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

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

Published on: December 29, 2013

Microbial fuel cells meet with external resistance.

Krishna P Katuri¹, Keith Scott, Ian M Head

¹School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Merz Court, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK. kpkaturi@yahoo.co.in

Bioresource Technology

|December 15, 2010

Summary

External load significantly impacts microbial fuel cell (MFC) performance and biomass yield. Lower loads enrich electrogenic bacteria, improving current and effluent quality, but reduce biomass compared to anaerobic digestion.

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Area of Science:

Environmental Microbiology
Bioelectrochemistry
Wastewater Treatment

Background:

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer a promising technology for simultaneous wastewater treatment and energy generation.
Understanding the factors influencing anodic biofilm communities is crucial for optimizing MFC performance.
External load is a key operational parameter that can affect microbial community structure and function.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of varying external loads on the anodic biofilm microbial community composition and biomass yield in MFCs.
To correlate MFC operational parameters with microbial community dynamics and treatment efficiency.

Main Methods:

MFCs were operated with glucose and domestic wastewater under different external loads.
Anodic biofilm communities were analyzed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene fragments.
Key performance indicators such as current generation, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, and biomass yield were measured.

Main Results:

Distinct differences in anodic bacterial communities were observed across varying external loads.
Lower external loads (higher current densities) enriched electrogenic bacteria, leading to improved current and effluent quality.
Current generation, COD removal, and biomass yield were directly influenced by the external load; biomass yield was lower than conventional anaerobic digestion at lower loads.

Conclusions:

External load is a critical factor shaping the anodic biofilm community and overall MFC performance.
Optimizing external load can enhance electrogenic activity and treatment efficiency in MFCs.
While beneficial for current generation, lower external loads result in reduced biomass yield compared to traditional anaerobic digestion.