[H-CG25] Cultural Hydrology

[HCG25-P02] Development of a simultaneous wastewater and bioplastics production (BPs) technology

*Tatsuru Kamei¹, Nanami Katayama² (1.University of Yamanashi, Interdisciplinary Centre for River Basin Environment, 2.University of Yamanashi, Faculty of Life and Environment Science )

Keywords:Hydrogen-based denitrification system, Wastewater treatment , Biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable plastics (BPs) and their utilization are promising countermeasure for global plastic pollution However, high production cost of bps, due to specialized manufacturing involve in bacterial bps production, interrupt widespread uses. Simultaneous achievements of wastewater treatment and bps production is a promising technology that can minimize bps production cost, but is has not yet been fully developed. To develop this new wastewater and bps production technology, this study attempted to understand the mechanisms and key bacteria relating simultaneous occurrence of denitrification and bps accumulation in the hydrogen gas-dependent denitrification reactor. The results fond that a strain closely related to Thauera sp. possess both denitrification and the ability to generate polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), a type of BP. Furthermore, it was observed that controlling the carbon content in the culture medium enhanced PHAs accumulation capability in these bacteria, while denitrification occurred simultaneously. The results suggested that the potential for the coexistence of wastewater treatment and BPs production, offering a promising step towards addressing plastic pollution on a global scale.