Bio-electrodegradation of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol by mixed microbial culture in dual chambered microbial fuel cells

2,4,6-Trichlorophenol (TCP) was bioelectrochemically treated in anodic and cathodic compartments of two identical dual chambered microbial fuel cells MFC-A and MFC-B under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, respectively, and energy was recovered in the form of electricity. It was observed that MFC-B with bio-cathodic treatment of TCP outcompeted the MFC-A with bio-anodic treatment. The maximum power density for MFC-A with bio-anode was found to be 446.76 mW/m² while for MFC-B with bio-cathode it was 1059.58 mW/m². The MFC-B consistently showed higher coulombic efficiency, power density and chemical oxygen demand removal efficiency indicating the better performance of the MFC-B as compared to the MFC-A. Scanning electron micrograph also confirmed better accumulation of microbes on the anode of MFC-B and hence its better performance in terms of energy recovery. Some major genera present in the microbial community were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technique. It also confirmed the dominance of electroactive species in the bio-anodic sludge of MFC-B over the bio-anodic sludge of MFC-A. Cyclic voltammogram also asserted better electrochemical activity of the bio-cathode in the treatment of chlorinated phenol toxicants in MFC-B system. The study shows that MFC can be a viable option in treatment of recalcitrant chemical compounds like TCP with the generation of energy in the form of electrical power.