Insight into effects of polyethylene microplastics in anaerobic digestion systems of waste activated sludge: Interactions of digestion performance, microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes

Shi, Jianhong; Dang, Qiuling; Zhang, Chuanyan; Zhao, Xinyu

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119859

Cited by 16 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The total VFAs yield and individual VFA concentration in the PE MPs 180.0 μm and PE MPs 1.0 mm groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. After 40.0 days of digestion, the total VFAs and acetic acid concentrations of PE MPs-180.0 μm and PE MPs-1.0 mm were 1.7-fold and 1.5-fold, 7.1-fold, and 12.5-fold, respectively 111 . The increase in VFAs may provide more usable carbon sources for methanogens 141 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants

Zhao,

Li,

2024

Sci Rep

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Previous studies reported microplastics (MPs), antibiotics, and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). There is still a lack of research progress on the origin, fate, impact and hazards of MPs and ARGs in WWTPs. This paper fills a gap in this regard. In our search, we used “microplastics”, “antibiotic resistance genes”, and “wastewater treatment plant” as topic terms in Web of Science, checking the returned results for relevance by examining paper titles and abstracts. This study mainly explores the following points: (1) the origins and fate of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in WWTPs; (2) the mechanisms of action of MPs, antibiotics and ARGs in sludge biochemical pools; (3) the impacts of MPs in WWTPs and the spread of ARGs; (4) and the harm inflicted by MPs and ARGs on the environment and human body. Contaminants in sewage sludge such as MPs, ARGs, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria enter the soil and water. Contaminants can travel through the food chain and thus reach humans, leading to increased illness, hospitalization, and even mortality. This study will enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of action among MPs, antibiotics, ARGs, and the harm they inflict on the human body.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants

Zhao,

Li,

2024

Sci Rep

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“…WAS digestion was mainly classified into four stages, including solubilization, hydrolysis, acidification, and methanogenesis, and their efficiencies were directly correlated with the ultimate methane production . Interestingly, although PHMG evidently suppressed the accumulative methane yield, it significantly enhanced the efficiency of solubilization, hydrolysis, and acidification (Figure ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 Currently, anaerobic digestion is a widely accepted route for WAS treatment with methane (as a carbon-neutral sustainable fuel) production, which could be used for electricity or heat to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. The calorific value of pure methane per cubic meter is about 35,807 kJ, and the average power generation price using methane as a storage molecule is 0.18€/kW h. 4 As the microbial-dominated biological process, functional microorganisms exhibited vital roles in the anaerobic digestion process, and their microbial viabilities and activities were easily influenced by those undesirable ECs in WAS. 5 extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in WAS are considered the guardians of active microorganisms against toxic pollutants.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, anaerobic digestion is a widely accepted route for WAS treatment with methane (as a carbon-neutral sustainable fuel) production, which could be used for electricity or heat to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. The calorific value of pure methane per cubic meter is about 35,807 kJ, and the average power generation price using methane as a storage molecule is 0.18€/kW h …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Unveiling Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Regulating Behaviors on Methane Generation in a Sludge Anaerobic Digester: Interactive Process, Microbial Metabolic Trait Interference, and Adaptive Mechanisms

Wang,

Luo,

Huang

et al. 2023

ACS EST Eng.

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Extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in waste activated sludge (WAS) are important guardians of active microorganisms against toxic emerging contaminants (ECs). However, how ECs interact with EPSs and microorganisms and further interfere with microbial functions during WAS anaerobic digestion has not been systemically disclosed. This work reported the dose-dependent effects of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG, as a potential EC) on methane production during WAS digestion and comprehensively revealed the underlying mechanisms. PHMG at low dose showed an evident lag period for methane production (from 0.09 d in control to 8.23 d) but produced dramatic inhibition at high dose. Although PHMG promoted solubilization, hydrolysis, and acidification via enriching hydrolytic and acidogenic bacteria (i.e., Acidaminobacter and Acidibacter), methanogenesis was inhibited due to the reduction of methanogens (i.e., Methanosaeta and Syntrophomonas) and methanogenic activities related to acetoclastic and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis (i.e., yhdR, pdhB, f wdB, and f rhD). Meanwhile, PHMG inhibited interspecies electron transfer between acidogens and methanogens via decreasing the biosynthesis of electron shuttles and e-pili (i.e., ribA, yigB, ribBA, and MtrD) and reducing mutualistic microorganisms (i.e., Desulfobulbus and Methanospirillum), which resulted in a decrease of methane formation. Further analysis found that PHMG disrupted EPSs (mainly proteins) and improved cell permeability. Then, it might enter the microbial cells to induce the formation of septal invaginations to disturb microbial replication as well as metabolic functions involved in methane biosynthesis. However, functional microorganisms could adapt to the low PHMG stress and significantly recover metabolic activities for methane production via upregulating functional genes related to microbial growth (e.g., FEN1 and f tsQ) and activating the quorum sensing system (LuxR/I system).

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“…However, at higher concentrations of 4 g/L, these MPs reduced biogas production by approximately 7%, likely because organic matter adsorbing onto the MP surfaces made them less bioavailable, thus decreasing biogas generation efficiency [67]. The presence of PE-MPs of different sizes at a dosage of 100 mg/g TS significantly impacted the stages of biogas production, leading to reductions in methane production by 6.1% and 13.8% in the presence of PE-MPs-180 µm and PE-MPs-1 mm, respectively, primarily by inducing changes in the microbial population [83].…”

Section: Effect On Methanogenesismentioning

confidence: 99%

Enhancing Biogas Production Amidst Microplastic Contamination in Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Strategic Review

Otieno,

Cydzik-Kwiatkowska,

Jachimowicz

2024

Energies

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This review highlights the significant interaction between microplastic (MP) pollution and its impact on wastewater treatment systems, focusing on optimizing biogas production. We explore various sources of MPs, including tire-derived MPs, and their introduction into wastewater environments. This review delves into the mechanical and physicochemical challenges MPs pose in treatment processes, emphasizing the need for comprehensive mitigation strategies. The biological effects of MPs on microbial consortia essential for biogas production are analyzed, particularly how these pollutants interfere with each stage of anaerobic digestion—hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and methanogenesis—and, consequently, biogas generation. We examine MPs’ quantitative and qualitative impacts on biogas output and production rates, uncovering how MPs disrupt microbial activity in these stages. This review also discusses novel mitigation strategies combining different sludge pretreatment methods with MPs. Our goal is to enhance the sustainability of wastewater management by promoting efficient biogas production and environmental protection in the presence of persistent MP contamination.

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Insight into effects of polyethylene microplastics in anaerobic digestion systems of waste activated sludge: Interactions of digestion performance, microbial communities and antibiotic resistance genes

Cited by 16 publications

References 43 publications

Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants

Research progress on the origin, fate, impacts and harm of microplastics and antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater treatment plants

Unveiling Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Regulating Behaviors on Methane Generation in a Sludge Anaerobic Digester: Interactive Process, Microbial Metabolic Trait Interference, and Adaptive Mechanisms

Enhancing Biogas Production Amidst Microplastic Contamination in Wastewater Treatment Systems: A Strategic Review

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