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Bioremediation of nitrate-polluted groundwater in a microbial fuel cell

BACKGROUND: Groundwater quality is threatened by nitrate accumulation in several regions around the world. Nitrate must be removed from contaminated groundwater to use it as drinking water. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can be used for autotrophic denitrification. Thus, the use of MFCs is a potential alternative to using traditional methods for treating nitrate-polluted groundwater. RESULTS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of MFC technology to treat nitrate-polluted groundwater (28.32±6.15 mgN-NO3 - L-1). The bioanode was fed with an acetate solution that permitted electron and proton flux to the biocathode. Initially, nitrite was observed in the effluent. After 97days of operation, the denitrifying-MFC reduced the nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the effluent (12.14±3.59 mgN-NO3 - L-1 and 0.14±0.13 mgN-NO2 - L-1).Thus, this method improved water quality to meet World Health Organisation standards. However, nitrous oxide emissions were deduced from the electron balance, cathode coulumbic efficiency and Tafel plots. Bioelectrochemical evolution of the biocathode was related to the denitrification nature (sequential reaction steps from NO3 - to N2, through NO2 - and N2O as stable intermediates) and was supported by the Tafel plots. CONCLUSION: The bioremediation of nitrate-polluted groundwater with a MFC biocathode is feasible

Wiley

Author: Pous Rodríguez, Narcís
Puig Broch, Sebastià
Coma Bech, Marta
Balaguer i Condom, Maria Dolors
Colprim Galceran, Jesús
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Groundwater quality is threatened by nitrate accumulation in several regions around the world. Nitrate must be removed from contaminated groundwater to use it as drinking water. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can be used for autotrophic denitrification. Thus, the use of MFCs is a potential alternative to using traditional methods for treating nitrate-polluted groundwater. RESULTS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of MFC technology to treat nitrate-polluted groundwater (28.32±6.15 mgN-NO3 - L-1). The bioanode was fed with an acetate solution that permitted electron and proton flux to the biocathode. Initially, nitrite was observed in the effluent. After 97days of operation, the denitrifying-MFC reduced the nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the effluent (12.14±3.59 mgN-NO3 - L-1 and 0.14±0.13 mgN-NO2 - L-1).Thus, this method improved water quality to meet World Health Organisation standards. However, nitrous oxide emissions were deduced from the electron balance, cathode coulumbic efficiency and Tafel plots. Bioelectrochemical evolution of the biocathode was related to the denitrification nature (sequential reaction steps from NO3 - to N2, through NO2 - and N2O as stable intermediates) and was supported by the Tafel plots. CONCLUSION: The bioremediation of nitrate-polluted groundwater with a MFC biocathode is feasible
Document access: http://hdl.handle.net/2072/296037
Language: eng
Publisher: Wiley
Rights: Tots els drets reservats
Subject: Bioelectroquímica
Bioelectrochemistry
Desnitrificació
Denitrification
Aigua potable
Drinking water
Title: Bioremediation of nitrate-polluted groundwater in a microbial fuel cell
Type: info:eu-repo/semantics/article
Repository: Recercat

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