Article
Microbiology
Dheeraja Cheenakula, Kai Griebel, David Montag, Markus Groemping
Summary: This study developed a conceptual model of a mainstream deammonification plant for nitrogen removal in municipal wastewater treatment plants. The energy-saving potential, nitrogen elimination performance and construction-related costs of mainstream deammonification were compared to a conventional plant model. The results showed that an additional treatment step prior to mainstream deammonification is advantageous.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Myeonghwa Park, Jeongmi Kim, Teaho Lee, You-Kwan Oh, Van Khanh Nguyen, Sunja Cho
Summary: The study found that high salinity inhibits Anammox microbial activity, but high nitrogen removal efficiency can still be achieved at 2% salinity. In high salinity environments, the abundance of Anammox bacteria increases, replacing heterotrophic denitrifying bacteria.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Gabriela Bonassa, Alice Chiapetti Bolsan, Bruno Venturin, Marina Celant De Pra, Fabiane Goldschmidt Antes, Camila Ester Hollas, Gracielle Johann, Arlei Coldebella, Airton Kunz
Summary: The study focused on exploring the inhibition of bacteria pathways by high ammonia concentrations during the deammonification process. A new mathematical model was proposed to predict specific bacterial activity decrease and nitrite accumulation, as well as the affinity and inhibition of microorganisms by substrate. The model showed significant predictive capabilities for a wide range of ammonia concentrations in high-ammonia swine wastewater treatment reactors.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Weiqiang Zhu, Michiel Van Tendeloo, Abbas Alloul, Siegfried E. Vlaeminck
Summary: A return-sludge nursery concept is proposed to enhance anammox activity under sewage treatment conditions. The concept involves blending sludge reject water with mainstream effluent to increase the temperature, N levels, and EC of the anammox nursery reactor. Bioreactor experiments showed that nursery treatment increased nitrogen removal rates during mainstream operation by 33-38%. The increased anammox activity can be partly explained by higher temperatures, elevated EC, higher nitrogen concentrations, and potential synergetic effects.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hoang Phuc Trinh, Sang-Hoon Lee, Garam Jeong, Hyeokjun Yoon, Hee-Deung Park
Summary: Mainstream anammox processes face challenges such as difficulty in out-selection of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, high organic carbon to nitrogen ratio, retention of anammox bacteria, and influence of high concentrations of ammonia and nitrite compounds. Efficient strategies are necessary to manage high carbon to nitrogen ratios, improve performance in low-intensity wastewater, and retain anammox bacteria for widespread application in full-scale WWTPs. Key elements in the design, operation, and maintenance of mainstream anammox processes in full-scale WWTPs are also suggested.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Mohamad-Javad Mehrani, Mohammad Azari, Burkhard Teichgraber, Peter Jagemann, Jens Schoth, Martin Denecke, Jacek Makinia
Summary: This study aimed to optimize mainstream deammonification in an integrated fixed-film activated sludge pilot plant under natural seasonal temperature variations. The effect of temperature on the performance was evaluated and the correlation of performance parameters was investigated. Optimizing intermittent aeration significantly increased the N-removal rate and N removal efficiency. This study's findings are important for enhancing the efficiency of mainstream deammonification.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lin Wang, Songhao Shang, Wenzhi Liu, Dongli She, Wei Hu, Yi Liu
Summary: The study investigated the variation of nitrogen components in different aquatic ecosystems and found that nitrogen removal occurred during water flow, with a reduction rate of up to 43%. The heterogeneity in eco-stoichiometric characteristics of nitrogen components was higher in ditches and ponds compared to rivers and reservoirs. Ditches and ponds showed stronger interactions between overlying water and sediment, with higher rates of denitrification and anaerobic ammonium oxidation. The findings emphasize the importance of focusing on the upper reaches of agricultural catchments for nitrogen removal and developing region-specific conservation strategies to mitigate nitrogen pollution and protect water resources.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Anndee L. Huff Chester, Kiwon Eum, Michael Tsapatsis, Marc A. Hillmyer, Paige J. Novak
Summary: Utilizing zeolite-coated hollow fiber membranes improved the growth of anammox bacteria and total nitrogen removal in mainstream-type media. Increasing the quantity of zeolite further enhanced the retention of anammox bacteria and the removal of total nitrogen. Application of membranes with higher zeolite content in integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) or membrane-aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) systems could facilitate mainstream anammox.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hafiz Adeel Ahmad, Shakeel Ahmad, Linjie Gao, Zhibin Wang, Amro El-Baz, Shou-Qing Ni
Summary: Sustainable development goal 6 focuses on efficient management of water resources, wastewater treatment, and reuse of treated wastewater. Anammox and partial nitrification (PN-anammox) has been a successful side-stream wastewater treatment process, but the involvement of other nitrogen cycle bacteria is needed. Coupling anammox with PD, DAMO, and DNRA can reduce organic matter use, greenhouse gas release, and energy consumption. This review comprehensively discusses the importance and application perspective of anammox with diverse nitrate-reducing bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Anran Sun, Xiuhong Liu, Shiyong Zhang, Qing Yang, Songqing Huang, Nan Zhang
Summary: In this study, the effects of different applying voltage methods on substrate removal efficiency and rates, microbial community structure, anammox metabolism and metabolic pathways were investigated using microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) coupled with anammox. The results showed that applying voltage improved NH4+-N removal efficiency and rates, electron transfer efficiency, key enzyme activity, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion. Step-up voltage promoted the growth of Candidatus_Kuenenia, facilitating the rapid start-up of anammox and treatment of low ammonia concentration wastewater.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Gamze Kirim, Kester McCullough, Thiago Bressani Ribeiro, Carlos Domingo-Felez, Haoran Duan, Ahmed Al-Omari, Haydee De Clippeleir, Jose Jimenez, Stephanie Klaus, Mojolaoluwa Ladipo-Obasa, Javad Mehrani, Pusker Regmi, Elena Torfs, Eveline I. P. Volcke, Peter A. Vanrolleghem
Summary: This article provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art in modelling short-cut nitrogen removal processes in mainstream wastewater treatment, identifying future research directions and challenges. The importance of mathematical models in considering N2O emissions and the need for new, advanced approaches are emphasized.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Yuqi Li, Hong Liang, Wenbo Yang, Lang Cheng, Jiasuo Cao, Peng Wang, Dawen Gao
Summary: This study proposed zeolite-modified polyurethane (ZP) carriers and zeolite/tourmaline-modified polyurethane (ZTP) carriers to enhance mainstream deammonification. The ZTP carriers rapidly established a system within 28 days and showed higher nitrogen removal rate and more balanced potential activity. The ZTP carriers provided improved carrier structure and substrate supply, resulting in better protection for anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lisheng Wang, Wancong Gu, Yanchen Liu, Peng Liang, Xiaoyuan Zhang, Xia Huang
Summary: This paper summarizes the challenges and solutions of mainstream anammox-based process by reviewing the literature of the past decade. The slow growth rate of anammox bacteria and the need for enhancing bacteria retention are identified as the main challenges. Various methods to culture anammox bacteria and improve their activity are discussed. Other challenges include the elimination of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and achieving the ideal ratio of NH4+ and NO2-. To overcome these challenges, composite control strategies based on low sludge retention time (SRT) and limited aeration are suggested. Interference from low temperature and influent components in actual wastewater treatment is addressed, as well as the use of coupling processes to reduce nitrate concentration in the effluent. The paper concludes with future prospects for the mainstream anammox-based process.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amin Mojiri, John L. Zhou, Harsha Ratnaweera, Akiyoshi Ohashi, Noriatsu Ozaki, Yoshiteru Aoi, Mohammadtaghi Vakili, Tomonori Kindaichi
Summary: Anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective method for nitrogen treatment, but has drawbacks such as slow growth rate and negative effects of high concentrations of nitrite, ammonia, and other pollutants. This study found that attaching anammox to chitosan improved its performance, with the chitosan/anammox reactor showing better nitrogen removal efficiency compared to the sole anammox reactor. Additionally, the study demonstrated that chitosan not only enhanced nitrogen removal by anammox but also improved its resistance to metals.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Simone Visigalli, Andrea Turolla, Giacomo Bellandi, Micol Bellucci, Elisa Clagnan, Lorenzo Brusetti, Mingsheng Jia, Roberto Di Cosmo, Glauco Menin, Martina Bargna, Giovanni Bergna, Roberto Canziani
Summary: Digital textile printing (DTP) is an emerging technology with rapid global expansion, but wastewater treatment issues are prominent. Research has shown that utilizing the partial nitritation/anammox process for DTP wastewater treatment at a laboratory scale is feasible, and simulation results indicate significant benefits of on-site decentralized treatment, including reduced energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and sludge production.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Nagler, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Markus Mayr, Judith Ascher-Jenull, Heribert Insam
Summary: Microbiome studies using next generation sequencing are commonly performed on the total DNA pool, which includes extracellular- and intracellular DNA fractions. Results show that total DNA has lower species richness and unique reads compared to intracellular DNA when tracking microbial community changes over time. The extracellular DNA fraction may qualitatively bias microbiome studies due to abundant sequences masking overall results, while intracellular DNA provides more reliable genetic information about potentially alive microbes.
Article
Microbiology
Katerina O. Fliegerova, Sabine M. Podmirseg, Julia Vinzelj, Diego J. Grilli, Simona Kvasnova, Dagmar Schierova, Hana Sechovcova, Jakub Mrazek, Giuliana Siddi, Graciela N. Arenas, Giuseppe Moniello
Summary: This study investigated the changes in rumen microbiome of goats switched from forage to concentrate diet, with a focus on anaerobic fungi. The results showed significant alterations in microbial communities, especially in anaerobic fungi, suggesting that the rumen ecosystem acts as a source for novel microorganisms and unexplored microbial interactions. Additionally, the initial rumen microbiota of the host animal significantly influences the reaction pattern upon diet change.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Felice Quartinello, Klemens Kremser, Herta Schoen, Donatella Tesei, Leon Ploszczanski, Magdalena Nagler, Sabine M. Podmirseg, Heribert Insam, Guadalupe Pinar, Katja Sterflingler, Doris Ribitsch, Georg M. Guebitz
Summary: Microorganisms from cattle rumen have been found to possess hydrolytic enzymes that can degrade synthetic polyesters, such as PBAT and PEF, which is significant for plastic degradation and recycling. The study demonstrated the hydrolytic activity of rumen fluid on synthetic aromatic polyesters, with dominant bacteria species in the rumen microbiome showing potential for polyester hydrolysis.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Felix R. Kurzemann, Marina Fernandez-Delgado Juarez, Maraike Probst, Maria Gomez-Brandon, Christian Partl, Heribert Insam
Summary: The study tested the risk and potential benefits of FPBO-FAs derived from three different biomass sources as soil amendments. The results showed that FPBO-FAs did not impact soil microbiological and physicochemical properties, plant yield, or heavy metal concentrations in soil and plant. Long-term trials would be needed to confirm these findings, as they differed from previous greenhouse trials.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Clement Roche, Sylvain Donnaz, Sudhir Murthy, Bernhard Wett
Summary: The full-scale demonstration of activated sludge conversion into a granule-floc hybrid process in the Dijon water resource recovery facility was successful in optimizing settleability and process robustness. The densified biomass maintained stable SVIs below 100 ml/g for several months and achieved a year-round SVI below 50 ml/g, breaking the cycle of interannual bulking. Controlling granule-floc proportions allows for improved operational adjustments and design accuracy, enabling stable settling and effluent functionalities.
WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Nagler, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Judith Ascher-Jenull, Daniela Sint, Michael Traugott
Summary: This article reviews different fractions of environmental DNA (eDNA) and describes how to extract them from environmental samples. It also presents a four-scenario concept to enhance the spatial and temporal resolution of eDNA-based monitoring. The article highlights the importance of choosing the appropriate eDNA fractions to prevent misinterpretation of biodiversity data. Lastly, future research directions for fraction-specific analyses of eDNA targeting micro- and macro-organisms are proposed to fully explore the potential of eDNA-based studies.
MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Maria Gomez-Brandon, Markus Muik, Blaz Stres, Martin Hell, Thomas Puempel, Sudhir Murthy, Kartik Chandran, Hongkeun Park, Heribert Insam, Bernhard Wett
Summary: Sidestream partial nitritation and deammonification (pN/A) is a well-established technology for treating high-strength ammonia wastewater. However, its application in the mainstream treatment is hindered by poor retention of anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AnAOB), insufficient repression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB), and difficult control of soluble chemical oxygen demand and nitrite levels. This study monitored a full-scale municipal wastewater treatment plant and found that regular transfer of sidestream biomass and enrichment of granular anammox biomass were crucial for AnAOB establishment in the mainstream.
Article
Microbiology
Mostafa S. Elshahed, Radwa A. Hanafy, Yanfen Cheng, Sumit S. Dagar, Joan E. Edwards, Veronika Flad, Katerina Olsa Fliegerova, Gareth W. Griffith, Sandra Kittelmann, Michael Lebuhn, Michelle A. O'Malley, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Kevin Solomon, Julia Vinzelj, Diana Young, Noha H. Youssef
Summary: Establishing a solid taxonomic framework is crucial for effective communication and reproducibility in scientific research. Difficulties in isolating and preserving anaerobic fungi (phylum Neocallimastigomycota) have resulted in limited availability and loss of described taxa. Therefore, providing clear criteria and rank assignment scheme is necessary for accurate characterization and naming of newly obtained Neocallimastigomycota isolates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Gomez-Brandon, Flavio Fornasier, Nariane de Andrade, Jorge Dominguez
Summary: The present study evaluated the changes in the biochemical and microbiological properties of red and white grape marc during vermicomposting with the earthworm species Eisenia andrei. The results showed that earthworms had a significant impact on enzymatic activities, with the most pronounced effect seen in vermireactors fed with red grape marc. The resulting vermicomposts also had reduced basal respiration values and matched the quality criteria of a good vermicompost in terms of macro- and micronutrient content.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Julia Vinzelj, Akshay Joshi, Diana Young, Ljubica Begovic, Nico Peer, Lona Mosberger, Katharina Cecile Schmid Luedi, Heribert Insam, Veronika Flad, Magdalena Nagler, Sabine Marie Podmirseg
Summary: Anaerobic fungi have the ability to degrade lignocellulosic biomass, and their preservation methods have been explored in this study. Cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen and agar preservation at 39 degrees C were found to be effective methods for long-term storage of these fungi.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Akshay Joshi, Diana Young, Liren Huang, Lona Mosberger, Bernhard Munk, Julia Vinzelj, Veronika Flad, Alexander Sczyrba, Gareth W. Griffith, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Rolf Warthmann, Michael Lebuhn, Heribert Insam
Summary: This study reveals the selective enrichment of certain genera in media with rumen fluid and depleted rumen fluid from rumen and non-rumen samples,respectively. Additionally, five new clades were defined from fecal samples of llama, guanaco, yak, and elephant. Therefore, the non-rumen fluid medium is recommended for isolating anaerobic fungi from non-rumen environments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Gomez-Brandon, Marta Lores, Jorge Dominguez
Summary: The study evaluated the effectiveness of vermicomposting for the valorization of distilled grape marc. It found that the marc was suitable as feedstock to sustain large earthworm populations, with pH and electrical conductivity reaching optimum levels. After 14 days of vermicomposting, there was a rapid decrease in microbial activity and total polyphenol content, indicating stabilization. The end product had the necessary macro- and micronutrients for good vermicompost quality, suitable for plant health and safe agricultural use.
JOURNAL OF MATERIAL CYCLES AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Michael Lebuhn, Sabine Marie Podmirseg, Urs Baier
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Casey H. H. Meili, Adrienne L. L. Jones, Alex X. X. Arreola, Jeffrey Habel, Carrie J. J. Pratt, Radwa A. A. Hanafy, Yan Wang, Aymen S. S. Yassin, Moustafa A. A. TagElDein, Christina D. D. Moon, Peter H. H. Janssen, Mitesh Shrestha, Prajwal Rajbhandari, Magdalena Nagler, Julia M. M. Vinzelj, Sabine M. M. Podmirseg, Jason E. E. Stajich, Arthur L. L. Goetsch, Jerry Hayes, Diana Young, Katerina Fliegerova, Diego Javier Grilli, Roman Vodicka, Giuseppe Moniello, Silvana Mattiello, Mona T. T. Kashef, Yosra I. I. Nagy, Joan A. A. Edwards, Sumit Singh Dagar, Andrew P. P. Foote, Noha H. H. Youssef, Mostafa S. S. Elshahed
Summary: Through analyzing 661 fecal samples, it was found that anaerobic gut fungal (AGF) diversity is much more abundant than previously estimated, with the identification of 56 novel genera. The diversity of AGF is influenced by the host's phylogenetic affiliation, and the fungal-host associations are stronger and more specific in hindgut fermenters.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
