Effects of biochar on catalysis treatment of 4-nonylphenol in estuarine sediment and associated microbial community structure

The effect of pyrolysis temperature on the generation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sewage sludge biochar (SSB) and the removal of hazardous chemicals from esturine sediments by SSB and sodium percarbonate (SPC), exemplified by 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) were studied. SSB synthesized at 500 degrees C (SSB500) achieved the highest 4-NP degradation efficiency of 73%, at pH(0) 9.0 in 12 h of reaction time. The enhanced 4-NP degradation was attributed to the SSB500 activation activation of SPC that produced sufficient center dot OH and CO3-center dot due to electron-transfer interaction on the Fe-Mn redox pairs. The microbial community diversity and composition of the treated sediment were compared using high-throughput sequencing. Results showed SSB/SPC treatment increased the microbial diversity and richness in the sediments. Proteobacteria were the keystone phylum, while Thioalkalispira genera were responsible for 4-NP degradation in the SSB/SPC treatment. Over all, results revealed the change in the bacterial community during the environmental applications of SSB, which provided essential information for better understanding of the monitoring and improvement of sustainable sediment ecosystems. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that sewage sludge biochar (SSB) synthesized at 500 degrees Celsius (SSB500) achieved the highest efficiency in degrading 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), activating sodium percarbonate (SPC) to produce sufficient active oxygen and carbonate ions for enhanced degradation. Treatment with SSB/SPC increased microbial diversity and richness in sediments, with specific bacterial genera playing crucial roles in 4-NP degradation.