Exploiting the ancient microbial response to reactive oxygen species to degrade persistent emerging contaminants

This project deals with bioactive and toxic 'Emerging contaminants' (ECs) that are widely present but poorly removed in municipal wastewater treatment systems. Leveraging microbial evolutionary defenses against reactive oxygen species (ROS), we strategically enhance enzyme production for EC degradation. Our approach involves manipulating dissolved oxygen levels to influence microbial functions related to ROS production, nitrogen and carbon metabolism, cell growth, and EC degradation. The activated sludge was obtained from Auckland's Mangere wastewater treatment plant in New Zealand. Our findings unravel the potential of oxygen modulation to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the wastewater microbial community in eliminating ECs.