Effects of nano metal oxide particles on activated sludge system: Stress and performance recovery mechanism

Nano metal oxide particles (NMOPs) are widely used in daily life because of their superior performance, and inevitably enter the sewage treatment system. Pollutants in sewage are adsorbed and degraded in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) depending on the microbial aggregates of activated sludge system to achieve sewage purification. NMOPs may cause ecotoxicity to the microbial community and metabolism due to their complex chemical behavior, resulting in a potential threat to the safe and steady operation of activated sludge system. It is of great significance to clarify the influencing mechanism of NMOPs on activated sludge system and reduce the risk of WWTPs. Herein, we first introduce the physicochemical behavior of six typical engineering NMOPs including ZnO, TiO 2 , CuO, CeO 2 , MgO, and MnO 2 in water environment, then highlight the principal mechanisms of NMOPs for activated sludge system. In particular, the performance recovery mechanisms of activated sludge systems in the presence of NMOPs and their future development trends are well documented and discussed extensively. This review can provide a theoretical guidance and technical support for predicting and evaluating the potential threat of NMOPs on activated sludge systems, and promoting the establishment of effective control strategies and performance recovery measures of biological wastewater treatment process under the stress of NMOPs. • NMOPs aggregation and deposition processes in aqueous solutions are closely related to their exposure form. • Toxic effects of NMOPs on activated sludge system are mainly due to their strong oxidizability and released metal ions. • NOM, EDTA, and S 2− can alleviate the stress and toxicity of NMOPs on activated sludge system. • Control and recovery strategies of activated sludge systems under NMOPs stress are proposed.