Effects of Al<sup>3+</sup> on pollutant removal and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) under anaerobic, anoxic and oxic conditions

doi:10.1007/s11783-019-1169-5

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2019, Vol. 13

Issue (6) : 85 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-019-1169-5

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Effects of Al³⁺ on pollutant removal and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) under anaerobic, anoxic and oxic conditions

Lanhe Zhang^1,², Jing Zheng¹, Jingbo Guo³(

), Xiaohui Guan¹, Suiyi Zhu⁴, Yanping Jia¹, Jian Zhang¹, Xiaoyu Zhang², Haifeng Zhang¹

¹. School of Chemical Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
². Key Laboratory of Songliao Aquatic Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun 130118, China
³. School of Civil and Architecture Engineering, Northeast Electric Power University, Jilin 132012, China
⁴. School of Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China

Download: PDF(2713 KB) HTML
Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks

Abstract

The highest removal efficiencies of COD and TN were achieved under 10 mg/L of Al³⁺.

The highest TP removal efficiency occurred under 30 mg/L of Al³⁺.

EPS, PS and PN concentrations increased with the addition of Al³⁺.

Sludge properties significantly changed with the addition of Al³⁺.

Aluminum ions produced by aluminum mining, electrolytic industry and aluminum-based coagulants can enter wastewater treatment plants and interact with activated sludge. They can subsequently contribute to the removal of suspended solids and affect activated sludge flocculation, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus removal. In this study, the effects of Al³⁺ on pollutant removal, sludge flocculation and the composition and structure of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were investigated under anaerobic, anoxic and oxic conditions. Results demonstrated that the highest chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiencies were detected for an Al³⁺ concentration of 10 mg/L. In addition, the maximal dehydrogenase activity and sludge flocculation were also observed at this level of Al³⁺. The highest removal efficiency of total phosphorus (TP) was achieved at an Al³⁺ concentration of 30 mg/L. The flocculability of sludge in the anoxic zone was consistently higher than that in the anaerobic and oxic zones. The addition of Al³⁺ promoted the secretion of EPS. Tryptophan-like fluorescence peaks were detected in each EPS layer in the absence of Al³⁺. At the Al³⁺ concentration of 10 mg/L, fulvic acid and tryptophan fluorescence peaks began to appear, while the majority of protein species and the highest microbial activity were also detected. Low Al³⁺ concentrations (<10 mg/L) could promote the removal efficiencies of COD and TN, yet excessive Al³⁺ levels (>10 mg/L) weakened microbial activity. Higher Al³⁺ concentrations (>30 mg/L) also inhibited the release of phosphorus in the anaerobic zone by reacting with PO₄³^-.

Keywords Extracellular polymeric substances Activated sludge Aluminum ion A²O Wastewater

Corresponding Author(s): Jingbo Guo

Issue Date: 19 November 2019

Cite this article:

Lanhe Zhang,Jing Zheng,Jingbo Guo, et al. Effects of Al³⁺ on pollutant removal and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) under anaerobic, anoxic and oxic conditions[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2019, 13(6): 85.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-019-1169-5
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2019/V13/I6/85

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of the A²O process.

Tab.1 Influent wastewater specifications

Fig.2 Effects of Al³⁺ on COD, TN and TP removal efficiencies in the anaerobic, anoxic and oxic zones. a₁, a₂ and a₃ represent COD, TN and TP changes in the anaerobic zone; b₁, b₂ and b₃ represent COD, TN and TP changes in the anoxic zone; and c₁, c₂ and c₃ represent COD, TN and TP changes in the oxic zone.

Fig.3 Effects of Al³⁺ on the dehydrogenase content in the different zones of the A²O process.

Fig.4 Effect of Al³⁺ on the sludge flocculation in the anaerobic, anoxic and oxic zones.

Fig.5 Effects of Al³⁺ on sludge particle size and Zeta potential in the anaerobic, anoxic and oxic zones.

Fig.6 SEM analysis of activated sludge in different zones under varying Al³⁺ concentrations. (a), (b) and (c) (including 1–4) represent the anaerobic, anoxic and oxic zones, respectively, while 1–4 represent the Al³⁺ concentrations of 0, 10, 30 and 40 mg/L, respectively.

Fig.7 Effects of Al³⁺ on EPS, PN and PS in different zones of the A²O process.

Fig.8 3D fluorescence spectra of LB-EPS under varying concentrations of Al³⁺ in different zones of the A²O process. (a), (b) and (c) (including 1–4) represent the anaerobic, anoxic and oxic zones, respectively.

1	V Agridiotis, C F Forster, C Carliell-Marquet (2007). Addition of Al and Fe salts during treatment of paper mill effluents to improve activated sludge settlement characteristics. Bioresource Technology, 98(15): 2926–2934 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2006.10.004 pmid: 17113285
2	A Baker, M Curry (2004). Fluorescence of leachates from three contrasting landfills. Water Research, 38(10): 2605–2613 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2004.02.027 pmid: 15159164
3	W Chen, P Westerhoff, J A Leenheer, K Booksh (2003). Fluorescence excitation-emission matrix regional integration to quantify spectra for dissolved organic matter. Environmental Science & Technology, 37(24): 5701–5710 https://doi.org/10.1021/es034354c pmid: 14717183
4	B Frolund, T Griebe, P H Nielsen (1995). Enzymatic activity in the activated-sludge floc matrix. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 43(4): 755–761 https://doi.org/10.1007/s002530050481 pmid: 7546613
5	J Ge, X Meng, Y Song, A Terracciano (2018). Effect of phosphate releasing in activated sludge on phosphorus removal from municipal wastewater. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China, 67(5): 216–223 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2017.09.004 pmid: 29778155
6	N Hudson, A Baker, D Ward, D M Reynolds, C Brunsdon, C Carliell-Marquet, S Browning (2008). Can fluorescence spectrometry be used as a surrogate for the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) test in water quality assessment? An example from South West England. Science of the Total Environment, 391(1): 149–158 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.10.054 pmid: 18054993
7	K L Hwang, C H Bang, K D Zoh (2016). Characteristics of methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the wastewater treatment plant. Bioresource Technology, 21: 881–884 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2016.05.047 pmid: 27237575
8	B Ji, K Yang, H Wang (2015). Impacts of poly-aluminum chloride addition on activated sludge and the treatment efficiency of SBR. Desalination and Water Treatment, 54(9): 2376–2381 https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.989920
9	A Li, C Zhou, Z L Liu, X Y Xu, Y Zhou, D D Zhou, Y N Tang, F Ma, B E Rittmann (2018). Direct solid-state evidence of H2-induced partial U(VI) reduction concomitant with adsorption by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 115(7): 1685–1693 https://doi.org/10.1002/bit.26592 pmid: 29574765
10	H J Li, Y Taniguchi (2019). Load-carrying capacity of semi-rigid double-layer grid structures with initial crookedness of member. Engineering Structures, 184(1): 421–433 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.01.094
11	M Li, Y G Chen, Y L Su, R Wan, X Zheng (2016). Effect of fulvic acids with different characteristics on biological denitrification. RSC Advances, 6(18): 14993–15001 https://doi.org/10.1039/C5RA26885K
12	X Y Li, S F Yang (2007). Influence of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on the flocculation, sedimentation and dewaterability of activated sludge. Water Research, 41(5): 1022–1030 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2006.06.037 pmid: 16952388
13	J X Lin, X Jiang, J S Cao, F Fang, Q Feng (2018). Influences of phosphorous removal chemicals on EBPR system in wastewater treatment. Water Purification Technology, 37(12): 84–90 (in Chinese)
14	Y Liu, Z Liu, F Wang, Y Chen, P Kuschk, X Wang (2014). Regulation of aerobic granular sludge reformulation after granular sludge broken: Effect of poly aluminum chloride (PAC). Bioresource Technology, 158: 201–208 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2014.02.002 pmid: 24607455
15	B Ma, G Chen, C Hu, Z Liu, H Liu, J Qu (2018). Speciation matching mechanisms between orthophosphate and aluminum species during advanced P removal process. Science of the Total Environment, 642(15): 1311–1319 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.171 pmid: 30045511
16	W C Ma, L Zhao, H L Liu, Q L Liu, J Ma (2017). Improvement of sludge dewaterability with modified cinder via affecting EPS. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, 11(6): 19
17	M R Mehrnia, H Azami, M H Sarrafzadeh (2013). Fouling mitigation in membrane bioreactors using multivalent cations. Colloids and Surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 109: 90–96 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2013.03.009 pmid: 23624275
18	Y L Nie, X K Tian, Z X Zhou, Y Y Li (2017). Impact of food to microorganism ratio and alcohol ethoxylate dosage on methane production in treatment of low-strength wastewater by a submerged anaerobic membrane bioreactor. Frontiers of Environmental Science and Engineering, 11(6): 6
19	C Park, Y Fang, S N Murthy, J T Novak (2010). Effects of floc aluminum on activated sludge characteristics and removal of 17-a-ethinylestradiol in wastewater systems. Water Research, 44(5): 1335–1340 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2009.11.002 pmid: 19944440
20	S A Pino-Jelcic, S M Hong, J K Park (2006). Enhanced anaerobic biodegradability and inactivation of fecal coliforms and Salmonella spp. in wastewater sludge by using microwaves. Water Environment Research, 78(2): 209–216 https://doi.org/10.2175/106143005X90498 pmid: 16566529
21	X Ruan, L Li, J Liu (2013). Flocculating characteristic of activated sludge flocs: Interaction between Al3+ and extracellular polymeric substances. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China, 25(5): 916–924 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60210-1 pmid: 24218821
22	Y Salama, M Chennaoui, A Sylla, M Mountadar, M Rihani, O Assobhei (2016). Characterization, structure, and function of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microbial biofilm in biological wastewater treatment systems: A review. Desalination and Water Treatment, 57(35): 16220–16237 https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2015.1077739
23	G P Sheng, H Q Yu, X Y Li (2010). Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microbial aggregates in biological wastewater treatment systems: A review. Biotechnology Advances, 28(6): 882–894 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2010.08.001 pmid: 20705128
24	G P Sheng, H Q Yu, Z B Yue (2005). Production of extracellular polymeric substances from Rhodopseudomonas acidophila in the presence of toxic substances. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 69(2): 216–222 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-1990-6 pmid: 15843928
25	A Sondhi, S Guha, C S Harendranath, A Singh (2010). Effect of aluminum (Al3+) on granulation in upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor treating low-strength synthetic wastewater. Water Environment Research, 82(8): 715–724 https://doi.org/10.2175/106143010X12609736966603 pmid: 20853750
26	D T Sponza (2003). Investigation of extracellular polymer substances (EPS) and physicochemical properties of different activated sludge flocs under steady-state conditions. Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 32(3–4): 375–385 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0141-0229(02)00309-5
27	M Sun, L Yan, L Zhang, L Song, J Guo, H Zhang (2019). New insights into the rapid formation of initial membrane fouling after in-situ cleaning in a membrane bioreactor. Process Biochemistry, 78: 108–113 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2019.01.004
28	M Tian, F Zhao, X Shen, K Chu, J Wang, S Chen, Y Guo, H Liu (2015). The first metagenome of activated sludge from full-scale anaerobic/anoxic/oxic (A2O) nitrogen and phosphorus removal reactor using Illumina sequencing. Journal of Environmental Sciences-China, 35(1): 181–190 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2014.12.027 pmid: 26354707
29	C Wang, R He, Y Wu, M Lürling, H Cai, H L Jiang, X Liu (2017). Bioavailable phosphorus (P) reduction is less than mobile P immobilization in lake sediment for eutrophication control by inactivating agents. Water Research, 109(1): 196–206 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2016.11.045 pmid: 27888776
30	S Y Wang, Y L He, X Y Li, F X Jia, S Y Guo (2016). Optimization of extracellular polymeric substance extraction method of different sludge. Journal of Beijing University of Technology, 42(4): 569–576 (in Chinese)
31	B M Wilén, B Jin, P Lant (2003). The influence of key chemical constituents in activated sludge on surface and flocculating properties. Water Research, 37(9): 2127–2139 https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(02)00629-2 pmid: 12691899
32	T Yang, X K Hao, B Y Chen, Y X Chen, Y Zhang, K Yang (2018). Effects of Al3+ on dehydrogenase activity (DHA) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of activated sludge in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR). Acta Scientiae Circumstantiae, 38(4): 1453–1459 (in Chinese)
33	H F Zhang, M Sun, L F Song, J B Guo, L H Zhang (2019a). Fate of NaClO and membrane foulants during in-situ cleaning of membrane bioreactors: Combined effect on thermodynamic properties of sludge. Biochemical Engineering Journal, 147: 146–152 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bej.2019.04.016
34	L H Zhang, M S Zhang, J B Guo, J Zheng, Z C Chen, H F Zhang (2019b). Effects of K+ salinity on the sludge activity and the microbial community structure of an A2O process. Chemosphere, 235: 805–813 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.137 pmid: 31280049

[1]

FSE-19090-OF-ZLH_suppl_1

Download

[1]	Tao Liu, Yudong Song, Zhiqiang Shen, Yuexi Zhou. Inhibition character of crotonaldehyde manufacture wastewater on biological acidification[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(6): 119-.
[2]	Majid Mustafa, Huijiao Wang, Richard H. Lindberg, Jerker Fick, Yujue Wang, Mats Tysklind. Identification of resistant pharmaceuticals in ozonation using QSAR modeling and their fate in electro-peroxone process[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 106-.
[3]	Yuan Meng, Weiyi Liu, Heidelore Fiedler, Jinlan Zhang, Xinrui Wei, Xiaohui Liu, Meng Peng, Tingting Zhang. Fate and risk assessment of emerging contaminants in reclaimed water production processes[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 104-.
[4]	Kangying Guo, Baoyu Gao, Jie Wang, Jingwen Pan, Qinyan Yue, Xing Xu. Flocculation behaviors of a novel papermaking sludge-based flocculant in practical printing and dyeing wastewater treatment[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 103-.
[5]	Byungjin Lee, Eun Seo Jo, Dong-Wha Park, Jinsub Choi. Submerged arc plasma system combined with ozone oxidation for the treatment of wastewater containing non-degradable organic compounds[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(5): 90-.
[6]	Haoran Feng, Min Liu, Wei Zeng, Ying Chen. Optimization of the O₃/H₂O₂ process with response surface methodology for pretreatment of mother liquor of gas field wastewater[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 78-.
[7]	Safaa M. Ezzat, Mohammed T. Mohammed T.. Treating wastewater under zero waste principle using wetland mesocosms[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 59-.
[8]	Ling Wang, Chunxue Yang, Sangeetha Thangavel, Zechong Guo, Chuan Chen, Aijie Wang, Wenzong Liu. Enhanced hydrogen production in microbial electrolysis through strategies of carbon recovery from alkaline/thermal treated sludge[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(4): 56-.
[9]	Yunping Han, Lin Li, Ying Wang, Jiawei Ma, Pengyu Li, Chao Han, Junxin Liu. Composition, dispersion, and health risks of bioaerosols in wastewater treatment plants: A review[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(3): 38-.
[10]	Shengjie Qiu, Jinjin Liu, Liang Zhang, Qiong Zhang, Yongzhen Peng. Sludge fermentation liquid addition attained advanced nitrogen removal in low C/N ratio municipal wastewater through short-cut nitrification-denitrification and partial anammox[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2021, 15(2): 26-.
[11]	Wenyue Li, Min Chen, Zhaoxiang Zhong, Ming Zhou, Weihong Xing. Hydroxyl radical intensified Cu₂O NPs/H₂O₂ process in ceramic membrane reactor for degradation on DMAc wastewater from polymeric membrane manufacturer[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 102-.
[12]	Dawei Yu, Jianxing Wang, Libin Zheng, Qianwen Sui, Hui Zhong, Meixue Cheng, Yuansong Wei. Effects of hydraulic retention time on net present value and performance in a membrane bioreactor treating antibiotic production wastewater[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(6): 101-.
[13]	Shengkun Dong, Chenyue Yin, Xiaohong Chen. Toxicity-oriented water quality engineering[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(5): 80-.
[14]	Zhenlian Qi, Shijie You, Ranbin Liu, C. Joon Chuah. Performance and mechanistic study on electrocoagulation process for municipal wastewater treatment based on horizontal bipolar electrodes[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(3): 40-.
[15]	Luman Zhou, Chengyang Wu, Yuwei Xie, Siqing Xia. Biogenic palladium prepared by activated sludge microbes for the hexavalent chromium catalytic reduction: Impact of relative biomass[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2020, 14(2): 27-.

Viewed

Full text

Abstract

Cited

Shared

Discussed