Activated sludge diffusion for efficient simultaneous treatment of municipal wastewater and odor in a membrane bioreactor

Although activated sludge (AS) diffusion is promising for odor control, disagreement still exists on its treatment efficiency of varying odorants, and microbiological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the deodorization efficiency, wastewater performance, ecological effects AS in two situ membrane bioreactors (MBRs). removed ≥ 94.7% H2S 100% NH3, while other odorants were released at low concentrations. The odor-diffused system also achieved appreciable performance (effluent phosphate 0.13 ± 0.12 mg/L, COD 12.1 1.8 total nitrogen 5.9 mg-N/L), fouling was mitigated. Notably, influent substrates nutrients, than MBR settings, significantly affected main functional taxa bacterial community dynamics. Ecological null model network analysis revealed that strengthened niche-based deterministic processes (i.e., environmental selection) caused more negative intense microbial interactions. Organics competition enhanced, some hydrolytic bacteria correspondingly became keystone system. findings provide valuable guidance establishing efficient systems integrated treatment.