Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate （ PFOS ） on anaerobic fermentation of activated sludge

LENG Sixian; CHENG Shang; ZHAO Hongliang; WEI Yiyuan; QIAN Qingyu; PAN Weiliang

doi:10.13205/j.hjgc.202607010

Volume 44 Issue 7

Jul. 2026

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Article Navigation > ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING > 2026 > 44(7): 89-96

LENG Sixian, CHENG Shang, ZHAO Hongliang, WEI Yiyuan, QIAN Qingyu, PAN Weiliang. Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate （ PFOS ） on anaerobic fermentation of activated sludge[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 89-96. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607010

Citation:

LENG Sixian, CHENG Shang, ZHAO Hongliang, WEI Yiyuan, QIAN Qingyu, PAN Weiliang. Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate （ PFOS ） on anaerobic fermentation of activated sludge[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 89-96. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607010

Citation:

LENG Sixian, CHENG Shang, ZHAO Hongliang, WEI Yiyuan, QIAN Qingyu, PAN Weiliang. Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate （ PFOS ） on anaerobic fermentation of activated sludge[J]. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING , 2026, 44(7): 89-96. doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607010

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Effects of perfluorooctane sulfonate （ PFOS ） on anaerobic fermentation of activated sludge

doi: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202607010

1. Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering of Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China;
2. Chongqing Animal Husbandry Technology Extension Station, Chongqing 401120, China;
3. Chongqing Chengguo Environmental Technology Co., Ltd., Chongqing 400037, China

Received Date: 2025-09-09
Available Online: 2026-09-01

Abstract

Abstract

The effects of low concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate （PFOS） on the anaerobic fermentation of activated sludge remain unclear. In this study， three PFOS concentration levels （0.5， 1.0， and 4.5 μg/g TSS） were applied to systematically evaluate their influence on organic matter solubilization and nitrogen and phosphorus transformations during anaerobic fermentation. Soluble chemical oxygen demand （SCOD）， soluble protein， polysaccharides， NH⁺₄-N， PO^3-₄-P， and three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix （3D-EEM） fluorescence spectra were monitored to characterize the dynamic responses under PFOS exposure. The results showed that PFOS significantly enhanced the release of SCOD， protein， and polysaccharides. At 45 °C after 14 days with a PFOS concentration of 4.5 μg/g TSS， the SCOD peak was approximately 28% higher than that of the control， indicating an increased accumulation of biodegradable organic matter. NH⁺₄-N concentrations increased overall with notable fluctuations， whereas PO^3-₄-P release was inhibited， suggesting potential interference with nitrogen and phosphorus transformation pathways. 3D-EEM analysis further revealed strengthened signals of aromatic proteins and microbial by-products under PFOS exposure， confirming the solubilization effect on the sludge matrix. Overall， these findings demonstrate a dual effect of low-level PFOS during anaerobic fermentation， characterized by initial promotion of organic matter release followed by potential inhibition associated with nutrient transformation. These results provide new insights into the environmental behavior of PFOS in sludge anaerobic digestion and have important implications for sludge resource utilization and the risk assessment of emerging contaminants.
- activated sludge,
- anaerobic fermentation,
- PFOS,
- low concentration effect,
- 3D-EEM fluorescence spectroscopy

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References(37)

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