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Low-intensity electrical stimulation enhances phthalate ester biodegradation by activated sludge through real-time

Huabo Gong1, Zhuo-Ning Xian2, Jinwen Hu2

  • 1Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recovery, School of Environmental Science & Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China; School of Life and Health Sciences, Environmental Engineering, Hefei University, Hefei, 230601, China; International (Sino-German) Joint Research Center for Biomass of Anhui Province, Hefei, 230601, China.

Water Research
|June 23, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Low-intensity electrical stimulation significantly boosts the biodegradation of phthalate esters (PAEs) in activated sludge. This method activates existing microbial communities, enhancing gene expression for improved pollutant removal without selecting new microbes.

Keywords:
Activated sludgeBiodegradation mechanismElectrical stimulationMicrobial community synergyMulti-omics analysisPhthalate esters (PAEs)

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