Optimization ofS/Fe ratio for enhanced nitrobenzene biological removal in anaerobicSystem amended...

Anaerobic reduction of nitrobenzene (NB) can be efficiently enhanced bySupplementing withSulfide-modified nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI). In thisStudy,S/Fe ratio ofS-nZVI was further optimized for enhancing biological NB removal in anaerobicSystem amended withS-nZVI and inoculated by anaerobicSludge. The results indicated that the performance andStability of the coupled anaerobicSystem for NB reduction and aniline formation were remarkably improved byS-nZVI atS/Fe molar ratio of 0.3 (0.3S-nZVI). TheSecretion of extracellular polymericSubstances (EPS), transformation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), yield of methane and activity ofSeveral key enzymes could be efficiently improved by 0.3S-nZVI. Furthermore,Species related to NB reduction, fermentation, electroactivity and methanogenesis could be enriched in 0.3S-nZVI coupled anaerobicSystem, with remarkable improvement in the biodiversity observed. ThisStudy demonstrated thatSulfidation would be a promising method to improve the performance of nZVI in coupled anaerobicSystems for the removal of recalcitrant nitroaromatic compounds from wastewater.