Groundwater serving as a drinking water resource usually contains manganese ions (Mn2+) that exceed drinking standards. Based on the Mn biogeochemical cycle at the hydrosphere scale, bioprocesses consisting of aeration, biofiltration, and disinfection are well known as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly ecotechnology for removing Mn2+. The design of aeration and biofiltration units, which are critical components, is significantly influenced by coexisting iron and ammonia in groundwater; however, there is no unified standard for optimizing bioprocess operation. In addition to the groundwater purification, it was also found that manganese-oxidizing bacteria (MnOB)-derived biogenic Mn oxides (bioMnOx), a by-product, have a low crystallinity and a relatively high specific surface area; the MnOB supplied with Mn2+ can be developed for contaminated water remediation. As a result, according to previous studies, this paper summarized and provided operational suggestions for the removal of Mn2+ from groundwater. This review also anticipated challenges and future concerns, as well as opportunities for bioMnOx applications. These could improve our understanding of the MnOB group and its practical applications.
Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) sensors would constitute a robust surveillance and control solution for aeration and external carbon dosing in wastewater biological treatment processes if a clear correlation exists between the ORP values and process variables (e.g., dissolved oxygen (DO), nitrate, and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In this study, ORP values and other water quality variables were analyzed, and principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance were used to study the relationships between ORP and main reactive substances under anoxic conditions. Mathematical models were then established using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that under anoxic conditions, ORP was positively correlated with nitrate, DO, and COD and negatively correlated with ammonia nitrogen, phosphate, and pH. COD had a low correlation with the ORP value change. PCA showed that the mathematical model of ORP can be established by using DO, nitrate, and phosphate, for which the adjusted R² value was 0.7195. The numeric relationships among ORP, COD, and nitrate were clearly established and applied to control external carbon dosing. A precise and clear relationship between ORP and COD offers the possibility to substitute COD monitoring for process control.