Effect of halogenated organic pollutants on anaerobic digestion capacity of waste activated sludge and its mechanisms
ZHAO Zheng-zheng1, WU Yang1, ZHENG Xiong1,2,3, LONG Min1, CHEN Yin-guang1,3
1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; 2. Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; 3. Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
Abstract：Halogenated organic compounds (HOPs), as important industrial chemicals, are extensively released into the environment during their production, transportation, and usage, ultimately accumulating in waste activated sludge (WAS) from wastewater treatment plants. Anaerobic digestion is a crucial approach for resource recovery from WAS, converting organic matter into valuable products such as volatile fatty acids and methane. However, the effects of HOPs on the anaerobic digestion capacity of WAS and their underlying mechanisms have not been systematically elucidated. Through a comprehensive literature review, this study analyzed the impacts of HOPs on methane production efficiency, key processes, and microbial communities during sludge anaerobic digestion. The results revealed that most HOPs inhibit key stages of anaerobic digestion due to their high toxicity, leading to reduced methane yield, while some low-toxicity HOPs exhibit a "hormesis effect" with promotion at low concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. HOPs primarily regulate anaerobic digestion efficiency by affecting four critical stages: solubilization, hydrolysis, acidogenesis, and methanogenesis, with the most significant impacts on acidogenesis and methanogenesis. HOPs can influence the function of anaerobic microorganisms by altering microbial community structure, inhibiting key enzyme activities, and interfering with metabolic pathways. This study unveils the mechanisms of HOPs’ effects on sludge anaerobic digestion and proposes future research directions addressing current knowledge gaps, providing a theoretical foundation for resource recovery and safe disposal of WAS.
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