LAUSR

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used as flame retardants and challenges for water treatment due to their persistence and toxicity. In this study, the reduction of 2'2'4'4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) was investigated in a nano-bio-integrated system. Results showed that the introducing of P. putida could markedly accelerate the demineralization of BDE-47 in nZVI/Pd-P.p system; the continuous generation of acidic metaboliates by P. putida could decrease pH, which could alleviate the surface passivation to some extent, resulting in the releasing of Fe2+ and high generation of H2O2, the shift in reactive oxygen species from Fe(IV) to •OH. The BDE-47 was firstly debrominated to the DE by the highly reductive [Pd·2H] generated by nZVI/Pd, then oxidized to bromophenol and phenol, catechol as well as hydroquinone via the P. putida strain and the Fenton-like system. The toxicity assays confirmed the combined system could avert generation of nocuous intermediates, and could be an alternative strategy for complete remediation of recalcitrant POPs.