Micropollutant biotransformation in activated sludge along a gradient of solids retention time

In this project, we aimed to explore linkages between micropollutant biotransformation reactions and microbial community characteristics. Therefore, a series of sequencing batch reactors was operated with local wastewater and at solids retention times (SRTs) between 1 and 15 days. Chemical analysis of micropollutants and their transformation products was performed using high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) and for the characterization of microbial communities we relied on sequencing techniques (16S rRNA/rDNA sequencing and RNA sequencing for metatranscriptome analysis). A complementary modeling approach was employed to better understand the influence of the SRT on microbial community structure and function.