Effects of multi-microplastic mixtures on the performance of constructed wetland microbial fuel cells for wastewater treatment.
Shentan Liu, Lang He, Xiaojuan Feng
AI summary
75% confidenceThis study examined the effects of microplastics on constructed wetland and microbial fuel cell performance, finding that microplastics had minimal impact on COD removal but significantly inhibited nitrogen and total phosphorus removal.
Generated by MESSAI extraction pipeline · review against source PDF
Representative MFC — matched on the paper’s system type only, not its reactor or geometry.
Open in lab for full controls, parameter editing, and template overlays.
Open in lab →What they did
- System
- MFC
What worked
No outcome metrics extracted yet.
Abstract
This study examined the effects of microplastics (MPs) on constructed wetland (CW) and constructed wetland microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) with different configurations. Four mixed MP types including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride were introduced. Planted CW-MFC demonstrated the highest MP removal efficiency of 96.7 % and power density of 14.90 mW m -2 , outperforming both unplanted CW-MFC and conventional CW. MPs had minimal impact on COD removal, but the removal efficiencies of NH 4 + -N and TN were significantly inhibited, with TN removal decreasing by approximately 20 % compared to MP-free conditions. TP removal initially decreased but later increased, remaining slightly lower than pre-MP levels. Reduced chlorophyll content in plant leaves indicated MP-induced stress on plant growth. Microbial analysis revealed dominant phyla including Proteobacteria, Patescibacteria, and Bacteroidota contributed to nitrogen removal. In planted systems, genera such as Denitratisoma, Sulfuritalea, and Endomicrobium contributed to denitrification. In CW-MFCs, Geobacter and Candidatus Falkowbacteria dominated, with Geobacter linked to electricity generation and Candidatus Falkowbacteria associated with carbon and nitrogen cycles. MPs negatively affected denitrification by suppressing key denitrifiers such as Denitratisoma but enhanced electricity generation by enriching electroactive bacteria like Geobacter. These findings reveal complex MP-driven interactions influencing microbial communities and system performance.