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Three-dimensional fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy with regional integration analysis for assessing waste sludge hydrolysis at different pretreated temperatures

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Abstract

Heat pretreatment process can promote sludge hydrolysis and enhance the degradability of waste sludge. The effect of heat pretreatment at different temperatures on the changes of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), carbohydrates, and proteins and the structural and functional properties of organics in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and dissolved organic matters (DOM) were systematically investigated. Heat pretreatment was conducted at 65, 80, 100, and 121 °C for 30 min. The SCOD in DOM increased with pretreated temperatures. Three-dimensional excitation–emission matrix (3D-EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy was utilized to evaluate the biodegradable and non-biodegradable components in EPS and DOM. Moreover, the humification index (HIX) and the fluorescence index (FI) were used to evaluate the humification and DOM source. At 80 °C, the percent fluorescence response (P i,n ) of easily biodegradable soluble microbial by-product substance was higher than others; meanwhile, little non-biodegradable humic acid-like substance was accumulated. In order to enhance sludge biodegradability, 80 °C was chosen as the optimal temperature for heat pretreatment.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Number: 51208481) and the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong (Grant Number: ZR2010EQ028).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Jian Sun, Liang Guo, Qianqian Li, Yangguo Zhao, Mengchun Gao, Zonglian She & Chunji Jin

  2. Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Liang Guo

  3. Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Geological Engineering, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Liang Guo

Authors
  1. Jian Sun
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  2. Liang Guo
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  3. Qianqian Li
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  4. Yangguo Zhao
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  5. Mengchun Gao
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  6. Zonglian She
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  7. Chunji Jin
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Liang Guo or Zonglian She.

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Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

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Sun, J., Guo, L., Li, Q. et al. Three-dimensional fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) spectroscopy with regional integration analysis for assessing waste sludge hydrolysis at different pretreated temperatures. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 24061–24067 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7610-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7610-4

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