Acid-modified hydrochar for higher biodegradation rate of atrazine in various conditions by Paenarthrobacter sp. KN0901: Higher cell viability and bacterial number

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-10, Vol.478, p.135451, Article 135451
• Main Authors: Kang, Zhichao, Liu, Yuxin, Han, Xuerong, Wang, Chenxu, Zhu, Guopeng, Wang, Tianye, Yu, Hongwen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid modification; Atrazine - chemistry; Atrazine - metabolism; Bacterial concentration; Biodegradation, Environmental; Cell viability; Charcoal - chemistry; Herbicides - chemistry; Herbicides - metabolism; Hydrochar; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Microbial remediation; Microbial Viability - drug effects; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135451

Microbial remediation is a viable and eco-friendly approach for decontaminating pollution. However, its effectiveness can be limited by the microorganisms’ survival and growth in changing environments. Hydrochar materials have been utilized in this study to increase the growth and atrazine degradation capabilities of Paenarthrobacter sp. KN0901, a strain capable of atrazine biodegradation. Acid-modified hydrochars exhibited a higher carbonation rate, specific surface area, and number of defect sites compared to raw hydrochar. Following three days of incubation at 15 °C, the atrazine degradation rate increased from 90.7 % to 98.2 % when utilizing H3PO4-modified hydrochar (PHC). Additionally, the addition of PHC resulted in an increase in both bacterial concentration and cell viability of strain KN0901, by 1.6 and 1.4 times, respectively. Under various conditions, including temperatures of 4 ºC and 35 ºC, as well as pH levels of 5 and 9, and dd·H2O media, PHC exhibited a significant enhancement in atrazine degradation and cell viability of strain KN0901. Furthermore, PHC demonstrated the ability to sustain high proliferation and viability of strain KN0901 over five cycles, indicating its remarkable stability and biocompatibility. This study offers a new perspective on the development and application of bioremediation approaches in restoring atrazine-polluted environments, even under challenging conditions. [Display omitted] •Acid-modified hydrochar was prepared using straw and H3PO4 modification (PHC).•PHC promoted the growth and atrazine degradation rate of KN0901 at 15 ºC.•PHC maintained a high atrazine degradation rate of KN0901 at 4 ºC, 35 ºC, pH5 and pH 9.•PHC provided elements for the growth and proliferation of KN0901 in dd·H2O mediums.•Bacteria-hydrochar showed high stability during five cycles of degradation process.