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Influence of biodegradable polybutylene succinate and non-biodegradable polyvinyl chloride microplastics on anammox
Linqin Tang1, Chengyuan Su1, Yu Chen2
1Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education, 15 Yucai Road, Guilin, 541004, PR China; University Key Laboratory of Karst Ecology and Environmental Change of Guangxi Province (Guangxi Normal University), 15 Yucai Road, Guilin, 541004, PR China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) has been widely detected in wastewater treatment plants. However, there is a lack of research on its influence on anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) process. Therefore, the effects of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs on the nitrogen removal performance, microbial community and metabolites of anammox sludge were investigated. Results showed that PBS and PVC MPs reduced the nitrite removal efficiency of the anammox sludge, and PVC1 (0.1 g/L PVC) group was the most significant at 19.2 %. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra showed that PBS2 (0.5 g/L PBS) group increased the polysaccharide content in the anammox sludge. This may be because of the byproduct, which was produce during the biodegradation of PBS MPs, and decrease the agglomeration capacity of sludge, so as to increase the mass transfer. PBS2 group reduced the relative abundance of Methanosaeta (10.18 %) and the methane modules, and stimulated the anammox bacteria Ca. Brocadia (1.17 %) and the relative nitrogen metabolism modules. PVC2 group reduced the relative abundance of Ca. Brocadia (3.02 %), while was enriched Methanosaeta (2.1 %). Non-biodegradable PVC MPs was more harmful to anammox sludge, which would draw attention to the entry of PVC MPs into the anammox system.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) impact wastewater treatment. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs harm anammox sludge more than polybutylene succinate (PBS) MPs, reducing nitrogen removal efficiency and altering microbial communities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Water Treatment Technologies
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in wastewater treatment plants.
- The impact of MPs on anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox) processes remains under-researched.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of polybutylene succinate (PBS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs on anammox sludge.
- To assess the influence of MPs on nitrogen removal, microbial communities, and metabolites.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of anammox sludge to varying concentrations of PBS and PVC MPs.
- Analysis of nitrogen removal efficiency.
- Characterization of microbial communities and metabolites using FTIR and XPS.
Main Results:
- Both PBS and PVC MPs reduced nitrite removal efficiency, with PVC showing a more significant impact.
- PBS MPs increased polysaccharide content, potentially enhancing mass transfer.
- PVC MPs negatively affected key anammox bacteria (Ca. Brocadia) and favored methane-producing bacteria (Methanosaeta).
Conclusions:
- Non-biodegradable PVC MPs pose a greater threat to anammox sludge performance than biodegradable PBS MPs.
- The findings highlight the need to control PVC MP entry into anammox systems to maintain treatment efficiency.
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