LAUSR

The role of EPS in removal of carbonaceous organic matters and NH4+-N in simulated mariculture wastewater was examined at salinity of 0-3.5% in a multi-soil-layering bioreactor. Results showed that at 3.5% of salinity, the total activity of dehydrogenases (which were used to decompose carbonaceous organic matters) could be promoted by 13.2%-33.8% by EPS, increasing the removal rates of COD and NH4+-N by 13.2%-33.8% and 27.8%-42.1%, respectively. Besides, the activity of amylase in EPS was enhanced by 79.8%. However, reactions of some key enzymes such as acetate kinase and Na+K+-ATPase would not be accelerated by EPS, resulting in an inhibition of 44.3%-57.7% on energy gaining from ATP, and further inducing cytotoxicity. It was found that the glycolysis efficiency was promoted by 4.12%-59.3% in the presence of EPS, and glycolysis could also occur in EPS. Additionally, tyrosine was the main component in EPS to balance osmotic pressure.