Dynamic anaerobic membrane bioreactor coupled with sulfate reduction (SrDMBR) for saline wastewater treatment

This study investigated organic removal performance, characteristics of the membrane dynamics, membrane fouling and the effects of biological sulfate reduction during high-salinity (1.0%) and high-sulfate (150 mgSO(4)(2-)- S/L) wastewater treatment using a laboratory-scale upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactor integrated with cross -flow dynamic membrane modules. Throughout the operational period, dynamic membrane was formed rapidly (within 5-10 min) following each backwashing cycle (21-16 days), and the permeate turbidity of < 5-7 NTU was achieved with relatively high specific organic conversion (70-100 gTOC/kgVSS.d) and specific sulfate reduction (50-70 gSO(4)(2-)-S/kgVSS.d) rates. The sulfide from sulfate reduction can be reused for downstream autotrophic denitrification. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that the microbial communities enriched in the sludge were different than those accumulated on the dynamic layer. Overall, this study demonstrates that the anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor coupled with sulfate reduction (SrDMBR) shows promising applica-bility in saline wastewater treatment.

Automated summary

This study investigated the application of an anaerobic dynamic membrane bioreactor coupled with sulfate reduction (SrDMBR) for high-salinity and high-sulfate wastewater treatment. The results showed that dynamic membrane could rapidly form after each backwashing cycle, achieving high organic removal and sulfate reduction rates. Additionally, it was found that the microbial communities enriched in the sludge were different from those on the dynamic layer.