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Tetracycline removal in granulation: Influence of extracellular polymers substances, structure, and metabolic

Lilong Yan1, Wanting Chen1, Caixu Wang1

  • 1College of Resource and Environment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.

Chemosphere
|October 10, 2021
PubMed

Insights

High concentrations of tetracycline antibiotic in wastewater accelerate aerobic granular sludge formation by altering microbial communities and extracellular polymers. This study reveals tetracycline

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Microbiology
  • Wastewater Treatment

Background:

  • Tetracycline is a hazardous antibiotic found in wastewater, particularly at high concentrations (mg/L) in pharmaceutical, hospital, and livestock effluent.
  • While low antibiotic levels (μg/L) in aerobic sludge granulation are known, the impact of high tetracycline concentrations remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of high-concentration tetracycline (∼2 mg/L) on aerobic granular sludge formation, microbial community structure, and metabolic function.
  • To elucidate the role of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in sludge granulation and tetracycline removal under elevated tetracycline conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Aerobic granular sludge cultivation with high tetracycline concentrations.
  • Analysis of microbial community structure and function.
  • Characterization of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) properties (hydrophobicity, flocculability, protein/polysaccharide ratio).

Main Results:

  • Tetracycline at ∼2 mg/L accelerated aerobic granular sludge formation.
  • EPSs exhibited increased hydrophobicity, flocculability, and a higher protein/polysaccharide ratio, contributing to granulation.
  • Microbial community succession occurred, with an increase in tetracycline-degrading bacteria and antibiotic resistance genera.

Conclusions:

  • High tetracycline concentrations promote aerobic granular sludge formation by modifying EPS properties and microbial communities.
  • The study enhances understanding of aerobic granular sludge granulation under antibiotic stress and identifies key microbial players in tetracycline removal.
Keywords:
Aerobic granular sludgeGranulationMetabolic functionMicrobial communityTetracycline

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