Microaeration
has
been
reported
to
improve
anaerobic
digestion,
which
is
generally
attributed
increased
microbial
diversity,
but
a
thorough
explanation
lacking.
In
this
study,
it
was
found
that
intermittent
microaeration
(IMA)
supplied
an
digester
could
oxidize
Fe(II)
produced
by
dissimilatory
iron
reduction
(DIR)
form
Fe(III)/Fe(II)
cycle
and
generate
extracellular
reactive
oxygen
species
(ROS)
treatment
of
phenol-containing
wastewater.
The
results
showed
compared
the
control
group
without
IMA,
removal
rates
COD
phenol
29.54
49.68
percentage
points,
respectively,
daily
average
methane
production
85.44%.
slowed
down
loss
(13.97%)
released
from
sludge
due
lower
solubility
Fe(III)
facilitated
•OH
generation
(1.22
±
0.04
μM)
via
Fenton-like
reactions.
DIR
accelerated
degradation.
Metagenomic
analysis
revealed
abundance
methanogens
antioxidant
enzymes-encoding
genes
in
response
oxidative
stress
significantly
IMA
control,
enabling
methanogenesis
proceed
smoothly
under
microaeration.
This
study
investigated
ROS
induced
during
digestion
their
roles
promoting
performance,
thereby
providing
new
perspective
for
optimizing
systems
with
