Integrating microplastic management into a broader wastewater decision-making framework. Is activated granular sludge (AGS) a game changer?

IF 6.3 2区工程技术 Q1 ENGINEERING, CHEMICAL

Journal of water process engineering Pub Date : 2024-11-26 DOI:10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.106624

Andre Torre, Ian Vázquez-Rowe, Ramzy Kahhat

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are not specifically designed to tackle microplastics (MPs), leaving them in aquatic ecosystems. The novelty of our study is a critical review of the effectiveness of conventional activated sludge (CAS), membrane bioreactors (MBRs), and activated granular sludge (AGS) in managing MPs within WWTPs. We bridge a gap in scientific literature by assessing MP removal and resilience to MPs. Our scope extends beyond MPs management, evaluating these technologies against environmental, economic, and social criteria. Findings show that MBR outperforms CAS and AGS in MP removal but faces challenges with smaller MPs due to fouling and secondary pollution. AGS shows similar removal rates to CAS but often superior resilience to MPs, given its higher decontamination capabilities. Environmentally, AGS may better reduce indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to lower energy and chemical demands. Moreover, AGS exhibits higher resource recovery potential (e.g., biopolymers, phosphates). Socially, MBR excels in pathogen removal, reducing waterborne disease risks. Economically, AGS is the most cost-effective technology regarding both operational and capital expenditures. However, MPs can impact these criteria by reducing nutrient removal efficiency and increasing both direct and indirect GHGs. MPs create “plastisphere” habitats, reducing pathogen removal and compromising water safety. Moreover, MPs increase energy and chemical use, especially in MBR systems due to fouling concerns.

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将微塑料管理纳入更广泛的废水决策框架。活性颗粒污泥（AGS）能否改变游戏规则？

污水处理厂（WWTP）并不是专门为处理微塑料（MPs）而设计的，因此微塑料会残留在水生生态系统中。我们这项研究的新颖之处在于对传统活性污泥法（CAS）、膜生物反应器（MBR）和活性颗粒污泥法（AGS）在污水处理厂内处理 MPs 的效果进行了严格审查。我们通过评估 MP 的去除率和对 MP 的适应能力，弥补了科学文献中的空白。我们的研究范围不仅限于 MPs 管理，还根据环境、经济和社会标准对这些技术进行了评估。研究结果表明，膜生物反应器在去除 MP 方面优于 CAS 和 AGS，但由于结垢和二次污染，在处理较小的 MP 时面临挑战。AGS 的去除率与 CAS 相似，但由于其具有更强的去污能力，对 MP 的适应能力往往更强。在环保方面，由于 AGS 对能源和化学品的需求较低，因此可以更好地减少间接温室气体（GHG）排放。此外，AGS 还具有更高的资源回收潜力（如生物聚合物、磷酸盐）。在社会方面，膜生物反应器在去除病原体方面表现出色，可降低水传播疾病的风险。在经济上，就运营和资本支出而言，AGS 是最具成本效益的技术。然而，多孔介质会降低营养物去除效率，增加直接和间接的温室气体排放，从而影响上述标准。MPs 会形成 "塑球 "生境，降低病原体去除率，影响水质安全。此外，多孔介质还会增加能源和化学品的使用，特别是在 MBR 系统中，因为会产生污垢。

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来源期刊

Journal of water process engineering Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-Biotechnology

CiteScore

10.70

自引率

8.60%

发文量

846

审稿时长

24 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Water Process Engineering aims to publish refereed, high-quality research papers with significant novelty and impact in all areas of the engineering of water and wastewater processing . Papers on advanced and novel treatment processes and technologies are particularly welcome. The Journal considers papers in areas such as nanotechnology and biotechnology applications in water, novel oxidation and separation processes, membrane processes (except those for desalination) , catalytic processes for the removal of water contaminants, sustainable processes, water reuse and recycling, water use and wastewater minimization, integrated/hybrid technology, process modeling of water treatment and novel treatment processes. Submissions on the subject of adsorbents, including standard measurements of adsorption kinetics and equilibrium will only be considered if there is a genuine case for novelty and contribution, for example highly novel, sustainable adsorbents and their use: papers on activated carbon-type materials derived from natural matter, or surfactant-modified clays and related minerals, would not fulfil this criterion. The Journal particularly welcomes contributions involving environmentally, economically and socially sustainable technology for water treatment, including those which are energy-efficient, with minimal or no chemical consumption, and capable of water recycling and reuse that minimizes the direct disposal of wastewater to the aquatic environment. Papers that describe novel ideas for solving issues related to water quality and availability are also welcome, as are those that show the transfer of techniques from other disciplines. The Journal will consider papers dealing with processes for various water matrices including drinking water (except desalination), domestic, urban and industrial wastewaters, in addition to their residues. It is expected that the journal will be of particular relevance to chemical and process engineers working in the field. The Journal welcomes Full Text papers, Short Communications, State-of-the-Art Reviews and Letters to Editors and Case Studies