(Press-News.org) A new scientific review has shed light on how emerging pollutants commonly found in wastewater are disrupting biological phosphorus removal processes, posing risks to water quality and ecological health. The study, published in the journal New Contaminants, examines how pharmaceuticals, microplastics, and industrial chemicals interfere with the key microorganisms responsible for phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment plants.
Phosphorus is a nutrient that, in excess, can trigger harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality. Many wastewater treatment facilities rely on an energy-efficient method called Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR), which uses specialized bacteria known as polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) to remove phosphorus from sewage. However, the growing presence of emerging pollutants is making this harder.
The review highlights several categories of pollutants that are increasingly detected in wastewater. Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, microplastics, perfluorinated chemicals like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and metal oxide nanoparticles are frequently observed in treatment plant influents. Even at low concentrations, these substances can persist in the environment, accumulate in organisms, and disrupt essential microbial processes.
“Many emerging pollutants are present at trace levels, but their long-term impacts are not negligible,” said Dr. Yan Zhang, a corresponding author of the paper. “They can interfere with enzyme activity, disrupt microbial communities, and reduce the efficiency of phosphorus removal. This is a growing concern for wastewater treatment operations worldwide.”
The review outlines several mechanisms by which pollutants affect PAOs. Antibiotics, for example, can inhibit enzymes crucial for phosphorus uptake and storage, such as polyphosphate kinase. They also hinder the conversion of carbon sources into energy, affecting the microbes' survival and function. Some chemicals reshape the microbial ecosystem, favoring less efficient organisms that compete with PAOs, further reducing removal performance.
Microplastics add another layer of complexity. Their physical presence can interfere with the structure of biofilms, while providing a surface for harmful pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes to thrive. When microplastics degrade into nanoplastics, their smaller size allows them to penetrate biological membranes and directly interfere with cellular processes.
“Emerging pollutants often co-exist, and their combined effects can be harder to predict than those of individual compounds,” explained Dr. Hui Lu, another corresponding author. “For instance, when certain antibiotics are present alongside nanomaterials, their impact on phosphorus removal becomes more severe. This synergy requires further investigation.”
The authors call for more realistic experimental designs that mimic actual wastewater conditions, including low-level and mixed pollutant exposures over longer periods. They also emphasize the need for updated strategies in wastewater treatment that consider these new contaminants.
“Our review provides a roadmap for future research, pointing out where knowledge gaps exist,” said Dr. Zhang. “Understanding the molecular mechanisms at play will be key to developing solutions that safeguard both environmental and public health.”
This study serves as a wake-up call to researchers, policymakers, and engineers alike. With pollutants now infiltrating the very systems meant to remove them, the pressure is on to evolve wastewater treatment technologies and regulations that can keep pace with today’s complex environmental challenges.
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Journal reference: Yang Z, Yin Q, Wu Z, Han Y, Zhang Y, et al. 2025. A review of the effect and metabolic mechanism of emerging pollutants on enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes. New Contaminants 1: e010
https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/newcontam-0025-0009
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About the Journal:
New Contaminants is an open-access journal focusing on research related to emerging pollutants and their remediation.
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Emerging pollutants threaten efficiency of wastewater treatment: New review highlights urgent research needs
2025-11-17
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