Promoting biodegradation of toluene and benzene in groundwater using microbial fuel cells with cathodic modification. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lin, Chi-Wen; Zhu, Ting-Jun; Lin, Li-Chen; Liu, Shu-Hui
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 47(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: BTEX benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene -- CC Close circuit -- CCB Conductive carbon black -- CPCR Carbonized porous ceramic ring -- CV Cyclic voltammetry -- EIS Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy -- OC Open circuit -- ORR Oxidation reduction reaction -- PEM Proton exchange membrane -- RE Removal efficiency -- ROI Radius of influence -- T-MFC Tubular microbial fuel cell; Microbial fuel cells -- Cathode modification -- Aromatic compounds -- Bioremediation -- Radius of influence -- Microbial community; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.102839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Abstract: A tubular microbial fuel cell (T-MFC) was used to remove benzene and toluene from groundwater with a great contaminant removal and power production efficiency. The main results were that T-MFC can completely degrade 200 mg/L toluene in 10 days under closed-circuit (CC) conditions, with a removal efficiency (RE) that is 38.2% greater than under open circuit (OC) conditions. When toluene and benzene were used as co-contaminants and a carbonized porous ceramic ring (CPCR) was added to the T-MFC cathode, the RE reached 100% within 6 days and the power density reached 15.6 W/m 3 . The radius of influence for 100% contaminant removal was 6 cm when the CPCR was added to the T-MFC cathode with a composite carbon source. The exoelectrogens Geobacter and Thermincola were the main species on the anodic surface, while the toluene-degrading bacteria Rhodocyclaceae dominated in the anode solution. This T-MFC is an innovative technology for the bioremediation of soil and groundwater that is contaminated by aromatic compounds, and has the potential to be used as a green energy device in the field. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: A tubular microbial fuel cell (T-MFC) effectively removed benzene and toluene. Carbonized porous ceramic ring modification of cathode enhanced T-MFC power output. The radius of influence for 100% contaminant removal by T-MFC was 6 cm. The Geobacter and Thermincola were the main species on the anodic surface. The toluene-degrading bacteria Rhodocyclaceae dominated in the anode solution.