Academic Journal
Treatment of Synthetic Wastewater Containing Polystyrene (PS) Nanoplastics by Membrane Bioreactor (MBR): Study of the Effects on Microbial Community and Membrane Fouling
| Title: | Treatment of Synthetic Wastewater Containing Polystyrene (PS) Nanoplastics by Membrane Bioreactor (MBR): Study of the Effects on Microbial Community and Membrane Fouling |
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| Authors: | Anamary Pompa-Pernía, Serena Molina, Laura Cherta, Lorena Martínez-García, Junkal Landaburu-Aguirre |
| Source: | Membranes, Vol 14, Iss 8, p 174 (2024) |
| Publisher Information: | MDPI AG, 2024. |
| Publication Year: | 2024 |
| Collection: | LCC:Chemical technology LCC:Chemical engineering |
| Subject Terms: | activated sludge, membrane bioreactor, membrane fouling, microfiltration, microbial community, nanoplastics, Chemical technology, TP1-1185, Chemical engineering, TP155-156 |
| More Details: | The persistent presence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in aquatic environments, particularly via effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), poses significant ecological risks. This study investigated the removal efficiency of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) using a lab-scale aerobic membrane bioreactor (aMBR) equipped with different membrane types: microfiltration (MF), commercial ultrafiltration (c-UF), and recycled ultrafiltration (r-UF) membranes. Performance was assessed using synthetic urban wastewater spiked with PS-NPs, focusing on membrane efficiency, fouling behavior, and microbial community shifts. All aMBR systems achieved high organic matter removal, exceeding a 97% COD reduction in both the control and PS-exposed reactors. While low concentrations of PS-NPs did not significantly impact the sludge settleability or soluble microbial products initially, a higher accumulation increased the carbohydrate concentrations, indicating a protective bacterial response. The microbial community composition also adapted over time under polystyrene stress. All membrane types exhibited substantial NP removal; however, the presence of nano-sized PS particles negatively affected the membrane performance, enhancing the fouling phenomena and increasing transmembrane pressure. Despite this, the r-UF membrane demonstrated comparable efficiency to c-UF, suggesting its potential for sustainable applications. Advanced characterization techniques including pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) were employed for NP detection and quantification. |
| Document Type: | article |
| File Description: | electronic resource |
| Language: | English |
| ISSN: | 2077-0375 |
| Relation: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/14/8/174; https://doaj.org/toc/2077-0375 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/membranes14080174 |
| Access URL: | https://doaj.org/article/232f106fc92a4f54a357b23af77adcae |
| Accession Number: | edsdoj.232f106fc92a4f54a357b23af77adcae |
| Database: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
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| ISSN: | 20770375 |
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| DOI: | 10.3390/membranes14080174 |
| Published in: | Membranes |
| Language: | English |