Responses of short-chain fatty acids production to the addition of various biocarriers to sludge anaerobic fermentation

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects and explore the mechanisms of polyethylene (PE), polyurethane sponge (PUS), and granule activated carbon (GAC) on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) production from sludge anaerobic fermentation. Results showed that no matter the biocarrier type, addition of biocarriers increased the diversity of SCFAs. In contrast with GAC, addition of PE and PUS considerably facilitated the accumulation of the total SCFAs. Suspended PE and PUS might have stronger frictions with sludge particles which resulted in a better sludge disintegration. Other factors that contributed to the enhancement of PE and PUS include higher hydrolytic and acidogenic enzymes activities, lower methanogenic enzyme activity, more Firmicutes and less Proteobacteria. Consistent with enzymatic and microbial results, the PE and the PUS tests also showed greater abundance in all metabolic functions predicted with PICRUSt. This study provides a novel strategy for sludge anaerobic fermentation by using traditional wastewater biocarriers.