scholarly journals Effects of tetracycline and ibuprofen on the relative abundance of protozoan and bacterial populations in wastewater treatment semi-batch reactors

Author(s):  
Hossam Abdel Rahman

The activated sludge process in Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTPs) relies on the activities of microbes to reduce the organic and inorganic matter and produce effluent that is safe to discharge into receiving waters. This research examined the effects of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen and the antibiotic tetracycline on the microbial population in activated sludge from the Humber WWTP. The current investigation was designated to observe the impact of these contaminants, at low (environmentally relative concentrations) as well as extremely high concentrations of tetracycline and ibuprofen. Using 16S and 18S rRNA gene primer sets, and qPCR the abundance of each population was monitored as well as the relative abundance of two populations under the various conditions. It was found that current environmental concentrations of ibuprofen stimulated protozoan growth but higher concentrations reduced their numbers especially in the presence of tetracycline. Finally using DGGE, the identity for some of the more abundant protozoa were identified and it was noted that high ibuprofen and tetracycline concentrations favored the abundance of some genera.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossam Abdel Rahman

The activated sludge process in Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTPs) relies on the activities of microbes to reduce the organic and inorganic matter and produce effluent that is safe to discharge into receiving waters. This research examined the effects of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen and the antibiotic tetracycline on the microbial population in activated sludge from the Humber WWTP. The current investigation was designated to observe the impact of these contaminants, at low (environmentally relative concentrations) as well as extremely high concentrations of tetracycline and ibuprofen. Using 16S and 18S rRNA gene primer sets, and qPCR the abundance of each population was monitored as well as the relative abundance of two populations under the various conditions. It was found that current environmental concentrations of ibuprofen stimulated protozoan growth but higher concentrations reduced their numbers especially in the presence of tetracycline. Finally using DGGE, the identity for some of the more abundant protozoa were identified and it was noted that high ibuprofen and tetracycline concentrations favored the abundance of some genera.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2017 (2) ◽  
pp. 430-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Abdelrahman ◽  
G. M. Islam ◽  
K. A. Gilbride

Abstract The activated sludge process in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) relies on the activity of microbes to reduce the organic and inorganic matter and produce effluent that is safe to discharge into receiving waters. This research examined the effects of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen and the antibiotic tetracycline on the relative abundance and composition of eukaryotes and bacteria in the microbial population present in activated sludge from a WWTP. The current investigation was designed to observe the impact of these contaminants, at low (environmentally relevant concentrations) as well as high concentrations of the drugs. Using 16S and 18S rRNA gene primer sets and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the abundance of each population was monitored as well as the relative ratio of the two populations under the various conditions. It was found that current environmentally relevant concentrations of ibuprofen (100 ng/mL) stimulated eukaryotic growth but higher concentrations (2,000 ng/mL, 100,000 ng/mL) reduced their numbers significantly especially in the presence of tetracycline. Finally using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, some of the more abundant eukaryotes were identified and it was noted that high ibuprofen and tetracycline concentrations favoured the abundance of some genera.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Uyaguari

Abstract Background: Wastewater treatment plants are an essential part of maintaining the health and safety of the general public. However, they are also an anthropogenic source of antibiotic resistance genes. In this study, we characterized the resistome, the distribution of classes 1-3 integron-integrase genes (intI1, intI2, and intI3) as mobile genetic element biomarkers, and the bacterial and phage community compositions in the North End Sewage Treatment Plant in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Samples were collected from raw sewage, returned activated sludge, final effluent, and dewatered sludge. A total of 28 bacterial and viral metagenomes were sequenced over two seasons, fall and winter. Integron-integrase genes, the 16S rRNA gene, and the coliform beta-glucuronidase gene were also quantified during this time period. Results: Bacterial classes observed above 1% relative abundance in all treatments were Actinobacteria (39.24% ± 0.25%), Beta-proteobacteria (23.99% ± 0.16%), Gamma-proteobacteria (11.06% ± 0.09%), and Alpha-proteobacteria (9.18 ± 0.04%). Families within the Caudovirales order: Siphoviridae (48.69% ± 0.10%), Podoviridae (23.99% ± 0.07%), and Myoviridae (19.94% ± 0.09%) were the dominant phage observed throughout the NESTP. The most abundant bacterial genera (in terms of average percent relative abundance) in influent, returned activated sludge, final effluent, and sludge, respectively, includes Mycobacterium (37.4%, 18.3%, 46.1%, and 7.7%), Acidovorax (8.9%, 10.8%, 5.4%, and 1.3%), and Polaromonas (2.5%, 3.3%, 1.4%, and 0.4%).The most abundant class of antibiotic resistance in bacterial samples was tetracycline resistance (17.86% ± 0.03%) followed by peptide antibiotics (14.24% ± 0.03%), and macrolides (10.63% ± 0.02%). Similarly, the phage samples contained a higher prevalence of macrolide (30.12% ± 0.30%), peptide antibiotic (10.78% ± 0.13%), and tetracycline (8.69% ± 0.11%) resistance. In addition, intI1 was the most abundant integron-integrase gene throughout treatment (1.14x104 gene copies/mL) followed by intI3 (4.97x103 gene copies/mL) while intI2 abundance remained low (6.4x101 gene copies/mL).Conclusions: The wastewater treatment plant successfully reduced the abundance of bacteria, DNA bacteriophages, and antibiotic resistance genes although many of them still remained in effluent and biosolids. The presence of integron-integrase genes throughout treatment and in effluent suggests that antibiotic resistance genes could be actively disseminating resistance between both environmental and pathogenic bacteria.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2657
Author(s):  
Elwira Nowobilska-Majewska ◽  
Piotr Bugajski

The aim of this study was to determine the condition of activated sludge in the biologic reactor located in the collective wastewater treatment plant in Nowy Targ (Poland) based on OUR tests in the aspect of the impact of sludge’s concentration in the biologic reactor and dependence of BOD5/TN and BOD5/TP in wastewater flowing into the biologic reactor. The analysis was conducted based on test results from 61 samples of activated sludge taken from the biologic reactor and 61 samples of wastewater flowing into the biologic reactor. The analysis included the concentration of sludge in the biologic reactor. The following indicators were analyzed in wastewater flowing into the reactor: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP). The statistical analysis concerning the impact of the analyzed factors on oxygen uptake rate (OUR) tests was developed based on the Pearson’s correlation coefficient and partial correlation of many variables. Based on the results of the partial correlation analysis, nomograms were developed to determine the condition of activated sludge microorganisms (OUR) based on the BOD5/TN and BOD5/TP connection and knowledge of the sludge concentration in the bioreactor of the treatment plant. The presented nomograms can be formulated for each bioreactor based on activated sludge technology related the load of organic and biogenic pollutants in the wastewater flowing into the bioreactor and the concentration of the sludge in the bioreactor.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarunveer Singh ◽  
Shubhanshu Jain

Adsorption technique is widely used for removal of toxic organic contaminants from aqueous streams. Owing to the hazardous or otherwise undesirable characteristics of phenolic compounds in particular, their presence in wastewater from municipal and industrial discharge is one of the most important environmental issue. The discharge of poor quality effluents by the chemical-based laboratories and refineries in India is posing a serious threat to water sources and wastewater treatment installations alike. Our study was set up in the Indo - French Unit for Water & Wastewater Technologies (IFUWWT), IIT Delhi. The main objective of this study was to assess the efficiency of a laboratory-scale activated sludge treatment process in producing a final effluent conforming to regulatory standards of Central Pollution Control Board, India (CPCB norms) with regards to COD and metal ion loads. The study was conducted in three principal stages: characterization of wastewater containing nanoparticles; treatability studies of laboratory generated discards and investigations of heavy metal ions before and after treatment. The various raw effluent parameters analyzed were COD, BOD, F/M ratio, Sludge Value Index, Total Solids and concentrations of Cu, Ag and Zn. Studies were conducted using two aerobic sequencing batch reactors (SBR). MLSS of the aeration basin was calculated to be 7180±261.3 mg/L while the F/M ratio was kept down to 0.1560±.0149; besides, an SVI of 107.24 mL/g complied with the state of bioreactor’s sludge. These set of values suggested to set an extended aeration processes for the reactors. Accordingly, the detention time in aeration basin was 24 hours. The results showed over 98% influent COD reduction and nearly 100% removal of metal ions. The sample used was operated on sludge collected from Vasant Kunj Wastewater Treatment plant. Based on the results from waste characterization and treatability studies, it was decided that the mixed liquor discharged in the activation tank should have glucose solution and laboratory discarded sample in 1:1 ratio. The reactor was operated on a glucose fed batch basis for 30 days. For the sake of metal analysis, the digested water samples were analyzed for the presence of copper, silver and zinc using the ElementAS AAS4141 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (by Electronics Corporation of India Ltd). The biosorption capacities were found to be over 95% in all the cases with the minimum correlation coefficient for calibration curve being 0.9811. Such a high sludge yield is suggestive of the fact that heavy metals are in very low concentrations in the considered carboy sample. Because of these insignificant values, the amount of metal ions introduced to the system gets adsorbed almost completely, hence leaving behind no metal ion within the supernatant. Well-treated wastewater has enormous potential as a source of water for crops, households and industry.


FACETS ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire N. Freeman ◽  
Lena Scriver ◽  
Kara D. Neudorf ◽  
Lisbeth Truelstrup Hansen ◽  
Rob C. Jamieson ◽  
...  

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been identified as hotspots for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and thus represent a critical point where patterns in ARG abundances can be monitored prior to their release into the environment. The aim of the current study was to measure the impact of the release of the final treated effluent (FE) on the abundance of ARGs in the receiving water of a recently upgraded WWTP in the Canadian prairies. Sample nutrient content (phosphorous and nitrogen species) was measured as a proxy for WWTP functional performance, and quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to measure the abundance of eight ARGs, the intI1 gene associated with class I integrons, and the 16S rRNA gene. The genes ermB, sul1, intI1, blaCTX-M, qnrS, and tetO all had higher abundances downstream of the WWTP, consistent with the genes with highest abundance in the FE. These findings are consistent with the increasing evidence suggesting that human activity affects the abundances of ARGs in the environment. Although the degree of risk associated with releasing ARGs into the environment is still unclear, understanding the environmental dimension of this threat will help develop informed management policies to reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance and protect public health.


2000 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 1167-1174 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Layton ◽  
P. N. Karanth ◽  
C. A. Lajoie ◽  
A. J. Meyers ◽  
I. R. Gregory ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The bacterial community structure of the activated sludge from a 25 million-gal-per-day industrial wastewater treatment plant was investigated using rRNA analysis. 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) libraries were created from three sludge samples taken on different dates. Partial rRNA gene sequences were obtained for 46 rDNA clones, and nearly complete 16S rRNA sequences were obtained for 18 clones. Seventeen of these clones were members of the beta subdivision, and their sequences showed high homology to sequences of known bacterial species as well as published 16S rDNA sequences from other activated sludge sources. Sixteen clones belonged to the alpha subdivision, 7 of which showed similarity to Hyphomicrobium species. This cluster was chosen for further studies due to earlier work onHyphomicrobium sp. strain M3 isolated from this treatment plant. A nearly full-length 16S rDNA sequence was obtained fromHyphomicrobium sp. strain M3. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Hyphomicrobium sp. strain M3 was 99% similar to Hyphomicrobium denitrificans DSM 1869T inHyphomicrobium cluster II. Three of the cloned sequences from the activated sludge samples also grouped with those ofHyphomicrobium cluster II, with a 96% sequence similarity to that of Hyphomicrobium sp. strain M3. The other four cloned sequences from the activated sludge sample were more closely related to those of the Hyphomicrobium cluster I organisms (95 to 97% similarity). Whole-cell fluorescence hybridization of microorganisms in the activated sludge with genus-specificHyphomicrobium probe S-G-Hypho-1241-a-A-19 enhanced the visualization of Hyphomicrobium and revealed thatHyphomicrobium appears to be abundant both on the outside of flocs and within the floc structure. Dot blot hybridization of activated sludge samples from 1995 with probes designed forHyphomicrobium cluster I and Hyphomicrobiumcluster II indicated that Hyphomicrobium cluster II-positive 16S rRNA dominated over Hyphomicrobium cluster I-positive 16S rRNA by 3- to 12-fold. Hyphomicrobium 16S rRNA comprised approximately 5% of the 16S rRNA in the activated sludge.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Eulogio Cisterna Osorio ◽  
Barbara Faundez-Miño

Fats and oils present in wastewater are usually eliminated by physical and biological processes. In this experience, the fatty wastewaters are treated biologically, and it assesses the impact of the mix in the fats and oils biodegradation and carried out the experiments in a laboratory scale unit. The biodegradation of fats and oils was analysed in two sceneries, with mix previous by mechanical agitation and without mix. Key parameters were monitored, such as the concentration of fats and oils in the influents and effluents, mass loading, and the efficiency of biodegradation. The mass loading range was similar in both sceneries. In the experimental activated sludge plant without mix, the biodegradation of fats and oils reached levels in the range of 28 to 42.5%. For the wastewater treatment plant with a previous mix by mechanical agitation, the levels of biodegradation of fats and oils ranged from 64 to 75%. Therefore, considering the efficiency of the biodegradation of fats and oils in both sceneries, the results indicated that the level mix is a high incidence.


2005 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Beck ◽  
G. Prades ◽  
A.-G. Sadowski

The principal objective of our study was to optimise a municipal activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) to face high organic flows due to viticulture effluents inputs. Treatment file optimization consisted in testing different treatment lines, changing the number and volume of biological basins and clarifiers, with or without a buffer basin upstream, with a view to achieving a better reduction of COD. The actual WWTP biological stage is composed of two aerated basins whose total volume is 1365 m3. The studied cases are successively, the installation of a single basin of 1365 m3, then of several basins whose total volume remains constant and equal to 1365 m3. Another case was also considered, that of an aerated basin followed by a first clarifier and then, by another aerated basin and a second clarifier. All scenarios presented below were evaluated, for standard dry weather conditions and for high organic load conditions, as encountered during the grape harvest period. The method used was to carry out various simulations, using numerical modelling, and to compare the impact of different process line scenarios and management strategies on the activated sludge WWTP efficiencies.


2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1136-1144 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Drewnowski

The hydrolysis process of slowly biodegradable substrate (XS) has an impact on the efficiencies of nutrient removal in activated sludge systems. Measurement of oxygen utilization rates (OURs) and corresponding chemical oxygen demand (COD) is accepted as a very useful tool to reflect the consumption of biodegradable substrates. The influence of the SS fraction in biological wastewater treatment systems has been extensively investigated, but little information is known about the effects of XS on OUR. The aim of this study was to determine the immediate effects of particulate and colloidal (XS) biodegradable compounds on oxygen utilization for a full-scale process mixed liquor from a large wastewater treatment plant located in northern Poland. Since it is difficult to distinguish XS in a direct way, a novel procedure, based on the standard batch tests, was developed and run in parallel reactors with settled wastewater (SWW) and pretreated SWW samples. Two types of aerobic OUR experiments with low and high substrate/biomass (S0/X0 ratio) concentration, were carried out with the SWW without pretreatment, and pretreated with a coagulation–flocculation (C–F) method. The removal of colloidal and particulate fractions by C–F resulted in reduced process rates. The major discrepancy in the rate reductions (over 300% referred to the OURmax) was observed during the OUR batch test with high S0/X0 ratio.


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