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Intracellularly stored polysulfur maintains homeostasis of pH and provides bioenergy for phosphorus metabolism in the sulfur-associated enhanced biological phosphorus removal (SEBPR) process.
- Source :
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Chemosphere [Chemosphere] 2019 Nov; Vol. 235, pp. 211-219. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Jun 21. - Publication Year :
- 2019
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Abstract
- Sulfur-associated enhanced biological phosphorus removal has recently been developed for the removal of biological nutrients. In this new bioprocess, the polymeric sulfur compound (poly-S) is crucial to connecting sulfur conversions and polyphosphate accumulation; however, its mechanisms are still elusive. This study investigated the role of poly-S in maintaining the system stability by operating a lab-scale reactor for 720 d and conducting batch experiments with various initial pH values. The main findings were as follows: i) intracellular poly-S increased from 30 to 95 mg S (g VSS) <superscript>-1</superscript> , whereas polyhydroxyalkanoates increased from 8 to 22 mg C (g VSS) <superscript>-1</superscript> ; ii) glycogen increased from 7.5 to 12.5 mg C (g VSS) <superscript>-1</superscript> during the first 520 d before decreasing; and 3) P removal could be maintained at 8-12.5 mg P (L) <superscript>-1</superscript> . The decrease in glycogen was likely because the accumulation of enough poly-S could replace glycogen to provide reducing power and buffer the inner pH. The results of batch tests confirmed that poly-S could adjust the intracellular protons under anaerobic conditions (pH always returned to neutral or neutral levels at the end of anaerobic phase) and provide cellular bioenergy (adenosine triphosphate, for P uptake, thereby maintaining net P removal). The predominant microbial communities were facultative denitrifying Thauera (11%), sulfide-oxidizing Thiobacillus (8%), and sulfate-reducing Desulfobacter (9%). However, the conventional polyphosphate-accumulating organisms were detected at very low abundance (e.g. Tetrasphaera at only 0.02%). Overall, poly-S could regulate intracellular protons and energy balance and reduce glycogen accumulation, keeping good biological P removal performance.<br /> (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1879-1298
- Volume :
- 235
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Chemosphere
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 31255762
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.06.165