A Review of the Role of Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) in Wastewater Treatment Systems

Lei Huang, Yinie Jin, Danheng Zhou, Linxin Liu, Shikun Huang, Yaqi Zhao and Yucheng Chen ()
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Lei Huang: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Yinie Jin: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Danheng Zhou: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Linxin Liu: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Shikun Huang: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Yaqi Zhao: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
Yucheng Chen: Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Region’s Eco-Environment (Ministry of Education), College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: A review of the characterization and functions of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) of microbial aggregates in biological wastewater treatment systems is presented in this paper. EPS represent the complex high-molecular-weight mixture of polymers excreted by microorganisms generated from cell lysis as well as adsorbed inorganic and organic matter from wastewater. EPS exhibit a three-dimensional, gel-like, highly hydrated matrix that facilitates microbial attachment, embedding, and immobilization. EPS play multiple roles in containments removal, and the main components of EPS crucially influence the properties of microbial aggregates, such as adsorption ability, stability, and formation capacity. Moreover, EPS are important to sludge bioflocculation, settleability, and dewatering properties and could be used as carbon and energy sources in wastewater treatment. However, due to the complex structure of EPS, related knowledge is incomplete, and further research is necessary to understand fully the precise roles in biological treatment processes.

Keywords: extracellular polymeric substances; wastewater treatment; microbial aggregation; biological characteristics; contaminant removal; sludge properties (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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