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Establishment of Stable Granular Symbiosis of Microalgae and Bacteria with Well Separated Oxygenic Photosynthesis and N2 Fixation in Its Layered Structure

Research Project

Project/Area Number 22K19863
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Medium-sized Section 64:Environmental conservation measure and related fields
Research InstitutionUniversity of Tsukuba

Principal Investigator

雷 中方  筑波大学, 生命環境系, 准教授 (30634505)

Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) 原 田  筑波大学, 生命環境系, 助教 (80868258)
張 振亜  筑波大学, 生命環境系, 名誉教授 (20272156)
Project Period (FY) 2022-06-30 – 2025-03-31
Project Status Granted (Fiscal Year 2023)
Budget Amount *help
¥6,240,000 (Direct Cost: ¥4,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,440,000)
Fiscal Year 2024: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2023: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000)
KeywordsAlgal-bacterial granule / Nitrogen fixation / Carbon neutrality / Resource recovery / N2 fixation / Functional biomass
Outline of Research at the Start

This research for the first time will establish a well separated oxygenic photosynthesis and N2 fixation in the outer and inner layers of algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge biosystem that can efficiently treat waste/wastewater with no C and/or N, and simultaneously produce functional biomass.

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

(1) Cyanobacteria cells and its granules exhibited higher nitrate than ammonia removal capacity, in which cyanobacteria granules can uptake 100% of nitrate and fix a large amount of N2 into granular biomass, especially under N2 recirculation condition.
(2) Dissolved oxygen and pH were found the two crucial parameters for the stable operation of granule system. The proposed future algal-bacterial granule-based wastewater treatment plants can remove all CO2 produced in the plants.
(3) Besides three invited reports in international conferences/seminars, seven high-quality papers with a total impact factor of 87.9 were published.

Current Status of Research Progress
Current Status of Research Progress

1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.

Reason

We have already achieved the expected targets of the project, i.e. N fixation and carbon neutrality with no need of mechanical aeration, the most energy-intensive operation in wastewater treatment plants if algal-bacterial granules are applied in their biological treatment units.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

(1) Examine the sensitivity of algal-bacterial granules to different types of carbon and nitrogen sources and different salinity levels;
(2) Search a simple and feasible means to maintain the stable granule's layered structure with less or no greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission from the established algal-bacterial granule system; and
(3) Figure out the role of microalgae and/or cyanobacteria in reduced GHGs emission from the granule system.

Report

(2 results)
  • 2023 Research-status Report
  • 2022 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (36 results)

All 2024 2023 2022 Other

All Journal Article (12 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 9 results,  Peer Reviewed: 12 results) Presentation (18 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 18 results,  Invited: 5 results) Remarks (6 results)

  • [Journal Article] A preliminary test for nitrogen recovery potential of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria and its granules treating wastewater containing different nitrogen species2024

    • Author(s)
      Zhao Y., Li Z., Fan Y., Santisouk L., Lei Z.*, Yuan T., Shimizu K., Utsumi M.
    • Journal Title

      Chemical Engineering Journal

      Volume: 490 Pages: 51765-51765

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.cej.2024.151765

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Energy and resource recovery from a future aerobic granular sludge wastewater treatment plant and benefit analysis2024

    • Author(s)
      Chen X., Wang X., Wang Q., Wang J., Lei Z., Yuan T., Zhang Z., Lee D.-J.
    • Journal Title

      Chemical Engineering Journal

      Volume: 401 Pages: 150558-150558

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.cej.2024.150558

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Disintegration and re-granulation of aged algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge in wastewater treatment2024

    • Author(s)
      Wang J., Li Z., Lei Z.*, Qian X., Zhang Z., Liu X., Lee D.-J.
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Water Process Engineering

      Volume: 57 Pages: 104614-104614

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104614

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Use of photo-driven algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge system to close carbon cycle in biological wastewater nutrients removal and sludge anaerobic digestion units in wastewater treatment plants2023

    • Author(s)
      Wang J., Li Z., Wang Q., Lei Z.*, Qian X., Zhang Z., Liu X., Lee D.-J.
    • Journal Title

      Chemical Engineering Journal

      Volume: 475 Pages: 145999-145999

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.cej.2023.145999

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Photosynthetic oxygen-supported algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge can facilitate carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus removal from wastewater: Focus on light intensity selection2023

    • Author(s)
      Li Z., Wang J., Liu W., Zhao Y., Lei Z.*, Yuan T., Shimizu K., Zhang Z., Lee D.-J.,
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology

      Volume: 388 Pages: 129752-129752

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129752

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Enhanced alginate-like exopolymers recovery from algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge: Optimal cultivation condition and contribution of bacteria and microalgae during the transport/storage period2023

    • Author(s)
      Chen X., Mai J., Dong X., Wang Q., Li Z., Yuan T., Lei Z.*, Zhang Z., Shimizu K., Lee D.-J.
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology

      Volume: 382 Pages: 129155-129155

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biortech.2023.129155

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Highly efficient carbon assimilation and nitrogen/phosphorus removal facilitated by photosynthetic O2 from algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge under controlled DO/pH operation2023

    • Author(s)
      Li Z., Wang J., Liu J., Chen X., Lei Z.*, Yuan T., Shimizu K., Zhang Z., Lee D.-J., Lin Y., Adachi Y., van Loosdrecht M.C.M.
    • Journal Title

      Water Research

      Volume: 238 Pages: 120025-120025

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.watres.2023.120025

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report 2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Revealing calcium ion behavior during anaerobic phosphorus release process in aerobic granular sludge system2023

    • Author(s)
      Wang J., Li Z., Wang Q., Chen X., Lei Z.*, Shimizu K., Zhang Z., Adachi Y., Lee D.-J.
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology

      Volume: 369 Pages: 128474-128474

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biortech.2022.128474

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Transition of biological wastewater treatment from flocculent activated sludge to granular sludge systems towards circular economy2023

    • Author(s)
      Semaha P., Lei Z.*, Yuan T., Zhang Z., Shimizu K.
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology Reports

      Volume: 21 Pages: 101294-101294

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biteb.2022.101294

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] A review on recovery of extracellular biopolymers from flocculent and granular activated sludges: Cognition, key influencing factors, applications, and challenges2022

    • Author(s)
      Chen X., Lee Y.-J., Yuan T., Lei Z.*, Adachi Y., Zhang Z., Lin Y., van Loosdrecht M.C.M.
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology

      Volume: 363 Pages: 127854-127854

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127854

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Energy saving and rapid establishment of granular microalgae system from tiny microalgae cells: Effect of decrease in upflow air velocity under intermittent aeration condition2022

    • Author(s)
      Wang Q., Yang Y., Shen Q., Chen X., Li F., Wang J., Zhang Z., Lei Z.*, Yuan T., Shimizu K.
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology

      Volume: 363 Pages: 127860-127860

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127860

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed / Int'l Joint Research
  • [Journal Article] Nitrous oxide emission mitigation from biological wastewater treatment - A review2022

    • Author(s)
      Lee Y.-J., Lin B.-l., Lei Z.*
    • Journal Title

      Bioresource Technology

      Volume: 362 Pages: 127747-127747

    • DOI

      10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127747

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Presentation] Response of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria and its granules to different nitrogen species for nitrogen recovery2023

    • Author(s)
      Yankai Zhao, Zejiao Li, Yunqiang Fan, Lathdavong Santisouk, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Motoo Utsumi
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on the Practical Zero Emissions Technologies and Strategies (PZETS 2023) and the 2nd Workshop on Water Sustainability & Green Technology
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Biogranulation for Wastewater Treatment: Achievements and Perspectives2023

    • Author(s)
      Zhongfang Lei
    • Organizer
      China-Japan Seminar on Interfacial Processes and Control Measures of Combined Pollutants
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Ongoing Research Advancements in Biogranulation for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery2023

    • Author(s)
      Zhongfang Lei
    • Organizer
      2023 Joint Seminar on Environmental Sciences between Zhengzhou University (China) and University of Tsukuba (Japan)
    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Response of Broken Microalgae Granules to Different Influent Phosphorus Concentrations: Re-granulation, Granule Stability, and Phosphorus Recovery2023

    • Author(s)
      Qian Wang, Hui Li, Xingyu Chen, Qingyue Shen, Jixiang Wang, Fengmin Li, Zhenya Zhang, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Re-granulation and Performance of Anaerobically Digested Bacterial and Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge2023

    • Author(s)
      Xingyu Chen, Xinyue Wang, Jinfei Mai, Xiaochuan Dong, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Zhenya Zhang, Duu-Jong Lee
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Application of Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge Process for Saline Wastewater Treatment: A Review2023

    • Author(s)
      Xiaochuan Dong, Ziwen Zhao, Ke Jin, Xingyu Chen, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Motoo Utsumi, Zhenya Zhang
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Influence of Heavy Metals on Granular Sludge during Wastewater Treatment and Corresponding Sustainable Solutions: A Review2023

    • Author(s)
      Yankai Zhao, Zejiao Li, Yunqiang Fan, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Motoo Utsumi
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Nitrogen Recycling via Nitrogen-fixation Bacterium for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: A Review.2023

    • Author(s)
      Yankai Zhao, Zejiao Li, Yunqiang Fan, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Motoo Utsumi
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Methane Production and Nutrients Recovery from Bacterial and Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge2023

    • Author(s)
      Xinyue Wang, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Kazuya Shimizu, Zhenya Zhang
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Use of Algal-bacterial Granular Sludge for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: A Review on Mechanisms, Applications, and Challenges2023

    • Author(s)
      Ge Gao, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Motoo Utsumi
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Comparative Sustainability Evaluation of Conventional Flocculent Activated Sludge, Bacterial and Algal-bacterial Aerobic Sludge Systems toward Successful Circular Economy Integration2023

    • Author(s)
      Philip Semaha, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Zhenya Zhang, Kazuya Shimizu
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Stable and High-efficacy Nitrogen Removal from Wastewater by Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge under No Mechanical Aeration2023

    • Author(s)
      Zejiao Li, Jixiang Wang, Yankai Zhao, Jialin Liu, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Kazuya Shimizu, Zhenya Zhang, Duu-Jong Lee
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Optimal Operating Conditions and Contribution of Bacteria and Microalgae to Alginate-like Exopolymers Production in Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge System2023

    • Author(s)
      Jinfei Mai, Xingyu Chen, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Kazuya Shimizu, Zhenya Zhang
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Discussion on Potentials of Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge as Feed in Aquaculture2023

    • Author(s)
      Wenjun Liu, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Motoo Utsumi
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Potentials of O2 Production and Demand in Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge System under No Mechanical Aeration2023

    • Author(s)
      Jialin Liu, Zejiao Li, Jixiang Wang, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan,Kazuya Shimizu, Zhenya Zhang
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Disintegration and Self-recovery Potential of Algal-bacterial Aerobic Granular Sludge2023

    • Author(s)
      Jixiang Wang, Zejiao Li, Xingyu Chen, Zhongfang Lei*, Tian Yuan, Zhenya Zhang, Duu-Jong Lee, Xiaoyong Qian
    • Organizer
      The 1st International Conference on Bioprocess and Sustainability (ICBS2023)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Microalgae Biogranulation and Its Potentials for Energy Recovery and Biomaterials Accumulation from Wastewater2022

    • Author(s)
      Zhongfang Lei
    • Organizer
      International Conference on Biotechnological Advances towards Sustainable Developments (BIOSPECTRUM-2022)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater via Aerobic Granular Sludge Process2022

    • Author(s)
      Zhongfang Lei
    • Organizer
      The 10th International Forum on Industrial Bioprocesses (IBA-IFIBiop)
    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Remarks] 筑波大学研究者総覧

    • URL

      https://trios.tsukuba.ac.jp/en/researcher/0000003223

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
  • [Remarks] Researchmap

    • URL

      https://researchmap.jp/Lei_Zhongfang

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report 2022 Research-status Report
  • [Remarks] ResearchGate

    • URL

      https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zhongfang-Lei

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report
  • [Remarks] Google Scholar

    • URL

      https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=VLVoKUsAAAAJ&hl=en

    • Related Report
      2023 Research-status Report 2022 Research-status Report
  • [Remarks] 筑波大学研究者総覧

    • URL

      https://trios.tsukuba.ac.jp/ja/researcher/0000003223

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report
  • [Remarks] Researchgate

    • URL

      https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Zhongfang-Lei

    • Related Report
      2022 Research-status Report

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Published: 2022-07-05   Modified: 2024-12-25  

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