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Determination of Microbial Extracellular Enzyme Activity in Waters, Soils, and Sediments using High Throughput Microplate Assays
Published on: October 1, 2013
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Adsorption of soluble microbial products by sediments
Weiwei Shi1, Huanlong Peng1, Jie Wu1
1School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control and Remediation Technology, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
|January 2, 2019
Summary
Sediments adsorb soluble microbial products (SMPs) from sewage, reducing the formation of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. This adsorption is exothermic and decreases with higher temperatures and salinity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Quality Science
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Soluble microbial products (SMPs) from sewage are key precursors to disinfection by-products (DBPs).
- Understanding SMP adsorption onto sediments is crucial for assessing drinking water quality impacts.
- DBPs can negatively affect human health and require effective mitigation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adsorption behavior of SMPs onto sediments.
- To evaluate the influence of temperature and salinity on SMP adsorption.
- To determine the effect of sediment adsorption on DBP formation potential.
Main Methods:
- Adsorption isotherms were used to quantify SMP adsorption capacity.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy, and excitation emission matrix fluorescence analyzed adsorption mechanisms.
- Chlorination experiments assessed the impact of sediment adsorption on DBP generation.
Main Results:
- Sediments exhibited a maximum SMP adsorption potential of 1.60 mg/g.
- Adsorption is an exothermic process, decreasing with increased temperature and salinity.
- Fulvic acid and proteins were adsorbed more readily than humic acid.
- Sediment adsorption significantly reduced DBP formation potential (r = 0.882–0.938, p < 0.01).
- Carbonaceous DBPs (C-DBPs) reduction was greater than nitrogenous DBPs (N-DBPs).
Conclusions:
- Sediment adsorption is an effective mechanism for removing SMPs from water.
- This process substantially mitigates the formation of DBPs, improving drinking water safety.
- Findings are vital for managing SMPs in aquatic systems and predicting DBP formation.
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