The operational efficiency of a novel AnMBR treating antibiotic solvent wastewater in start-up stage

The performance of a novel anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) for treating antibiotic solvent wastewater was investigated in the start-up stage. The removal efficiencies of the four tested antibiotics were over 90%, mainly attributed to the biological process. Volatile fatty acid increased along with anaerobic sludge acclimation. pH (mean value 7.5) and a (mean value 0.12) remained stable. Mixed liquid suspended solids and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids increased along with the sludge acclimation as well. The protein and polysaccharide in suspended sludge decreased, while the protein/polysaccharide in exopolysaccharides increased. Microbial community analysis showed the abundance of Methanosarcina spp. fluctuated over time and was finally stable at 17%. The abundance of Methanosaeta spp. increased significantly. There are two kinds of hydrogen producing methane producing microorganisms (Methanobacteriales and Methanomicrobiales) in AnMBR. Methanobacteriales was the dominant methanogenus. These results indicate that an AnMBR can effectively treat antibiotic solvent wastewater in the start-up period.