Optimization of Recycled-Membrane Biofilm Reactor (R-MBfR) as a sustainable biological treatment for microcystins removal

This work aims to investigate optimization while running a Recycled-Membrane Biofilm Reactor as a sustainable biological treatment for microcystins (MC) removal. For this purpose, coupons from an end-of-life seawater reverse osmosis (RO) membrane module were extracted and conditioned. The MC-degrading biofilm formation on this recycled membrane surface was carried out in a simulator cell on the laboratory scale to study the influence of air supply in this step. Firstly, the main results obtained in this work are related to the biofilm formation. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) demonstrated that air supply provide a higher biomass, maximum thickness and lower roughness coefficient. Secondly, the air supply also stimulated the MC removal by shortening the lag phase and increasing the MC degradation rate. Finally, the developed biofilm with air supply also was able to efficiently remove MC from two different types of polluted water, surface natural water (SNW) and synthetic reclaimed water (SRW). These results support the R-MBfR technology for treating MC-polluted water that could be used for different application, especially in nutrient-rich water. Therefore, this study addresses the lack of sustainable technologies for water treatment, while opening an alternative in sustainable solid waste management under a circular economy approach.