Sustained effect of zero-valent iron nanoparticles under semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge

The effects of adding zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) on the physicochemical, biological and biochemical responses of a semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge have been assessed. Two sets of consecutive experiments of 103 and 116 days, respectively, were carried out in triplicate...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Barrena, Raquel|||0000-0002-6077-7765, Vargas-García, María del Carmen|||0000-0002-7647-3395, Capell Velazquez, Georgina, Barańska, Maja, Puntes, Víctor|||0000-0001-8996-9499, Moral-Vico, Javier|||0000-0002-6795-3450, Sánchez, Antoni|||0000-0003-4254-8528, Font, Xavier|||0000-0003-4981-7436
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:250646
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/250646
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145969
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Nzvi
Anaerobic digestion
Methanothrix
Oxidation state
Magnetic nanoparticles
Descripción
Sumario:The effects of adding zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) on the physicochemical, biological and biochemical responses of a semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge have been assessed. Two sets of consecutive experiments of 103 and 116 days, respectively, were carried out in triplicate. nZVI were magnetically retained in the reactors, and the effect of punctual doses (from 0.27 to 4.33 g L) over time was studied. Among the different parameters monitored, only methane content in the biogas was significantly higher when nZVI was added. However, this effect was progressively lost after the addition, and in 5-7 days, the methane content returned to initial values. The increase in the oxidation state of nanoparticles seems to be related to the loss of effect over time. Higher dose (4.33 g L) sustained positive effects for a longer time along with higher methane content, but this fact seems to be related to microbiome acclimation. Changes in microbial community structure could also play a role in the mechanisms involved in methane enhancement. In this sense, the microbial consortium analysis reported a shift in the balance among acetogenic eubacterial communities, and a marked increase in the relative abundance of members assigned to Methanothrix genus, recognized as acetoclastic species showing high affinity for acetate, which explain the rise in methane content in the biogas. This research demonstrates that biogas methane enrichment in semicontinuous anaerobic digesters can be achieved by using nZVI nanoparticles, thus increasing energy production or reducing costs of a later biogas upgrading process.