Mittapalli, David Calderon-Franco, David Weissbrodt, Jules van Lier, Merle de Kreuk, Ralph Lindeboom
Summary: This study investigates the effects of adding antibiotics to a micro-aerated anaerobic membrane bioreactor (MA-AnMBR). The results show that antibiotics have no effect on wastewater treatment efficiency, but they do affect the pH value and biogas composition of the process. In addition, the addition of antibiotics increases the relative abundance of antibiotic-resistant genes and mobile genetic elements in the system.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lenno van den Berg, Sara Toja Ortega, Mark C. M. van Loosdrecht, Merle K. de Kreuk
Summary: This study investigated the diffusion of different molecular weight substrates within aerobic granular sludge, and found that the diffusion coefficients within the granules were not significantly different from those in water for substrates with molecular weights up to 4000 Da. The structure of the granules was characterized as having large macropores and semi-solid regions, with different degrees of obstruction to diffusion. Furthermore, the majority of the influent soluble COD was found to be lighter than 1 kDa, indicating that it can be considered as diffusible COD.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rong-Gui Zhu, Chang-Gui Pan, Feng-Jiao Peng, Chao-Yang Zhou, Jun-Jie Hu, Kefu Yu
Summary: This comprehensive survey investigated the occurrence, bioaccumulation, and trophic magnification of parabens and their metabolite 4-HB in a marine food web. Results showed that parabens were the predominant pollutants in marine organisms, with significant bioaccumulation from sediments. The estimated trophic magnification factor indicated biomagnification for MeP and trophic dilution for 4-HB. Overall, the risks for humans consuming marine organisms were found to be low.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andres F. Torres-Franco, Deborah Leroy-Freitas, Cristina Martinez-Fraile, Elisa Rodriguez, Pedro A. Garcia-Encina, Raul Munoz
Summary: Anaerobic and microalgae-based technologies have emerged as sustainable alternatives for municipal wastewater treatment. However, the presence of viruses in the treated wastewater is a major concern for reuse applications. This study assessed the ability of these technologies to reduce viruses during secondary wastewater treatment. The results showed that all technologies were effective in reducing the concentration of viruses, with microalgae-based treatment exhibiting the highest potential for reducing the disinfection requirements of treated wastewater.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Young Gwang Kim, Sae Yun Kwon, Spencer J. Washburn, Scott C. Brooks, Ji Won Yoon, Lucien Besnard
Summary: The study uses Hg isotope ratios to identify the sources and exposure pathways of mercury in bivalves, finding that dissolved Hg phases in the water column are the primary source and exposure pathway to bivalves. This provides new insights into using bivalves as bioindicators for sediment quality monitoring.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hui Geng, Ying Xu, Rui Liu, Dianhai Yang, Xiaohu Dai
Summary: This study investigates the effect of cation exchange resin (CER) on the sequential recovery of hydrogen and methane from anaerobic digestion (AD) and the corresponding mechanisms. The results show that CER can simultaneously enhance the production of hydrogen and methane by promoting the solubilisation, hydrolysis, and acidification of organic matter. Additionally, CER facilitates effective contact between bacteria and organic particulates and reduces the energy barrier for mass transfer during methane production. The study also reveals changes in the microbial community structure and metagenomics during the AD process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaojing Lin, Zhan Jin, Shunfeng Jiang, Zhiquan Wang, Suqing Wu, Ke Bei, Min Zhao, Xiangyong Zheng
Summary: Dehumidification combined with addition of absorbent resin supplement (ARS) was used to achieve rapid evaporation of non-pretreated urine, resulting in high water evaporation efficiency and nutrient recovery.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yangli Che, Chaoran Lin, Shen Li, Jiao Liu, Longhai Zhu, Shilei Yu, Nan Wang, Haoshuai Li, Mutai Bao, Yang Zhou, Tonghao Si, Rui Bao
Summary: Hydrodynamic processes play a crucial role in the transmission of sediments, microbial assembly, and organic carbon redistribution in the ocean. Through experiments and analysis, we found that hydrodynamics shape the assembly of microbial communities and control the redistribution of different sourced organic carbon, thereby influencing microbial-mediated biogeochemical transformation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Chen, Yu Yang, Nigel J. D. Graham, Zhenyu Li, Xingtao Yang, Zhining Wang, Nadia Farhat, Johannes S. Vrouwenvelder, Li -an Hou
Summary: The fouling of seawater reverse osmosis membranes is a persistent challenge in desalination. This study monitored the operational performance of a desalination plant for 7 years and the fouling development in different areas of membrane modules. The findings showed that operational performance declined over time and fouling mainly occurred at the feed side of the modules, with the highest microbial diversity. Keystone species like Chloroflexi and Planctomycetes played an important role in maintaining community structure and biofilm maturation. Polysaccharides, soluble microbial products, marine humic acid-like substances, and inorganic substances contributed to fouling. Overall, biofouling had a significant impact on membrane fouling after 7 years of operation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Dan Li, Jieyi Sun, Yibo Fu, Wentao Hong, Heli Wang, Qian Yang, Junhong Wu, Sen Yang, Jianhui Xu, Yunfei Zhang, Yirong Deng, Yin Zhong, Ping'an Peng
Summary: Sulfidation-oxidation treatment of magnetite (Fe3O4) enhances the production of dark center dot OH, which can efficiently degrade dissolved organic matter (DOM) and accelerate carbon cycling.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Yu, Kaijun Wang, Kaiyuan Zhang, Ruiyang Liu, Pingping Zheng
Summary: This study implemented a microaerobic-aerobic configuration in a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment facility and investigated the effects on sludge characteristics, pollutant removal, microbial community, and granulation mechanisms. The results showed successful transition from flocculent-activated sludge to well-defined AGS after two months of operation. The primary pathways for pollutant removal were simultaneous nitrification, denitrification, and phosphorus removal. Moreover, the incorporation of internal separators induced shifts in the flow pattern, which promoted granulation.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhe Zhang, Shaoyang Hu, Guangrong Sun, Wei Wang
Summary: Halogenated aromatic disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as halogenated phenols, have garnered widespread attention due to their high toxicity and prevalence. This study reports on the analysis, occurrence, and cytotoxicity of a group of emerging halogenated aromatic DBPs, known as halogenated polyhydroxyphenols (HPPs), in drinking water.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shengyue Chen, Jinliang Huang, Peng Wang, Xi Tang, Zhenyu Zhang
Summary: Accurate prediction of river water quality is crucial for sustainable water management. This study introduces wavelet analysis and transfer learning techniques to assist LSTM modeling, proposing a newly coupled modeling approach that improves short-term prediction of river water quality.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Bang Du, Xinmin Zhan, Piet N. L. Lens, Yifeng Zhang, Guangxue Wu
Summary: Efficient anaerobic digestion relies on the cooperation of different microorganisms with different metabolic pathways. This study investigated the effects of different operational modes and the addition of powdered activated carbon (PAC) on ethanol metabolic pathways. The results showed that the SBR mode and the presence of CO2 facilitated ethanol metabolism towards propionate production, while the CFR mode with extended solids retention time enriched Geobacter. Adjusting operational modes and PAC addition can modulate anaerobic ethanol metabolism and enrich Geobacter.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wanfa Wang, Si-Liang Li, Jun Zhong, Yuanbi Yi, Fujun Yue, Zenglei Han, Qixin Wu, Ding He, Cong-Qiang Liu
Summary: This study compares the carbon biogeochemical processes in karst and non-karst regions within large thermal stratified river-reservoir systems. The results demonstrate that karst reservoirs have a reduced potential for carbon emissions and highlight the importance of considering geologic settings to improve accuracy in regional and global CO2 emission estimates.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chunxia Jiang, Zelong Zhao, Dong Zhu, Xiong Pan, Yuyi Yang
Summary: This study analyzed the occurrence and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in different environmental media of the Yangtze River using metagenomics. Core resistome dominated by multidrug resistance genes was found in all samples, while rare resistome dominated by various resistance genes was more prevalent in plasmids. Specific bacteria were identified as hosts for both core and rare resistomes, with high clinical concern ARGs found in the rare resistome. Particle-associated environment provided the most ideal conditions for resistome hosts. This study provided insights into the genetic locations of ARGs and the community assembly mechanisms of ARG hosts in freshwater environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Zhang, Yongtao He, Linchun Jia, Lei Xu, Zheng Wang, Yueling He, Ling Xiong, Xumeng Lin, Hong Chen, Gang Xue
Summary: By synergizing organic carbon source, thiosulfate, and zero-valent iron, efficient mixotrophic denitrification of oligotrophic secondary effluent can be achieved. Thiosulfate plays a vital role in promoting TN removal efficiency, while corrosion of Fe0 releases OH- to neutralize H+ from thiosulfate-driven denitrification, creating a suitable environment for denitrification. The coordination of thiosulfate and Fe0 maintains the dominance of Thiobacillus for denitrification.