Spatial Differentiation of Microbial Communities in Hybrid Membrane Bioreactor (HMBR) and Their Impact on Pollutant Removal

A hybrid membrane bioreactor (HMBR) enhances treatment performance by simultaneously utilizing organisms on both suspended and attached sludge, yet the microbial mechanisms underpinning their efficiency remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate spatial variability within microbial communities in HMBRs and correlate this factor with pollutant removal capacity. High-throughput sequencing results revealed significant differences in community structure between suspended sludge, suspended media surfaces, and membrane module surfaces. Suspended sludge exhibited the highest species richness, whereas microbial communities on suspended media resembled those within the sludge, contrasting markedly with membrane surface communities. Key functional groups were enriched at specific locations: <i>Pseudomonas</i> and <i>Comamonas</i> dominate the surface of the suspension culture medium and participate in nitrification; phosphorus-accumulating organisms (PAOs), primarily from the <i>Flavobacteriales</i> and <i>Planctomycetaceae</i> phyla, were most abundant on suspended media surfaces. This spatial partitioning of functional microbes indicates cooperative division of labor. Media surfaces serve as primary sites for nitrification and phosphorus removal, whilst suspended sludge flocs and membrane module surfaces are the principal contributors to denitrification. The results of this study provide microbiological evidence for optimizing HMBR design and operation, confirming that spatial community structure is a key factor influencing performance.