Alkali-solubilized organic matter from sludge and its degradability in the anaerobic process.

This study investigates alkali-solubilized dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its fate in the anaerobic treatment process. DOM was fractionated into high molecular weight (HMW) protein-like substances (PL), HMW saccharide-like substances (SL), low molecular weight (LMW) PL, LMW SL, and humic acid-like substances (HAL). The results indicate alkali-solubilized DOM is primarily composed of LMW PL, HMW SL, and HAL. Alkaline pretreatment improved the overall anaerobic degradability of DOM in sludge (removal efficiency of total DOM increased by 28.4%). However, certain DOM fractions (mainly HMW PL and HAL) exhibited low degradability during anaerobic treatment, primarily caused by the low degradability of aromatic groups (such as aromatic amine groups from tryptophan-like PL). Alkaline pretreatment also resulted in an increase of residual DOM, which is mainly composed of HAL (52.9%) and HMW SL (49.9%).

Comparative study of low-energy ultrasonic and alkaline treatment on biosludge from secondary industrial wastewater treatment.

In this study, low-energy ultrasonic (3 and 6 kJ/g volatile solids of feed biomass (FB) which was lower than the heat value of the FB), alkaline, and ultrasonic-alkaline pretreatments were applied on FB, a biosludge from secondary industrial wastewater treatment. Biochemical methane potential (BMP), particle size distribution, Biomass Stress Index (BSI™), soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), protein, carbohydrate, and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) fingerprints were used to comparatively study the mechanisms of these pretreatment methods. The results indicated that low-energy ultrasonication and alkali exhibited significantly different impacts on the FB. After ultrasonication with energy input of 6 kJ/g-VS, the average particle size of FB was reduced from 102.6 to 19.4 µm. However, ultrasonication had no obvious effect on microbial cells rupture, solubilization of protein and carbohydrate, and SEC fingerprint. Consequently, low-energy ultrasonication could not enhance methane generation. However, after alkaline pretreatment with dosage of 0.3 g-NaOH/g-VS, SCOD, soluble protein, and soluble carbohydrate concentration of FB increased from 0.66, 0.00, 0.07 to 2.83, 0.83, 0.47 g/L, respectively. At the same time, BSI™ increased from 5.3% to 96.8%, and the SEC fingerprint changed significantly. Consequently, the methane generation in the BMP test increased from 68.9 to 135.0 mL. Ultrasonic-alkaline pretreatment was similar to alkaline pretreatment in terms of methane generation. Based on this study, alkaline pretreatment is recommended over both low-energy ultrasonic and low-energy ultrasonic-alkaline pretreatment to enhance the biodegradability of FB.

Regression based state space adaptive model of two-phase anaerobic reactor.

In this paper, a linear state space model for the two-phase anaerobic reactor system was developed based on historical data. Subsequently, the model was used to predict its future behavior. The state space model developed involved correlation analysis and model development. The model would be updated at every time point when a new data set became available, giving it an "adaptive" feature. The model was then applied to monitor two-phase anaerobic co-digestion of a feed comprising 2 industrial secondary sludges and 2 industrial wastewaters. The case study showed the proposed model was able to provide good predictions of various process parameters. In addition, it also predicted impending process failure and this would have allowed the operator to take necessary measures to prevent or reduce impact of such failure during plant operation.

Effect of a high strength chemical industry wastewater on microbial community dynamics and mesophilic methane generation.

A high strength chemical industry wastewater was assessed for its impact on anaerobic microbial community dynamics and consequently mesophilic methane generation. Cumulative methane production was 251 mL/g total chemical oxygen demand removed at standard temperature and pressure at the end of 30 days experimental period with a highest recorded methane percentage of 80.6% of total biogas volume. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs) analysis revealed that acetic acid was the major intermediate VFAs produced with propionic acid accumulating over the experimental period. Quantitative analysis of microbial communities in the test and control groups with quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction highlighted that in the test group, Eubacteria (96.3%) was dominant in comparison with methanogens (3.7%). The latter were dominated by Methanomicrobiales and Methanobacteriales while Methanosarcinaceae in test groups increased over the experimental period, reaching a maximum on day 30. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profile was performed, targeting the 16S rRNA gene of Eubacteria and Archaea, with the DNA samples extracted at 3 different time points from the test groups. A phylogenetic tree was constructed for the sequences using the neighborhood joining method. The analysis revealed that the presence of organisms resembling Syntrophomonadaceae could have contributed to increased production of acetic and propionic acid intermediates while decrease of organisms resembling Pelotomaculum sp. could have most likely contributed to accumulation of propionic acid. This study suggested that the degradation of organic components within the high strength industrial wastewater is closely linked with the activity of certain niche microbial communities within eubacteria and methanogens.

Cyclophosphamide-induced apoptosis in COV434 human granulosa cells involves oxidative stress and glutathione depletion.

The anticancer drug cyclophosphamide induces granulosa cell apoptosis and is detoxified by glutathione (GSH) conjugation. We previously showed that both cyclophosphamide treatment and GSH depletion induced granulosa cell apoptosis in rats, but the role of GSH in apoptosis in human ovarian cells has not been studied. Using the COV434 human granulosa cell line, we tested the hypotheses that (1) GSH depletion or treatment with 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4HC), a preactivated form of cyclophosphamide, induces apoptosis, (2) GSH depletion potentiates 4HC-induced apoptosis, and (3) 4HC-induced apoptosis is mediated by GSH depletion and oxidative stress. Cells were treated with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a specific inhibitor of GSH synthesis, with or without follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) or serum. A significant increase in the number of apoptotic cells, assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxy-uridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) and Hoechst 33342 staining, occurred with BSO treatment. Treatment with 4HC dose-dependently induced apoptosis by TUNEL, Hoechst staining, and caspase 3 activation. Treatment with 4HC caused an increase in reactive oxygen species generation, measured by dichlorofluorescein fluorescence, oxidative DNA damage, measured by 8-hydroxyguanosine immunostaining, and an oxidation of the redox potential for the oxidized glutathione/reduced glutathione couple. Total intracellular GSH declined after 4HC treatment, preceding the onset of cell death. Treatment with antioxidants inhibited 4HC-induced apoptosis. Combined treatment with BSO and 4HC caused greater induction of apoptosis than either treatment alone. These findings are consistent with roles for oxidative stress and GSH depletion in mediating the induction of apoptosis in COV434 cells by cyclophosphamide.

Experimental study on denitrification using coated electrode of immobilized denitrifying bacteria.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a coated electrode of immobilized denitrificants and to evaluate the performance of a bioelectrochemical reactor to enhance and control denitrification. METHODS: Denitrifying bacteria were developed by batch incubation and immobilized with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the surface of activated carbon fiber (ACF) to make a coated electrode. Then the coated electrode (cathode) and graphite electrode (anode) were transferred to the reactor to reduce nitrate. RESULTS: After acclimated to the mixtrophic and autotrophic denitrification stages, the denitrifying bacteria could use hydrogen as an electron donor to reduce nitrate. When the initial nitrate concentration was 30.2 mg NO3- -N / L, the denitrification efficiency was 57.3% at an applied electric current of 15 mA and a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 hours. Correspondingly, the current density was 0.083 mA/cm2. The nitrate removal rate of the reactor was 34.4 g NO3- -N/m3 x d, and the surface area loading was 1.34 g NO3- -N / m2 x d. CONCLUSION: The coated electrode may keep high quantity of biomass, thus achieving a high denitrification rate. Denitrification efficiencies are related to HRT, current density, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH value, and temperature.

[Factors affecting denitrification by denitrificans coated electrode].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the efficiency of coated electrode denitrifying reactor. METHODS: Synthetic groundwater was treated by coated electrode denitrifying reactor submitted to different operational parameters, such as electric current intensity (CI), oxidation reduction potential (ORP), hydraulic retention time (HRT) and temperature. RESULTS: Denitrification efficiencies of the reactor was found to be related with the applied electric current. The denitrification efficiency was 57.3% with a HRT of 12 hours and the optimum applied electric current intensity was 15 mA. Nitrate removal rate of the reactor was calculated to be 34.4 g NO3(-)-N/m3 x d. Denitrification efficiencies were also found to be related to HRT. The average denitrification velocity was 0.183 mg NO3(-)-N/h within 12 hours. The denitrification rates increased when the temperature of synthetic water raised from 5-35 degrees C. After the electrodes had been connected to the power supply for 1 hour, the concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) and ORP decreased sharply to 1.08 mg/L and -40 mV, respectively. CONCLUSION: An adaptable reduction environment could be set up in the reactor for autotrophic denitrification shortly after the bio-electrochemical reaction began. The optimum electrode potential and current density were 2.5 V and 0.083 mA/cm2 . As the bio-electrochemical reaction went on, the pH volume decreased sharply, and nitrite accumulation was found corresponsively, which leads to the inhibition of denitrification. HRT should be controlled within 12 hours. Anode oxidation reaction could offer inorganic carbon sources for autotrophic denitrifying bacteria, but might lead to pH increase, should be paid attention in the practical operation.

[Development of coated electrode of immobilized denitrifying bacteria and bio-electrochemical denitrifying reactor].

OBJECTIVE: A coated electrode of immobilized denitrifying bacteria was developed to study the feasibility of electrochemical denitrification. METHODS: The coated electrode of denitrifying bacteria was made by batch cultivation and PVA immobilization using activated carbon fiber (ACF). The coated ACF electrode was used as cathode, while graphite as anode in bioelectrochemical reactor. RESULTS: After having been acclimated in two stages, mixotrophic and autotrophic denitrification stages, the denitrifying bacteria could use hydrogen as electron donor to reduce nitrate. When the initial nitrate concentration was 30.7mg NO3- -N/L, the denitrification rate was 38.4% at an applied electric current of 10mA and a hydraulic retention time of 12 hours. CONCLUSION: With great surface area and a rough surface, it was very easy to develop a biofilm on ACF. The membrane of PVA gel could adhere to the surface of ACF firmly. After having been acclimated, the denitrifying bacteria could use hydrogen generated by the electrolysis of water to be treated as electron donor to reduce nitrate.

[Study on denitrification using different carbon sources].

In this study, bench scale tests were conducted to study the potentials of immobilized denitrifier to reduce nitrate in the presence of 4 different carbon sources: glucose, cane sugar, methanol and acetic acid. The results showed that the carbon sources can be used by the immobilized bacteria as exogenous carbon sources. While using methanol, the average denitrifying velocity was lower than the others. Dissimilatory reduction to ammonium was not significant and accounted for less than 5% of reduced nitrate. By a 6-hour hydraulic residence time, the denitrification rates were higher than 96%. The nitrate enriched water of S lake was also treated by the immobilized denitrifier to study the character of denitrification, especially on the using of natural carbon sources as electron donotor. The results showed that more than 90% of the nitrate in the water could be reduced by the immobilized bacteria, and more than 20% of the natural carbon sources in the water could be used by the immobilized cells.

[Study on the denitrification of drinking water with upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor].

The characteristics of denitrification was investigated with a pilot scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor at room temperature. The results showed that when brewery waste degrading sludge was used as seed, the starting process was completed within 7 weeks, with hydraulic residence time shortened from 11.1 h to 4.7 h, COD/N/P = 200/5/1 and influent NO3-(-)N concentration increased from 5 mg/L to 100 mg/L. After the process starting, the most probable number [n(MPN)] of denitrifying bacteria was 60 folds and the maximum velocity of CH4 produced was 10 folds higher than before. The removal efficiency of No3-(-)N was 99%, C/N ratio and pH value were investigated as effect factors. When C/N > = or 1.0, the NO3(-)-N removal efficiencies were not different from those of C/N < 1.0 groups significantly. The pH value could meet the discharge standards.