Insight into metabolic and cometabolic activities of autotrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms in the biodegradation of emerging trace organic contaminants.
Many efforts have been made to understand the biodegradation of emerging trace organic contaminants (EOCs) in the natural and engineered systems. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the biodegradation of EOCs while having in-depth discussion on metabolism and cometabolism of EOCs. Biodegradation of EOCs is mainly attributed to cometabolic activities of both heterotrophic and autotrophic microorganisms. Metabolism of EOCs can only be observed by heterotrophic microbes. Autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia oxidizing archaeal (AOA) cometabolize a variety of EOCs via the non-specific enzymes, such as ammonia monooxygenase (AMO). Higher biodegradation of EOCs is often noted under nitrification at high ammonia loading rate. The presence of a growth substrate promotes cometabolic biodegradation of EOCs. Potential strategies for enhancing the biodegradation of EOCs were also proposed in this review.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore. Electronic address: ceetnh@nus.edu.sg.
Ngoc Han
NH
Tran
School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo University of Technology, Katakura 1404-1, Hachioji, Tokyo 1920982, Japan.
Taro
T
Urase
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: h.ngo@uts.edu.au.
Huu Hao
HH
Ngo
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
Jiangyong
J
Hu
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
Say Leong
SL
Ong
D000641:Ammonia / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D001105:Archaea / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D019149:Bioreactors; D049308:Dioxygenases / Q000378:metabolism; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D042845:Laccase / Q000378:metabolism; D058465:Nitrification; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D013696:Temperature; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D009930:Organic Chemicals; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D000641:Ammonia; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042845:Laccase; D049308:Dioxygenases; C045582:ammonia monooxygenase; D010100:Oxygen
Autotrophic ammonia oxidizers; Cometabolism; Emerging trace organic contaminants (EOCs); Heterotrophic microorganisms; Membrane bioreactor (MBR)