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Single-throughput Complementary High-resolution Analytical Techniques for Characterizing Complex Natural Organic Matter Mixtures
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[Electron shuttling function of dissolved organic matter].

Wei Xu1, Pei Hu, Shun-gui Zhou

  • 1College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Sichuan Normal University, Chengdu 610066, China. xuwei20070331@126.com

Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue
|October 6, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Sewage sludge dissolved organic matter (DOM) acts as an electron shuttle, facilitating microbial electron transfer and enhancing the reduction of iron oxides. This DOM demonstrates recyclable electron donating capacities, highlighting its environmental significance.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Microbial Electrochemistry
  • Biogeochemistry

Context:

  • Dissolved organic matter (DOM) from sewage sludge plays a crucial role in environmental electron transfer processes.
  • Understanding the redox reactivity of DOM is essential for evaluating its environmental functions.
  • Shewanella cinica D14(T) serves as a model organism for studying microbial electron transfer with DOM.

Purpose:

  • To investigate the redox-reactive and electron shuttling capabilities of sewage sludge-derived DOM.
  • To quantify the electron donating capacities (EDC) of DOM before and after microbial reduction.
  • To assess the recyclability of DOM in facilitating electron transfer and its impact on hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) reduction.

Summary:

  • Sewage sludge DOM functions as both an electron acceptor and an electron donor, with microbial reduction significantly increasing its EDC from 2.2-14 to 253-347 micromol x g(-1).
  • Cyclic voltammetry and multiple redox cycles revealed DOM's stable EDC (150-250 micromol x g(-1)) after three cycles, indicating its recyclability for electron transfer.
  • DOM enhanced the reductive dissolution of HFO by acting as an electron shuttle between Shewanella cinica D14(T) and HFO, accelerating the reduction process.

Impact:

  • Demonstrates the significant electron shuttling role of DOM in microbial-metal interactions.
  • Reveals the potential for DOM to be recycled for electron transfer, offering new insights into its environmental functions.
  • Highlights the importance of DOM in biogeochemical cycles, particularly in the context of wastewater treatment and contaminant remediation.