In-situ sludge reduction based on Mn^(2+)-catalytic ozonation conditioning:Feasibility study and microbial mechanisms

To improve the sludge conditioning efficiency without increasing the ozone dose,an in-situ sludge reduction process based on Mn^(2+)-catalytic ozonation conditioning was proposed.Using ozone conditioning alone as a control,a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor coupled with ozonated sludge recycle was evaluated for its operating performance at an ozone dose of 75 mg O_(3)/g VSS and 1.5 mmol/L Mn^(2+)addition.The results showed a 39.4%reduction in MLSS and an observed sludge yield of 0.236 kg MLSS/kg COD for the O_(3)+Mn^(2+)group compared to the O_(3)group (15.3%and 0.292 kg MLSS/kg COD),accompanied by better COD,NH_(4)^(+)-N,TN and TP removal,improved effluent SS and limited impact on excess sludge properties.Subsequently,activity tests,BIOLOG ECO microplates and 16S rRNA sequencing were applied to elucidate the changing mechanisms of Mn^(2+)-catalytic ozonation related to microbial action:(1) Dehydrogenase activity reached a higher peak.(2) Microbial utilization of total carbon sources had an elevated effect,up to approximately 18%,and metabolic levels of six carbon sources were also increased,especially for sugars and amino acids most pronounced.(3) The abundance of Defluviicoccus under the phylum Proteobacteria was enhanced to 12.0%and dominated in the sludge,they had strong hydrolytic activity and metabolic capacity.Denitrifying bacteria of the genus Ferruginibacter also showed an abundance of 7.6%,they contributed to the solubilization and reduction of sludge biomass.These results could guide researchers to further reduce ozonation conditioning costs,improve sludge management and provide theoretical support.