Distinguishing ethanol metabolism and electron transfer pathways in anaerobic sulfate-containing wastewater treatment systems: Impacts of reactor configuration and conductive materials

Puntos clave

• The study examines how reactor configuration and conductive materials influence ethanol metabolism and electron transfer in wastewater treatment.
• Regulated carbon flux and operational modes in anaerobic sulfate-containing systems.
• Assessed the role of conductive materials in enhancing extracellular electron transfer.
• Evaluated the metabolic shift from sulfate reduction to propionate fermentation.
• IO-SRB shifted to syntrophic propionate fermentation under specific operational modes.
• Conductive materials improved extracellular electron transfer during anaerobic reactions.
• Propionate oxidation was differentially regulated by various conductive materials.