Analysis of Microbial Community Dynamics during the Acclimatization Period of a Membrane Bioreactor Treating Table Olive Processing Wastewater

Abstract

Biological treatment of table olive processing wastewater (TOPW) may be problematic due to its high organic and polyphenolic compound content. Biomass acclimatization is a necessary, yet sensitive, stage for efficient TOPW biological treatment. Next-generation sequencing technologies can provide valuable insights into this critical process step. An aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) system, initially inoculated with municipal activated sludge, was acclimatized to treat TOPW. Operational stability and bioremediation efficiency were monitored for approx. three months, whereas microbial community dynamics and metabolic adaptation were assessed through metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis. A swift change was identified in both the prokaryotic and eukaryotic bio-community after introduction of TOPW in the MBR, and a new diverse bio-community was established. Thauera and Paracoccus spp. are dominant contributors to the metabolic activity of the stable bio-community, which resulted in over 90% and 85% removal efficiency of total organic carbon and total polyphenols, respectively. This is the first study assessing the microbial community dynamics in a well-defined MBR process treating TOPW, offering guidance in the start-up of large-scale applications.

Performance of a membrane bioreactor and a moving bed biofilm reactor–membrane bioreactor treating table olive processing wastewater: a comparative study

“…The acclimatization of the bio‐community during the start‐up period of biological wastewater treatment plants is a critical step that significantly influences the performance of the wastewater treatment process. The latter is more evident for industrial wastewater, characterized by the presence of recalcitrant/toxic organic compounds and by high salinity, for which a careful start‐up acclimatization protocol should be employed 39 . TOPW feed volume gradually increased within about a 1‐month period of operation; this gradual increase was evident in the gradual increase of the EC in both bioreactors (Fig.…”

“…The latter is more evident for industrial wastewater, characterized by the presence of recalcitrant/toxic organic compounds and by high salinity, for which a careful start-up acclimatization protocol should be employed. 39 TOPW feed volume gradually increased within about a 1-month period of operation; this gradual increase was evident in the gradual increase of the EC in both bioreactors ( Fig. 2(a)).…”

Influence of Solid Retention Time on Membrane Fouling and Biogas Recovery in Anerobic Membrane Bioreactor Treating Sugarcane Industry Wastewater in Sahelian Climate

“…These findings highlight the significant and continuous accumulation of suspended solids within the system in the absence of sludge removal. The acclimatization period consisted of a gradual buildup to VSS values of 10 g/L and a VSS/SS ratio of 80% [ 50 , 51 ]. The high levels of SS and VSS present in the influent, combined with the dilution of the inoculum (which accounted for 20% of the total volume), resulted in a slower acclimatization process compared to the findings reported in a study conducted by Sawadogo et al [ 21 ], in which acclimatization was applied for approximately 20 days by treating wastewater from beverage production operations with an initial sludge load of 6 g/L SS.…”

Effects of Magnesium Oxide and Magnesium Hydroxide Microparticle Foliar Treatment on Tomato PR Gene Expression and Leaf Microbiome

“…To evaluate the leaf epiphytic microbiome community dynamics, upon spraying with magnesium MPs, amplicon metabarcoding analysis was performed using the 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA genes as taxonomic identification markers [37]. The results are shown in Figure 8.…”