Granule formation mechanism, key influencing factors, and resource recycling in aerobic granular sludge (AGS) wastewater treatment: A review

The high-efficiency and additionally economic benefits generated from aerobic granular sludge (AGS) waste-water treatment have led to its increasing popularity among academics and industrial players. The AGS process can recycle high value-added biomaterials including extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), sodium alginate -like external polymer (ALE), polyhydroxyfatty acid (PHA), and phosphorus (P), etc., which can serve various fields including agriculture, construction, and chemical while removing pollutants from wastewaters. The effects of various key operation parameters on formation and structural stability of AGS are comprehensively sum-marized. The degradable metabolism of typical pollutants and corresponding microbial diversity and succession in the AGS wastewater treatment system are also discussed, especially with a focus on emerging contaminants removal. In addition, recent attempts for potentially effective production of high value-added biomaterials from AGS are proposed, particularly concerning improving the yield, quality, and application of these biomaterials. This review aims to provide a reference for in-depth research on the AGS process, suggesting a new alternative for wastewater treatment recycling.

Automated summary

The high-efficiency and economic benefits of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) wastewater treatment have made it increasingly popular among academics and industrial players. AGS process can recycle high value-added biomaterials and remove pollutants from wastewater. This review comprehensively summarizes the effects of key operation parameters on AGS formation and structural stability, discusses the degradable metabolism of pollutants and microbial diversity in AGS wastewater treatment, and proposes recent attempts to produce high value-added biomaterials from AGS. It aims to provide a reference for further research on AGS process and offer a new alternative for wastewater treatment recycling.