Enhancing efficacy and microbial community dynamics in forward osmosis membrane bioreactors for treating micro-polluted surface water

Wang, H; Li, S; Zhou, Y; Zhang, X; Wang, Z; Wen, H; Liu, Y; Guo, W; Ngo, HH

Enhancing efficacy and microbial community dynamics in forward osmosis membrane bioreactors for treating micro-polluted surface water

Wang, H Li, S Zhou, Y Zhang, X Wang, Z Wen, H Liu, Y Guo, W

Ngo, HH

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2024, 60, pp. 105040
Issue Date:: 2024-04-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Wang, H
dc.contributor.author	Li, S
dc.contributor.author	Zhou, Y
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, X
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Z
dc.contributor.author	Wen, H
dc.contributor.author	Liu, Y
dc.contributor.author	Guo, W https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5542-2858
dc.contributor.author	Ngo, HH
dc.date.accessioned	2025-01-22T12:00:06Z
dc.date.available	2025-01-22T12:00:06Z
dc.date.issued	2024-04-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2024, 60, pp. 105040
dc.identifier.issn	2214-7144
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/184022
dc.description.abstract	A system known as the forward osmosis membrane bioreactor (FOMBR) was developed to treat micro-polluted surface water (MPSW) efficiently. Extensive investigations were conducted to assess the system's ability to remove pollutants, evaluate membrane fouling behaviour, and observe changes in the microbial community. The findings revealed remarkable removal rates for NH4+-N and TP, reaching 99.6 ± 0.3 % and 91.2 ± 6.4 %, resulting in effluent concentrations below 0.03 and 0.07 mg/L. Additionally, the average removal rates for turbidity, CODMn, UV254, and UV410 were found to be 99.3 ± 0.1 %, 81.7 ± 3.0 %, 93.1 ± 2.9 %, and 98.3 ± 1.9 %, respectively. Throughout the 30-day operation, a fouling layer consisting of loosely structured materials was observed solely at the periphery of the membrane module. Polysaccharides and proteins were identified as the primary organic pollutants within this fouling layer, while inorganic contaminants such as Si, Al, Cl, Fe, and Na were also detected. Microbial community analysis revealed that the nutrient-deficient conditions within the system influenced the structure of the microbial community and enhanced microbial diversity. Under nutrient-deficient conditions, the microbial community exhibited a remarkable tolerance to high salinity resulting from reverse diffusion caused by draw solutions. Consequently, the FOMBR system shows great potential as a viable option to treat micro-polluted surface water sources (MPSW).
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Water Process Engineering
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.105040
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/embargoedAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 0907 Environmental Engineering
dc.subject.classification	4004 Chemical engineering
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.subject.classification	4011 Environmental engineering
dc.title	Enhancing efficacy and microbial community dynamics in forward osmosis membrane bioreactors for treating micro-polluted surface water
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	60
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	0907 Environmental Engineering
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/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW)
utslib.copyright.status	embargoed	*
utslib.copyright.embargo	2026-04-01T00:00:00+1000Z
dc.date.updated	2025-01-22T12:00:02Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	60

Abstract:

A system known as the forward osmosis membrane bioreactor (FOMBR) was developed to treat micro-polluted surface water (MPSW) efficiently. Extensive investigations were conducted to assess the system's ability to remove pollutants, evaluate membrane fouling behaviour, and observe changes in the microbial community. The findings revealed remarkable removal rates for NH4+-N and TP, reaching 99.6 ± 0.3 % and 91.2 ± 6.4 %, resulting in effluent concentrations below 0.03 and 0.07 mg/L. Additionally, the average removal rates for turbidity, CODMn, UV254, and UV410 were found to be 99.3 ± 0.1 %, 81.7 ± 3.0 %, 93.1 ± 2.9 %, and 98.3 ± 1.9 %, respectively. Throughout the 30-day operation, a fouling layer consisting of loosely structured materials was observed solely at the periphery of the membrane module. Polysaccharides and proteins were identified as the primary organic pollutants within this fouling layer, while inorganic contaminants such as Si, Al, Cl, Fe, and Na were also detected. Microbial community analysis revealed that the nutrient-deficient conditions within the system influenced the structure of the microbial community and enhanced microbial diversity. Under nutrient-deficient conditions, the microbial community exhibited a remarkable tolerance to high salinity resulting from reverse diffusion caused by draw solutions. Consequently, the FOMBR system shows great potential as a viable option to treat micro-polluted surface water sources (MPSW).

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/184022