Enhancing Organic Micropollutants Removal in Wastewater with an Innovative Two-Stage Anaerobic Fixed-Film Bioreactor: Role of Acidogenic and Methanogenic Steps

Author(s)

Carneiro, Rodrigo B. ; Gomes, Gisele M. ; Sabatini, Carolina A. ; Gago-Ferrero, Pablo ; Zaiat, Marcelo ; Santos-Neto, Alavaro J.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACS ES&T ENGINEERING; v. 4, n. 2, p. 11-pg., 2023-12-29.

Abstract

The distinct stages of anaerobic digestion (AD) exhibit varying effects on the removal of diverse organic micropollutants present in wastewater. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of AD phase separation (acidogenesis and methanogenesis) in a two-stage anaerobic fixed-film bioreactor in the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from wastewater. The acidogenic--methanogenic reactor achieved removal rates of over 95% for the chemicals sulfamethoxazole, methylparaben, propylparaben, naproxen, and acetaminophen and surpassed the single-stage methanogenic reactor in the removal of the more persistent compounds, ibuprofen, carbamazepine, metoprolol, ciprofloxacin, and diclofenac. The acidogenic step played a pivotal role in degrading persistent PPCPs, likely attributed to the selection of microbial enzymes involved in the production of volatile fatty acids from the oxidation of carbohydrates. The key candidate microbial genera for the PPCPs biodegradation were identified in the acidogenic reactor as Bacteroides, Clostridium, Williamwhitmania, Catenisphaera, and Erysipelothrix. In the methanogenic reactor, there was a predominance of Rectinema, Smithella, Syntrophus, and Syntrophorhabdus in coculture with hydrogen-using methanogens (Methanoregula and Methanolinea). This innovative two-stage reactor presents a promising solution for efficient organic micropollutant elimination in wastewater treatment plants. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/09239-5 - Non-target and suspect screening strategies for the investigation of pharmaceuticals and personal care products biotransformation pathways in the anaerobic digestion
• Grantee: Rodrigo Braz Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• FAPESP's process: 15/06246-7 - Biorefinery concept applied to biological wastewater treatment plants: environmental pollution control coupled with material and energy recovery
• Grantee: Marcelo Zaiat
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/02147-0 - Single drop chromatography and its coupling to mass spectrometry: instrumental strategies, development of materials, automation and analytical applications
• Grantee: Fernando Mauro Lanças
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 19/22532-0 - Anaerobic biotransformation of emerging organic micropollutants in a two-phase (acidogenic-methanogenic) treatment system treating domestic wastewater
• Grantee: Rodrigo Braz Carneiro
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 21/05052-5 - Evaluation of glycerol codigestion with sanitary sewage in anaerobic structured-bed reactor aiming at biodegradation of organic micropollutants
• Grantee: Gisele Miranda Gomes
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation