Response of anammox consortia to inhibition from high ferroferric oxide nanoparticles concentration and potential recovery mechanism

Abstract

The substantial discharge of ferroferric oxide nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ NPs) into sewage threatens the survival of functional microorganisms in wastewater treatment. This study elucidated responses of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) consortia to inhibition from high Fe₃O₄ NPs concentration and recovery mechanisms. The nitrogen removal efficiency decreased by 20.3 % and recovered after 55 days under 1000 mg/L Fe₃O₄ NPs concentration. Toxicity was attributed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The excessive ROS damaged membrane integrity, nitrogen metabolism, and DNA synthesis, resulting in the inhibition of anammox bacteria activity. However, recovery mechanisms of anammox consortia activity were activated in response to 1000 mg/L Fe₃O₄ NPs. The increase of heme oxygenase-1, thioredoxin, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-quinone oxidoreductase genes alleviated oxidative stress. Furthermore, the activation of metabolic processes associated with membrane and DNA repair promoted recovery of anammox bacteria activity. This study provided new insights into NPs contamination and control strategies during anammox process.

Keywords: Biological nitrogen removal; Fe(3)O(4) NPs; Membrane integrity; Oxidative stress.