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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Published on: June 1, 2018

[Biocathode denitrification in a two-columnar microbial fuel cell].

Peng Liang¹, Ling Zhang, Xia Huang

¹Environmental Simulation and Pollution Control State Key Joint Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China. liangpeng@tsinghua.edu.cn

Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue

|November 25, 2010

Summary

Microbial fuel cells can remove nitrate, but lower resistance increases nitrite accumulation. Adding organic matter enhances nitrite removal without affecting power generation.

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Waste Water Derived Electroactive Microbial Biofilms: Growth, Maintenance, and Basic Characterization

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Published on: December 29, 2013

Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Electrochemistry
Wastewater Treatment

Context:

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a sustainable approach to wastewater treatment.
Denitrification in MFCs is crucial for removing nitrogen pollutants.
Optimizing MFC performance for denitrification requires understanding key operational factors.

Purpose:

To investigate the impact of external resistance on nitrate removal and power generation in a two-columnar microbial fuel cell.
To analyze the kinetics of nitrate degradation under varying conditions.
To explore methods for enhancing nitrite removal during the denitrification process.

Summary:

Decreasing external resistance from 50 to 5 omega significantly increased the nitrate removal rate from 0.26 to 0.76 mg/(L x h), but also led to nitrite accumulation up to 55 mg/L.
Nitrate degradation followed zero-order kinetics at initial concentrations of 20-120 mg/L.
Power generation was largely unaffected by nitrate concentration, while nitrite concentration increased with initial nitrate levels.
Supplementing with organic matter improved nitrite removal efficiency without substantially impacting power output.

Impact:

This study provides insights into optimizing microbial fuel cell operation for efficient nitrate removal in wastewater.
Understanding the trade-offs between nitrate removal and nitrite accumulation is critical for practical MFC applications.
The findings suggest a viable strategy for enhancing nitrogen removal in MFC systems through organic matter addition.