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Anode potential influences the structure and function of anodic electrode and electrolyte-associated microbiomes
Paul G Dennis1,2,3, Bernardino Virdis2,4, Inka Vanwonterghem2,3
1School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
Scientific Reports
|December 20, 2016
Summary
Anode potential in bioelectrochemical systems impacts microbial communities. Higher potentials reduced microbial activity and biomass, suggesting microbes struggle with high-energy electron acceptance and oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Microbial Ecology
- Bioelectrochemistry
- Environmental Microbiology
Background:
- Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) harness microbial activity for energy and chemical transformations.
- Anode potential is a critical parameter influencing microbial communities within BES.
- Understanding the relationship between anode potential and microbial responses is key for optimizing BES performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how varying anode potentials affect microbial diversity, biomass, and activity in BES.
- To determine the association between anode potential and microbial community composition.
- To explore the adaptive traits of microbes under different anodic conditions.
Main Methods:
- Operation of three BES at distinct anode potentials (+300 mV, +550 mV, +800 mV vs. SHE).
- Characterization of bacterial and archaeal diversity via 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.
- Measurement of biofilm thickness (biomass), current production, substrate utilization, and terminal oxidase mid-point potentials.
Main Results:
- Microbial biomass and activity were significantly lower at the highest anode potential (+800 mV).
- Anode potential strongly influenced both anodic electrode and electrolyte-associated microbial community composition.
- Despite lower activity, microbes at +800 mV exhibited higher mid-point potential oxidases, indicating potential adaptation challenges.
Conclusions:
- Anode potential is a significant driver of microbial community structure and function in BES.
- High anode potentials can limit microbial performance due to challenges in electron transfer and oxidative stress.
- Microbial communities in BES may require specific adaptive traits to thrive under high anodic potentials.
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