EPS and SMP dynamics at different heights of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAMBR)

Membrane bioreactors (MBR) technology for wastewater offers many advantages over conventional technologies such as high effluent quality, less footprint and others. The main disadvantage of membrane bioreactors (MBR) is related to membrane fouling, which is mainly caused by extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and soluble microbial products (SMP). This research studied EPS and SMP dynamics at different heights of a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor (SAMBR). The SAMBR was operated under two organic loading rates (OLR) (0.79 and 1.56 kg/m³ d) and was fed with synthetic wastewater with glucose as the carbon source. The results showed percentages of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal above 95% and the highest COD removal rates were observed at the bottom of the reactor (>83%) for both OLR. The EPS showed a stratification with highest quantities in the supernatant. For the SMP the highest concentration was in the bottom of SAMBR where utilization predominated associated products whereas in the SAMBR supernatant predominated biomass associated products. The OLR change led to a significant increase in SMP accumulation but not in EPS. These facts showed that EPS and SMP dynamic in the SAMBR seemed to be mainly influenced by biological activity, total suspended solids concentration and substrate composition.     

Quorum sensing: an emerging link between temperature and membrane biofouling in membrane bioreactors

Lab-scale membrane bioreactors (MBRs) were investigated at 12, 18, and 25?°C to identify the correlation between quorum sensing (QS) and biofouling at different temperatures. The lower the reactor temperature, the more severe the membrane biofouling measured in terms of the transmembrane pressure (TMP) during filtration. More extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) that cause biofouling were produced at 18?°C than at 25?°C, particularly polysaccharides, closely associated with QS via the production of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL). However, at 12?°C, AHL production decreased, but the release of EPSs due to deflocculation increased the soluble EPS concentration. To confirm the temperature effect related to QS, bacteria producing AHL were isolated from MBR sludge and identified as Aeromonas sp., Leclercia sp., and Enterobacter sp. through a 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Batch assays at 18 and 25?°C showed that there was a positive correlation between QS through AHL and biofilm formation in that temperature range.     

Quorum sensing inhibitors as antipathogens: biotechnological applications

The mechanisms through which microbes communicate using signal molecules has inspired a great deal of research. Microbes use this exchange of information, known as quorum sensing (QS), to initiate and perpetuate infectious diseases in eukaryotic organisms, evading the eukaryotic defense system by multiplying and expressing their pathogenicity through QS regulation. The major issue to arise from such networks is increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics, resulting from QS-dependent mediation of the formation of biofilm, the induction of efflux pumps, and the production of antibiotics. QS inhibitors (QSIs) of diverse origins have been shown to act as potential antipathogens. In this review, we focus on the use of QSIs to counter diseases in humans as well as plants and animals of economic importance. We also discuss the challenges encountered in the potential applications of QSIs.     

Characterizing membrane foulants in MBR with addition of polyferric chloride to enhance phosphorus removal

The effect of polymeric ferric chloride (PFC) addition on phosphorus removal and membrane fouling were investigated in an anoxic/oxic submerged membrane bioreactor. The total phosphorus concentration in effluent averaged at 0.26 mg/L with PFC addition of 10-15 mg/L, while the rate of membrane fouling increased 1.6 times over the control MBR (without PFC addition). Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy and Gel Filtration Chromatography analysis indicated that soluble microbial byproduct-like materials and large molecules (M(W)>100 kDa) were one of the main contributors of biofouling. Fourier transform infrared spectrum confirmed that the major components of the cake layer were proteins and polysaccharides materials. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that membrane surfaces were covered with compact gel layer formed by organic substances and Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis indicated that ferric metals were the most important inorganic pollutants. Consequently, soluble organic substances and dose of PFC should be controlled to minimize membrane fouling.     

The influenced of PAC, zeolite, and Moringa oleifera as biofouling reducer (BFR) on hybrid membrane bioreactor of palm oil mill effluent (POME)

The main objective of this work was to determine the effectiveness of various biofouling reducers (BFRs) to operational condition in hybrid membrane bioreactor (MBR) of palm oil mill effluent (POME). A series of tests involving three bench scale (100 L) hybrid MBR were operated at sludge retention times (SRTs) of 30 days with biofouling reducer (BFR). Three different biofouling reducers (BFRs) were powdered actived carbon (PAC), zeolite (Ze), and Moringa oleifera (Mo) with doses of 4, 8 and 12 g L⁻¹ respectively were used. Short-term filtration trials and critical flux tests were conducted. Results showed that, all BFRs successfully removed soluble microbial products (SMP), for PAC, Ze, and Mo at 58%, 42%, and 48%, respectively. At their optimum dosages, PAC provided above 70% reductions and 85% in fouling rates during the short-term filtration and critical flux tests.     

Microbial community analysis of an aerobic nitrifying-denitrifying MBR treating ABS resin wastewater

A two-stage aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR) system for treating acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin wastewater was carried out in this study to evaluate the system performance on nitrification. The results showed that nitrification of the aerobic MBR system was significant and the highest TKN removal of approximately 90% was obtained at hydraulic retention time (HRT) 18 h. In addition, the result of nitrogen mass balance revealed that the percentage of TN removal due to denitrification was in the range of 8.7-19.8%. Microbial community analysis based on 16s rDNA molecular approach indicated that the dominant ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) group in the system was a β-class ammonia oxidizer which was identified as uncultured sludge bacterium (AF234732). A heterotrophic aerobic denitrifier identified as Thauera mechernichensis was found in the system. The results indicated that a sole aerobic MBR system for simultaneous removals of carbon and nitrogen can be designed and operated for neglect with an anaerobic unit.     

Bacterial community structure and enzyme activities in a membrane bioreactor (MBR) using pure oxygen as an aeration source

A pilot-scale membrane bioreactor was used to treat urban wastewater using pure oxygen instead of air as a source of aeration, to study its influence on bacterial diversity and levels of enzyme activities (acid and alkaline phosphatases, glucosidase, protease, and esterase) in the sludge. The experimental work was developed in two stages influenced by seasonal temperature. Operational parameters (temperature, pH, BOD₅, COD, total and volatile suspended solids) were daily monitored, and enzyme activities measured twice a week. Redundancy analysis (RDA) was used to reveal relationships between the level of enzyme activities and the variation of operational parameters, demonstrating a significant effect of temperature and volatile suspended solids. Bacterial diversity was analyzed by temperature-gradient gel electrophoresis of PCR-amplified partial 16S rRNA genes. Significant differences in community structure were observed between both stages. Sequence analysis revealed that the prevalent Bacteria populations were evolutively close to Alphaproteobacteria (44%), Betaproteobacteria (25%) and Firmicutes (17%).     

Performance of an anaerobic membrane bioreactor in which granular sludge and dynamic filtration are integrated

To alleviate the fouling of a filter, simple substrates, dynamic filtration, and granular sludge were applied in an anaerobic membrane bioreactor (AnMBR). The results showed that under a transmembrane pressure < 20 kPa, the filter flux ranged between 15 and 20 l (m^?2 h)^?1 for a period of 30 days. The flux was higher than the typical flux of AnMBRs with conventional membranes and most current dynamic filters. In addition, the low cost of the filter avoided the need for a higher flux. Moreover, a stable granular sludge bed, which consumed all volatile fatty acids, was maintained. A compact fouling/filtration layer formed on the filter, which contributed to low effluent chemical oxygen demand concentrations and turbidity. In addition, substrate scarcity in the filtration zone resulted in the evolution of diverse bacteria on the filter.     

一株假单胞菌(Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR)好氧还原亚硒酸钠为红色单质硒

【目的】本实验室保藏的一株异化硝酸盐还原菌(Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR),其能够在好氧环境下以有机碳源为电子供体,把易溶解、高毒性亚硒酸钠还原成为红色单质硒,本文对该菌株还原亚硒酸盐的特征进行了研究。【结果】结果表明该菌株可以在pH为6-11环境中生长,对亚硒酸钠有较强抗性,其MIC(minimal inhibitory concentration)可高达50 mmol/L。在5天时间内,菌体以柠檬酸钠为电子供体,把2 mmol/L亚硒酸钠完全还原为红色单质硒并主要积累于胞外。硝酸盐和还原型谷胱甘肽对菌体还原亚硒酸钠具有促进作用,初步确定菌体对亚硒酸钠的还原是细胞膜或细胞质中的某些物质催化的结果。【结论】本项研究为应用Pseudomonas alcaliphila MBR于生物反应器提供了重要基础。     

Incorporation of ultrasonic cell disintegration into a membrane bioreactor for zero sludge production

For the prevention of excess sludge production from a membrane bioreactor (MBR), an ultrasonic cell disintegration process was incorporated. The results of this study showed that excess sludge production could be prevented using an ultrasound hybrid (MBR-US) system at an organic loading of around 0.91 kg BOD₅/m³ per day. Under the same organic loading rate, the mixed liquor suspended solid (MLSS) of MBR-US system was maintained at 7000–8000 mg/l while the MLSS of a conventional MBR increased from 7000 to 13,700 mg/l during the experimental period. While sludge production was completely prevented, the effluent quality of the MBR-US system slightly deteriorated. The additional organic loading caused by disintegrated sludge return was considered to be a reason. With sonication the volume of the average particle size of the sludge in the aeration tank decreased from 132 to 95 μm. In the MBR-US system, around 25–30% of total phosphorus removal was achieved without sludge removal from the aeration tank.