New Insight into the Performance and Self-Defensive Responses of the Algal–Bacterial Granular Sludge Process under Cr(VI)-Induced Stress

Yu Zhang, Shulian Wang (), Kewu Pi and Andrea R. Gerson
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Yu Zhang: Innovation Demonstration Base of Ecological Environment Geotechnical and Ecological Restoration of Rivers and Lakes, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Shulian Wang: Innovation Demonstration Base of Ecological Environment Geotechnical and Ecological Restoration of Rivers and Lakes, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Kewu Pi: National Engineering Research Center of Advanced Technology and Equipment for Water Environment Pollution Monitoring, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
Andrea R. Gerson: Blue Minerals Consultancy, Wattle Grove, TAS 7109, Australia

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: Algal–bacterial granular sludge, a new biological technology, has been widely recognized due to its highly effective pollutant treatment and energy efficiency. This study investigated the effects of environmental concentrations of Cr(VI) (0.5–2.5 mg/L) on the performance of algal–bacterial granular sludge and self-defensive responses after 90 days of cultivation. The results showed that Cr(VI) affected chemical oxygen demand (COD) decrease, ammonia-N and phosphate removal, with different trends being apparent. A linear decline in COD decrease was observed, whereas an initial decrease and then increase in ammonia-N and phosphate removal took place. Algal–bacterial granular sludge effectively removed Cr(VI) from wastewater through biological adsorption and reduction, showing the potential to treat Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewater. Cr(VI) affected the community abundance of the algal–bacterial granular sludge, in which Chlorophyceae and cyanobacteria were vulnerable under Cr(VI)-induced stress. To reduce the toxicity of Cr(VI), over-produced EPS-PN and antioxidant enzymes (MDA, SOD and CAT) acted as self-defensive responses to resist oxidative damage. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive environmental sustainability assessment of the algal–bacterial granular sludge process in treating municipal wastewater containing Cr(VI). It is hoped that this study can provide useful information for improved engineering feasibility of algal–bacterial granular sludge.

Keywords: algal–bacterial granular sludge; hexavalent chromium; extracellular polymeric substances; antioxidant enzymes; self-defensive responses (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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