Unraveling the nexus of Cr (VI), aniline, and microbial ecology on aniline-degrading biosystem: Removal efficiency, sludge type, microbial ecology

In order to explore the stress principle of Cr (VI) on aniline biodegradation system, a control group and experimental groups with the concentration of Cr (VI) at 2, 5, 8 mg/L were set up. The results demonstrated that Cr (VI) had minimal effects on the degradation efficiency of aniline but significantly inhibited nitrogen removal function. When Cr (VI) concentration was below 5 mg/L, the nitrification performance recovered spontaneously, while denitrification performance was severely impaired. Furthermore, the secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and its fluorescence substance concentration were strongly inhibited with increasing Cr (VI) concentration. High-throughput sequencing revealed that the experimental groups were enriched with Leuco-bacter and Cr (VI)-reducing bacteria, but the abundance of nitrifiers and denitrifiers was significantly decreased compared to the control group. Overall, the effects of Cr (VI) stress at different concentrations on nitrogen removal performance were more significant than those on aniline degradation.

Automated summary

Cr(VI) has minimal effects on aniline degradation efficiency, but significantly inhibits nitrogen removal function. When the concentration is below 5 mg/L, nitrification performance recovers spontaneously, while denitrification performance is severely impaired. With increasing Cr(VI) concentration, the secretion of EPS is strongly inhibited and bacterial abundances are altered.