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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Author Spotlight: Eco-Friendly Extraction of Bioactive Compounds Using Polyol-Based Microwave-Assisted Techniques
Published on: August 23, 2024
Enhanced phenol removal in an innovative lignite activated coke-assisted biological process
Chen Zhang1, Jianfeng Li2, Fangqin Cheng2
1State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Efficient Utilization Technology of Coal Waste Resources, Shanxi Collaborative Innovation Center of High Value-added Utilization of Coal-related Wastes, Shanxi University, Wucheng Road, Taiyuan 030006, China; Shanxi Conservancy Technical Institute, No. 2 Xinhua North Road, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030027, China.
Abstract:
In this study, a lignite activated coke (LAC)-assisted activated sludge (AS) process was developed for enhancing biodegradation of phenol, while the effects of LAC on sludge properties and microbial community structure were investigated. It was found that more than 90% of phenol was removed within 1 h in the LAC/AS, which was 3 times higher than the conventional AS process. Moreover, the floc size and settleability were also significantly improved in the LAC/AS. These results suggested that LAC could serve as the nucleating agent to promote the formation of compact floc, which was beneficial for toxicity mitigation and system stability. The microbial community analysis by 16S high-throughput pyrosequencing technology further revealed a more abundant bacterial richness and diversity in the LAC/AS process loaded with phenol, while some phenol degraders, such as Propionibacteriaceae were enriched. Engineering implications further suggests the LAC-assisted AS process is technically sound and economically viable.
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