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This study examined the effects of thermal pre-treatment and recuperative thickening on anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge on biogas production and removal of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs). Thermal pre-treatment and recuperative thickening resulted in approximately 15% increase in biogas production. However, the effects of thermal pretreatement and recuperative thickening on anaerobic digestion performance in respect to the removal of TrOCs were less obvious and varied widely depending on the molecular properties of each compound. Of the 40 TrOCs monitored in this study, 16 TrOCs were detected in all primary sludge samples. Removal from the aqueous phase was negligible for most of these 16 TrOCs. Caffeine and paracetamol were the only two TrOCs with a high removal from the aqueous phase. In comparison to the aqueous phase, TrOC removal from the solid phase was considerably higher. Through a mass balance calculation, it was shown that thermal pre-treatment or a combination of thermal pre-treatment and recuperative thickening could enhance the biodegradation of five persistent TrOCs, namely TCEP, verapamil, clozapine, triclosan, and triclocarban by 17–50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the fate of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in sewage sludge during recuperative thickening anaerobic digestion. Sludge shearing at 3142 s −1 for 5 minutes improved biogas production. By contrast, shearing at ≥6283 s −1 for 5 minutes caused a notable reduction in biogas production and the removal of volatile solids. Results reported here showed the prevalent occurrence of 17 TrOCs in sewage sludge and highlights the importance of assessing TrOC removal via mass balance calculation by taking into account partitioning between the aqueous and solid phase as well as biodegradation. Hydrophilic and readily-biodegradable TrOCs (caffeine, trimethoprim, and paracetamol) were well removed and were not affected by shearing. TrOCs such as carbamazepine, gemfibrozil, and diuron showed biodegradation only at high shearing. It is possible that shearing can facilitate the circulation of TrOCs between aqueous and solid phases, thus, enhancing the biodegradation of some TrOCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the performance of a side-stream ceramic nanofiltration membrane bioreactor (NF-MBR) system with respect to basic water quality parameters as well as trace organic contaminant (TrOC) removal efficiency. The results show a stable biological performance of the continuous NF-MBR system with high effluent quality (total organic carbon < 4 mg L −1 and NH 4 + –N below the detection limit). Significantly higher performance by this NF-MBR in comparison to the conventional microfiltration/ultrafiltration MBR regarding the removal of a large number of TrOCs was observed. TrOC removal efficiency depended on their hydrophobicity and molecular features. All hydrophobic compounds (Log D pH=6 > 3) were well removed (>85%), except diazinon (59 ± 7%). Hydrophilic compounds containing electron donating groups were also well removed (>90%). By contrast, hydrophilic compounds containing electron withdrawing groups were poorly removed (8–54%). Most of the 40 TrOCs investigated in this study did not accumulate in the sludge. Only three hydrophobic compounds, namely amitriptyline, triclosan and triclocarban showed considerable accumulation in sludge (>500 ng g −1 ). Mass balance indicated biodegradation/transformation as the most significant TrOC removal mechanism by this NF-MBR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fibrobacteres phylum contains two described species, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Fibrobacter intestinalis , both of which are prolific degraders of cellulosic plant biomass in the herbivore gut. However, recent 16S rRNA gene sequencing studies have identified novel Fibrobacteres in landfill sites, freshwater lakes and the termite hindgut, suggesting that members of the Fibrobacteres occupy a broader ecological range than previously appreciated. In this study, the ecology and diversity of Fibrobacteres was evaluated in 64 samples from contrasting environments where cellulose degradation occurred. Fibrobacters were detected in 23 of the 64 samples using Fibrobacter genus-specific 16S rRNA gene PCR, which provided their first targeted detection in marine and estuarine sediments, cryoconite from Arctic glaciers, as well as a broader range of environmental samples. To determine the phylogenetic diversity of the Fibrobacteres phylum, Fibrobacter-specific 16S rRNA gene clone libraries derived from 17 samples were sequenced (384 clones) and compared with all available Fibrobacteres sequences in the Ribosomal Database Project repository. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 63 lineages of Fibrobacteres (95% OTUs), with many representing as yet unclassified species. Of these, 24 OTUs were exclusively comprised of fibrobacters derived from environmental (non-gut) samples, 17 were exclusive to the mammalian gut, 15 to the termite hindgut, and 7 comprised both environmental and mammalian strains, thus establishing Fibrobacter spp. as indigenous members of microbial communities beyond the gut ecosystem. The data highlighted significant taxonomic and ecological diversity within the Fibrobacteres , a phylum circumscribed by potent cellulolytic activity, suggesting considerable functional importance in the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass in the biosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Results reported here highlight the potential and several challenges in the development of a novel osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) process for the treatment of municipal wastewater. Following the initial gradual decline, a stable permeate flux value was obtained after approximately four days of continuous operation. There was evidence of continuous deterioration of biological activity of the OMBR system, possibly due to the build-up of salinity in the reactor. The removal of 25 out of 27 trace organic compounds with molecular weight higher than 266g/mol was above 80% and was possibly governed by the interplay between physical separation of the FO membrane and biodegradation. In contrast, the removal efficiency values of the other 23 trace organic compounds with molecular weight less than 266g/mol were very scattered. The removal efficiency of these low molecular weight compounds by OMBR treatment appears to depend mostly on biological degradation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary Cellulose is reputedly the most abundant organic polymer in the biosphere, yet despite the fundamental role of cellulolytic microorganisms in global carbon cycling and as potential sources of novel enzymes for biotechnology, their identity and ecology is not well established. Cellulose is a major component of landfill waste and its degradation is therefore a key feature of the anaerobic microbial decomposition process. Here, we targeted a number of taxa containing known cellulolytic anaerobes (members of the bacterial genus Fibrobacter, lineages of Clostridium clusters I, III, IV and XIV, and anaerobic fungi of the Neocallimastigales) in landfill leachate and colonized cellulose 'baits' via PCR and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Fibrobacter spp. and Clostridium clusters III, IV and XIV were detected in almost all leachate samples and cluster III and XIV clostridia were the most abundant (1-6% and 1-17% of total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies respectively). Two landfill leachate microcosms were constructed to specifically assess those microbial communities that colonize and degrade cellulose substrates in situ. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of colonized cotton revealed extensive cellulose degradation in one microcosm, and Fibrobacter spp. and Clostridium cluster III represented 29% and 17%, respectively, of total bacterial 16S rRNA gene copies in the biofilm. Visible cellulose degradation was not observed in the second microcosm, and this correlated with negligible relative abundances of Clostridium cluster III and Fibrobacter spp. (≤ 0.1%), providing the first evidence that the novel fibrobacters recently detected in landfill sites and other non-gut environments colonize and degrade cellulose substrates in situ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) was assessed for the removal of estrogens, androgens, and a selection of pharmaceuticals and personal care products. The biomass and aqueous components of the MBR were investigated to determine whether removal was by biodegradation or by adsorption to the biomass. Removal was monitored using chemical analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as well as biological analysis using estrogenic and androgenic yeast assays. Results showed that the MBR was effective in removing the compounds of concern from raw influent with removal rates between 78 and 99%. Removal efficiencies were comparable or better than those reported for conventional activated sludge systems, which was attributed to the relatively high sludge retention time of the MBR. The biomass component showed significant concentrations of salicylic acid, triclosan, and 4-tertoctylphenol. Estrogenic and androgenic activity was also measured in the biomass. Estrone was identified as the main compound responsible for the estrogenic activity. It was concluded that the main removal pathway was biodegradation, but sorption to biomass may also be important, particularly for triclosan and 4-tert-octylphenol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the fate of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) in an oxic-settling-anoxic (OSA) process consisting of a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) with external aerobic/anoxic and anoxic reactors. OSA did not negatively affect TrOC removal of the SBR. Generally, low TrOC removal was observed under anoxic and low substrate conditions, implicating the role of co-metabolism in TrOC biodegradation. Several TrOCs that were recalcitrant in the SBR ( e.g. , benzotriazole) were biodegraded in the external aerobic/anoxic reactor. Some hydrophobic TrOCs ( e.g. , triclosan) were desorbed in the anoxic reactor possibly due to loss of sorption sites through volatile solids destruction. In OSA, the sludge was discharged from the aerobic/anoxic reactor which contained lower concentration of TrOCs ( e.g. , triclosan and triclocarban) than that of the control aerobic digester, suggesting that OSA can also help to reduce TrOC concentration in residual biosolids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are recalcitrant synthetic organohalides known to negatively impact human health. Short-chain fluorotelomer alcohols are considered the precursor of various perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the environment. Their ongoing production and widespread detection motivate investigations of their biological transformation. Dietzia aurantiaca strain J3 was isolated from PFAS-contaminated landfill leachate using 6:2 fluorotelomer sulphonate (6:2 FTS) as a sulphur source. Resting cell experiments were used to test if strain J3 could transform fluorotelomer alcohols (6:2 and 4:2 FTOH). Strain J3 transformed fluorotelomer alcohols into PFCAs, polyfluorocarboxylic acids and transient intermediates. Over 6 days, 80 % and 58 % of 6:2 FTOH (0.1 mM) and 4:2 FTOH (0.12 mM) were degraded with 6.4 % and 14 % fluoride recovery respectively. Fluorotelomer unsaturated carboxylic acid (6:2 FTUCA) was the most abundant metabolite, accounting for 21 to 30 mol% of 6:2 FTOH (0.015 mM) applied on day zero. Glutathione (GSH) conjugates of 6:2/4:2 FTOH and 5:3 FTCA adducts were also structurally identified. Proteomics studies conducted to identify enzymes in the biotransformation pathway have revealed the role of various enzymes involved in β oxidation. This is the first report of 6:2/4:2 FTOH glutathione conjugates and 5:3 FTCA adducts in prokaryotes, and the first study to explore the biotransformation of 4:2 FTOH by pure bacterial strain. [Display omitted] • First observation of FTOH glutathione adducts in bacteria. • First observation of 4:2 FTOH biotransformation in pure culture. • long-chain-fatty-acid-CoA ligases, acyl-CoA dehydrogenases, 3-hydroxyacyl-coA dehydrogenase and GST were involved in the transformation pathways. • β-oxidation is considered the predominant fate of fluorotelomer alcohols. • This work expands the range of products to diagnose PFAS biotransformation in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigated the fate of eight N-nitrosamines during membrane bioreactor (MBR) treatment. The results suggest that biodegradation is mainly responsible for the removal of N-nitrosamines during MBR treatment. Other removal mechanisms were insignificant (e.g. adsorption to sludge) or not expected (e.g. photolysis and volatilization) given the experimental conditions and physicochemical properties of the N-nitrosamines studied here. N-nitrosamine removal efficiencies were from 24% to 94%, depending on their molecular properties. High removal of N-nitrosamines such as N-nitrosodimethylamine and N-nitrosodiethylamine could be explained by the presence of strong electron donating functional groups (EDG) in their structure. In contrast, N-nitrosomorpholine possessing the weak EDG morpholine was persistent to biodegradation. The removal efficiency of N-nitrosomorpholine was 24% and was the lowest amongst all N-nitrosamines investigated in this study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between physicochemical properties (namely halogen content and hydrophobicity) of halogenated trace organics and their removal efficiencies by a laboratory scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) under stable operating conditions. The reported results demonstrated a combined effect of halogen content and hydrophobicity on the removal. Compounds with high halogen content (>0.3) were well removed (>85%) when they possessed high hydrophobicity (Log D >3.2), while those with lower Log D values were also well removed if they had low halogen content (<0.1). General indices such as the BIOWIN index (which is based on only biodegradation) or a more specific index such as the halogen content (which captures a chemical aspect) appeared insufficient to predict the removal efficiency of halogenated compounds in MBR. Experimental data confirmed that the ratio of halogen content and Log D, which incorporates two important physico-chemical properties, is comparatively more suitable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study examined the relationship between specific molecular features of trace organic contaminants and their removal efficiencies by a laboratory scale membrane bioreactor (MBR). Removal efficiencies of 40 trace organic compounds were assessed under stable operating conditions. The reported results demonstrate an apparent correlation between chemical structures and the removal of trace organic contaminants by the laboratory scale MBR system. The removal of all 14 very hydrophobic (Log D > 3.2) trace organic compounds selected in this study was consistently high and was above 85%. The occurrence and types of electron withdrawing or donating functional groups appear to be important factors governing their removal by MBR treatment. In this study, all hydrophilic and moderately hydrophobic (Log D < 3.2) compounds possessing strong electron withdrawing functional groups showed removal efficiency of less than 20%. In contrast, high removal efficiencies were observed with most compounds bearing electron donating functional groups such as hydroxyl and primary amine groups. A qualitative framework for the assessment of trace organic removal by MBR treatment was proposed to provide further insights into the removal mechanisms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A pilot-scale study was conducted to investigate the fate of trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) during anaerobic digestion of primary sludge. Of the 44 TrOCs monitored, 24 were detected in all primary sludge samples. Phase distribution of TrOCs was correlated well with their hydrophobicity (>67% mass in the solid phase when LogD > 1.5). The pilot-scale anaerobic digester achieved a steady performance with a specific methane yield of 0.39–0.92 L/gVS removed and methane composition of 63–65% despite considerable variation in the primary sludge. The fate of TrOCs in the aqueous and solid phases was governed by their physicochemical properties. Biotransformation was significant (>83%) for five TrOCs with logD < 1.5 and electron donating functional groups in molecular structure. The remaining TrOCs with logD < 1.5 were persistent and thus accumulated in the aqueous phase. Most TrOCs with logD > 1.5 were poorly removed under anaerobic conditions. Sorption onto the solid phase appears to impede the biodegradation of these TrOCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experiments were conducted over approximately 7months to investigate the effects of mixed liquor pH (between pH 5 and 9) on the removal of trace organics by a submerged MBR system. Removal efficiencies of ionisable trace organics (sulfamethoxazole, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, and diclofenac) were strongly pH dependent. However, the underlying removal mechanisms are different for ionisable and non-ionisable compounds. High removal efficiencies of these ionisable trace organics at pH 5 could possibly be attributed to their speciation behaviour. At this pH, these compounds exist predominantly in their hydrophobic form. Consequently, they could readily adsorb to the activated sludge, resulting in higher removal efficiency in comparison to under less acidic conditions in the reactor. Removal efficiencies of the two non-ionisable compounds bisphenol A and carbamazepine were relatively independent of the mixed liquor pH. Results reported here suggest an apparent connection between physicochemical properties of the compounds and their removal efficiencies by MBRs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]