Anthropogenic eutrophication is a worldwide problem, which is easily induced by excessive nutrients of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). In order to treat the simulated eutrophication water (N 10 mg/L, P 0.5 mg/L), the ex situ processes of microalgal–bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) technology and normal aerobic granular sludge (AGS) were introduced and compared in the present study, using four parallel operated sequencing batch reactors (two for MBGS with illumination and two for AGS without illumination). Results showed that during 200 days of cultivation, the removal of total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) and total phosphorus (TP) could both reach >80% using MBGS, while AGS ended up removing only 18.5–23.3% of TIN and 47.4–52.5% of TP. The good removal of N and P with MBGS is probably due to the large expansion of filamentous algae in the phylum Cyanobacteria. Filamentous algae growth is able to largely enrich the lipid content in the MBGS by a factor of 3.4–4.1 compared with AGS. Besides, suspended algae removal tests were also conducted with both the AGS and MBGS, which all reached a relatively good removal efficiency of >69%. As a result, MBGS technology proved to have great potential for remediation of the eutrophicated water, achieving excellent N and P removal and water purification, with promising prospects for restoring contaminated water bodies as an ex situ process.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Al-HumairiST, LeeJGM, HarveyAP, et al.A foam column system harvesting freshwater algae for biodiesel production: An experiment and process model evaluations. Sci Total Environ, 2023; 862:160702; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160702
2.
APHA. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. American Public Health Association, American Water Work Association and Water Environment Federation: Washington, D.C., USA; 2012.
3.
BhambriA, KarnSK. Biotechnique for nitrogen and phosphorus removal: A possible insight. Chem. Ecol, 2020; 36(8):785–809; doi: 10.1080/02757540.2020.1777991
4.
BhambriA, KarnSK, KumarA. Application of algae and bacteria in aquaculture. In book- Next-Generation Algae. Wiley Scrivener: USA; 2023.
5.
BhambriA, KarnSK, SinghRK. In-situ remediation of nitrogen and phosphorus of beverage industry by potential strains Bacillus sp. (BK1) and Aspergillus sp. (BK2). Sci Rep, 2021; 11(1):12243; doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91539-y
6.
BöppleH, KymmellNLE, SlegersPM, et al.Water treatment of recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) effluent water through microalgal biofilms. Algal Res, 2024; 84:103798; doi: 10.1016/j.algal.2024.103798
7.
CaoJ, ChenF, FangZ, et al.Effect of filamentous algae in a microalgal-bacterial granular sludge system treating saline wastewater: Assessing stability, lipid production and nutrients removal. Bioresour Technol, 2022; 354:127182; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127182
8.
CaoJ, WangK, ChenF, et al.From waste-activated sludge to algae: A self-reliant cultivation process in photoreactors using saline conditions. Water Sci Technol, 2023; 87(8):1819–1831; doi: 10.2166/wst.2023.103
9.
ChamoliA, BhambriA, KarnSK, et al.Ammonia, nitrite transformations and their fixation by different biological and chemical agents. Chem. Ecol, 2024; 40(2):166–199; doi: 10.1080/02757540.2023.2300780
10.
CostaN, LibardiN, CostaRHRD. How can the addition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)-based bioflocculant affect aerobic granular sludge (AGS)? J. Environ. Manage, 2022; 310:114807; doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114807
11.
CostaSS, MirandaAL, AssisDDJ, et al.Efficacy of Spirulina sp. polyhydroxyalkanoates extraction methods and influence on polymer properties and composition. Algal Res, 2018; 33:231–238; doi: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.05.016
12.
EungrasameeK, ZhuZ, LiuX, et al.Chapter 5-Lipid metabolism in cyanobacteria: biosynthesis and utilization. Cyanobacteria, 2024; 85–C116; doi: 10.1016/B978-0-443-13231-5.00017-9
13.
GhangrekarMM, AsolekarSR, JoshiSG. Characteristics of sludge developed under different loading conditions during UASB reactor start-up and granulation. Water Res, 2005; 39(6):1123–1133; doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2004.12.018
14.
HamzaRA, ZaghloulMS, IorhemenOT, et al.Optimization of organics to nutrients (COD:N:P) ratio for aerobic granular sludge treating high-strength organic wastewater. Sci Total Environ, 2019; 650(Pt 2):3168–3179; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.026
15.
HuangS, ZhangB, CuiF, et al.Mechanisms underlying the detrimental impact of micro(nano)plastics on the stability of aerobic granular sludge: Interactions between micro(nano) plastics and extracellular polymeric substances. J Hazard Mater, 2024; 478:135512; doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135512
16.
HuangS, ZhangB, LiuY, et al.Revealing the influencing mechanisms of polystyrene microplastics (MPs) on the performance and stability of the algal-bacterial granular sludge. Bioresour Technol, 2022; 354:127202; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127202
17.
IlmasariD, YuniartoA, KhenC, et al.Microalgal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge for old leachate treatment: Development, performance, and lipid production. J. Cleaner Prod, 2023; 417:138053; doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138053
18.
KatkaewN, ChamchoiN. Threshold amounts of nutrients and the relationship with chlorophyll a during eutrophication phenomenon in small-scale artificial reservoirs. Environ Sustain Ind, 2024; 22:100378; doi: 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100378
19.
KumarA, MishraS, SinghNK, et al.Ensuring carbon neutrality via algae-based wastewater treatment systems: Progress and future perspectives. J Environ Manage, 2024; 360:121182; doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121182
20.
LiY, BaratiB, LiJ, et al.Lab-scale evaluation of microalgal-bacterial granular sludge as a sustainable alternative for brewery wastewater treatment. Bioresour Technol, 2024; 411:131331; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131331
21.
LiuZ, WangX, JiaS, et al.Eutrophication causes analysis under the influencing of anthropogenic activities in China’s largest fresh water lake (Poyang Lake): Evidence from hydrogeochemistry and reverse simulation methods. J. Hydrol, 2023a;625:130020; doi: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2023.130020
22.
LiuZ, ZhangD, NingF, et al.Resistance and adaptation of mature algal-bacterial granular sludge under salinity stress. Sci Total Environ, 2023b;861:160558; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160558
23.
MunizJSE, AbuchacraRC, PeixotoFC, et al.Towards an integrated pelagic and benthic analysis of long-term coastal eutrophication (Guanabara Bay, Brazil). Environ. Adv, 2024; 15:100476; doi: 10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100476
24.
NiY, YangJ, PanJ, et al.Effects of enhanced biological phosphorus removal on rapid control of sludge bulking and fast formation of aerobic granular sludge. Bioresour Technol, 2024; 402:130820; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.130820
25.
NiM, YuanJ, ZhangL, et al.In-situ and ex-situ purification effect of ecological ponds of Euryale ferox Salisb on shrimp aquaculture. Aquaculture, 2021; 540:736678; doi: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2021.736678
26.
PengT, WangY, WangJ, et al.Effect of different forms and components of EPS on sludge aggregation during granulation process of aerobic granular sludge. Chemosphere, 2022; 303(Pt 2):135116; doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135116
27.
PurbaLDA, ZahraSA, YuzirA, et al.Algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge for real municipal wastewater treatment: Performance, microbial community change and feasibility of lipid recovery. J Environ Manage, 2023; 333:117374; doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117374
28.
RathodSV. Bacterial Ammonia Oxidation: A Way towards Environment Remediation. In the book-Eco-Restoration of Polluted Environment: A Biological Perspective. CRC Press: USA; 2024.
29.
Ruiz-DomínguezMC, FuentesJL, MendiolaJA, et al.Bioprospecting of cyanobacterium in Chilean coastal desert, Geitlerinema sp. molecular identification and pressurized liquid extraction of bioactive compounds. Food Bioprod. Process, 2021; 128:227–239; doi: 10.1016/j.fbp.2021.06.001
30.
ShahMP. Nitrate Problems and its Remediation. In: The book- An innovative approach of advanced oxidation process in wastewater treatment. Nova Science Publishers: USA; 2021.
31.
ShahMP, Rodriguez-CoutoS. Strategic approach for enhanced biological phosphate removal process. In: The book-Wastewater Treatment Reactors. Microbial Community Structure. Elsevier, Netherland. 2021: 1–18; doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-823991-9.00021-6
32.
SinghP, KumarD. Biomass and lipid production potential of cyanobacteria and microalgae isolated from the diverse habitats of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Biomass Bioenergy, 2022; 162:106469; doi: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2022.106469
33.
SinghP, KumarD. Biomass and lipid productivities of cyanobacteria- Leptolyngbya foveolarum HNBGU001. BioEnergy Res, 2020; 14(1):278–291; doi: 10.1007/s12155-020-10170-3
34.
SpainO, FunkC. A step towards more eco-friendly and efficient microalgal harvesting: Inducing flocculation in the non-naturally flocculating strain Chlorella vulgaris (13-1) without chemical additives. Algal Res, 2024; 79:103450; doi: 10.1016/j.algal.2024.103450
35.
StepovaK, FedivI, MažeikienėA, et al.Removal of eutrophication agents from wastewater using glauconite-based sorbents. Desalin. Water Treat, 2024; 317:100181; doi: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100181
36.
TangL, GaoM, LiangS, et al.Enhanced biological phosphorus removal sustained by aeration-free filamentous microalgal-bacterial granular sludge. Water Res, 2024; 253:121315; doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121315
37.
TongC, HuG, JiB, et al.Light intensity-regulated glycogen synthesis and pollutant removal in microalgal bacterial granular sludge for wastewater treatment. Water Res, 2024; 271:122988; doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122988
38.
TrainaF, CapodiciM, TorregrossaM, et al.PHA and EPS production from industrial wastewater by conventional activated sludge, membrane bioreactor and aerobic granular sludge technologies: A comprehensive comparison. Chemosphere, 2024; 355:141768; doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141768
39.
TruongHB, NguyenTHT, TranQB, et al.Algae-constructed wetland integrated system for wastewater treatment: A review. Bioresour Technol, 2024; 406:131003; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2024.131003
40.
VellaiyanS. An integrated approach for wastewater treatment and algae cultivation: Nutrient removal analysis, biodiesel extraction, and energy and environmental metrics enhancement. J. Environ. Manage., 2024; 354:120410; doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120410
41.
WangXT, YangH, SuY, et al.Characteristics of anammox granular sludge using color differentiation, and nitrogen removal performance of its immobilized fillers based on microbial succession. Bioresour Technol, 2021; 333:125188; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2021.125188
42.
WeiJ, YeS, RaoM, et al.Using algae to treat wastewater from vegetables cooking: screeningScreening algal strains and assessing bacterial communities. Desalin. Water Treat, 2024; 317:100085; doi: 10.1016/j.dwt.2024.100085
43.
XiS, HouZ, ChenL, et al.Ex-situ treatment of black-odorous sediment by combining activated sludge and advanced oxidants. J. Water Process. Eng, 2022; 46:102464; doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2021.102464
44.
XiaY, ZhuL, GengN, et al.Nitrogen transformation in slightly polluted surface water by a novel biofilm reactor: Long-term performance and microbial population characteristics. Sci Total Environ, 2022; 829:154623; doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154623
45.
XiongW, JinY, WangY, et al.Novel insights into the biological state in algal-bacterial granular sludge granulation: Armor-like protection provided by the algal barrier. Water Res, 2024; 262:122087; doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122087
46.
XuR, FangF, WangL, et al.Insight into the interaction between trimethoprim and soluble microbial products produced from biological wastewater treatment processes. J Environ Sci (China), 2023; 124:130–138; doi: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.11.010
47.
ZhangB, ShiJ, ShiW, et al.Effect of different inocula on the granulation process, reactor performance and biodiesel production of algal-bacterial granular sludge (ABGS) under low aeration conditions. Chemosphere, 2023; 345:140391; doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140391
48.
ZhouJ, LeavittPR, ZhangY, et al.Anthropogenic eutrophication of shallow lakes: Is it occasional? Water Res, 2022a;221:118728; doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118728
49.
ZhouY, ZhouY, ChenS, et al.Evaluating the role of algae in algal-bacterial granular sludge: Nutrient removal, microbial community and granular characteristics. Bioresour Technol, 2022b;365:128165; doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128165
Supplementary Material
Please find the following supplemental material available below.
For Open Access articles published under a Creative Commons License, all supplemental material carries the same license as the article it is associated with.
For non-Open Access articles published, all supplemental material carries a non-exclusive license, and permission requests for re-use of supplemental material or any part of supplemental material shall be sent directly to the copyright owner as specified in the copyright notice associated with the article.
