Abstract
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) are effective sewage treatment technologies, yet the differences in virus removal efficiency between aerobic (AeMBR) and anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBR), remain inadequately understood. This study compared the virus removal efficiency of AeMBR and AnMBR, focusing on the interactions between aerobic (AeS) and anaerobic (AnS) activated sludge and viruses in the sewage treatment process. Results showed average log removal values (LRVs) for MS2 of 2.53 ± 0.54 in AeMBR and 1.64 ± 0.90 in AnMBR due to the higher virus inactivation in the aerobic mixed liquor. The virus concentration in AnS was greater than in AeS, consistent with the predictions from the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Soluble extracellular polymeric substances (S-EPS) were key to virus adsorption in AeS, while tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS) were significant in AnS. Additionally, more fluorescent substances in AnS contributed to virus adsorption, while more functional groups in AeS offered adsorption sites.