Textile-based biomass carriers for enhanced biological wastewater post-treatment

Several water-purification techniques now use bacterial biofilms to remove nitrogenous compounds, micropollutants, and other pollutants resulting from human activity. This study investigates the microfiber biomass carriers designed using textile technology to enhance bacterial colonization in wastewater treatment processes. The novel carriers developed using commercially available warp-knitted technology were produced from polypropylene and polyester materials. These carriers were tested at both laboratory and semi-operational scales in bioreactors for post-nitrification (purification of lower concentrations of ammoniacal nitrogen). The biofilm efficiency of the warp-knitted carriers was evaluated using molecular genetic methods, respirometric measurements, and image analysis. The results demonstrate rapid bacterial colonization and the formation of a robust biofilm, enabling ammoniacal nitrogen removal efficiencies exceeding 95%, in much shorter times than those required by conventional commercial carriers. This approach offers a practical and scalable solution to improve wastewater treatment efficiency, contributing to more sustainable water-management practices. • Warp-knitted microfiber carriers were developed for wastewater post-treatment. • Novel spacer warp-knitted carriers with a hole layout were designed. • The bacterial consortium was evaluated using qPCR, NGS, respirometry, and SEM. • The microfiber carriers optimize the growth of bacterial biofilms with nitrification bacteria. • Biofilm efficiency and rapid colonization were verified on a semi-operational scale.