Microbial reduction of bromate: current status and prospects.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Microbiology
• Water Treatment Technologies

Background:

• Bromate is a disinfection byproduct (DBP) formed from bromide oxidation during ozonation of natural waters.
• Bromate poses potential health risks to humans, necessitating effective removal strategies.
• Understanding bromate formation and reduction mechanisms is crucial for safe drinking water.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the mechanisms of bromate formation during water ozonation.
• To identify microbial communities and bioreactor configurations for bromate reduction.
• To highlight the role of multiomics in understanding DBP bioremoval.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on bromate formation pathways (ozone or hydroxyl radical oxidation).
• Identification of bacterial phyla (e.g., Spirochaetes, Proteobacteria) involved in bromate reduction.
• Analysis of various biofilm bioreactor designs for microbial cultivation and bromate removal.

Main Results:

• Bromate formation occurs via two primary oxidation pathways.
• Specific bacterial phyla have demonstrated capability in reducing bromate to bromide.
• Biofilm bioreactors are effective in cultivating microbial communities for bromate removal.

Conclusions:

• Biological treatment offers a viable approach for bromate reduction in drinking water.
• Microbial communities play a key role in the bioremoval of bromate and other DBPs.
• Advancements in multiomics will further elucidate DBP conversion mechanisms and microbial interactions.