Bioelectrochemical anaerobic membrane bioreactor enables high methane production from methanolic wastewater: Roles of microbial ecology and microstructural integrity of anaerobic biomass.

The disintegration of anaerobic sludge and blockage of membrane pores has impeded the practical application of anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR) in treating methanolic wastewater. In this study, bioelectrochemical system (BES) was integrated into AnMBR to alleviate sludge dispersion and membrane fouling as well as enhance bioconversion of methanol. Bioelectrochemical regulation effect induced by BES enhanced methane production rate from 4.94 ± 0.52 to 5.39 ± 0.37 L/Lreactor/d by accelerating the enrichment of electroactive microorganisms and the agglomeration of anaerobic sludge via the adhesive and chemical bonding force. 16 S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing demonstrated that bioelectrochemical stimulation had modified the metabolic pathways by regulating the key functional microbial communities. Methanogenesis via the common methylotrophic Methanomethylovorans was partially substituted by the hydrogenotrophic Candidatus_Methanofastidiosum, etc. The metabolic behaviors of methanol are bioelectrochemistry-dependent, and controlling external voltage is thus an effective strategy for ensuring robust electron transfer, low membrane fouling, and long-term process stability.

New insight into the role of FDOM in heavy metal leaching behavior from MSWI bottom ash during accelerated weathering using fluorescence EEM-PARAFAC.

Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy is a powerful tool to characterize DOM that interacts with heavy metals in MSWI bottom ash (IBA). Here, two fresh IBA samples collected from large MSWI plants were subjected to 33 days of accelerated weathering. Carbon content and fluorescence characterization of DOM and leaching behavior of heavy metals (Cu, Ba, Cr, Ni, and oxyanions) were monitored during the weathering. The mineralogical and chemical properties of IBA during the weathering process were also characterized. EEM combined with parallel factor analysis showed that fluorescent DOM could be decomposed into humic-like (C1, C2) and tryptophan-like substances (C3), while the accelerated weathering process can be further divided into three phases. Fitted cubic polynomials described well the changes in the specific intensity of fluorescence components. Humification and freshness indexes and SUVA results suggested the leached DOM contained a higher proportion of condensed aromatic structures and/or conjugation of aliphatic chains post-weathering. The results also revealed that adsorption of humic-like substances onto neo-formed reactive surfaces occurred quickly in the early stage of accelerated weathering; thereafter, biodegradation of lower molecular mass-hydrophilic organic carbon fraction plays a vital role in further reduction of Cu and Cr leaching in subsequent weathering. Oxyanions (Mo and Sb) became more mobile after 3 days of accelerated weathering, but their leaching was effectively reduced after the weathering process. A novel method for an IBA weathering treatment combined with enhanced microbial degradation is proposed. These findings provide new and inspiration for improving accelerated weathering technology.

Modeling increased riverine nitrogen export: Source tracking and integrated watershed-coast management.

The global NEWS model was calibrated and then used to quantify the long term trend of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) export from two tributaries of Jiulong River (SE China). Anthropogenic N inputs contributed 61-92% of river DIN yield which increased from 337 in 1980s to 1662 kg N km(-2) yr(-1) in 2000s for the North River, and from 653 to 3097 kg N km(-2) yr(-1) for the West River. North River and West River contributed 55% and 45% respectively of DIN loading to the estuary. Rapid development and poor management driven by national policies were responsible for increasing riverine N export. Scenario analysis and source tracking suggest that reductions of anthropogenic N inputs of at least 30% in the North River (emphasis on fertilizer and manure) and 50% in the West River (emphasis on fertilizer) could significantly improve water quality and mitigate eutrophication in both river and coastal waters.

Ultrasonic-pretreated waste activated sludge hydrolysis and volatile fatty acid accumulation under alkaline conditions: Effect of temperature.

The effect of temperature on the hydrolysis and acidification of ultrasonic-pretreated waste activated sludge (WAS) under alkaline conditions was investigated in this study. The experiment temperatures were set at 10, 20, 37, and 55°C. Experimental results showed that the hydrolysis of ultrasonic-pretreated WAS under alkaline conditions increased significantly with temperature from 10 to 55°C, while the volatile fatty acid (VFA) accumulation was not augmented as temperature increased. Among the four temperatures tested, 37°C was the point with the highest VFA accumulation after 72h fermentation. VFA accumulation decreased markedly at 55°C compared to 37°C. Mechanism investigation revealed that among all the temperatures tested, 37°C was the temperature at which consumptions of WAS protein and carbohydrate, activities of key enzymes related to VFA formation and ratio of Bacteria to Archaea all reached the maximum. Due to activities of related microorganisms inhibited by higher temperature (55°C), VFA accumulation decreased at 55°C.