Elucidation of the function of anaerobic ciliates responsible for the activation of anaerobic wastewater treatment systems by building a new experimental model.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K04317
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 22060:Environmental systems for civil engineering-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University (2022-2023); University of the Ryukyus (2021)
• Principal Investigator: Shiohama Yasuo 山口大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 助教 (40715017)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 新里 尚也 琉球大学, 熱帯生物圏研究センター, 准教授 (00381252)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 嫌気性繊毛虫 / 嫌気性微生物 / 嫌気性廃水(排水)処理 / メタン生成 / ゲノム

Outline of Final Research Achievements

An anaerobic wastewater treatment system is a system that decomposes organic matter contained in wastewater into methane gas and carbon dioxide gas by the action of anaerobic bacteria and methanogens in an oxygen-free environment. It is attracting attention as a wastewater treatment system that can be adapted to a sustainable recycling-oriented society because it can be operated in an energy-efficient manner and methane gas can be recovered and used as fuel. In addition to anaerobic bacteria and methanogens, it has recently become clear that anaerobic protozoa also play an important role in the methane gas production process of anaerobic wastewater treatment systems. In this study, a new experimental model of the methane gas production process was constructed, and a detailed analysis of the role of anaerobic protozoa in the methane gas production process of anaerobic wastewater treatment systems was conducted.

Free Research Field

応用微生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果が基盤的データとなることで、メタン産生効率のより高い新たな嫌気性廃水処理システムの構築が期待される。また、本研究では亜熱帯に位置する沖縄県の下水(廃水)処理場嫌気槽の細菌叢メタゲノム解析を行うことから、亜熱帯地域の廃水処理に関わる嫌気性微生物の生態系が明らかとなり、こうした地域に適した嫌気性廃水処理システムの構築が期待される。これらのシステムが発展途上国における農業廃水処理等で広く運用できれば、廃水処理のみでなくエネルギー問題といった持続可能な開発目標(SDGs６と７に対応)の課題解決への貢献も期待される。