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Dr. Catarina L. Amorim
CBQF - Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina – Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal

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0 Resource Recovery
0 Wastewater Treatment
0 microbiome
0 wastewater valorization
0 aerobic granular sludge

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aerobic granular sludge
Wastewater Treatment
Bioaugmentation
microbiome
wastewater valorization

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Journal article
Published: 26 May 2021 in Water Research
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Ammonium and nitrite levels in water are crucial for fish health preservation and growth maintenance in freshwater aquaculture farms, limiting water recirculation. The aim of the present work is the evaluation and comparison of two granular sludge reactors which were operated to treat freshwater aquaculture streams at laboratory-scale: an Aerobic Granular Sludge - Sequencing Batch Reactor (AGS-SBR) and a Continuous Flow Granular Reactor (CFGR). Both units were fed with a synthetic medium mimicking an aquaculture recycling water (1.9 - 2.9 mg N/L), with low carbon content, and operational temperature varied between 17 and 25 ºC. The AGS-SBR, inoculated with mature granules from a full-scale wastewater treatment plant, achieved high carbon and ammonium removal during the 157 operational days. Even at low hydraulic retention time (HRT), varying from 474 to 237 min, ammonium removal efficiencies of approximately 87 - 100% were observed, with an ammonium removal rate of approximately 14.5 mg NH4+-N/(L•d). Partial biomass washout occurred due to the extremely low carbon and nitrogen concentrations in the feeding, which could only support the growth of a small portion of bacteria, but no major changes on the reactor removal performance were observed. The CFGR was inoculated with activated sludge and operated for 98 days. Biomass granulation occurred in 7 days, improving the settling properties due to a high up-flow velocity of 11 m/h and an applied HRT of 5 min. The reactor presented mature granules after 32 days, achieving an average diameter of 1.9 mm at day 63. The CFGR ammonium removal efficiencies were of approximately 10 - 20%, with ammonium removal rates of 90.0 mg NH4+-N/(L•d). The main biological processes taking place in the AGS-SBR were nitrification and heterotrophic growth, while in the CFGR the ammonium removal occurred only by heterotrophic assimilation, with the reactor also presenting complete and partial denitrification, which caused nitrite production. Comparing both systems, the CFGR achieved 6 times higher ammonium removal rates than the AGS-SBR, being suitable for treating extremely high flows. On the other hand, the AGS-SBR removed almost 100% of ammonium content in the wastewater, discharging a better quality effluent, less toxic for the fish but treated lower flows.

ACS Style

Sergio Santorio; Ana T. Couto; Catarina L. Amorim; Angeles Val del Rio; Luz Arregui; Anuska Mosquera-Corral; Paula M.L. Castro. Sequencing versus continuous granular sludge reactor for the treatment of freshwater aquaculture effluents. Water Research 2021, 201, 117293 .

AMA Style

Sergio Santorio, Ana T. Couto, Catarina L. Amorim, Angeles Val del Rio, Luz Arregui, Anuska Mosquera-Corral, Paula M.L. Castro. Sequencing versus continuous granular sludge reactor for the treatment of freshwater aquaculture effluents. Water Research. 2021; 201 ():117293.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sergio Santorio; Ana T. Couto; Catarina L. Amorim; Angeles Val del Rio; Luz Arregui; Anuska Mosquera-Corral; Paula M.L. Castro. 2021. "Sequencing versus continuous granular sludge reactor for the treatment of freshwater aquaculture effluents." Water Research 201, no. : 117293.

Journal article
Published: 24 February 2021 in Chemosphere
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An increasing amount of industrial chemicals are being released into wastewater collection systems and indigenous microbial communities in treatment plants are not always effective for their removal. In this work, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) recovered from aerobic granular sludge (AGS) were used as a natural carrier to immobilize a specific microbial strain, Rhodococcus sp. FP1, able to degrade 2-fluorophenol (2-FP). The produced EPS granules exhibited a 2-FP degrading ability of 100% in batch assays, retaining their original activity after up to 2-months storage. Furthermore, EPS granules were added to an AGS reactor intermittently fed with saline wastewater containing 2-FP. Degradation of 2-FP and stoichiometric fluorine release occurred 8 and 35 days after bioaugmentation, respectively. Chemical oxygen demand removal was not significantly impaired by 2-FP or salinity loads. Nutrients removal was impaired by 2-FP load, but after bioaugmentation, the phosphate and ammonium removal efficiency improved from 14 to 46% and from 25 to 42%, respectively. After 2-FP feeding ceased, at low/moderate salinity (0.6–6.0 g L−1 NaCl), ammonium removal was completely restored, and phosphate removal efficiency increased. After bioaugmentation, 11 bacteria isolated from AGS were able to degrade 2-FP, indicating that horizontal gene transfer could have occurred in the reactor. The improvement of bioreactor performance after bioaugmentation with EPS immobilized bacteria and the maintenance of cell viability through storage are the main advantages of the use of this natural microbial carrier for bioaugmentation, which can benefit wastewater treatment processes.

ACS Style

Ana S. Oliveira; Catarina L. Amorim; Jure Zlopasa; Mark van Loosdrecht; Paula M.L. Castro. Recovered granular sludge extracellular polymeric substances as carrier for bioaugmentation of granular sludge reactor. Chemosphere 2021, 275, 130037 .

AMA Style

Ana S. Oliveira, Catarina L. Amorim, Jure Zlopasa, Mark van Loosdrecht, Paula M.L. Castro. Recovered granular sludge extracellular polymeric substances as carrier for bioaugmentation of granular sludge reactor. Chemosphere. 2021; 275 ():130037.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana S. Oliveira; Catarina L. Amorim; Jure Zlopasa; Mark van Loosdrecht; Paula M.L. Castro. 2021. "Recovered granular sludge extracellular polymeric substances as carrier for bioaugmentation of granular sludge reactor." Chemosphere 275, no. : 130037.

Journal article
Published: 19 February 2021 in Journal of Water Process Engineering
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Industrial effluents often contain organic pollutants and variable salinity levels, making their treatment challenging. The high content of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in the aerobic granular sludge (AGS) is thought to protect the microbial communities from stressful conditions. Ammonium and phosphate removal, EPS production, and granular morphology were assessed in a lab-scale AGS reactor operated during 138 days at continuous low or moderate salinity levels (1.41–6.46 g/L of NaCl) and intermittent short-term loadings of a fluoroorganic pollutant, 2-fluorophenol (2-FP, 20 mg/L). 2-FP was not degraded throughout operation. Ammonium removal efficiency was drastically affected whenever 2-FP stressor was present, decreasing from 99 % to non-detectable conversion levels, but completely recovering after 2-FP feeding ceased. Phosphate removal, initially disturbed by exposure to stress conditions, recovered with time, even when stressors were still present. Complete phosphate removal did not occur in periods when nitrite temporarily accumulated after nitrification started to recover. EPS composition and concentration in AGS varied during operation, initially decreasing from 133 to 34 mg/g VSS of AGS, during the stress phases but recovering thereafter to 176 mg/gVSS of AGS. Breakage of granules into smaller ones occurred at two different operational moments due to stressors presence. The presence of 2-FP and moderate salinity levels in wastewater had more immediate detrimental effects on nutrients removal than on EPS production. The AGS system capacity to recover the nutrient removal performance and EPS production, after the withdrawal of 2-FP from the inlet stream reinforced its robustness to deal with industrial wastewaters.

ACS Style

Ana S. Oliveira; Catarina L. Amorim; Daniela P. Mesquita; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Mark van Loosdrecht; Paula M.L. Castro. Increased extracellular polymeric substances production contributes for the robustness of aerobic granular sludge during long-term intermittent exposure to 2-fluorophenol in saline wastewater. Journal of Water Process Engineering 2021, 40, 101977 .

AMA Style

Ana S. Oliveira, Catarina L. Amorim, Daniela P. Mesquita, Eugénio C. Ferreira, Mark van Loosdrecht, Paula M.L. Castro. Increased extracellular polymeric substances production contributes for the robustness of aerobic granular sludge during long-term intermittent exposure to 2-fluorophenol in saline wastewater. Journal of Water Process Engineering. 2021; 40 ():101977.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana S. Oliveira; Catarina L. Amorim; Daniela P. Mesquita; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Mark van Loosdrecht; Paula M.L. Castro. 2021. "Increased extracellular polymeric substances production contributes for the robustness of aerobic granular sludge during long-term intermittent exposure to 2-fluorophenol in saline wastewater." Journal of Water Process Engineering 40, no. : 101977.

Journal article
Published: 21 November 2020 in Science of The Total Environment
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The tolerance of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) to variable wastewater composition is perceived as one of its greatest advantages compared to other aerobic processes. However, research studies select optimal operational conditions for evaluating AGS performance, such as the use of pre-adapted biomass and the control of wastewater composition. In this study, non-adapted granular sludge was used to treat fish canning wastewater presenting highly variable organic, nutrient and salt levels over a period of ca. 8 months. Despite salt levels up to 14 g NaCl L−1, the organic loading rate (OLR) was found to be the main factor driving AGS performance. Throughout the first months of operation the OLR was generally lower than 1.2 kg COD m−3 day−1, resulting in stable nitrification and low COD and phosphorous levels at the outlet. An increase in OLR up to 2.3 kg COD m−3 day−1 disturbed nitrification and COD and phosphate removal, but a decrease to average values between 1 and 1.6 kg COD m−3 day−1 led to resuming of these processes. Most of the bacteria present in the AGS core microbiome were associated to extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, such as Thauera and Paracoccus, which increased during the higher OLR period. Ammonium-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) species were detected in AGS biomass; while AOB were identified throughout the operation, NOB were no further identified after the period of increased OLR. Different polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs) were detected along the process: Candidatus Accumulibacter, Tetrasphaera and Gemmatimonas. A non-adapted granular sludge was able to treat the fish canning wastewater and to tolerate salinity fluctuations up to 14 g L−1. Overall, a high microbial diversity associated to EPS producers allowed to preserve bacterial groups responsible for nutrients removal, contributing to the adaptation and long-term stability of the AGS system.

ACS Style

Ana M.S. Paulo; Catarina L. Amorim; Joana Costa; Daniela P. Mesquita; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Paula M.L. Castro. Long-term stability of a non-adapted aerobic granular sludge process treating fish canning wastewater associated to EPS producers in the core microbiome. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 756, 144007 .

AMA Style

Ana M.S. Paulo, Catarina L. Amorim, Joana Costa, Daniela P. Mesquita, Eugénio C. Ferreira, Paula M.L. Castro. Long-term stability of a non-adapted aerobic granular sludge process treating fish canning wastewater associated to EPS producers in the core microbiome. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 756 ():144007.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana M.S. Paulo; Catarina L. Amorim; Joana Costa; Daniela P. Mesquita; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Paula M.L. Castro. 2020. "Long-term stability of a non-adapted aerobic granular sludge process treating fish canning wastewater associated to EPS producers in the core microbiome." Science of The Total Environment 756, no. : 144007.

Journal article
Published: 09 June 2020 in Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
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Within the framework of the circular economy, there is a need for waste management alternatives that promote the reuse of materials produced in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). An interesting option is the recovery of extracellular substances from sludge. The variability of characteristics of potential recovered bioproducts has to be assessed in full scale operational settings. In this study, aerobic granular sludge (AGS) from a full-scale WWTP treating urban wastewater was regularly collected for 4 months to assess variability in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) composition and in granular morphology. Variations in the EPS composition occurred with time. Proteins and humic substances were the main EPS components (329–494 and 259−316 mg/g VSS of AGS, respectively), with polysaccharides and DNA representing minor components. The application of an extra purification step after extraction to obtain a purer EPS led to a decrease in the yield of each EPS component, particularly pronounced for the polysaccharides. The final product had a rather constant composition for the monthly samples. The granules showed morphological stability throughout the sampling period and the yield of EPS was correlated to the size of the granules, higher when there was a higher content of small granules (Deq<150 μm) comparing to intermediate (150 ≤ Deq<1500 μm) or large granules (Deq≥1500 μm). This is the first time that a potential valorization strategy for surplus AGS biomass is studied in a full-scale environment. Knowledge on yield and product homogeneity is important as these features are essential for downstream application of the recovered EPS.

ACS Style

Ana S. Oliveira; Catarina L. Amorim; Miguel A. Ramos; Daniela P. Mesquita; Paulo Inocêncio; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Mark van Loosdrecht; Paula M.L. Castro. Variability in the composition of extracellular polymeric substances from a full-scale aerobic granular sludge reactor treating urban wastewater. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 2020, 8, 104156 .

AMA Style

Ana S. Oliveira, Catarina L. Amorim, Miguel A. Ramos, Daniela P. Mesquita, Paulo Inocêncio, Eugénio C. Ferreira, Mark van Loosdrecht, Paula M.L. Castro. Variability in the composition of extracellular polymeric substances from a full-scale aerobic granular sludge reactor treating urban wastewater. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2020; 8 (5):104156.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ana S. Oliveira; Catarina L. Amorim; Miguel A. Ramos; Daniela P. Mesquita; Paulo Inocêncio; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Mark van Loosdrecht; Paula M.L. Castro. 2020. "Variability in the composition of extracellular polymeric substances from a full-scale aerobic granular sludge reactor treating urban wastewater." Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering 8, no. 5: 104156.

Chapter
Published: 09 December 2018 in Nanomaterial Biointeractions at the Cellular, Organismal and System Levels
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Environmental contamination by fluorinated organic compounds is an issue of major concern due to their widespread use and recalcitrance to degradation. The susceptibility of fluorinated pollutants to biodegradation, a major route for the removal of such pollutants from different environmental compartments, is affected by the molecule structure, namely, the number and position of fluorine atoms. In this chapter, the biodegradation of several fluorinated substrates is presented, highlighting the occurrence of mineralization versus biotransformation to dead-end metabolites, whose toxicity cannot be disregarded. Enrichment strategies to obtain degrading strains are addressed, as well as approaches to improve degradation efficiency. Frequently, in contaminated environments, autochthonous strains are not able to break the high-strength carbon-fluorine bond(s). Bioaugmentation, through the addition of specialized pollutant-degrading strains/genes to environmental matrices, is presented as a promising strategy to improve pollutant removal efficiency. Successful bioaugmentation processes applied to different reactor configurations are presented, and constraints to its implementation are also discussed.

ACS Style

Irina Moreira; Catarina L. Amorim; Cormac Murphy; Paula M. L. Castro. Strategies for Biodegradation of Fluorinated Compounds. Nanomaterial Biointeractions at the Cellular, Organismal and System Levels 2018, 239 -280.

AMA Style

Irina Moreira, Catarina L. Amorim, Cormac Murphy, Paula M. L. Castro. Strategies for Biodegradation of Fluorinated Compounds. Nanomaterial Biointeractions at the Cellular, Organismal and System Levels. 2018; ():239-280.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Irina Moreira; Catarina L. Amorim; Cormac Murphy; Paula M. L. Castro. 2018. "Strategies for Biodegradation of Fluorinated Compounds." Nanomaterial Biointeractions at the Cellular, Organismal and System Levels , no. : 239-280.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety
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Pharmaceuticals are micropollutants often present in wastewater treatment systems. In this study, the potential impact of such micropollutants on the bacterial population within aerobic granular sludge (AGS) bioreactor was investigated. The AGS bacterial community structure and composition were accessed combining DGGE fingerprinting and barcoded pyrosequencing analysis. Both revealed the existence of a dynamic bacterial community, independently of the pharmaceuticals presence. The AGS microbiome at both phylum and class levels varied over time and, after stopping pharmaceuticals feeding, the bacterial community did not return to its initial composition. Nevertheless, most of the assigned OTUs were present throughout the different operational phases. This core microbiome, represented by over 72% of the total sequences in each phase, probably played an important role in biological removal processes, avoiding their failure during the disturbance period. Quantitative-PCR revealed that pharmaceuticals load led to gradual changes on the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO) but their persistence during that phase demonstrated the resilience of such bacterial groups. AGS microbiome changed over time but a core community was maintained, probably ensuring the accomplishment of the main biological removal processes.

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Marta Alves; Paula M.L. Castro; Isabel Henriques. Bacterial community dynamics within an aerobic granular sludge reactor treating wastewater loaded with pharmaceuticals. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2018, 147, 905 -912.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, Marta Alves, Paula M.L. Castro, Isabel Henriques. Bacterial community dynamics within an aerobic granular sludge reactor treating wastewater loaded with pharmaceuticals. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. 2018; 147 ():905-912.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Marta Alves; Paula M.L. Castro; Isabel Henriques. 2018. "Bacterial community dynamics within an aerobic granular sludge reactor treating wastewater loaded with pharmaceuticals." Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 147, no. : 905-912.

Journal article
Published: 10 August 2017 in Microorganisms
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Groundwater quality and quantity is of extreme importance as it is a source of drinking water in the United States. One major concern has emerged due to the possible contamination of groundwater from unconventional oil and natural gas extraction activities. Recent studies have been performed to understand if these activities are causing groundwater contamination, particularly with respect to exogenous hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. The impact of contaminants on microbial ecology is an area to be explored as alternatives for water treatment are necessary. In this work, we identified cultivable organic-degrading bacteria in groundwater in close proximity to unconventional natural gas extraction. Pseudomonas stutzeri and Acinetobacter haemolyticus were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), which proved to be a simple, fast, and reliable method. Additionally, the potential use of the identified bacteria in water and/or wastewater bioremediation was studied by determining the ability of these microorganisms to degrade toluene and chloroform. In fact, these bacteria can be potentially applied for in situ bioremediation of contaminated water and wastewater treatment, as they were able to degrade both compounds.

ACS Style

Inês C. Santos; Misty S. Martin; Doug D. Carlton; Catarina L. Amorim; Paula M. L. Castro; Zacariah L. Hildenbrand; Kevin A. Schug. MALDI-TOF MS for the Identification of Cultivable Organic-Degrading Bacteria in Contaminated Groundwater near Unconventional Natural Gas Extraction Sites. Microorganisms 2017, 5, 47 .

AMA Style

Inês C. Santos, Misty S. Martin, Doug D. Carlton, Catarina L. Amorim, Paula M. L. Castro, Zacariah L. Hildenbrand, Kevin A. Schug. MALDI-TOF MS for the Identification of Cultivable Organic-Degrading Bacteria in Contaminated Groundwater near Unconventional Natural Gas Extraction Sites. Microorganisms. 2017; 5 (3):47.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Inês C. Santos; Misty S. Martin; Doug D. Carlton; Catarina L. Amorim; Paula M. L. Castro; Zacariah L. Hildenbrand; Kevin A. Schug. 2017. "MALDI-TOF MS for the Identification of Cultivable Organic-Degrading Bacteria in Contaminated Groundwater near Unconventional Natural Gas Extraction Sites." Microorganisms 5, no. 3: 47.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2017 in Bioresource Technology
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An aerobic granular bioreactor was operated for over 4months, treating a synthetic wastewater with a high ammonium content (100mgNL). The inoculum was collected from a bioreactor performing simultaneous partial nitrification and aromatic compounds biodegradation. From day-56 onwards, 2-fluorophenol (2-FP) (12.4mgL) was added to the feeding wastewater and the system was bioaugmented with a 2-FP degrading bacteria (Rhodococcus sp. FP1). By the end of operation, complete 2-FP biodegradation and partial nitrification were simultaneously achieved. Aerobic granules remained stable over time. During the 2-FP loading, a shift in the community structure occurred, coinciding with the improvement of 2-FP degradation. DGGE analysis did not allow to infer on the bioaugmented strain presence but pyrosequencing analysis detected Rhodococcus genus by the end of operation. Together with other potential phenolic-degraders within granules, these microorganisms were probably responsible for 2-FP degradation.

ACS Style

Carlos Ramos; Catarina L. Amorim; Daniela Mesquita; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Julian Carrera; Paula Castro. Simultaneous partial nitrification and 2-fluorophenol biodegradation with aerobic granular biomass: Reactor performance and microbial communities. Bioresource Technology 2017, 238, 232 -240.

AMA Style

Carlos Ramos, Catarina L. Amorim, Daniela Mesquita, Eugénio C. Ferreira, Julian Carrera, Paula Castro. Simultaneous partial nitrification and 2-fluorophenol biodegradation with aerobic granular biomass: Reactor performance and microbial communities. Bioresource Technology. 2017; 238 ():232-240.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carlos Ramos; Catarina L. Amorim; Daniela Mesquita; Eugénio C. Ferreira; Julian Carrera; Paula Castro. 2017. "Simultaneous partial nitrification and 2-fluorophenol biodegradation with aerobic granular biomass: Reactor performance and microbial communities." Bioresource Technology 238, no. : 232-240.

Short communication
Published: 11 July 2017 in Waste and Biomass Valorization
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Nowadays much effort has been devoted for the development of cost-effective and environmentally friendly processes to obtain extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) with high emulsifying and flocculation activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of bacterial strains previously isolated from oil-contaminated areas to produce EPS with high emulsification and bioflocculant properties during cultivation in domestic and bilge wastewater and in industrial crude glycerol. A total of seven bacterial strains were screened for EPS production, from which two strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa LVD-10 and Enterobacter sp. SW, were selected as potential EPS producers. EPS with high emulsifying capacity in olive oil (a maximum of 96.6 and 89.8% for strain SW and LVD-10, respectively) was produced using bilge wastewater as substrate. EPS with a slightly lower emulsifying capacity was obtained using crude glycerol. In addition, the flocculation activity of the EPS extracted from strains LVD-10 and SW grown on crude glycerol was considerably higher (81.6 and 73.3%, respectively) than that obtained with other substrates. This is the first study that points out that EPS with emulsifying and flocculation potential activity can be produced from bilge wastewater and crude glycerol. The production of biopolymers with broad biotechnological applications using low-cost substrates can be a means to valorise waste streams.

ACS Style

Efi-Maria Drakou; Catarina L. Amorim; Paula Castro; Fostira Panagiotou; Ioannis Vyrides. Wastewater Valorization by Pure Bacterial Cultures to Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) with High Emulsifying Potential and Flocculation Activities. Waste and Biomass Valorization 2017, 9, 2557 -2564.

AMA Style

Efi-Maria Drakou, Catarina L. Amorim, Paula Castro, Fostira Panagiotou, Ioannis Vyrides. Wastewater Valorization by Pure Bacterial Cultures to Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) with High Emulsifying Potential and Flocculation Activities. Waste and Biomass Valorization. 2017; 9 (12):2557-2564.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Efi-Maria Drakou; Catarina L. Amorim; Paula Castro; Fostira Panagiotou; Ioannis Vyrides. 2017. "Wastewater Valorization by Pure Bacterial Cultures to Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) with High Emulsifying Potential and Flocculation Activities." Waste and Biomass Valorization 9, no. 12: 2557-2564.

Book chapter
Published: 01 January 2017 in Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies
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Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) has been successfully applied for carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous removal from wastewaters, in a single tank, reducing the space and energy requirements. This is especially beneficial for, often space restricted, industrial facilities. Moreover, AGS holds a promise for the toxic pollutants removal, due to its layered and compact structure and the bacteria embedding in a protective extracellular polymeric matrix. These outstanding features contribute to AGS tolerance to toxicity and stability. Strategies available to deal with toxic compounds, namely granulation with effluents containing toxics and bioaugmentation, are addressed here. Different applications for the toxics/micropollutants removal through biosorption and/or biodegradation are presented, illustrating the technology versatility. The anthropogenic substances effects on system performance and bacterial populations established within AGS are also addressed. Combination of contaminants removal to allow water discharge, and simultaneous valuable products recovery are presented as final remark.

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Irina Moreira; Anouk F. Duque; Mark C. M. Van Loosdrecht; Paula M. L. Castro. Aerobic Granular Sludge. Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies 2017, 231 -263.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, Irina Moreira, Anouk F. Duque, Mark C. M. Van Loosdrecht, Paula M. L. Castro. Aerobic Granular Sludge. Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies. 2017; ():231-263.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Irina Moreira; Anouk F. Duque; Mark C. M. Van Loosdrecht; Paula M. L. Castro. 2017. "Aerobic Granular Sludge." Advances in Environmental Engineering and Green Technologies , no. : 231-263.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2016 in International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation
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An aerobic granular sludge-sequencing batch reactor (AGS-SBR) was fed for 28-days with a simulated wastewater containing a mixture of chiral pharmaceuticals (CPs) (alprenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, propranolol, venlafaxine, salbutamol, fluoxetine and norfluoxetine), each at 1.3 mg L 1. AGS-SBR exhibited the highest removal efficiency for norfluoxetine, with preferential removal of the (R)-enantiomer indicating that biological-mediated processes occurred. For all other CPs, removal was non-enantioselective, occurring through biosorption onto AGS. A gradual decline of CPs removal was observed, probably related to the decrease of AGS adsorption capacity. Moreover, chemical oxygen demand (COD) content in the bulk liquid after anaerobic feeding increased, and P-release dropped, probably because the polyphosphate-accumulating organism's activity was affected. Nitrification was also affected as indicated by the ammonium effluent concentration increase. Moreover, CPs exposure promoted AGS disintegration, with decreasing granule size. After stopping CPs feeding, the AGS started to recover its compact structure, and the system returned its normal performance concerning COD- and P-removal. N-removal seemed to be a more sensitive process, as while the ammonium levels were fully restored at the end of operation, nitrite reduction was only partially restored. Results provide useful information on AGS performance during the treatment of wastewater containing pharmaceuticals, a frequent scenario in WWTP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Irina Moreira; Ana R Ribeiro; Lúcia Santos; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula Castro. Treatment of a simulated wastewater amended with a chiral pharmaceuticals mixture by an aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactor. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 2016, 115, 277 -285.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, Irina Moreira, Ana R Ribeiro, Lúcia Santos, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Paula Castro. Treatment of a simulated wastewater amended with a chiral pharmaceuticals mixture by an aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactor. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 2016; 115 ():277-285.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Irina Moreira; Ana R Ribeiro; Lúcia Santos; Cristina Delerue-Matos; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula Castro. 2016. "Treatment of a simulated wastewater amended with a chiral pharmaceuticals mixture by an aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactor." International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 115, no. : 277-285.

Journal article
Published: 06 June 2016 in Analytical Methods
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In this work, we propose a simple low pressure chromatography method with a high throughput for monitoring the biodegradation of fluoroquinolones.

ACS Style

Inês C. Santos; Raquel B. R. Mesquita; Catarina L. Amorim; Paula M. L. Castro; António O. S. S. Rangel. Development of a low pressure chromatographic flow system for monitoring the biodegradation of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Analytical Methods 2016, 8, 5457 -5465.

AMA Style

Inês C. Santos, Raquel B. R. Mesquita, Catarina L. Amorim, Paula M. L. Castro, António O. S. S. Rangel. Development of a low pressure chromatographic flow system for monitoring the biodegradation of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Analytical Methods. 2016; 8 (27):5457-5465.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Inês C. Santos; Raquel B. R. Mesquita; Catarina L. Amorim; Paula M. L. Castro; António O. S. S. Rangel. 2016. "Development of a low pressure chromatographic flow system for monitoring the biodegradation of ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin." Analytical Methods 8, no. 27: 5457-5465.

Journal article
Published: 01 May 2016 in International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation
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Fluoroquinolones (FQs) have been reported in trace amounts in different environmental matrices. The biosorption of three most prescribed FQs, ofloxacin (OFL), norfloxacin (NOR) and ciprofloxacin (CPF) by activated sludge (AS) and aerobic granular sludge (AGS) was investigated. Biosorption assays were conducted with FQs concentrations within the range of 100–700 ng mL−1, to mimic environmental conditions. At neutral pH and at the end of 48 h, AS showed higher biosorption capacity than AGS. For AS, a maximum biosorption of 1.50 ± 0.03, 3.24 ± 0.05 and 3.39 ± 0.06 mg gTSS−1 was observed for OFL, NOR and CPF respectively, whereas for AGS the maximum amount of FQs biosorbed was 1.18 ± 0.03, 2.73 ± 0.02 and 2.94 ± 0.03 mg gTSS−1. Langmuir isotherm was more applicable for describing FQs biosorption equilibrium by AS while for AGS, the Freundlich isotherm was more adequate. Given the AGS technology innovative character, the effect of change of pH on the biosorbed FQs was evaluated. FQs could be desorbed from AGS at pH 3, pH 8 and pH 9 but at pH 4 the biosorption process was promoted. This study allows a better understanding of the FQs biosorption processes. Moreover, the data from biosorption/desorption from AGS may be useful for management and operation of AGS bioreactors.

ACS Style

Vanessa R.A. Ferreira; Catarina L. Amorim; Sara M. Cravo; Maria E. Tiritan; Paula M.L. Castro; Carlos M.M. Afonso. Fluoroquinolones biosorption onto microbial biomass: activated sludge and aerobic granular sludge. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 2016, 110, 53 -60.

AMA Style

Vanessa R.A. Ferreira, Catarina L. Amorim, Sara M. Cravo, Maria E. Tiritan, Paula M.L. Castro, Carlos M.M. Afonso. Fluoroquinolones biosorption onto microbial biomass: activated sludge and aerobic granular sludge. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 2016; 110 ():53-60.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vanessa R.A. Ferreira; Catarina L. Amorim; Sara M. Cravo; Maria E. Tiritan; Paula M.L. Castro; Carlos M.M. Afonso. 2016. "Fluoroquinolones biosorption onto microbial biomass: activated sludge and aerobic granular sludge." International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 110, no. : 53-60.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2015 in Journal of Hazardous Materials
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Fluoxetine (FLX) is a chiral fluorinated pharmaceutical mainly indicated for treatment of depression and is one of the most distributed drugs. There is a clear evidence of environmental contamination with this drug. Aerobic granular sludge sequencing batch reactors constitute a promising technology for wastewater treatment; however the removal of carbon and nutrients can be affected by micropollutants. In this study, the fate and effect of FLX on reactor performance and on microbial population were investigated. FLX adsorption/desorption to the aerobic granules was observed. FLX shock loads (≤4μM) did not show a significant effect on the COD removal. Ammonium removal efficiency decreased in the beginning of first shock load, but after 20 days, ammonia oxidizing bacteria became adapted. The nitrite concentration in the effluent was practically null indicating that nitrite oxidizing bacteria was not inhibited, whereas, nitrate was accumulated in the effluent, indicating that denitrification was affected. Phosphate removal was affected at the beginning showing a gradual adaptation, and the effluent concentration was <0.04mM after 70 days. A shift in microbial community occurred probably due to FLX exposure, which induced adaptation/restructuration of the microbial population. This contributed to the robustness of the reactor, which was able to adapt to the FLX load.

ACS Style

Irina Moreira; Catarina L. Amorim; Ana R Ribeiro; Raquel Mesquita; António Rangel; Mark van Loosdrecht; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula M.L. Castro. Removal of fluoxetine and its effects in the performance of an aerobic granular sludge sequential batch reactor. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2015, 287, 93 -101.

AMA Style

Irina Moreira, Catarina L. Amorim, Ana R Ribeiro, Raquel Mesquita, António Rangel, Mark van Loosdrecht, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Paula M.L. Castro. Removal of fluoxetine and its effects in the performance of an aerobic granular sludge sequential batch reactor. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 2015; 287 ():93-101.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Irina Moreira; Catarina L. Amorim; Ana R Ribeiro; Raquel Mesquita; António Rangel; Mark van Loosdrecht; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula M.L. Castro. 2015. "Removal of fluoxetine and its effects in the performance of an aerobic granular sludge sequential batch reactor." Journal of Hazardous Materials 287, no. : 93-101.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2014 in Water Research
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A granular sludge sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was operated for 340 days for treating a synthetic wastewater containing fluoroquinolones (FQs), namely ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The SBR was intermittently fed with FQs, at concentrations of 9 and 32 μM. No evidence of FQ biodegradation was observed but the pharmaceutical compounds adsorbed to the aerobic granular sludge, being gradually released into the medium in successive cycles after stopping the FQ feeding. Overall COD removal was not affected during the shock loadings. Activity of ammonia oxidizing bacteria and nitrite oxidizing bacteria did not seem to be inhibited by the presence of FQs (maximum of 0.03 and 0.01 mM for ammonium and nitrite in the effluent, respectively). However, during the FQs feeding, nitrate accumulation up to 1.7 mM was observed at the effluent suggesting that denitrification was inhibited. The activity of phosphate accumulating organisms was affected, as indicated by the decrease of P removal capacity during the aerobic phase. Exposure to the FQs also promoted disintegration of the granules leading to an increase of the effluent solid content, nevertheless the solid content at the bioreactor effluent returned to normal levels within ca. 1 month after removing the FQs in the feed allowing recovery of the bedvolume. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed a dynamic bacterial community with gradual changes due to FQs exposure. Bacterial isolates retrieved from the granules predominantly belonged to α- and γ-branch of the Proteobacteria phylum. The capacity of the system to return to its initial conditions after withdrawal of the FQ compounds in the inlet stream, reinforced its robustness to deal with wastewaters containing organic pollutants.

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Alexandra S. Maia; Raquel B.R. Mesquita; António O.S.S. Rangel; Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula M.L. Castro. Performance of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch bioreactor exposed to ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Water Research 2014, 50, 101 -113.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, Alexandra S. Maia, Raquel B.R. Mesquita, António O.S.S. Rangel, Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Paula M.L. Castro. Performance of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch bioreactor exposed to ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Water Research. 2014; 50 ():101-113.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Alexandra S. Maia; Raquel B.R. Mesquita; António O.S.S. Rangel; Mark C.M. van Loosdrecht; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula M.L. Castro. 2014. "Performance of aerobic granular sludge in a sequencing batch bioreactor exposed to ofloxacin, norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin." Water Research 50, no. : 101-113.

Journal article
Published: 01 March 2014 in Journal of Chromatography A
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Antibiotics are a therapeutic class widely found in environmental matrices and extensively studied due to its persistence and implications for multi-resistant bacteria development. This work presents an integrated approach of analytical multi-techniques on assessing biodegradation of fluorinated antibiotics at a laboratory-scale microcosmos to follow removal and formation of intermediate compounds. Degradation of four fluoroquinolone antibiotics, namely Ofloxacin (OFL), Norfloxacin (NOR), Ciprofloxacin (CPF) and Moxifloxacin (MOX), at 10 mg L(-1) using a mixed bacterial culture, was assessed for 60 days. The assays were followed by a developed and validated analytical method of LC with fluorescence detection (LC-FD) using a Luna Pentafluorophenyl (2) 3 μm column. The validated method demonstrated good selectivity, linearity (r(2)>0.999), intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD<2.74%) and accuracy. The quantification limits were 5 μg L(-1) for OFL, NOR and CPF and 20 μg L(-1) for MOX. The optimized conditions allowed picturing metabolites/transformation products formation and accumulation during the process, stating an incomplete mineralization, also shown by fluoride release. OFL and MOX presented the highest (98.3%) and the lowest (80.5%) extent of degradation after 19 days of assay, respectively. A representative number of samples was selected and analyzed by LC-MS/MS with triple quadrupole and the molecular formulas were confirmed by a quadruple time of flight analyzer (QqTOF). Most of the intermediates were already described as biodegradation and/or photodegradation products in different conditions; however unknown metabolites were also identified. The microbial consortium, even when exposed to high levels of FQ, presented high percentages of degradation, never reported before for these compounds.

ACS Style

Alexandra S. Maia; Ana R Ribeiro; Catarina L. Amorim; Juliana C. Barreiro; Quezia Cass; Paula Castro; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan. Degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and identification of metabolites/transformation products by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A 2014, 1333, 87 -98.

AMA Style

Alexandra S. Maia, Ana R Ribeiro, Catarina L. Amorim, Juliana C. Barreiro, Quezia Cass, Paula Castro, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan. Degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and identification of metabolites/transformation products by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A. 2014; 1333 ():87-98.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Alexandra S. Maia; Ana R Ribeiro; Catarina L. Amorim; Juliana C. Barreiro; Quezia Cass; Paula Castro; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan. 2014. "Degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics and identification of metabolites/transformation products by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry." Journal of Chromatography A 1333, no. : 87-98.

Journal article
Published: 06 November 2013 in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
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Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibiotics are extensively used both in human and veterinary medicine, and their accumulation in the environment is causing an increasing concern. In this study, the biodegradation of the three most worldwide used FQs, namely ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, by the fluoroorganic-degrading strain Labrys portucalensis F11 was assessed. Degradation occurred when the FQs were supplied individually or as mixture in the culture medium, in the presence of an easily degradable carbon source. Consumption of individual FQs was achieved at different extents depending on its initial concentration, ranging from 0.8 to 30 μM. For the lowest concentration, total uptake of each FQ was observed but stoichiometric fluoride release was not achieved. Intermediate compounds were detected and identified by LC-MS/MS with a quadrupole time of flight detector analyzer. Biotransformation of FQs by L. portucalensis mainly occurred through a cleavage of the piperazine ring and displacement of the fluorine substituent allowing the formation of intermediates with less antibacterial potency. FQ-degrading microorganisms could be useful for application in bioaugmentation processes towards more efficient removal of contaminants in wastewater treatment plants.

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Irina Moreira; Alexandra S. Maia; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula M. L. Castro. Biodegradation of ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin as single and mixed substrates by Labrys portucalensis F11. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2013, 98, 3181 -3190.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, Irina Moreira, Alexandra S. Maia, Maria Elizabeth Tiritan, Paula M. L. Castro. Biodegradation of ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin as single and mixed substrates by Labrys portucalensis F11. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2013; 98 (7):3181-3190.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Irina Moreira; Alexandra S. Maia; Maria Elizabeth Tiritan; Paula M. L. Castro. 2013. "Biodegradation of ofloxacin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin as single and mixed substrates by Labrys portucalensis F11." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98, no. 7: 3181-3190.

Environmental biotechnology
Published: 15 August 2013 in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
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A bacterial strain capable of aerobic degradation of 4-fluorocinnamic acid (4-FCA) as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from a biofilm reactor operating for the treatment of 2-fluorophenol. The organism, designated as strain S2, was identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis as a member of the genus Rhodococcus. Strain S2 was able to mineralize 4-FCA as sole carbon and energy source. In the presence of a conventional carbon source (sodium acetate [SA]), growth rate of strain S2 was enhanced from 0.04 to 0.14 h−1 when the culture medium was fed with 0.5 mM of 4-FCA, and the time for complete removal of 4-FCA decreased from 216 to 50 h. When grown in SA-supplemented medium, 4-FCA concentrations up to 1 mM did not affect the length of the lag phase, and for 4-FCA concentrations up to 3 mM, strain S2 was able to completely remove the target fluorinated compound. 4-Fluorobenzoate (4-FBA) was transiently formed in the culture medium, reaching concentrations up to 1.7 mM when the cultures were supplemented with 3.5 mM of 4-FCA. Trans,trans-muconate was also transiently formed as a metabolic intermediate. Compounds with molecular mass compatible with 3-carboxymuconate and 3-oxoadipate were also detected in the culture medium. Strain S2 was able to mineralize a range of other haloorganic compounds, including 2-fluorophenol, to which the biofilm reactor had been exposed. To our knowledge, this is the first time that mineralization of 4-FCA as the sole carbon source by a single bacterial culture is reported.

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; António C. S. Ferreira; Maria F. Carvalho; Carlos M. M. Afonso; Paula M. L. Castro. Mineralization of 4-fluorocinnamic acid by a Rhodococcus strain. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 2013, 98, 1893 -1905.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, António C. S. Ferreira, Maria F. Carvalho, Carlos M. M. Afonso, Paula M. L. Castro. Mineralization of 4-fluorocinnamic acid by a Rhodococcus strain. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 2013; 98 (4):1893-1905.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; António C. S. Ferreira; Maria F. Carvalho; Carlos M. M. Afonso; Paula M. L. Castro. 2013. "Mineralization of 4-fluorocinnamic acid by a Rhodococcus strain." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology 98, no. 4: 1893-1905.

Journal article
Published: 10 July 2013 in Bioresource Technology
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A rotating biological contactor (RBC) was used to treat shock loadings of 4-fluorocinnamic acid (4-FCA). Intermittent 4-FCA shocks of 35 mg L−1 were applied (ca. 3 months) with only limited mineralization occurring and accumulation of 4-fluorobenzoate (4-FBA) as an intermediate. After bioaugmentation with a degrading bacterium the RBC was able to deal with 4-FCA intermittent loading of 80 mg L−1 however, a gradual decline in RBC performance occurred, leading to 4-FBA accumulation. The degrading strain was recovered from the biofilm during 2 months but intermittent feeding may have led to diminishing strain numbers. Distinct bacterial communities in the 1st and the 5th and 10th stages of the RBC were revealed by denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis. Several isolates retrieved from the RBC transformed 4-FCA into 4-FBA but only two strains mineralized the compound. Bioaugmentation allowed removal of the fluorinated compound however intermittent feeding may have compromised the bioreactor efficiency.

ACS Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Anouk F. Duque; Carlos M.M. Afonso; Paula M.L. Castro. Bioaugmentation for treating transient 4-fluorocinnamic acid shock loads in a rotating biological contactor. Bioresource Technology 2013, 144, 554 -562.

AMA Style

Catarina L. Amorim, Anouk F. Duque, Carlos M.M. Afonso, Paula M.L. Castro. Bioaugmentation for treating transient 4-fluorocinnamic acid shock loads in a rotating biological contactor. Bioresource Technology. 2013; 144 ():554-562.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Catarina L. Amorim; Anouk F. Duque; Carlos M.M. Afonso; Paula M.L. Castro. 2013. "Bioaugmentation for treating transient 4-fluorocinnamic acid shock loads in a rotating biological contactor." Bioresource Technology 144, no. : 554-562.