Distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and their association with bacteria and viruses in decentralized sewage treatment facilities

The distribution of antibiotic resistance genes(ARGs)has been intensively studied in large-scale wastewater treatment plants and livestock sources.However,small-scale decentralized sewage treatment facilities must also be explored due to their possible direct exposure to residents.In this study,six wastewater treatment facilities in developed rural areas in eastern China were investigated to understand their risks of spreading ARGs.Using metagenomics and network analysis tools,ARGs and bacterial and viral communities were identified in the influent(INF)and effluent(EFF)samples.The dominant ARGs belonged to the bacitracin class,which are different from most of municipal wastewater treatment plants(WWTPs).The dominant hosts of ARGs are Acidovorax in bacterial communities and Prymnesiovirus in viral communities.Furthermore,a positive relationship was found between ARGs and phages.The ARGs significantly correlated with phages were all hosted by specific genera of bacteria,indicating that phages had contributed to the ARG’s proliferation in sewage treatment facilities.Paying significant concern on the possible enhanced risks caused by bacteria,viruses and their related ARGs in decentralized sewage treatment facilities is necessary.

Study on Treatment Technologies of Decentralized Domestic Sewage

The significance and necessity of decentralized domestic sewage treatment were introduced firstly, and then three main decentralized technologies of domestic sewage such as constructed wetlands, subsurface infiltration and purification tanks in China and abroad were discussed.

Use of oleaginous plants in phytotreatment of grey water and yellow water from source separation of sewage

Efficient and economic reuse of waste is one of the pillars of modern environmental engineering. In the field of domestic sewage management,source separation of yellow（urine）,brown（faecal matter）and grey waters aims to recover the organic substances concentrated in brown water,the nutrients（nitrogen and phosphorous）in the urine and to ensure an easier treatment and recycling of grey waters. With the objective of emphasizing the potential of recovery of resources from sewage management,a lab-scale research study was carried out at the University of Padova in order to evaluate the performances of oleaginous plants（suitable for biodiesel production）in the phytotreatment of source separated yellow and grey waters. The plant species used were Brassica napus（rapeseed）,Glycine max（soybean）and Helianthus annuus（sunflower）. Phytotreatment tests were carried out using 20 L pots. Different testing runs were performed at an increasing nitrogen concentration in the feedstock. The results proved that oleaginous species can conveniently be used for the phytotreatment of grey and yellow waters from source separation of domestic sewage,displaying high removal efficiencies of nutrients and organic substances（nitrogen 〉 80%; phosphorous 〉 90%; COD nearly 90%）. No inhibition was registered in the growth of plants irrigated with different mixtures of yellow and grey waters,where the characteristics of the two streams were reciprocally and beneficially integrated.