Two-way role of iron-carbon in biochemical reactions: microelectrolysis and enhanced activity of aerobic granular sludge for efficient refractory wastewater treatment

Industrial wastewater contained a large amount of refractory organics, and single treatment processes had limitations. This study investigated the mechanism of refractory organics removal using iron-carbon built-in coupled activated sludge (ICAS) and explored the role and function of iron-carbon (IC) within the ICAS system. The aerobic granular sludge (AGS) cultivated with IC exhibited a loose surface and a tight interior structure. Iron in the AGS concentrated near the outer layer to form a crust, which protected the inner microorganisms. IC promoted EPS secretion and regulated the abundance of positive and negative signaling molecules to maintain AGS stability. Experiments using quinoline as a model refractory organic showed that both physical adsorption by IC and biological adsorption by sludge rapidly fixed a large amount of pollutants, providing a buffer capacity for the system. The iron mineral crust on the AGS surface enhanced quinoline adsorption. Hydroxylation was the first step in quinoline degradation, with IC upregulating the genes iorA/B, qorB, and wrbA involved in this process, and the relative abundances of quinoline-degrading bacteria. Both pyridine ring opening and benzene ring cleavage occurred in the single IC system, and the microelectrolysis process produced •OH and [H], which made degradation pathway for quinoline through IC more complex than microbial degradation. Although the IC-mediated pathway accounted for only a small part of overall quinoline removal in the ICAS system, the ICAS system not only preserved the microelectrolysis process but also enhanced microbial metabolic activity. This work provided insights into the synergistic removal of pollutants and maintenance of AGS stability by the ICAS process, ensuring efficient treatment of refractory organic wastewater.