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• Partial denitrification was achieved in an innovative A-B-S2EBPR pilot system. • Partial denitrification was associated with internal caron utilization. • Raman-phenotyping evidenced the roles of suspected PHA-accumulating organisms. • S2EBPR incorporation selected for unique microbial community in the A-B system. Achieving mainstream short-cut nitrogen removal via nitrite has become a carbon and energy efficient way, but still remains challenging for low-strength municipal wastewaters. This study integrated sidestream enhanced biological phosphorus removal system in a pilot-scale adsorption/bio-oxidation (A-B) process (named A-B-S2EBPR system) and nitrite accumulation was successfully achieved for treating the municipal wastewater. Nitrite could accumulate to 5.5 ± 0.3 mg N/L in the intermittently aerated tanks of B-stage with the nitrite accumulation ratio (NAR) of 79.1 ± 6.5 %. The final effluent concentration and removal efficiency of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) were 4.6 ± 1.8 mg N/L and 84.9 ± 5.6 %, respectively. In-situ process performance of nitrogen conversions, routine batch nitrification/denitrification activity tests and functional gene abundance of nitrifiers collectively suggested that the nitrite accumulation was mainly caused by partial denitrification rather than out-selection of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB). Moreover, the single-cell Raman spectroscopy analysis first demonstrated that there was a specific microbial population that could utilize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) as the potential internal carbon source during the partial denitrification process. The integration of S2EBPR brings unique features to the conventional A-B process, such as extended anaerobic retention time, lower oxidation–reduction potential (ORP), much higher and complex volatile fatty acids (VFAs) etc., which can largely reshape the microbial communities. The dominant genera were Acinetobacter and Comamonadaceae , which accounted for (17.8 ± 15.5)% and (6.7 ± 3.4)%, respectively, while the relative abundance of conventional nitrifiers was less than 0.2%. This study provides insights into phylogenetic and phenotypic shifts of microbial communities when incorporating S2EBPR into the sustainable A-B process to achieve mainstream short-cut nitrogen removal. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Virus-encoded polyphosphate kinases enhanced phosphorus removal in activated sludge • ppk genes were present in unclassified viral contigs of activated sludge • Viral PPKs contained presumed active sites and conserved residues • Experimental validation confirmed the roles of viral PPKs in phosphate removal While microbial phosphate removal in activated sludge (AS) systems has been extensively studied, the role of viruses in this process remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified 149 viral auxiliary metabolic genes associated with phosphorus cycling from 2,510 viral contigs (VCs) derived from AS systems. Notably, polyphosphate kinase 1 (ppk1) and polyphosphate kinase 2 (ppk2) genes, which are primarily responsible for phosphate removal, were found in five unclassified VCs. These genes exhibited conserved protein structures and active catalytic sites, indicating a pivotal role of viruses in enhancing phosphorus removal. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship between viral ppk genes and their bacterial counterparts, suggesting the occurrence of horizontal gene transfer. Furthermore, experimental assays validated that viral ppk genes enhanced host phosphate removal capabilities. VCs carrying ppk genes were observed across diverse ecological and geographical contexts, suggesting their potential to bolster host functions in varied environmental and nutrient settings, spanning natural and engineered systems. These findings uncover a previously underappreciated mechanism by which viruses enhance phosphate removal in wastewater treatment plants. Overall, our study highlights the potential for leveraging virus-encoded genes to improve the efficiency of biological phosphorus removal processes, offering new insights into the microbial ecology of AS systems and the role of viruses in biogeochemical cycling. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A continuous self-circulating up-flow granular sludge bed process was introduced. • Accurate self-circulating multiple times and O 2 supply were driven only by aeration. • High up-flow velocity of 7–16 m/h contributed to particle formation and stability. • HRT of 10 h and DO of 0–0.3 mg/L were optimized for higher OLR and energy savings. • Self-circulation driven by aeration is key factor regulating nitrogen removal. Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) capable of nitrogen and phosphorus removal is mainly limited to the applications in sequencing batch reactors. This study introduced an innovative continuous self-circulating up-flow fluidized bed process (Zier process) using separate aeration. The process was composed of an anoxic column (Zier-A), aeration column (Zier-OO) and aerobic column (Zier-O), and was used to treat actual municipal sewage continuously for 170 days. The process achieved self-circulation of 20–32 times and an up-flow velocity within the reactor of 7–16 m/h which were accurately controlled with only separate aeration. The larger proportion of self-circulating multiple times contributed to particle formation and stability, providing hydraulic shear conditions, and screened the precipitation performance of the granular sludge (GS). Meanwhile, the dissolved oxygen (DO) of Zier-O was controlled at 0.1–0.3 mg/L, and the DO of Zier-A input water was zero. The accurate oxygen supply enhanced simultaneous nitrification and denitrification (SND) as well as short-cut nitrification and denitrification in Zier-O and improved the COD utilization rate and the nitrogen removal rate in Zier-A. The COD treatment capacity reached 2.46 kg-COD/(m³·d). With a hydraulic retention time of 10 h, the process consistently ensured that the average concentrations of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in the effluent were maintained below 5 and 15 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, the process maintained the shape and stability of GS, the median diameter of GS ranged between 300–1210 μm, the percentage of mass with particle size distribution < 200 μm at a height of 150 cm within Zier-A and Zier-O accounted for as low as 0.04%–0.05%, and showed good settling performance. The suspended solids in effluent can be maintained at 50–80 mg/L. Overall, the unique structural setting and control method of the Zier process provide another approach for the application of continuous AGS treatment for municipal sewage. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

· Oxalic acid extracted ∼100% P from digested poultry wastewater at pH 2.5. · Bubble column electrolytic reactor achieved a pH boost from 2.5 to 7 in 6 minutes. · Seeding improved phosphate recovery by 11.5 % and energy efficiency by 52.6 %. · Seeding increased the particle size of struvite by 97.86 % with a purity of 94.7 %. · Estimated operating cost of the process was $12/ kg of struvite. Limited mineralization of organic phosphorus to phosphate during the anaerobic digestion process poses a significant challenge in the development of cost-effective nutrient recovery strategies from anaerobically digested poultry wastewater (ADPW). This study investigated the influence of organic acids on phosphorus solubilization from ADPW, followed by its recycling in the form of struvite using a bubble column electrolytic reactor (BCER) without adding chemicals. The impact of seeding on the efficiency of PO 4 3− and NH 3 -N recovery as well as the size distribution of recovered precipitates from the acid pre-treated ADPW was also evaluated. Pre-treatment of the ADPW with oxalic acid achieved complete solubilization of phosphorus, reaching ∼100% extraction efficiency at pH 2.5. The maximum removal efficiency of phosphate and ammonia-nitrogen from the ADPW were 88.9% and 90.1%, respectively, while the addition of 5 and 10 g/L struvite seed to the BCER increased PO 4 3− removal efficiency by 9.6% and 11.5%, respectively. The value of the kinetic rate constant, k , increased from 0.0176 min−1 (unseeded) to 0.0198 min−1, 0.0307 min−1, and 0.0375 min−1 with the seed loading rate of 2, 5, and 10 g/L, respectively. Concurrently, the average particle size rose from 75.3 μm (unseeded) to 82.1 μm, 125.7 μm, and 148.9 μm, respectively. Results from XRD, FTIR, EDS, and dissolved chemical analysis revealed that the solid product obtained from the recovery process was a multi-nutrient fertilizer consisting of 94.7% struvite with negligible levels of heavy metals. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Phosphate, which contains the essential element phosphorous (P), is a necessary fertilizer for agriculture, but the current phosphate deposits are running out and alternative sources are needed. Sludge obtained from wastewater treatment plants contains high concentrations of phosphorus and represents an alternative, sustainable source. In this study, sludge obtained from a wastewater treatment plant with biological and chemical phosphorus removal was acidified (pH = 3, 4, 5 and 6) to release orthophosphate followed by sequestration of the orthophosphate by a zinc aluminum layered double hydroxide (Zn 2 Al-LDH). Sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4), nitric acid (HNO 3), and hydrochloric acid (HCl) was tested, which showed that only sulfate anions compete with phosphate and results in reduced phosphate recovery (25–35%). The orthophosphate concentration in the liquid phase increased from 20% (raw sludge) to 75% of the total phosphorus concentration at a pH of 3, which enhanced the phosphate uptake by the ZnAl-LDH from 1.7 ± 0.2% to 60.3 ± 0.6%. During acidification, the competing anion carbonate is degassed as CO 2 , which further improved the phosphate uptake. PXRD showed the intercalation of carbonate in the LDH in the raw sludge at pH = 8, whereas orthophosphate was intercalated at lower pH values. 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) proved preservation of the LDH at all pH values. Furthermore, about a fourth of the Al is present as an amorphous aluminum phosphate (AlPO 4) upon exposure to phosphate at low pH (pH = 3 and 5) based on 27Al MAS NMR spectroscopy. At a pH of 6 about a third of the P is present as brushite (CaHPO 4 ·2H 2 O). Highlights • Up to 75% P is released from digested sludge by acidification. • Phosphate primarily binds to the ZnAl LDH at pH = 3, 4, 5 and 6. • Sulfate reduces phosphate binding if sulfuric acid is used for acidification. • Phosphate removal is most efficient at low pH due to less dissolved carbonate. • Solid state NMR Spectroscopy and PXRD showed preservation of LDH at all pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A migration electric–field assisted electrocoagulation (MEAEC) system was developed to increase phosphate removal from domestic wastewater, with reduced energy consumption, using a titanium charging (inert) electrode and a sacrificial iron anode. In the MEAEC, an electric field was applied between the inert electrode (titanium) and an air cathode to drive migration of phosphate anions towards the sacrificial anode. Current was then applied between the sacrificial anode (Fe or Al mesh) and the air cathode to drive electrocoagulation of phosphate. A MEAEC with the Fe electrode using primary clarifier effluent achieved 98% phosphate removal, producing water with a total phosphorus of 0.3 mg/L with <6 min total treatment time (five cycles; each 10 s inert electrode charging, and 1 min electrocoagulation), at a constant current density of 1 mA/cm 2 . In the absence of the 10 s charging time, electrocoagulation required 15 min for the same removal. With an aluminum anode and the same phosphorus removal, the MEAEC required 7 cycles (7 min total treatment, 1 min 10 s total charging), while conventional electrocoagulation required 20 min. The energy demand of Fe-MEAEC was only 0.039 kWh/m 3 for 98% phosphate removal, which was 35% less than with the Al-MEAEC of 0.06 kWh/m 3 , and 28% less than that previously obtained using an inert graphite electrode. Analysis of the precipitate showed that a less porous precipitate was obtained with the Al anode than with the Fe anode. The phosphorus in precipitate of Fe-MEAEC was identified as PO 4 3− and HPO 4 2− , while the Fe was present as both Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ . Only HPO 4 2− and Al 3+ were identified in the precipitate of the Al-MEAEC. These results indicated that the MEAEC with a titanium inert charging electrode and iron anode could achieve the most efficient phosphate removal with very low energy demands, compared to previous electrochemical approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Denitrifying enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems can be an efficient means of removing phosphate (P) and nitrate (NO 3 − ) with low carbon source and oxygen requirements. Tetrasphaera is one of the most abundant polyphosphate accumulating organisms present in EBPR systems, but their capacity to achieve denitrifying EBPR has not previously been determined. An enriched Tetrasphaera culture, comprising over 80% of the bacterial biovolume was obtained in this work. Despite the denitrification capacity of Tetrasphaera , this culture achieved only low levels of anoxic P-uptake. Batch tests with different combinations of NO 3 − , nitrite (NO 2 − ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) revealed lower N 2 O accumulation by Tetrasphaera as compared to Accumulibacter and Competibacter when multiple electron acceptors were added. Electron competition was observed during the addition of multiple nitrogen electron acceptors species, where P uptake appeared to be slightly favoured over glycogen production in these situations. This study increases our understanding of the role of Tetrasphaera -related organisms in denitrifying EBPR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, La 3+ (ion)/La(OH) 3 -W/La(OH) 3 -EW-loaded magnetic cationic hydrogel (MCH) composites were fabricated in situ and characterized to investigate the effects of lanthanum species on phosphate adsorption. The corresponding maximum P adsorption capacities of MCH-loaded La 3+ (ion) (MCH-La 3+ (ion)), La(OH) 3 -W (MCH-La(OH) 3 -W), and La(OH) 3 -EW (MCH-La(OH) 3 -EW) were 70.5 ± 2.67, 69.2 ± 3.5, and 90.2 ± 2.9 mg P/g, respectively. Furthermore, for MCH-La(OH) 3 -EW, the P adsorption capacity was maintained relatively stable and high at pH 4.5–11 because of the ligand exchange, electrostatic interactions, and Lewis acid–base interactions. The enhanced adsorption of P was achieved over a wide pH range, as well as in the presence of competing anions (including Cl − , NO 3 − , SO 4 2− , HCO 3 − and SiO 4 4− ). Moreover, the exhausted MCH-La(OH) 3 -EW could be easily regenerated by a NaOH-NaCl desorption agent with above 72% adsorption capacity remained during five recycles. The column adsorption capacity of MCH-La(OH) 3 -EW reached ∼3500 bed volumes (BV) (∼67.7 mg P/g) as the concentration of P decreased from 5 mg/L to 0.1 mg/L. The ATR-IR, Raman, and XPS deconvolution results revealed that both MCH and lanthanum compounds, including La 3+ (ion), La(OH) 3 -W and La(OH) 3 -EW, contributed to the phosphate adsorption because of the electrostatic interactions between –N + (CH 3 ) 3 and phosphate, as well as the formation of LaPO 4 · x H 2 O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of lanthanum (La)-based materials for phosphate removal from water and wastewater has received increasing attention. However, challenges remain to enhance phosphate sorption capacities and recover La-based sorbents. In this study, magnetic La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites with varied La-to-Fe mass ratios were synthesized through a precipitation and hydrothermal method. Based upon preliminary screening of synthesized La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposites in terms of phosphate sorption capacity and La content, La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 nanocomposite with a La-to-Fe mass ratio of 4:1 was chosen for further characterization and evaluation. Specifically, for these materials, magnetic separation efficiency, phosphate sorption kinetics and isotherm behavior, and solution matrix effects (e.g., coexisting ions, solution pH, and ionic strength) are reported. The developed La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 (4:1) nanocomposite has an excellent magnetic separation efficiency of >98%, fast sorption kinetics of 30 min, high sorption capacity of 83.5 mg P/g, and strong selectivity for phosphate in presence of competing ions. Phosphate uptake by La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 (4:1) was pH-dependent with the highest sorption capacities observed over a pH range of 4–6. The ionic strength of the solution had little interference with phosphate sorption. Sorption-desorption cyclic experiments demonstrated the good reusability of the La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 (4:1) nanocomposite. In a real treated wastewater effluent with phosphate concentration of 1.1 mg P/L, 0.1 g/L of La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 (4:1) efficiently reduced the phosphate concentration to below 0.05 mg P/L. Electrostatic attraction and inner-sphere complexation between La(OH) 3 and P via ligand exchange were identified as the sorption mechanisms of phosphate by La(OH) 3 /Fe 3 O 4 (4:1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective removal of excess phosphate from water is critical to counteract eutrophication and restore water quality. In this study, low cost, environmentally friendly humic acid coated magnetite nanoparticles (HA-MNP) were synthesized and applied for the remediation of phosphate from aqueous media. The HA-MNPs, characterized by FTIR, TEM and HAADF-STEM showed the extensive coating of humic acid on the magnetite surface. The magnetic nanoparticles with diameters of 7–12 nm could be easily separated from the reaction mixture by using a simple hand held magnet. Adsorption studies demonstrate the fast and effective separation of phosphate with maximum adsorption capacity of 28.9 mg/g at pH 6.6. The adsorption behavior follows the Freundlich isotherm suggesting the formation of non-uniform multilayers of phosphate on the heterogeneous surface of HA-MNP. The adsorption kinetic fits the pseudo-second order model well with rate constants of 0.206 ± 0.003, 0.073 ± 0.002 and 0.061 ± 0.003 g mg −1 min −1 for phosphate (P) concentrations of 2, 5 and 10 mg/L respectively. The removal of phosphate was found higher at acidic and neutral pH compared to basic conditions. The nanoparticles exhibit good selectivity and adsorption efficiency for phosphate in presence of co-existing ions such as Cl − , SO 4 2− and NO 3 − with some inhibition effect by CO 3 2− . The effect of temperature on the adsorption reveals that the process is endothermic and spontaneous. HA-MNPs are promising, simple, environmentally friendly materials for the removal of phosphate from aqueous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of adsorption is widely exploited across a range of industries to remove contaminants from gases and liquids. Much recent research has focused on identifying low-cost adsorbents which have the potential to be used as alternatives to expensive industry standards like activated carbons. Evaluating these emerging adsorbents entails a considerable amount of labor intensive and costly testing and analysis. This study proposes a simple, low-cost method to rapidly assess the potential of novel media for potential use in large-scale adsorption filters. The filter media investigated in this study were low-cost adsorbents which have been found to be capable of removing dissolved phosphorus from solution, namely: i) aluminum drinking water treatment residual, and ii) crushed concrete. Data collected from multiple small-scale column tests was used to construct a model capable of describing and predicting the progression of adsorbent saturation and the associated effluent concentration breakthrough curves. This model was used to predict the performance of long-term, large-scale filter columns packed with the same media. The approach proved highly successful, and just 24–36 h of experimental data from the small-scale column experiments were found to provide sufficient information to predict the performance of the large-scale filters for up to three months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pilot-scale phosphate removal was explored from final WWTP effluents. • Microprecipitation and ligand-exchange were postulated as P adsorption mechanisms. • ∼2.5% of P 2 O 5 content, no inorganic pollutants and pathogens were detected in CCM. • Low water solubility indicated slow phosphate release kinetics in soil. • FILTRAFLO™-P with CCM could serve as a water polishing and phosphate harvesting unit. Eutrophication and the predicted limited future availability of rock phosphate has triggered the increased development of phosphorus (P) recovery technologies, however, for remote regions, recovery solutions are still limited. Here, we report on a novel pilot-scale technology (FILTRAFLOTM-P reactor) to recover phosphate (PO 4 3−) from wastewater effluent through a filtration/adsorption process in a rural setting. This unit employs enhanced gravitational filtration through adsorption media (here, a novel KOH deacetylated crab carapace based chitosan-calcite material (CCM)) with continuous self-backwashing. Trials were designed to assess how the FILTRAFLOTM-P unit would operate under 'real' conditions (both at low and high PO 4 3− levels), and to ascertain the effectiveness of the adsorbent to recover phosphate from final effluent. High removal was achieved at low phosphate concentrations, bringing the residual effluent PO 4 3− level below 1 mg/L (EU limit for sensitive water bodies), while phosphate was efficiently harvested (at more than 50%) at higher PO 4 3− levels. Surface microprecipitation and inner-sphere complexation were postulated as the main PO 4 3− adsorption mechanisms through XRD, XPS and EDX elemental mapping. Further, a quality assessment of the P-enriched CCM (which could be used as a potential soil amendment) was undertaken to consider elemental composition, microbiological assessment and quantification of organic micropollutants. Quality analysis indicated ∼2.5% P 2 O 5 present, trace levels (well below legislative limits) of heavy metals and extremely low levels of organic pollutants (e.g., PCBs, pharmaceuticals). No detectable levels of target bacterial pathogens were observed. Pot trials showed that ryegrass cultivated with the addition of the CCM adsorbent achieved higher plant dry matter and P concentration when compared to unfertilised controls, with a slow-release kinetic pattern. This study showed that CCM used with the FILTRAFLOTM-P pilot reactor has high potential to recover phosphate from effluents and encourage resource recovery via bio-based management of waste. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sludge granulation has been recognized as a promising biotechnology in wastewater treatment. Whereas the granulation of susceptible sludge in particular with a very low organic loading rate (OLR) (≤0.6 kg COD/m 3 /day or ≤ 120 mg COD/g VSS/day) is a difficult task that has not been achieved in activated sludge systems yet. This study was aimed at exploring an effective strategy for sludge granulation in the recently developed Denitrifying Sulfur conversion-associated Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (DS-EBPR) process using a sequencing batch pump-lift reactor. Four strategies were studied by manipulating the factors of organic loading rate (OLR), superficial upflow velocity and sludge settling time individually or collectively. Increasing both the OLR and the superficial upflow velocity effectively promoted granule formation but at the same time led to unstable and even deteriorated reactor performance. The development of granules proceeded via several stages: formation, dispersion, reformation and stabilization. Gradually increasing the superficial upflow velocity from 5.1 to 6.8 m/h and keeping the OLR at 112.4 mg COD/g VSS/day proved to be most effective strategy for accelerating granulation while simultaneously achieving stable reactor performance. Under these conditions, the granules became stable with a diameter of 375–400 μm and displayed excellent settleability. The two major microbial groups, sulfate-reducing bacteria and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria, in the microbial community of the DS-EBPR granular sludge were enriched to 17.7% and 15.8% respectively. The newly developed DS-EBPR granular system was able to achieve an almost threefold improvement in phosphorus removal efficiency and 25% reduction in the operating cycle time compared with a flocculent DS-EBPR system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructed rapid infiltration systems (CRIS) are a reasonable option for treating wastewater, owing to their simplicity, low cost and low energy consumption. Layered double hydroxides (LDHs), novel materials with high surface area and anion exchange capacity, faced the problem of the application in CRIS due to the powdered form. To overcome this shortcoming, Zn-LDHs (FeZn-LDHs, CoZn-LDHs, AlZn-LDHs) were prepared by co-precipitation method and in-situ coated on the surface of the natural bio-ceramic to synthesize the core-shell bio-ceramic/Zn-LDHs composites. Characterization by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRFS) indicated that the Zn-LDHs were successful loaded on the natural bio-ceramic. Column tests experiments indicated that the bio-ceramic/Zn-LDHs efficiently enhanced the removal performance of phosphorus. The efficiently removal rates of bio-ceramic/FeZn-LDHs were 71.58% for total phosphorous (TP), 74.91% for total dissolved phosphorous (TDP), 82.31% for soluble reactive phosphorous (SRP) and 67.58% for particulate phosphorus (PP). Compared with the natural bio-ceramic, the average removal rates were enhanced by 32.20% (TP), 41.33% (TDP), 49.06% (SRP) and 10.50% (PP), respectively. Adsorption data of phosphate were better described by the Freundlich model for the bio-ceramic/Zn-LDHs and natural bio-ceramic, except for the bio-ceramic/CoZn-LDHs. The maximum adsorption capacity of bio-ceramic/AlZn-LDHs (769.23 mg/kg) was 1.77 times of the natural bio-ceramic (434.78 mg/kg). The effective desorption of phosphate could achieve by using a mixed solution of 5 M NaCl + 0.1 M NaOH, it outperformed the natural bio-ceramic of 18.95% for FeZn-LDHs, 7.59% for CoZn-LDHs and 12.66% for AlZn-LDHs. The kinetic data of the bio-ceramic/Zn-LDHs were better described by the pseudo-second-order equation. Compared the removal amount of phosphate by the natural bio-ceramic, the physical effects were improved little, but the chemical effects were enhanced for 112.49% for FeZn-LDHs, 111.89% for CoZn-LDHs and 122.67% for AlZn-LDHs. Therefore, the way of coating Zn-LDHs on the bio-ceramic efficiently improved the chemical effects in phosphate removal, supporting that it can use as potential substrates for the removal of phosphorus in CRIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxo-anion binding properties of the thermostable enzyme ferritin from Pyrococcus furiosus were characterized with radiography. Radioisotopes 32 P and 76 As present as oxoanions were used to measure the extent and the rate of their absorption by the ferritin. Thermostable ferritin proved to be an excellent system for rapid phosphate and arsenate removal from aqueous solutions down to residual concentrations at the picomolar level. These very low concentrations make thermostable ferritin a potential tool to considerably mitigate industrial biofouling by phosphate limitation or to remove arsenate from drinking water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the study was to evaluate the possibility of applying disintegrated excess sludge as a source of organic carbon to enhance biological nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The experiment, performed in a sequencing batch reactor, consisted of two two-month series, without and with applying mechanically disintegrated excess sludge, respectively. The effects on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal were observed. It was shown that the method allows enhancement of combined nitrogen and phosphorus removal. After using disintegrated sludge, denitrification effectiveness increased from 49.2 ± 6.8% to 76.2 ± 2.3%, which resulted in a decline in the NO x –N concentration in the effluent from the SBR by an average of 21.4 mg NO x –N/L. Effectiveness of biological phosphorus removal increased from 28.1 ± 11.3% to 96.2 ± 2.5%, thus resulting in a drop in the P O 4 3 − − P concentration in the effluent by, on average, 6.05 mg P O 4 3 − − P / L . The application of disintegrated sludge did not deteriorate effluent quality in terms of COD and N H 4 + − N . The concentration of N H 4 + − N in both series averaged 0.16 ± 0.11 mg N H 4 + − N / L , and the concentration of COD was 15.36 ± 3.54 mg O 2 /L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron dosing of membrane bioreactors (MBRs) is widely used as a means of meeting effluent phosphorus targets but there is limited understanding of the nature of iron and phosphorus-containing solids that are formed within the bioreactor (an important issue in view of the increasing interest in recovering phosphorus from wastewaters). Of particular challenge is the complexity of the MBR system and the variety of reactions that can occur on addition of iron salts to a membrane bioreactor. In this study, the performances of bench scale MBRs with dosing of either ferrous or ferric salts were monitored for a period of four months. The distributions of Fe and P-species in the Fe-conditioned sludges were determined using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the Fe K-edge and the P K-edge. Regardless of whether iron was dosed to the anoxic or aerobic chambers and regardless of whether ferrous (Fe(II)) or ferric (Fe(III)) iron was dosed, iron present in the minerals in the conditioned sludges was consistently in the +III oxidation state. Fitting of the Fe K-edge EXAFS spectra revealed that an Fe(III)-phosphate species was the main Fe species present in all cases with the remaining fraction dominated by lepidocrocite (γ-FeOOH) in the Fe(II)-dosed case and ferrihydrite (am-FeOOH) in the Fe(III)-dosed case. Approximately half the phosphorus in the activated sludge samples was present as a distinct Fe-PO 4 mineral (such as strengite or an amorphous ferric hydroxyl phosphate analogue of strengite) and half as phosphorus adsorbed to an iron oxyhydroxide mineral phase indicating that both co-precipitation and adsorption of phosphorus by iron contribute to removal of phosphorus from the MBR supernatant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of magnetic ion exchange (MIEX) resin under the best possible conditions, passage through a fixed-bed of resin as opposed to the alternative of directly adding resin into a flowing stream. The possibility of using a very small amount of alum in addition to MIEX treatment was also investigated not only to adsorb residual EfOM in the effluent from a bed of MIEX but also to produce a porous cake layer that would keep away foulants from the surface of membrane or its pore walls. The MIEX treatment alone reduced fouling, but to a much lesser extent than for MIEX combined with an under-dosing coagulation (which uses a considerably low amount of alum). Almost all of colloids and organic acids were removed and the nearly complete removal of phosphorus was achieved by MIEX in a fixed-bed even for an extremely short hydraulic retention time of wastewater in the resin bed. MIEX resin removed phosphorus, but organic acids in EfOM were preferentially removed and the effects of competing anions on the removal of EfOM were insignificant. The MIEX treatment with added alum (only 0.5 mg Al L −1 ) dramatically improved the performance of MF and UF membranes and the subsequent membrane filtration also achieved ≤0.01 mg L −1 of residual phosphorous. This condition also allowed good flux recovery after hydraulic flushing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of continuously dosing membrane bioreactors (MBRs) with ferric chloride (Fe(III)) and ferrous sulphate (Fe(II)) on phosphorus (P) removal and membrane fouling is investigated here. Influent phosphorus concentrations of 10 mg/L were consistently reduced to effluent concentrations of less than 0.02 mg/L and 0.03–0.04 mg/L when an Fe(III)/P molar ratio of 4.0 and Fe/P molar ratio (for both Fe(II) and Fe(III)) of 2.0 were used, respectively. In comparison, effluent concentrations did not decrease below 1.35 mg/L in a control reactor to which iron was not added. The concentrations of supernatant organic compounds, particularly polysaccharides, were reduced significantly by iron addition. The sub-critical fouling time ( t crit ) after which fouling becomes much more severe was substantially shorter with Fe(III) dosing (672 h) than with Fe(II) dosing (1200–1260 h) at Fe/P molar ratios of 2.0 while the control reactor (no iron dosing) exhibited a t crit of 960 h. Not surprisingly, membrane fouling was substantially more severe at Fe/P ratios of 4. Fe(II) doses yielding Fe/P molar ratios of 2 or less with dosing to the aerobic chamber were found to be optimal in terms of P removal and fouling mitigation performance. In long term operation, however, the use of iron for maintaining appropriately low effluent P concentrations results in more severe irreversible fouling necessitating the application of an effective membrane cleaning regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seawater-driven forward osmosis (FO) is considered to be a novel strategy to concentrate nutrients in treated municipal wastewater for further recovery as well as simultaneous discharge of highly purified wastewater into the sea with low cost. As a preliminary test, the performance of FO membranes in concentrating nutrients was investigated by both batch experiments and model simulation approaches. With synthetic seawater as the draw solution, the dissolved organic carbon, phosphate, and ammonia in the effluent from a membrane bioreactor (MBR) treating municipal wastewater were 2.3-fold, 2.3-fold, and 2.1-fold, respectively, concentrated by the FO process with approximately 57% of water reduction. Most of the dissolved components, including trace metals in the MBR effluent, were highly retained (>80%) in the feed side, indicating high water quality of permeate to be discharged. The effect of membrane properties on the nutrient enrichment performance was investigated by comparing three types of FO membranes. Interestingly, a polyamide membrane possessing a high negative charge demonstrated a poor capability of retaining ammonia, which was hypothesized because of an ion exchange-like mechanism across the membrane prompted by the high ionic concentration of the draw solution. A feed solution pH of 7 was demonstrated to be an optimum condition for improving the overall retention of nutrients, especially for ammonia because of the pH-dependent speciation of ammonia/ammonium forms. The modeling results showed that higher than 10-fold concentrations of ammonia and phosphate are achievable by seawater-driven FO with a draw solution to feed solution volume ratio of 2:1. The enriched municipal wastewater contains nitrogen and phosphorous concentrations comparable with typical animal wastewater and anaerobic digestion effluent, which are used for direct nutrient recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent increases in global phosphorus costs, together with the need to remove phosphorus from wastewater to comply with water discharge regulations, make phosphorus recovery from wastewater economically and environmentally attractive. Biological phosphorus (Bio-P) removal process can effectively capture the phosphorus from wastewater and concentrate it in a form that is easily amendable for recovery in contrast to traditional (chemical) phosphorus removal processes. However, Bio-P removal processes have historically been operated at medium to long solids retention times (SRTs, 10–20 days typically), which inherently increases the energy consumption while reducing the recoverable carbon fraction and hence makes it incompatible with the drive towards energy self-sufficient wastewater treatment plants. In this study, a novel high-rate Bio-P removal process has been developed as an energy efficient alternative for phosphorus removal from wastewater through operation at an SRT of less than 4 days. The process was most effective at an SRT of 2–2.5 days, achieving >90% phosphate removal. Further reducing the SRT to 1.7 days resulted in a loss of Bio-P activity. 16S pyrotag sequencing showed the community changed considerably with changes in the SRT, but that Comamonadaceae was consistently abundant when the Bio-P activity was evident. FISH analysis combined with DAPI staining confirmed that bacterial cells of Comamonadaceae arranged in tetrads contained polyphosphate, identifying them as the key polyphosphate accumulating organisms at these low SRT conditions. Overall, this paper demonstrates a novel, high-rate phosphorus removal process that can be effectively integrated with short SRT, energy-efficient carbon removal and recovery processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate amendments can be added to U(VI)-contaminated subsurface environments to promote in situ remediation. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impacts of phosphate addition on the transport of U(VI) through contaminated sediments. In batch experiments using sediments (<2 mm size fraction) from a site in Rifle, Colorado, U(VI) only weakly adsorbed due to the dominance of the aqueous speciation by Ca–U(VI)-carbonate complexes. Column experiments with these sediments were performed with flow rates that correspond to a groundwater velocity of 1.1 m/day. In the absence of phosphate, the sediments took up 1.68–1.98 μg U/g of sediments when the synthetic groundwater influent contained 4 μM U(VI). When U(VI)-free influents were then introduced with and without phosphate, substantially more uranium was retained within the column when phosphate was present in the influent. Sequential extractions of sediments from the columns revealed that uranium was uniformly distributed along the length of the columns and was primarily in forms that could be extracted by ion exchange and contact with a weak acid. Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIFS) analysis along with sequential extraction results suggest adsorption as the dominant uranium uptake mechanism. The response of dissolved uranium concentrations to stopped-flow events and the comparison of experimental data with simulations from a simple reactive transport model indicated that uranium adsorption to and desorption from the sediments was not always at local equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cement-based and alternative cementitious materials were tested in the laboratory for their capability of removing phosphate from wastewater. The results demonstrated that both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms were suitable for describing the adsorption characteristics of these materials. Among the four types of filter media tested, the cement-based mortar A has the highest value of maximum adsorption (30.96 mg g-1). The P-bonding energy (KL) and adsorption capacity (K) exhibited a positive correlation with the total content of Al2O3 and Fe2O3 in each mortar. The maximum amount of P adsorbed (Qm) and adsorption intensity (1/n) exhibited a positive correlation with the CaO content in each mortar. For three of them, the P-removal rates were in excess of 94 percent for phosphorus concentrations ranging from 20 to 1000 mg L-1. The underlying mechanisms were examined using field emission scanning microscopy (FESEM), coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The results reveal that the removal of phosphate predominantly followed a precipitation mechanism in addition to weak physical interactions between the surface of adsorbent filter media and the metallic salts of phosphate. The use of cement-based or alternative cementitious materials in the form of ground powder shows great promise for developing a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable technology for P-sequestration and for wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The ability of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to interact with target pollutants is crucial for efficient water treatment using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and inhibition by natural organic matter (NOM) can significantly reduce degradation efficiency. We compare OH -based degradation (H2O2-UV) to 1O2-based degradation (Rose Bengal) of several probe compounds (furfuryl alcohol, ranitidine, cimetidine) interacting in water containing background constituents likely to be found in treatment water such as natural organic matter (NOM) and phosphate, as well as in effluent from a waste-water treatment plant (WWTP). Hydroxyl radicals were much more susceptible to hindrance by all three background matrices (NOM, phosphate and WWTP effluent) tested, while 1O2 was only slightly inhibited by NOM and not by phosphate or WWTP effluent. A mechanistic model accounting for this inhibition in terms of radical scavenging and inner filter effects was developed, and accurately simulated the results of the NOM interactions. These results underscore the importance of considering the effect of background constituents in the selection of photocatalysts and in the design of AOPs for emerging applications in tertiary treatment of wastewater effluent and disinfection of natural waters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Due to the high nitrogen and phosphorus content, source-separated urine can serve as a major nutrient source for microalgae production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutrient removal rate and the biomass production rate of Chlorella sorokiniana being grown continuously in urine employing a short light-path photobioreactor. The results demonstrated, for the first time, the possibility of continuous microalgae cultivation in human urine. The lowest dilution factor successfully employed was a factor of 2 (50% v/v urine). Microalgae dominated a smaller bacterial population and were responsible for more than 90% of total nitrogen and phosphorus removal. With a light-path of 10 mm, a maximum volumetric biomass productivity as high as 9.3 g L−1 d−1 was achieved. The co-existing bacterial population removed up to 70% of organic pollutants from the urine at a rate of 1300 mg COD L−1 d−1. Enriching the urine with magnesium, adjusting the N:P molar ratio, and shortening the reactor light-path further increased the volumetric biomass productivity to 14.8 g L−1 d−1. The corresponding nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates were 1300 and 150 mg L−1 d−1, respectively. The subsequently produced biomass contained 43–53% w/w proteins and 16–25% w/w total fatty acids. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The cost associated with the disposal of phosphate-rich sludge, the stringent regulations to limit phosphate discharge into aquatic environments, and resource shortages resulting from limited phosphorus rock reserves, have diverted attention to phosphorus recovery in the form of struvite (MAP: MgNH4PO4·6H2O) crystals, which can essentially be used as a slow release fertilizer. Fluidized-bed crystallization is one of the most efficient unit processes used in struvite crystallization from wastewater. In this study, a comprehensive mathematical model, incorporating solution thermodynamics, struvite precipitation kinetics and reactor hydrodynamics, was developed to illustrate phosphorus depletion through struvite crystal growth in a continuous, fluidized-bed crystallizer. A thermodynamic equilibrium model for struvite precipitation was linked to the fluidized-bed reactor model. While the equilibrium model provided information on supersaturation generation, the reactor model captured the dynamic behavior of the crystal growth processes, as well as the effect of the reactor hydrodynamics on the overall process performance. The model was then used for performance evaluation of the reactor, in terms of removal efficiencies of struvite constituent species (Mg, NH4 and PO4), and the average product crystal sizes. The model also determined the variation of species concentration of struvite within the crystal bed height. The species concentrations at two extreme ends (inlet and outlet) were used to evaluate the reactor performance. The model predictions provided a reasonably good fit with the experimental results for PO4–P, NH4–N and Mg removals. Predicated average crystal sizes also matched fairly well with the experimental observations. Therefore, this model can be used as a tool for performance evaluation and process optimization of struvite crystallization in a fluidized-bed reactor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Root properties including rates of radial oxygen loss (ROL), root porosity, and Fe plaque formation on the root surface, in six wetland plant species, namely Acorus calamus, Arundo donax var. versicolor, Cyperus flabelliformis, Canna indica, Iris tectorum, and Scirpus validus, and their relationships with nutrient removal and tolerance to domestic wastewater were investigated. Results showed that different species had different root porosities (18–36%) and Fe plaque formation (1.76–5.3 mg Fe g−1 root d.w.), which were significantly correlated with ROL (67–157 mmol O2 kg−1 root d.w. d−1) (p < 0.001). The ROL rates were also positively correlated with plant tolerance to domestic wastewater (p < 0.001) and removal of total nitrogen (35–76%), total phosphate (22–62%), and chemical oxygen demand (58–86%). Among the six species, C. flabelliformis and C. indica had significantly higher ROL, greater Fe plaque formation, higher tolerance to domestic wastewater, and better removal of TN, TP, and COD. These two species also had greater influences on changes in redox potential, pH, dissolved oxygen, and the quotients of in rhizosphere soil solution, as well as greater N and P uptake in plant tissues, particularly belowground parts, than in the other species. For all plant species investigated, wastewater significantly decreased the rates of ROL and root porosity but induced greater Fe plaque formation. These results suggested that root properties are useful for selecting tolerant and efficient species in constructed wetland wastewater treatment facilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hong Kong has practiced seawater toilet flushing since 1958, saving 750,000 m3 of freshwater every day. A high sulfate-to-COD ratio (>1.25 mg /mg COD) in the saline sewage resulting from this practice has enabled us to develop the Sulfate reduction, Autotrophic denitrification and Nitrification Integrated (SANI®) process with minimal sludge production and oxygen demand. Recently, the SANI® process has been expanded to include Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR) in an alternating anaerobic/limited-oxygen (LOS-EBPR) aerobic sequencing batch reactor (SBR). This paper presents further development – an anaerobic/anoxic denitrifying sulfur cycle-associated EBPR, named as DS-EBPR, bioprocess in an alternating anaerobic/anoxic SBR for simultaneous removal of organics, nitrogen and phosphorus. The 211 day SBR operation confirmed the sulfur cycle-associated biological phosphorus uptake utilizing nitrate as electron acceptor. This new bioprocess cannot only reduce operation time but also enhance volumetric loading of SBR compared with the LOS-EBPR. The DS-EBPR process performed well at high temperatures of 30 °C and a high salinity of 20% seawater. A synergistic relationship may exist between sulfur cycle and biological phosphorus removal as the optimal ratio of P-release to -reduction is close to 1.0 mg P/mg S. There were no conventional PAOs in the sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mine drainage and municipal wastewater contribute to water pollution worldwide. • In-stream interactions can quickly remove phosphorus and metals from solution. • Modeling indicates precipitation and adsorption processes co-attenuate phosphate and metals. • Pollutant co-attenuation led to improved downstream trophic status. • Nutrient and metal pollution in mining regions may be best addressed in concert. Municipal wastewater (MWW) and mine drainage (MD) are common co-occurring sources of freshwater pollution in mining regions. The physicochemical interactions that occur after mixing MWW and MD in a waterway may improve downstream water quality of an impaired reach by reducing downstream concentrations of nutrients and metals (i.e., "co-attenuation"). A first-order stream (Bradley Run in central Pennsylvania), with coal MD and secondarily treated MWW entering the stream in the same location, was systematically monitored to determine in-stream water-quality dynamics. Monitored constituents included pH, nutrients (i.e., phosphorus and nitrogen), and metals (e.g., iron, aluminum, manganese). Mixing of the MWW, MD, and upstream water decreased concentrations of phosphate, aluminum, and iron by 94%, 91%, and 98%, respectively, relative to conservative mixtures at the 1400-m-downstream site. The pollutant co-attenuation resulted in water quality equivalent to that upstream of the pollutant sources and improved the phosphorus-based trophic status of the stream. Geochemical models indicate the primary mechanisms for P attenuation in the studied stream were precipitation as variscite (AlPO 4 :2H 2 O) or amorphous AlPO 4 plus adsorption to hydrous ferric oxide, despite a much greater abundance of hydrous aluminum oxide. The results presented in this study suggest that in-stream mixing of MD with untreated or secondarily treated MWW may be an important, overlooked factor affecting downstream transport of common pollutants in mining regions. Decreased metals loading and increased pH resulting from natural attenuation and remediation of MD could affect the potential for retention of phosphate by stream sediment and could lead to the release of nutrients from legacy accumulations, highlighting the potential need to address high-nutrient discharges (e.g., improved MWW treatment) in concert with MD remediation. Graphical Abstract [Display omitted]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Phosphate removal is important in the control of eutrophication of water bodies. Adsorption is one of the promising approaches for the removal of phosphate, which could serve as a supplement for the biological phosphate removal process commonly used in the wastewater treatment industry to meet the discharge requirement when the biological performance is deteriorated from changes of operation conditions. Amorphous zirconium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple and low-cost hydrothermal process, and their phosphate removal performance was explored in aqueous environment under various conditions. A fast adsorption of phosphate was observed in the kinetics study, and their adsorption capacity was determined at about 99.01 mg/g at pH 6.2 in the equilibrium adsorption isotherm study. Commonly coexisting anions showed no or minimum effect on their phosphate adsorption performance. The phosphate adsorption showed little pH dependence in the range from pH 2 to 6, while it decreased sharply with the pH increase above pH 7. After adsorption, phosphate on these am-ZrO2 nanoparticles could be easily desorbed by NaOH solution washing. Both the macroscopic and microscopic techniques demonstrated that the phosphate adsorption mechanism of am-ZrO2 nanoparticles followed the inner-sphere complexing mechanism, and the surface hydroxyl groups played a key role in the phosphate adsorption. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) process is increasingly popular as a sustainable method for removal of phosphorus (P) from wastewater. This study consisted of a comprehensive three-year investigation of the identity and population dynamics of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) in 28 Danish municipal wastewater treatment plants with nutrient removal. Fluorescence in situ hybridization was applied to quantify ten probe-defined populations of PAO and GAO that in total constituted a large fraction (30% on average) of the entire microbial community targeted by the EUBmix probes. Two PAO genera, Accumulibacter and Tetrasphaera, were very abundant in all EBPR plants (average of 3.7% and 27% of all bacteria, respectively), and their abundance was relatively stable in the Danish full-scale plants without clear temporal variations. GAOs were occasionally present in some plants (Competibacter in 11 plants, Defluviicoccus in 6 plants) and were consistent in only a few plants. This shows that these were not core species in the EBPR communities. The total GAO abundance was always lower than that of Accumulibacter. In plants without EBPR design, the abundance of PAO and GAO was significantly lower. Competibacter correlated in general with high fraction of industrial wastewater. In specific plants Accumulibacter correlated with high C/P ratio of the wastewater and Tetrasphaera with high organic loading. Interestingly, the relative microbial composition of the PAO/GAO species was unique to each plant over time, which gives a characteristic plant-specific “fingerprint”. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The main biological conversions taking place in two lab-scale aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactors were evaluated. Reactors were operated at different temperatures (20 and 30 °C) and accomplished simultaneous COD, nitrogen and phosphate removal. Nitrogen and phosphate conversions were linked to the microbial community structure as assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis. Anoxic tests were performed to evaluate the contribution of anoxic phosphate uptake to the overall phosphate removal and to clarify the denitrification pathway. Complete nitrification/denitrification and phosphate removal were achieved in both systems. A considerable fraction of the phosphate removal was coupled to denitrification (denitrifying dephosphatation). From the results obtained in anoxic batch experiments dosing either nitrite or nitrate, denitrification was proposed to proceed mainly via the nitrate pathway. Denitrifying glycogen-accumulating organisms (DGAOs) were observed to be the main organisms responsible for the reduction of nitrate to nitrite. A significant fraction of the nitrite was further reduced to nitrogen gas while being used as electron acceptor by denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO clade II) for anoxic phosphate uptake. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Electric arc furnace steel slags (EAF-slags) and basic oxygen furnace steel slags (BOF-slags) were used to remove phosphate from synthetic solutions and real wastewater. The main objective of this study was to establish an overview of the phosphate removal capacities of steel slags produced in Europe. The influences of parameters, including pH, and initial phosphate and calcium concentrations, on phosphate removal were studied in a series of batch experiments. Phosphate removal mechanisms were also investigated via an in-depth study. The maximum capacities of phosphate removal from synthetic solutions ranged from 0.13 to 0.28 mg P/g using EAF-slags and from 1.14 to 2.49 mg P/g using BOF-slags. Phosphate removal occurred predominantly via the precipitation of Ca-phosphate complexes (most probably hydroxyapatite) according to two consecutive reactive phases: first, dissolution of CaO-slag produced an increase in Ca2+ and OH− ion concentrations; then the Ca2+ and OH− ions reacted with the phosphates to form hydroxyapatite. It was found that the release of Ca2+ from slag was not always enough to enable hydroxyapatite precipitation. However, our results indicated that the Ca2+ content of wastewater represented a further source of Ca2+ ions that were available for hydroxyapatite precipitation, thus leading to an increase in phosphate removal efficiencies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge will become increasingly important within the next decades due to depletion of mineral phosphorus resources. In this work a new process concept was investigated, which aims at realising phosphorus recovery in a synergistic way with the overall sewage sludge treatment scheme. This process combines a low pressure wet oxidation for sewage sludge decomposition as well as phosphorus dissolution and a nanofiltration process to separate phosphorus from heavy metals and obtain a clean diluted phosphoric acid, from which phosphorus can be recovered as clean fertiliser. It was shown that this process concept is feasible for sewage sludge for wastewater treatment plants that apply enhanced biological removal or precipitation with alumina salts for phosphorus removal. The critical parameter for phosphorus dissolution in the low pressure wet oxidation process is the iron concentration, while in the nanofiltration multi-valent cations play a predominant role. In total, a phosphorus recovery of 54% was obtained for an exemplary wastewater treatment plant. Costs of the entire process are in the same range as conventional sewage sludge disposal, with the benefit being phosphorus recovery and reduced emission of greenhouse gases due to avoidance of sludge incineration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aerobic granular sludge from a lab-scale reactor with simultaneous nitrification/denitrification and enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes exhibited significant amount of ammonium adsorption (1.5 mg NH4 +–N/g TSS at an ammonium concentration of 30 mg N/L). Potassium release accompanied ammonium adsorption, indicating an ion exchange process. The existence of potassium magnesium phosphate (K-struvite) as one of potassium sources in the granular sludge was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Artificially prepared K-struvite was indeed shown to adsorb ammonium. Alginate-like exopolysaccharides were isolated and their inducement for struvite formation was investigated as well. Potassium magnesium phosphate proved to be a major factor for ammonium adsorption on the granular sludge. Struvites (potassium/ammonium magnesium phosphate) accumulate in aerobic granular sludge due to inducing of precipitation by alginate-like exopolysaccharides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Because eutrophication is a widespread consequence of wastewater discharges, there is a strong impetus to develop new approaches to remove phosphorus (P) from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. We examined the effluents from a pilot plant that is testing various alum based processes for achieving>99% P removal, however, it is not known how these advanced P removal technologies affect the bioavailability of P (BAP). We tested how the percent BAP (%BAP) varied with different P removal levels using an algal growth bioassay methodology. This facility reduced total P concentrations from ≈ 500μgL−1 in the pilot plant influent to 19±4 (±SD)μgL−1 in the final effluent, and our results showed that as the level of P removal increased, the %BAP of the product declined sharply, r 2 =0.98. Prior to alum treatment, the influent had an average %BAP of 79±13%, and after three steps of alum-based removal the %BAP averaged 7±4%. Thus, this alum based P removal process was very effective at sequestering the P forms that most readily stimulate algal growth. Further, our results show the final BAP of the effluent was only ≈ 50% of the “reactive” P concentration. These results have important implications for nutrient management and trading schemes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Phosphate originated from industrial effluents is one of the key factors responsible for eutrophication of the receiving waterways especially in the developing countries such as China. In the current study we proposed a novel process to immobilize nanoparticulate hydrated ferric oxide (HFO) within a macroporous anion exchange resin D-201, and obtained a hybrid adsorbent (HFO-201) for enhanced phosphate removal from aqueous system. The resulting HFO-201 possesses two types of adsorption sites for phosphate removal, the ammonium groups bound to the D-201 matrix and the loaded HFO nanoparticles. The coexisting sulfate anion strongly competes for ammonium groups, which bind phosphate through electrostatic interaction. However, it does not pose any noticeable effect on phosphate adsorption by the loaded HFO nanoparticles, which is driven by the formation of the inner-sphere complexes. Batch adsorption experiments also indicated that HFO-201 exhibits a little higher capacity for phosphate than the commercially available phosphate-specific adsorbent ArsenXnp, which possesses similar structure of HFO-201 and is produced by another patented technique. Fixed-bed column tests indicate that phosphate retention by HFO-201 from the synthetic waters results in the significant decrease of P from 2mg/L to less than 0.01mg/L, with the treatment capacity of ∼700 bed volume (BV) per run, while that for D-201 was less than 200 BV under otherwise identical conditions. Such satisfactory performance of the hybrid adsorbent is mainly attributed to the specific affinity of HFO toward phosphate as well as the Donnan membrane effect exerted by the anion exchanger support D-201. Moreover, the exhausted HFO-201 was amenable to efficient in situ regeneration with a binary NaOH–NaCl solution for repeated use without any significant capacity loss. Similar satisfactory results were also observed by using a phosphate-containing industrial effluent as the feeding solution. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Microalgae in waste stabilization ponds (WSP) have been shown to accumulate polyphosphate. This luxury uptake of phosphorus is influenced by the wastewater phosphate concentration, light intensity and temperature, but the dynamics of how these factors affect luxury uptake with respect to time are not understood. With improved understanding of the dynamics of this mechanism and how it could be manipulated, a phosphorus removal process utilizing luxury uptake by microalgae might be developed. In this work, luxury uptake was investigated by chemical extraction of the acid-soluble and acid-insoluble fractions of polyphosphate in the microalgae. The results showed that the initial accumulation and subsequent utilization of both acid-soluble polyphosphate (ASP) and acid-insoluble polyphosphate (AISP) is a function of the wastewater phosphate concentration. It was found that light intensity influenced both the accumulation and utilization of ASP. The temperature influenced the accumulation of AISP. AISP is believed to be a form of phosphorus storage and ASP is involved in metabolism however, the results of this work show that ASP can also act as a short term form of phosphorus storage. To optimize luxury uptake by microalgae a ‘luxury uptake pond’ is proposed where the conditions the microalgae are exposed to can be manipulated. This ‘luxury uptake pond’ would be designed to expose the microalgae to a high phosphate concentration and high light intensity for a short period of time in order to achieve optimal polyphosphate accumulation. Subsequent harvesting would then remove the phosphorus rich microalgae from the system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The performance of six separate percolation areas was intensively monitored to ascertain the attenuation effects of unsaturated subsoils with respect to on-site wastewater effluent: three sites receiving septic tank effluent, the other three sites receiving secondary treated effluent. The development of a biomat across the percolation areas receiving secondary treated effluent was restricted on these sites compared to those sites receiving septic tank effluent and this created significant differences in terms of the potential nitrogen loading to groundwater. The average nitrogen loading per capita at 1.0m depth of unsaturated subsoil equated to 3.9g total-N/d for the sites receiving secondary treated effluent, compared to 2.1g total-N/d for the sites receiving septic tank effluent. Relatively high nitrogen loading was, however, found on the septic tank sites discharging effluent into highly permeable subsoil that counteracted any significant denitrification. Phosphorus removal was generally very good on all of the sites although a clear relationship to the soil mineralogy was determined. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study was designed to solve metal ion influence problem on phosphorus recovery from digested sewage sludge as MAP. The experimental steps were proceeded to maximize MAP production and its quality. Used experimental steps were: [(a)] Acidic dissolution of phosphorus, [(b)] Removal of metal ions from phosphorus rich water phase, [(c)] Recovery of phosphorus as MAP, [(d)] Separation of MAP. All digested sewage sludge samples were taken from Stuttgart University sewage treatment plant for research and education (LFKW). Four different forms of LFKW digested sewage sludge were used as feeding sample. These were: original digested sludge, diluted digested sludge, centrifuged digested sludge and incinerated digested sludge. A Donnan membrane unit having a Nafion 117 (DuPont) cation exchange membrane was used to remove metal ions from the samples used. Highest metal ion removal efficiencies, which were 98%, 97%, and 80% for Al, Ca and Fe ions, respectively, were obtained from incinerated digested sludge run. Incinerated digested sludge run was used as preliminary step for MAP production and high quality MAP was produced. Produced MAP fulfils all requirements related with Düngemittelverordnung 2003 and it could be used as a fertilizer in Germany. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The management of the sludge treatment line can be optimized to reduce uncontrolled phosphorus precipitation in the anaerobic digester and to enhance phosphorus recovery in WWTP. In this paper, four operational strategies, which are based on the handling of the prefermented primary sludge and the secondary sludge from an EBPR process, have been tested in a pilot plant. The separated or mixed sludge thickening, the use of a stirred contact tank and the elutriation of the thickened sludge are the main strategies studied. Both the reduction of phosphorus precipitation in the digester and the supernatant suitability for a struvite crystallization process were assessed in each configuration. The mixed sludge thickening combined with a high flowrate elutriation stream reduced the phosphorus precipitation in the digester by 46%, with respect to the separate sludge thickening configuration (common practice in WWTP). Moreover, in this configuration, 68% of the soluble phosphorus in the system is available for a possible phosphorus recovery process by crystallization (not studied in this work). However, a high Ca/P molar ratio was detected in the resultant supernatant which is pointed out as a problem for the efficiency of struvite crystallization. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The P-retention in hydrated calcareous ash sediment from oil-shale burning thermal power plants in Estonia was studied. Batch experiments indicate good (up to 65mgPg−1) P-binding capacity of the hydrated oil-shale ash sediment, with a removal effectiveness of 67–85%. The high phosphorus sorption potential of hydrated oil-shale ash is considered to be due to the high content of reactive Ca-minerals, of which ettringite Ca6Al2(SO4)3(OH)12·26H2O and portlandite Ca(OH)2 are the most important. The equilibrium dissolution of ettringite provides free calcium ions that act as stable nuclei for phosphate precipitation. The precipitation mechanism of phosphorus removal in hydrated ash plateau sediment is suggested by Ca-phosphate formation in batch experiments at different P-loadings. Treatment with a P-containing solution causes partial-to-complete dissolution of ettringite and portlandite, and precipitation of Ca-carbonate and Ca-phosphate phases, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM)-EDS studies. Thus, the hydrated oil-shale ash sediment can be considered as a potential filtration material for P removal in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to provide a basis for selecting alcohols (i.e. ethanol and methanol) or short-chain volatile fatty acids (VFAs) (i.e. acetate and propionate) as the external carbon sources for enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) from wastewaters in adapted or unadapted activated sludge. When ethanol is used in an unacclimated process, a period of adaptation is required by polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs). From 0 to 140 days of ethanol acclimatizing, the P release and uptake rates increased to 6.2 and 7.0mgP-PO4 3− g−1 VSSh−1, respectively. PAOs in ethanol-enriched sludge produced poly-β-hydroxyvalerate (PHV) (81.9%) as the main polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and reached an effluent phosphate concentration close to zero (0.10mgP-PO4 3− L−1). On the other hand, methanol was not used by PAOs in 30-day ethanol-acclimated sludge in short-term tests. If EBPR needs to be incidentally supported by substrate addition, VFAs are preferred; for long-term addition also ethanol can be considered. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Struvite (MgNH4PO4·6H2O) precipitation eliminates phosphate efficiently from urine, a small but highly concentrated stream in the total flux of domestic wastewater. Precipitation experiments with hydrolysed urine evaluated the solubility product of struvite. The stored and fully hydrolysed urine had an ionic strength of between 0.33 and 0.56M and required the estimation of activity coefficients. From our data, we identified the Davies approximation with the two constants A=0.509 and B=0.3 as agreeing best with our laboratory results. The standard solubility product K s 0=f 1[NH4 +]f 2[Mg2+]f 3[PO4 3−] ([ ]=concentration of the species; fx = corresponding activity coefficient) of struvite in urine was found to be 10−13.26±0.057 at 25°C and the enthalpy of struvite formation ΔH was 22.6(±1.1) kJmol−1. The equilibrium calculations required the following dissolved complexes: [MgCO3]aq, [MgHCO3]+, [MgPO4]−, [NH4HPO4]−, and [NaHPO4]− and to a lesser extent [MgSO4]aq and [NH4SO4]−. Organic complexes do not seem to influence the solubility product substantially. For practical purposes, a conditional solubility product K s cond=[Mgaq]·[NH4 ++NH3]·[Portho]=10−7.57 M3 was derived to calculate struvite solubility in urine at 25°C, pH=9.0 and ionic strength I=0.4M directly from measured concentrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Phosphate can be recovered as struvite or apatite in fluidised bed reactors. Urine has a much higher phosphate concentration than sludge reject water, allowing simpler (and less expensive) process for precipitation of phosphates. A stirred tank reactor with a special compartment for liquid solid separation was used to precipitate struvite from urine. Magnesium ammonium phosphate as well as potassium magnesium phosphate are two forms of struvite that were successfully precipitated. Liquid/solid separation was very effective, but the compaction of struvite was rather poor in the case of potassium struvite. Crystals did not form clusters and maintained the typical orthorhombic structure. Ammonium struvite had slightly lower effluent phosphate concentrations, but an average of 95% of influent phosphate was removed regardless of ammonium or potassium struvite precipitation. Fluid mechanics is believed to be important and should inform further work. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated in the conventional anaerobic–aerobic mode for enhanced biological phosphate removal (EBPR) using acetate as the sole substrate. Results showed that, however, the reactor was unable to remove phosphate from wastewater. The sludge containing 1.65% of phosphate did not exhibit the typical characteristics of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) or glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAO). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rDNA sequences of individual microorganisms, showed that the microbial community of this acetate-degrading sludge was closely related to Comamonas testosteroni (43.8% of total population) of β-1-proteobacteria, Zoogloea resiniphila (25.0%) of β-2-proteobacteria, and Xanthomonas maltophilia (19.8%) of γ-proteobacteria. Results of this study imply that GAO might not be the sole group of bacteria responsible to the deterioration of phosphate removal efficiency in an EBPR reactor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• ROS reduction improved ENMC adaptation in CW by gradual stress increase strategy. • Supplementation of snow and biogas enhanced approximately 10% ENMC growth in CW. • An ENMCS system was established and operated for 310-day treating CW and biogas. • Optimum condition: 50% fill ratio, 24 h feeding, 6 d HRT, 70-FCW+30-SN, open-PBR. • ENMCS was effective for bioremediation of AD effluents and biomass production. It is necessary to develop sustainable technologies for centrate wastewater (CW) and biogas treatment from sludge anaerobic digestion (AD) systems in an environmentally friendly and economical manner. The microalgae-based bioremediation approach presents a competitive alternative due to its capacity for nutrient recovery and carbon sequestration. However, process instabilities and operating challenges limit its development and implementation largely due to the complexities in the CW and biogas. In this study, the evolved native microalgal consortium (ENMC) was firstly developed using the gradual stress increase method to enhance their adaptation in high ammonium condition. The supplementation of local snow (with Ca2+ and Mg2+) and biogas into CW significantly enhanced ENMC growth through batch tests. Subsequently, an integrated ENMC-snow (ENMCS) system was proposed consisting of a hydrolysis-acidification reactor (HAR), biogas upgrade reactor, and photobioreactor (PBR). The ENMCS system was systematically investigated under both batch and semi-continuous operations, by adjusting primary process parameters including the fill ratio, feeding time, hydraulic retention time (HRT), wastewater pretreatment, and PBR type. It was eventually optimized as a 24 h, 70% fermented CW diluted with 30% snow water, semi-continuous feeding system with a fill ratio of 50% and HRT of 6 d in an open-PBR. Long-term operation (310 days) showed superior biomass yield (0.3059 ± 0.0039 g/(L•d)) and nutrient removal efficiencies (95.6 ± 0.13% and 90.8 ± 0.44% for NH 4 +-N and PO 4 3−-P removal). Meanwhile, biogas was upgraded with an 82.2% CO 2 reduction. The economic and environmental analysis further demonstrated the ENMCS system as an effective alternative for the bioremediation of AD effluents while simultaneously producing value-added biomass, especially applicable to snowy regions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of physicochemical conditions on the partial nitritation and anammox treatment by immobilized ammonia oxidizers under ammonium-deplete conditions. The impact of oxygen and temperature was studied by measuring the activity of immobilized aerobic and anaerobic ammonia-oxidizing organisms (Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and archaea (AOA), and Anammox bacteria) embedded in polyvinyl alcohol – sodium alginate (PVA-SA) beads and in thin layer poly-ethylene glycol hydrogels. Beads and flat hydrogels were incubated in a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) and in two flow cells, respectively. Both systems were fed with synthetic wastewater (15 mg N–NH 4 +/L) at different temperatures (20 °C and/or 30 °C) and different dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5 and/or 1 mg/L) over 152 and 207 days, respectively. The FBR system had a maximum removal rate of 1.7 g-N/m3/d at 0.1 mg O 2 /L, corresponding to 80% removal efficiency, while a high aerobic ammonia-oxidizing activity but a partial oxygen inhibition of Anammox bacteria were observed at higher DO concentrations. In both flow cells, nitrogen removal efficiency was highest (80%) at 30 °C and 1 mg O 2 /L while removal was less favorable at lower DO and lower temperature. Our results indicate a potential use of hydrogel beads for an energy efficient technology with reduced aeration demand for treating low ammonia wastewater, while layered hydrogels are a possible first step for biological treatments of wastewater using tangential flow. In addition, we provide blueprint drawings of the flow cells, which may be used to 3D-print the apparatus for other applications. Image 1 • AOA/AOB/Anammox were immobilized in hydrogels. • Hydrogel beads removed 80% of the ammonium at 0.1 mg O 2 /L and 30 °C. • Thin gel grown in flow cells showed a maximum removal (80%) at 1 mg O 2 /L and 30 °C. • Effect of dissolved oxygen and temperature was tested in ammonium-depleted wastewater. • Blueprint drawings are provided for flow cell systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the adsorption studies, the accurate estimation of the model parameters contributes to getting insights into adsorption behaviors and optimizing adsorber design. After reading the research work of Pap et al. (2020) carefully, it was found that the fitting results were questionable. Thus, this comment tried to address the following aspects: (i) Correction of the fitting results for the kinetic and isotherm models; (ii) Correct form of the Bohart–Adams model; (iii) Usage of the Clark model; and (iv) Effects of the partial or complete experimental data on the model parameters. This work is expected to help readers better understand the adsorption models and estimate the model parameters. Image 1 • This work corrected the fitting results of the kinetic and isotherm models. • This work gave the correct form of the Bohart–Adams model. • The three-parameter Clark model was directly used to obtain the model parameters. • The complete breakthrough curve was recommended to obtain the model parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter is in response to the comments of Dr Hu and Dr Zhang on " Low-cost chitosan-calcite adsorbent development for potential phosphate removal and recovery from wastewater effluent " (Pap et al., 2020). We thank Dr Hu and Dr Zhang for their interest and comments, and having reflected, we wish to provide some clarification. • Phosphate adsorption onto a chitosan-calcite rich adsorbent. • Levenberg–Marquardt method for experimental data fitting. • Breakthrough model analysis for phosphate adsorption behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]