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Bacterial diversity evolution process based on physicochemical characteristics of sludge treating hydroquinone during
Xinyu Zhang1,2, Shanshan Linghu1,2, Zhichong Chen1,2
1National Engineering Laboratory for High-Concentration Refractory Organic Wastewater Treatment Technologies (NELHROWTT), East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research International
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Activated sludge can completely biodegrade toxic hydroquinone pollution from coal-gasification wastewater. Microbial community shifts, particularly the accumulation of β-Proteus bacteria, enhance hydroquinone removal efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Hydroquinone is a toxic pollutant in coal-gasification wastewater, posing challenges for biological treatment.
- Conventional methods struggle with effective hydroquinone removal, necessitating advanced biodegradation strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aerobic biodegradation of hydroquinone using activated sludge.
- To analyze the impact of hydroquinone on microbial community structure and sludge organic toxicity.
- To determine the efficiency of hydroquinone removal under varying acclimation stages.
Main Methods:
- Acclimation of activated sludge to increasing concentrations of hydroquinone.
- Monitoring hydroquinone removal rates and biodegradation efficiency.
- Analyzing microbial community structure using diversity analysis.
- Assessing sludge organic toxicity and extracellular protein secretion.
Main Results:
- Complete hydroquinone removal (100%) was achieved within 5 days in each acclimation cycle.
- Hydroquinone inhibition led to the secretion of extracellular proteins (5-10 kDa), increasing sludge organic toxicity.
- Accumulation of β-Proteus bacteria (e.g., Azoarcus, Dechloromonas) correlated with enhanced hydroquinone degradation.
- Exceeding microbial tolerance resulted in increased secondary metabolite secretion and higher sludge toxicity.
Conclusions:
- Activated sludge can effectively biodegrade high concentrations of hydroquinone.
- Microbial community adaptation, specifically the enrichment of specific bacteria, is crucial for efficient hydroquinone removal.
- Sludge organic toxicity is linked to microbial stress responses and secondary metabolite production.
Keywords:
Coal-gasification wastewaterHydroquinoneMetagenomicsMicrobial diversitySludge extractToxicity removal
