[Aerobic granulation for dimethyl phthalate biodegradation in a sequencing batch reactor]

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Wastewater treatment

Context:

• Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) is a common pollutant in industrial wastewater.
• Conventional treatment methods may struggle with efficient DMP removal.
• Aerobic granulation offers a promising alternative for biological wastewater treatment.

Purpose:

• To investigate the feasibility of aerobic granulation for DMP removal using glucose as a co-metabolism substrate.
• To optimize operational parameters for effective granulation and pollutant removal in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR).
• To characterize the degradation kinetics and microbial community structure within the granules.

Summary:

• Aerobic granulation was successfully achieved in an SBR for DMP removal, with glucose as a co-substrate.
• The system demonstrated high removal efficiencies for DMP (92.3%) and COD (90.6%) after 75 days.
• Degradation followed Haldane kinetics, with identified intermediates including monomethyl phthalate and phthalic acid. ESEM revealed granules with porous structures inhabited by diverse bacteria.

Impact:

• Establishes aerobic granulation as a viable technology for treating DMP-contaminated wastewater.
• Provides insights into the microbial mechanisms and kinetics of DMP biodegradation.
• Offers a sustainable and efficient approach for industrial wastewater management.