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Nano-Copper Inhibition of Anaerobic Digestion in Wastewater Treatment

Nano-Copper Inhibition of Anaerobic Digestion in Wastewater Treatment. Sara J Gallagher, Jorge Gonzalez- Estrella , Jim Field, and Reyes Sierra-Alvarez 22 nd Annual AZ Space Grant Consortium Symposium April 12 th , 2014. What A re N ano- P articles?. Nano-particles (NPs)

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Nano-Copper Inhibition of Anaerobic Digestion in Wastewater Treatment

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  1. Nano-Copper Inhibition ofAnaerobic Digestion in Wastewater Treatment Sara J Gallagher, Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella, Jim Field, and Reyes Sierra-Alvarez 22nd Annual AZ Space Grant Consortium Symposium April 12th, 2014

  2. What Are Nano-Particles? • Nano-particles (NPs) • Discharged in sewage pipelines to wastewater treatment plants Cu0NPs INHIBIT methane-producing microorganisms (methanogens). Image source: http://www.hermione-presents.com/back_home/back_home%20tours.htm

  3. Why Are Nano-Particles Important? • Nano-particles (NPs) are currently used in large quantities in many common consumer products, including toiletries and personal-care items. • Research has indicated that some types of NPs have toxic effects on human health and the environment. Image source: http://www.westcoastcosmetics.com/

  4. The Biochemistry Start Here OR Start Here End Image source: www.wtert.eu

  5. Objectives To determine how the addition of Cu0NPs affects: • The consumption of glucose/propionate and • The production of methane (CH4) by microorganisms involved in anaerobic digestion.

  6. Procedure Dispersion of NPs Anaerobic granular sludge GC-TCD Different concentrations N2/CO2 Overnight incubation Propionate and CH4 T (35°C), 115 rpm Electron donor: glucose or propionate Glucose

  7. IC50 = 7 ppm 20 ppm Cu0 NP decreased the maximum consumption glucose rate by 3x.

  8. IC50 = 15 ppm 20 and 40 ppm Cu0 NP decreased the maximum propionate consumption rate by 3x and 4x respectively.

  9. Inhibition of Methanogenesis in Assays Supplied with Glucose and Propionate IC50 = 20 mg L-1 Cu0 NPs (substrate: glucose) IC50 = 10 mg L-1 Cu0 NPs (substrate: propionate) Methanogenesis was more inhibited by nano-Cu in assays using propionate as a substrate.

  10. Conclusions • Cu0 NP are toxic to various anaerobic microbial populations including methanogens as well as glucose- and propionate-degrading microorganisms. • Low concentrations of nano-Cu (≥ 5 ppm) can cause serious inhibition of anaerobic digestion processes.

  11. Acknowledgments Mentoring and lab access: Dr. Reyes Sierra and Dr. Jim Field PhD candidate: Jorge Gonzalez-Estrella Facilities: The University of Arizona Program: Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium

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