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Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms
Published on: June 1, 2018
Bioelectrochemical chlorate reduction by Dechloromonas agitata CKB
Felipe Torres-Rojas1, Diana Muñoz2, Natalia Tapia2
1Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago, Chile.
Abstract:
Chlorate has been described as an emerging pollutant that compromises water sources. In this study, bioelectrochemical reactors (BERs) using Dechloromonas agitata CKB, were evaluated as a sustainable alternative for chlorate removal. BERs were operated under flow-recirculation and batch modes with an applied cell-voltage of 0.44 V over a resistance of 1 kΩ. Results show chlorate removal up to 607.288 mg/L. After 115 days, scanning electron microscopy showed biofilm development over the electrodes, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirmed the biocatalytic effect of CKB. The theoretical chlorate bioreduction potential (ε° = 0.792 V) was proven, and a kinetic study indicated that 6 electrons were involved in the reduction mechanism. Finally, a hypothetical bioelectrochemical mechanism for chlorate reduction in a BER was proposed. This research expands upon current knowledge of novel electrochemically active microorganisms and widens the scope of BER applications for chlorate removal.
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