Article
Environmental Sciences
Zong-Lin Wu, Quan Zhang, Zi-Yuan Xia, Min Gou, Zhao-Yong Sun, Yue-Qin Tang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of fluctuation disturbance of organic loading rate (OLR) on anaerobic digestion (AD) of municipal sludge. The performance of the AD reactors remained similar before and after disturbance, indicating their buffer capacity to OLR periodic fluctuation. Different microbial community at RNA level was observed in the two reactors, with greater changes in the thermophilic AD. The results showed that the thermophilic microbial community was more vulnerable, but the reactor performance could be maintained using the functional redundancy strategy under OLR fluctuation disturbance.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Afsane Sedighi, Mohsen Karrabi, Bahar Shahnavaz, Morteza Mostafavinezhad
Summary: This study investigated the potential for biogas production from anaerobic codigestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and sewage sludge under mesophilic conditions. The results showed that the best outputs were achieved at TS = 5% and ISR = 2, with the highest biogas yield and methane production.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jingmiao Zhang, Shuai Wu, Ao Xia, Dong Feng, Yun Huang, Xianqing Zhu, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao
Summary: Anaerobic digestion (AD) technology is an effective method for biogas production and livestock waste treatment. This study investigated the impact of oxytetracycline (OTC) on the AD process and found that OTC significantly inhibited methane production, with methane yields decreasing by 58.6% and 73.3% in mesophilic and thermophilic ADs respectively at an initial OTC concentration of 400 mg/L. OTC can be degraded by the AD process with a removal efficiency above 90% at lower concentrations. Higher OTC concentrations resulted in lower bio-methane yield, energy conversion efficiency, and contaminant removal in both mesophilic and thermophilic ADs.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Li-Jie Wu, Xiao-Xiao Li, Yu-Xiang Liu, Fan Yang, Quan Zhou, Rui-Peng Ren, Yong-Kang Lyu
Summary: The study optimized hydrothermal pretreatment conditions for continuous mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion, finding that hydrothermal pretreatment significantly increased methane production and volatile solids reduction in both systems.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wen Li, Lirong Zhu, Baocun Wu, Yongli Liu, Jinze Li, Linji Xu, Xiaoliu Huangfu, Dezhi Shi, Li Gu, Cong Chen
Summary: This study adopted a side-stream thermophilic anaerobic digestion (STA) strategy to improve the efficiency and stability of a digestive system. The results showed that STA strategy not only increased methane production and system stability, but also optimized organic metabolism patterns and promoted methane production pathways through enhanced enzyme activity.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Farokh Laqa Kakar, Hussain Aqeel, Steven N. Liss, Elsayed Elbeshbishy
Summary: Four parameters affecting hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) of municipal sludge were studied. The results showed that HTP parameters had significant effects on COD solubilization, VFA, and methane yield. HTP was found to increase COD solubilization and VFA production, leading to higher methane yield. The highest methane production yield was observed at high solid content, high pH, low temperature, and short retention time. HTP can be combined with other intensification routes to improve the fermentation and anaerobic digestion processes for waste treatment.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Iryna Lanko, Jakub Hejnic, Jana Rihova-Ambrozova, Ivet Ferrer, Pavel Jenicek
Summary: The study compared the digestate quality of single-stage mesophilic and thermophilic AD and TPAD systems, showing that the TPAD system is the most beneficial in terms of organic matter degradation efficiency, dewaterability, and pathogenic safety.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Eskandar Poorasgari, Banu Ormeci
Summary: Experimental and computational approaches were used to model the kinetics of volatile solids destruction during wastewater sludge digestion, taking into account the effects of water evaporation. New kinetic models were developed to predict volatile solids concentrations in different conditions. The study found that water evaporation is an important factor to consider for accurate determination of kinetic rate constants and solids reduction.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Li-Jie Wu, Fei Ye, Fan Yang, Quan Zhou, Yong-Kang Lyu
Summary: The use of the recuperative thickening (RT) process can further enhance anaerobic digestion of hydrothermal high-solid sludge and increase biogas production and organic matter degradation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Liang Zhang, Xianzhe Gong, Ronghua Xu, Kun Guo, Li Wang, Yan Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the impact of thermophilic conditions on the assembly of microbial communities and their effects on anaerobic digestion (AD) ecosystem function. The inocula from full-scale systems showed greater resilience to thermophilic environment and demonstrated higher methane production. Deterministic processes played a dominant role in community assembly, but stochastic processes were more influential in dysfunctional AD ecosystems. The thermophilic environment exerted strong selective pressure on microbial network structures.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiadong Yu, Lixin Zhao, Zonglu Yao, Jing Feng, Xufeng Yuan, Hongliang Wang, Yi Liang, Jiankun Chen, Yizhuo Du, Ruixia Shen
Summary: The study investigates the synergistic characteristics of abiotic and biotic transformation to improve the methane production efficiency in thermophilic and mesophilic sequencing batch dry anaerobic digestion (SBDAD). A pilot scale experiment using corn straw and cow dung as lignocellulosic material shows significant differences in biogas production and VFA concentration and composition. The combination of first-order hydrolysis and a modified Gompertz model increases cellulose and hemicellulose conversion efficiency by 112.03% and 90.09%, respectively, at thermophilic temperatures. The microbial community exhibits different functional network relationships under the two temperature conditions. Simulation of SBD-AD engineering shows reduced heat energy consumption and increased net energy production at thermophilic temperatures.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Hao Jiang, Fan Wu, Yuchang Wang, Lu Feng, Hongjun Zhou, Yeqing Li
Summary: In-situ hydrogen biomethanation is a promising technology for upgrading biogas quality, and investigating its characteristics under different conditions is crucial for its effectiveness. The experiments showed that hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis performed better at thermophilic conditions, with the highest methane content obtained when H2 and CO2 were fed at a 4:1 ratio with Methanothermobacter as the dominant genus.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Huiban He, Ziyu Wang, Jing Yan, Weiwei Wang, Jinbo Zhu, Jingkang Chen, Daicheng Liu, Hongliang Wang, Zongjun Cui, Xufeng Yuan
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of conventional and interval temperatures on methanogenesis performance and microbial regulation in continuous anaerobic digestion (AD) of wilted corn straw. The results showed that interval temperature substantially enhanced methane yield and Methanosarcina played a crucial role in methane production at interval temperature. Furthermore, a high abundance of essential genes involved in methane metabolism was found in the interval temperature digester.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Takum Nalo, Sonam Paliya, Ashootosh Mandpe, Nabam Rich, Ajay Bharti, Sunil Kumar
Summary: This study investigates the anaerobic digestion of municipal solid waste and lignocellulosic waste and finds that the best combination for methane production is a 1:1 ratio of organic fraction of municipal solid waste to lignocellulosic waste. It is also discovered that mesophilic conditions play a crucial role in the digestion process.
Article
Energy & Fuels
M. S. Romero-Guiza, L. Pereira, X. Tomas, J. Palatsi, P. Icaran, V. M. Monsalvo
Summary: Temperature-phased anaerobic digestion is a valuable alternative for wastewater treatment and biomethane production, showing advantages in terms of VSrem and H2S content when fed with 95% sludge and 5% crude glycerine. This system can achieve up to 68% extra heat production compared to conventional mesophilic anaerobic systems.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qian Wang, Xiaoguang Liu, Haesung Jung, Simin Zhao, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Yuanzhi Tang
Summary: This study investigated the evolution and mineralization of P and N in sewage sludge during AD with prestage HT, revealing that the formation of struvite or vivianite in the final AD solids is highly dependent on the Mg/Fe molar ratio and/or the pH of AD suspensions. Additionally, both HT and AD strongly affected N speciation evolution in sewage sludge.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Liming Yang, Yanni Geng, Dan Cui, Zhuochao Liu, Zhensheng Xiong, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Penghui Shao, Xubiao Luo
Summary: This study used a corrected response surface methodology to optimize the operation strategy for treating rare earth elements wastewater using microalgae. By investigating the effects of temperature, illumination intensity, and microalgae concentration, nine models were obtained and then modified based on initial ammonia nitrogen concentrations. The results demonstrate that optimizing microalgae dosage can effectively treat wastewater.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cheng Cheng, Tianyi Sun, Hanjie Li, Qiang He, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Jian Zhang
Summary: The study investigated the relationship between microbial carbon and nitrogen transformations and GHGs emissions in constructed wetlands with different substrate samples. Results showed variation in COD removal and nitrogen nutrient removal between the two groups, with XRCW having higher microbial activity and GHGs emissions compared to DRCW. Certain microbial species and nitrogen transformations were correlated with GHGs emissions in the wetland systems.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yanni Geng, Dan Cui, Liming Yang, Zhensheng Xiong, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Penghui Shao, Yakun Zhang, Xubiao Luo, Shenglian Luo
Summary: A study found that the nitrogen removal efficiency in rare earth mine effluent is low, with limited microalgae biomass. However, when carbonate is added, Chlorococcum sp. shows higher nitrogen removal rate and biomass yield, along with high lipid content. The extracellular polymeric substance released by microalgae contributes to easier resource harvest.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John L. Wilkinson, Alistair B. A. Boxall, Dana W. Kolpin, Kenneth M. Y. Leung, Racliffe W. S. Lai, Cristobal Galban-Malagon, Aiko D. Adell, Julie Mondon, Marc Metian, Robert A. Marchant, Alejandra Bouzas-Monroy, Aida Cuni-Sanchez, Anja Coors, Pedro Carriquiriborde, Macarena Rojo, Chris Gordon, Magdalena Cara, Monique Moermond, Thais Luarte, Vahagn Petrosyan, Yekaterina Perikhanyan, Clare S. Mahon, Christopher J. McGurk, Thilo Hofmann, Tapos Kormoker, Volga Iniguez, Jessica Guzman-Otazo, Jean L. Tavares, Francisco Gildasio De Figueiredo, Maria T. P. Razzolini, Victorien Dougnon, Gildas Gbaguidi, Oumar Traore, Jules M. Blais, Linda E. Kimpe, Michelle Wong, Donald Wong, Romaric Ntchantcho, Jaime Pizarro, Guang-Guo Ying, Chang-Er Chen, Martha Paez, Jina Martinez-Lara, Jean-Paul Otamonga, John Pote, Suspense A. Ifo, Penelope Wilson, Nikolina Udikovic-Kolic, Milena Milakovic, Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Lida Ioannou-Ttofa, Jan Vymazal, Bayable A. Kassa, Jeanne Garric, Arnaud Chaumot, Peter Gibba, Ilia Kunchulia, Sven Seidensticker, Gerasimos Lyberatos, Halldor P. Halldorsson, Molly Melling, Thatikonda Shashidhar, Manisha Lamba, Anindrya Nastiti, Adee Supriatin, Nima Pourang, Ali Abedini, Omar Abdullah, Salem S. Gharbia, Francesco Pilla, Benny Chefetz, Tom Topaz, Koffi Marcellin Yao, Bakhyt Aubakirova, Raikhan Beisenova, Lydia Olaka, Jemimah K. Mulu, Peter Chatanga, Victor Ntuli, Nathaniel T. Blama, Sheck Sherif, Ahmad Zaharin Aris, Ley Juen Looi, Mahamoudane Niang, Seydou T. Traore, Rik Oldenkamp, Olatayo Ogunbanwo, Muhammad Ashfaq, Muhammad Iqbal, Ziad Abdeen, Aaron O'Dea, Jorge Manuel Morales-Saldana, Heidi de la Cruz, Ian Navarrete, Fabio Carvalho, Alhaji Brima Gogra, Bashiru M. Koroma, Vesna Cerkvenik-Flajs, Mitja Gombac, Melusi Thwala, Kyungho Choi, Habyeong Kang, John L. Celestino Ladu, Andreu Rico, Priyanie Amerasinghe, Anna Sobek, Gisela Horlitz, Armin K. Zenker, Alex C. King, Jheng-Jie Jiang, Rebecca Kariuki, Madaka Tumbo, Ulas Tezel, Turgut T. Onay, Julius B. Lejju, Yuliya Vystavna, Yuriy Vergeles, Horacio Heinzen, Andres Perez-Parada, Douglas B. Sims, Maritza Figy, David Good, Charles Teta
Summary: Environmental exposure to active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) can have negative effects on ecosystems and human health. A global-scale study of API pollution in rivers highlights the highest concentrations in sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, and South America, primarily in low- to middle-income countries with poor wastewater and waste management infrastructure. The most frequently detected APIs include carbamazepine, metformin, and caffeine, with some concentrations exceeding safe levels for aquatic organisms. Pharmaceutical pollution poses a global threat to environmental and human health and has implications for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaoguang Liu, Jinchen Chen, Ding-Hsiang Lin, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: This study assessed the long-term effect of peracetic acid (PAA) solution on the anaerobic treatment of poultry processing wastewater. Results showed that direct addition of PAA solution completely inhibited biogas production and required a relatively long incubation time for recovery.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinchen Chen, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of PAA solution on the performance of a biological nitrogen removal system. The results showed that the system was negatively affected by residual PAA, but recovery was achieved quickly after ceasing PAA addition.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Madan Tandukar, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: The study investigated the benefits of co-digestion of a sludge-mix with concentrated fat-oil-grease (FOG), finding that it can enhance the degradation of sludge and increase methane production. Co-digestion is feasible and recommended for municipal wastewater treatment facilities to match target biogas/methane levels by balancing energy production and solids destruction based on their specific needs.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Genping Yi, Bo Wang, Yufa Feng, Difan Fang, Liming Yang, Wenzong Liu, Yifeng Zhang, Penghui Shao, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Shenglian Luo, Xubiao Luo, Aijie Wang
Summary: Wastewater carries significant energy that is often ignored, but can be converted to bioelectricity and chemicals by microbes in microbial electrochemical systems. Photo-assisted MESs have emerged as a sustainable platform for enhancing wastewater treatment and bioenergy recovery using solar light. However, the development of photo-assisted MESs is still in its early stages.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Cheng Cheng, Qiang He, Jian Zhang, Hongxiang Chai, Yujing Yang, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Haiming Wu
Summary: This study investigated the mechanisms and effects of manganese oxide-mediated ammonium oxidation in wetlands. The results showed that wetlands with manganese sand had a higher removal efficiency of ammonium nitrogen and reduced nitrous oxide emission. The manganese sand delayed the oxidation of ammonium nitrogen, and the presence of specific bacterial communities promoted the removal of ammonium nitrogen.
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Cheng Cheng, Qiang He, Jian Zhang, Bowen Chen, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: This article summarizes the role of aerobic methanotrophic bacteria in anaerobic methane oxidation (AOM) under nitrite or mineral oxide dependence, as well as their new metabolic trait of simultaneously reducing nitrous oxide and oxidizing methane under hypoxic conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jinchen Chen, Tianze Song, Sha Long, Kevin J. Zhu, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: This study assessed the effects of peracetic acid (PAA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solutions on nitrification kinetics, cellular responses, and gene expression in a nitrifying culture. The results showed that PAA mainly inhibited nitrification through enzyme inhibition, while H2O2 had minimal impact. The study provides important insights for the design and operation of biological nitrogen removal systems for PAA-bearing wastewater.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sha Long, Xiaoguang Liu, Jinchen Chen, Lin Zhao, Spyros G. Pavlostathis
Summary: This study investigated the effects of tetracycline (TC) on bio-electrochemically assisted anaerobic methanogenic systems (An-BES) for wastewater treatment. The results showed that TC had minimal effect on methane production at low concentrations, but significantly reduced methane production and current output at high concentrations. TC was predominantly removed through adsorption, and the application of voltage enhanced its removal. The electrode biofilms had higher abundance of propionate oxidizing bacteria and methanogens, while antibiotic resistance genes were less abundant compared to suspended cultures. TC inhibited certain functional microorganisms and pathways, leading to decreased performance of An-BES systems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuanqi Liu, Zhuochao Liu, Dan Cui, Liming Yang, Haiyu Wang, Spyros G. Pavlostathis, Yanni Geng, Zhensheng Xiong, Penghui Shao, Xubiao Luo, Shenglian Luo
Summary: By adding a biodegradable carrier, loofah, the microalgae-bacteria symbiotic system achieved a 100% removal rate of high concentration ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N) and showed good stability. The loofah also released a considerable amount of carbon that could support denitrification. The study expands our understanding of the enhanced role of carbon-based carriers in the denitrification of rare earth element tailings wastewater.
Proceedings Paper
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Lavdie Rada, Yusuf Baran Tanriverdi, Omer Ekmel Kara, Elizabeth M. Hemond, Ulas Tezel
Summary: This paper introduces a method for citizen-based water-quality monitoring through simple pattern classification of water crystallization using a smartphone and portable microscope. The method allows for remote analysis of water resource contamination, laying the foundation for the development of a Water Expert System smartphone application.
INTELLIGENT COMPUTING SYSTEMS (ISICS 2022)
(2022)