The granulation process and pollutant removal performance of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) under conventional and micro-nano aeration modes were investigated, with focus on the roles of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and microbial community succession in mediating microstructural responses. Compared to conventional aeration, the micro-nano aeration exhibited superior oxygen mass transfer efficiency and higher hydroxyl radical (·OH) generation, leading to significantly enhanced pollutant removal. Ammonia and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies consistently exceeded95%, while total nitrogen removal remained at a high level of 78.81%. Micro-nano aeration also accelerated AGS granulation, with mean particle sizes surpassing300 μm within20days. XDLVO-based interaction energy calculations indicated favorable aggregation behavior under both aeration regimes. Due to the biofilm-promoting effects of micro-nano aeration system, AGS developed contained higher EPS content under this mode, with Hydrophobic TB-PN playing a key role in forming protein-based hydrophobic networks that promoted AGS granulation. In contrast, AGS stability in the conventional system was primarily maintained via ionic bridging by Ionic TB-PS. Distinct microbial community structures were observed between the two aeration modes. Conventional aeration favored typical denitrifying bacteria, whereas the intensified of micro-nano aeration system led to a proliferation of filamentous taxa, notably Neomegalonema, Thiothrix, and norank_f_Saprospiraceae. These filamentous bacteria contributed to EPS secretion and AGS structural integrity while maintaining stable nitrogen removal performance.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |