Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jorge L. Rico, Kenneth F. Reardon, Susan K. De Long
Summary: The study found that different microbiomes can convert cellulose into different fatty acid mixtures through anaerobic digestion technologies, which helps to develop high-value products. The relationships between microbiome structure and fatty acids produced from cellulosic feedstocks are further explored in this research.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hezhou Ding, Morton A. Barlaz, Francis L. de los Reyes III, Douglas F. Call
Summary: This study investigated the effects of three different inoculum compositions on VFA and CH4 production, and found that TWAS improved VFA accumulation and reduced CH4 production. 16S rDNA sequencing showed that TWAS had lower methanogen abundance and adding TWAS significantly changed the community diversity. These findings provide insights for selecting inoculation strategies that promote VFA accumulation in anaerobic digesters.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Agricultural Engineering
Siran Feng, Huu Hao Ngo, Wenshan Guo, Soon Woong Chang, Dinh Duc Nguyen, Yi Liu, Shicheng Zhang, Hoang Nhat Phong Vo, Xuan Thanh Bui, Bich Ngoc Hoang
Summary: This review provides an overview of the roles and applications of enzymes in volatile fatty acids production, as well as feasible measures to enhance enzyme processes. It critically evaluates the major obstacles and possible future research directions for the better utilization of enzymatic processes in promoting volatile fatty acids production from wastewater.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
F. Demichelis, T. Tommasi, F. A. Deorsola, D. Marchisio, D. Fino
Summary: This study evaluated the importance of inoculum in mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD) and identified the optimal conditions for AD configuration through comparing different inocula, substrate: inoculum ratios, and incubation times.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Muhammad Sohail, Alam Khan, Malik Badshah, Allan Degen, Guo Yang, Hu Liu, Jianwei Zhou, Ruijun Long
Summary: This study reveals that yak rumen fluid as an inoculum can enhance the degradability of sheep manure and increase biogas production, with its key component being the abundant hydrolytic bacteria.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, S. Pilli, P. Bhunia, R. D. Tyagi, Y. Rao Surampalli, C. Tian Zhang, Sang-Hyoun Kim, Ashok Pandey
Summary: VFAs are the building blocks of the chemical industry and play a key role in the planet's organic carbon cycle. To address the issues of unsustainable VFA production from fossil fuels, it is crucial to develop alternate sources through anaerobic digestion. By researching accessible feedstocks, influencing parameters, and utilizing VFAs to create consumer products, economic stability can be achieved through traditional and advanced production methods.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Dalton A. Holt, Isabella Alvarenga, Renan A. Donadelli, Charles G. Aldrich
Summary: This study evaluated substrate degradation and postbiotic production of several alternative fiber ingredients used in the pet food industry, and found that these alternative fiber ingredients had moderate to marginal fermentability when incubated for up to 12 hours with canine fecal inoculum.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Umarin Jomnonkhaow, Clarisse Uwineza, Amir Mahboubi, Steven Wainaina, Alissara Reungsang, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh
Summary: Cow manure has long been seen as a waste management challenge, but its organic content presents opportunities for producing value-added bioproducts like VFAs through anaerobic digestion. This study applied thermal pretreatment to inhibit methanogens and utilized an immersed membrane bioreactor for in situ recovery of VFAs, achieving stable long-term production and recovery.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
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
Chao Liu, Yinguang Chen, Haining Huang, Xu Duan, Lei Dong
Summary: This study reported a new strategy for improving anaerobic digestion (AD) performance under ammonia pressure by regulating the microbiome and enzymes to enhance volatile fatty acids (VFAs) bioconversion. The addition of glutathione significantly increased methane yield and enhanced bioconversion and cell viability under ammonia stress. Metagenomic and metaproteomic analyses revealed that key microbiota and vital proteins involved in enzyme synthesis and catalysis were enriched in the presence of glutathione. The findings suggest that glutathione plays a role in regulating functional microbiome and enzyme activity, offering an alternative approach for improving AD performance under high ammonia conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(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
Energy & Fuels
Mukesh Kumar Awasthi, Lukitawesa Lukitawesa, Yumin Duan, Mohammad J. Taherzadeh, Zengqiang Zhang
Summary: In this study, the bacterial community in anaerobic digestion of citrus wastes inoculated with sludge was evaluated, revealing that key bacteria associated with volatile fatty acids (VFAs) production mainly belonged to Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. The study also observed changes in bacterial diversity among different treatment groups during the anaerobic digestion process.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Huda Al Battashi, Shatha Al-Kindi, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Nallusamy Sivakumar
Summary: The study demonstrated that utilizing waste paper as a resource for PHA production through anaerobic digestion is a low-cost strategy. By optimizing the synthesis conditions of PHA from VFAs produced from waste paper, a significantly higher yield of PHA was achieved with a limited nutrient medium.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Chidinma A. Tennison-Omovoh, Michael O. Fagbohungbe, Paul O. Bankole, Kirk T. Semple
Summary: This study evaluated the production of volatile fatty acids from the acidogenic anaerobic digestion of sucrose in continuous-stirred tank reactors. It found that increasing nitrogen content in the substrate led to higher VFA production, with acetic acid being the predominant VFA observed. The study highlighted the importance of carbon-nitrogen ratios in improving VFA production from acidogenic fermentation of sucrose.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
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
Agricultural Engineering
Fan Xiao, Ying Li, Yongming Sun
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pingjin Yang, Yun Peng, Hengyi Liu, Di Wu, Ronghuan Yuan, Xiaoming Wang, Lei Li, Xuya Peng
Summary: This study reveals the mechanism of foaming in anaerobic digestion process, identifying EPS as a key factor in foam events. Microorganisms can resist stress environments by producing more EPS.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fan Xiao, Nobusuke Kobayashi, Yoshinori Itaya, Akira Suami, Masumbuko Robert
Summary: In this paper, a plasma-enhanced spouted bed was proposed to ameliorate the hydrophilicity of 3lm polyethylene powders. The effect of fluidization optimization on wettability modification was primarily investigated. Complete fluidization of all particles was obtained when the spouted bed was agitated. Optimal hydrophilicity and uniformity was achieved, suggesting more intensive gas-solid mixing between plasma and powder surfaces leading to a better modification. SEM and FT-IR results show carbonyl and carboxyl groups were incorporated on powder surfaces without affecting their bulk morphology. This study provides novel insights into the fluidization quality for wettability modification and vital findings necessary to promote the application of plasma-enhanced spouted bed for industrial powder processing.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
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.