Effect of humic substances on the anaerobic digestion of secondary sludge in wastewater treatment plants: a review

Wang, Z; Li, X; Siddiqui, MA; Liu, H; Zhou, T; Zheng, L; Huang, S; Gao, L; Lin, CSK; Wang, Q

Effect of humic substances on the anaerobic digestion of secondary sludge in wastewater treatment plants: a review

Wang, Z

Li, X

Siddiqui, MA Liu, H Zhou, T Zheng, L Huang, S Gao, L Lin, CSK Wang, Q

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Publisher:: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2023, 21, (5), pp. 3023-3040
Issue Date:: 2023-10-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Z https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8227-2602
dc.contributor.author	Li, X https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1768-9556
dc.contributor.author	Siddiqui, MA
dc.contributor.author	Liu, H
dc.contributor.author	Zhou, T
dc.contributor.author	Zheng, L
dc.contributor.author	Huang, S
dc.contributor.author	Gao, L
dc.contributor.author	Lin, CSK
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Q https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5744-2331
dc.date.accessioned	2023-11-20T03:49:50Z
dc.date.available	2023-11-20T03:49:50Z
dc.date.issued	2023-10-01
dc.identifier.citation	Environmental Chemistry Letters, 2023, 21, (5), pp. 3023-3040
dc.identifier.issn	1610-3653
dc.identifier.issn	1610-3661
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173485
dc.description.abstract	Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology for energy recovery from secondary sludge, yet the presence of humic substances in wastewater limits anaerobic digestion. In particular, humic substances make secondary sludge denser and more compact, reducing the availability of organic matter for biodegradation. Here we review the impact of humic substances on the anaerobic process, with emphasis on humic substances properties, effect on sludge structure and composition, effect on hydrolysis, acidolysis and methanogenesis, evolution of humic substrances, and strategies to counteract negative impacts. Strategies include removing humic substances, pretreatment of secondary sludge prior anaerobic digestion, and addition of metal salts, enzymes and organisms. We observed that humic substances with a high E4/E6 ratio, representing the absorbance determined at 465 nm and 665 nm, with a low carbon/nitrogen ratio, and with a low aromaticity are easier to digest anaerobically. The liquid–solid phases distribution of humic substances influences the efficiency of anaerobic digestion, and the repolymerisation of humic substances during anaerobic digestion reduces sludge degradability.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/DP200100933
dc.relation	http://purl.org/au-research/grants/arc/FT200100264
dc.relation.ispartof	Environmental Chemistry Letters
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s10311-023-01632-z
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.rights	This version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer ’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-023-01632-z
dc.subject	03 Chemical Sciences, 05 Environmental Sciences, 06 Biological Sciences
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences
dc.subject.classification	31 Biological sciences
dc.subject.classification	34 Chemical sciences
dc.subject.classification	41 Environmental sciences
dc.title	Effect of humic substances on the anaerobic digestion of secondary sludge in wastewater treatment plants: a review
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	21
utslib.for	03 Chemical Sciences
utslib.for	05 Environmental Sciences
utslib.for	06 Biological Sciences
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CTWW - Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater Treatment
utslib.copyright.status	embargoed	*
utslib.copyright.embargo	2024-07-26T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2023-11-20T03:49:49Z
pubs.issue	5
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	21
utslib.citation.issue	5

Abstract:

Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology for energy recovery from secondary sludge, yet the presence of humic substances in wastewater limits anaerobic digestion. In particular, humic substances make secondary sludge denser and more compact, reducing the availability of organic matter for biodegradation. Here we review the impact of humic substances on the anaerobic process, with emphasis on humic substances properties, effect on sludge structure and composition, effect on hydrolysis, acidolysis and methanogenesis, evolution of humic substrances, and strategies to counteract negative impacts. Strategies include removing humic substances, pretreatment of secondary sludge prior anaerobic digestion, and addition of metal salts, enzymes and organisms. We observed that humic substances with a high E4/E6 ratio, representing the absorbance determined at 465 nm and 665 nm, with a low carbon/nitrogen ratio, and with a low aromaticity are easier to digest anaerobically. The liquid–solid phases distribution of humic substances influences the efficiency of anaerobic digestion, and the repolymerisation of humic substances during anaerobic digestion reduces sludge degradability.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/173485