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Klein E, Wurst R, Rehnlund D, Gescher J. Elucidating the development of cooperative anode-biofilm-structures. Biofilm 2024; 7:100193. [PMID: 38601817 PMCID: PMC11004076 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2024.100193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Microbial electrochemical systems are a highly versatile platform technology with a particular focus on the interplay of chemical and electrical energy conversion and offer immense potential for a sustainable bioeconomy. The industrial realization of this potential requires a critical focus on biofilm optimization if performance is to be controlled over a long period of time. Moreover, the aspect and influence of cooperativity has to be addressed as many applied anodic bioelectrochemical systems will most likely be operated with a diversity of interacting microbial species. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyze how interspecies dependence and cooperativity of a model community influence the development of anodic biofilms. To investigate biofilm activity in a spatially resolved manner, a microfluidic bioelectrochemical flow cell was developed that can be equipped with user-defined electrode materials and operates under laminar flow conditions. With this infrastructure, the development of single and co-culture biofilms of the two model organisms Shewanella oneidensis and Geobacter sulfurreducens on graphite electrodes was monitored by optical coherence tomography analysis. The interdependence in the co-culture biofilm was achieved by feeding the community with lactate, which is converted by S. oneidensis into acetate, which in turn serves as substrate for G. sulfurreducens. The results show that co-cultivation resulted in the formation of denser biofilms than in single culture. Moreover, we hypothesize that S. oneidensis in return utilizes the conductive biofilm matrix build by G. sulfurreducens for direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) to the anode. FISH analysis revealed that the biofilms consisted of approximately two-thirds G. sulfurreducens cells, which most likely formed a conductive 3D network throughout the biofilm matrix, in which evenly distributed tubular S. oneidensis colonies were embedded without direct contact to the anode surface. Live/dead staining shows that the outermost biofilm contained almost exclusively dead cells (98 %), layers near the anode contained 45-56 % and the entire biofilm contained 82 % live cells. Our results exemplify how the architecture of the exoelectrogenic biofilm dynamically adapts to the respective process conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edina Klein
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, University of Technology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - René Wurst
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, University of Technology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Rehnlund
- Department of Chemistry – Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 538, SE-751 21, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Johannes Gescher
- Institute of Technical Microbiology, University of Technology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
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2
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Fattahi N, Reed J, Heronemus E, Fernando P, Hansen R, Parameswaran P. Polyethylene glycol hydrogel coatings for protection of electroactive bacteria against chemical shocks. Bioelectrochemistry 2024; 156:108595. [PMID: 37976771 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2023.108595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Loss of bioelectrochemical activity in low resource environments or from chemical toxin exposure is a significant limitation in microbial electrochemical cells (MxCs), necessitating the development of materials that can stabilize and protect electroactive biofilms. Here, polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels were designed as protective coatings over anodic biofilms, and the effect of the hydrogel coatings on biofilm viability under oligotrophic conditions and ammonia-N (NH4+-N) shocks was investigated. Hydrogel deposition occurred through polymerization of PEG divinyl sulfone and PEG tetrathiol precursor molecules, generating crosslinked PEG coatings with long-term hydrolytic stability between pH values of 3 and 10. Simultaneous monitoring of coated and uncoated electrodes co-located within the same MxC anode chamber confirmed that the hydrogel did not compromise biofilm viability, while the coated anode sustained nearly a 4 × higher current density (0.44 A/m2) compared to the uncoated anode (0.12 A/m2) under oligotrophic conditions. Chemical interactions between NH4+-N and PEG hydrogels revealed that the hydrogels provided a diffusive barrier to NH4+-N transport. This enabled PEG-coated biofilms to generate higher current densities during NH4+-N shocks and faster recovery afterwards. These results indicate that PEG-based coatings can expand the non-ideal chemical environments that electroactive biofilms can reliably operate in.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloufar Fattahi
- Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Jeffrey Reed
- Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Evan Heronemus
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Priyasha Fernando
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Ryan Hansen
- Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
| | - Prathap Parameswaran
- Department of Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA.
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Abadikhah M, Liu M, Persson F, Wilén BM, Farewell A, Sun J, Modin O. Effect of anode material and dispersal limitation on the performance and biofilm community in microbial electrolysis cells. Biofilm 2023; 6:100161. [PMID: 37859795 PMCID: PMC10582064 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), the oxidization of organic compounds is facilitated by an electrogenic biofilm on the anode surface. The biofilm community composition determines the function of the system. Both deterministic and stochastic factors affect the community, but the relative importance of different factors is poorly understood. Anode material is a deterministic factor as materials with different properties may select for different microorganisms. Ecological drift is a stochastic factor, which is amplified by dispersal limitation between communities. Here, we compared the effects of three anode materials (graphene, carbon cloth, and nickel) with the effect of dispersal limitation on the function and biofilm community assembly. Twelve MECs were operated for 56 days in four hydraulically connected loops and shotgun metagenomic sequencing was used to analyse the microbial community composition on the anode surfaces at the end of the experiment. The anode material was the most important factor affecting the performance of the MECs, explaining 54-80 % of the variance observed in peak current density, total electric charge generation, and start-up lag time, while dispersal limitation explained 10-16 % of the variance. Carbon cloth anodes had the highest current generation and shortest lag time. However, dispersal limitation was the most important factor affecting microbial community structure, explaining 61-98 % of the variance in community diversity, evenness, and the relative abundance of the most abundant taxa, while anode material explained 0-20 % of the variance. The biofilms contained nine Desulfobacterota metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), which made up 64-89 % of the communities and were likely responsible for electricity generation in the MECs. Different MAGs dominated in different MECs. Particularly two different genotypes related to Geobacter benzoatilyticus competed for dominance on the anodes and reached relative abundances up to 83 %. The winning genotype was the same in all MECs that were hydraulically connected irrespective of anode material used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Abadikhah
- Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ming Liu
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronics Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Frank Persson
- Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Britt-Marie Wilén
- Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anne Farewell
- Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jie Sun
- College of Physics and Information Engineering, Fuzhou University, and Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Optoelectronic Information of China, Fuzhou, 350100, China
- Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Oskar Modin
- Water Environment Technology, Architecture and Civil Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Yang P, Gao Y, Wang N, Zhu Y, Xue L, Han Y, Liu J, He W, Feng Y. The restricted mass transfer inside the anode pore channel affects the electroactive biofilms formation, community composition and the power production in microbial electrochemical systems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165448. [PMID: 37442459 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Porous anodes improve system performance in microbial electrochemical systems by increasing the specific surface area for electroactive bacteria. In this study, multilayer anodes with different pore diameters were constructed to assess the impact of pore size and depth on anode performance. This layered structure makes detecting electroactive biofilms more accessible layer by layer, which is the first study to examine electroactive biofilms' molecular biology and electrochemical properties at different depths in pores with varied pore sizes. The millimeter-scale pores inside the bioanode have a limited effect in increasing power. The larger the pore diameter, the higher the maximum power density (Pmax) obtained. The Pmax of anodes with 4 mm pore (1.91 ± 0.15 W m-2) was 1.4 times higher than that of the non-perforated (1.37 ± 0.07 W m-2) and 0.5 mm pore anodes (1.39 ± 0.04 W m-2). Electricigens can colonize into pore channels for at least 10 mm with a pore diameter ≥3 mm and current densities >0.05 A m-2. However, in the pores channel with 0.5 mm diameter, electricigens can only colonize to a depth of 2 mm. The biofilm thickness, electricity output, metabolic activity, and biocommunity changed with pore depth and were restricted by the limited mass transfer. The Geobacter sp. was the dominant species in inter-pore biofilms, with 43.8 %-78.6 % in abundance and decreased in quantity as pore depth increased. The inter-pore biofilms on the outer layer contributed a current density of 0.17 ± 0.003 A m-2, while that of the inner layer was only 0.02 ± 0.01 A m-2. Further studies found that the pore edge mass transfer effect can contribute up to 75 % of the current. The mass transfer process at the pore edge region could be a multidirectional mass transfer rather than a pore channel mass transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinpin Yang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Yaqian Gao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Naiyu Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Yujie Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China
| | - Lefei Xue
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Yu Han
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
| | - Weihua He
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150090, China.
| | - Yujie Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Academy of Ecology and Environment, Tianjin University, No 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, 300072 Tianjin, China
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Luo J, Chen J, Huang Y, You L, Dai Z. Engineering living materials by synthetic biology. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2023; 4:011305. [PMID: 38505813 PMCID: PMC10903423 DOI: 10.1063/5.0115645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Natural biological materials are programmed by genetic information and able to self-organize, respond to environmental stimulus, and couple with inorganic matter. Inspired by the natural system and to mimic their complex and delicate fabrication process and functions, the field of engineered living materials emerges at the interface of synthetic biology and materials science. Here, we review the recent efforts and discuss the challenges and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiren Luo
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiangfeng Chen
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yaoge Huang
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Lingchong You
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, 27708, USA
| | - Zhuojun Dai
- Materials Synthetic Biology Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Synthetic Genomics, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China
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6
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Gao Y, Xia L, Yao P, Lee HS. Periodic step polarization accelerates electron recovery by electroactive biofilms (EABs). Biotechnol Bioeng 2023; 120:1545-1556. [PMID: 36782377 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 01/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Relatively low rate of electron recovery is one of the factors that limit the advancement of bioelectrochemical systems. Here, new periodic polarizations were investigated with electroactive biofilms (EABs) enriched from activated sludge and Geobacter sulfurreducens biofilms. When representative anode potentials (Ea ) were applied, redox centers with midpoint potentials (Emid ) higher than Ea were identified by localized cyclic voltammetry. The electrons held by these redox centers were accessible when Ea was raised to 0.4 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). New periodic polarizations that discharge at 0.4 V recovered electrons faster than normal periodic and fixed-potential polarizations. The best-performing periodic step polarization accelerated electron recovery by 23%-24% and 12%-76% with EABs and G. sulfurreducens biofilms, respectively, compared to the fixed-potential polarization. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed an increased abundance of omcZ mRNA transcripts from G. sulfurreducens after periodic step polarization. Therefore, both the rate of energy recovery by EABs and the performance of bioelectrochemical systems can be enhanced by improving the polarization schemes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohuan Gao
- Institute of Global Environmental Change, School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Longfei Xia
- Institute of Global Environmental Change, School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.,Shaanxi Provincial Land Engineering Construction Group, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Peiru Yao
- Institute of Global Environmental Change, School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), Naju-si, Republic of Korea
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7
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Wang Y, Gao Y, Hussain A, Lee HS. Optimization of biofilm conductance measurement with two-electrode microbial electrochemical cells (MECs). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159577. [PMID: 36283518 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study was conducted to develop a standardized and consistent method for biofilm conductance measurement for an improved comprehension of extracellular electron transfer. Biofilm conductance (2.12 ± 0.25 × 10-4 S) with and without a fixed anode potential did not show significant difference. The conductance showed a sigmoidal relationship with anode potential. The current-voltage profile of the tested biofilm at applied voltage larger than 100 mV showed deviation from Ohm's law. Up to 69% decrease in biofilm conductance and deviation from Ohm's law were observed in the current-voltage profile when the measurement time increased. By choosing the voltage range (0- 100 mV) and step (25 mV), measurement time (100-s at each voltage step), and anode control mode, these operation settings were found more suitable for consistent and accurate biofilm conductance measurement in the 2-Au MEC system. This represents the first study that comprehensively evaluated the environmental and instrumental parameters for biofilm conductance measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yaohuan Gao
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, PR China
| | - Abid Hussain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.
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8
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Sun Y, Ter Heijne A, Rijnaarts H, Chen WS. The effect of anode potential on electrogenesis, methanogenesis and sulfidogenesis in a simulated sewer condition. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 226:119229. [PMID: 36242938 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Methane emissions from the sewer system are considered to be a non-negligible source of aggravating the greenhouse effect. Meanwhile, the sewer system has long been plagued by sulfide-induced corrosion problems. This study explored the possibility of using a bioelectrochemical system to intensify the competition between electroactive bacteria, methanogens and sulfate-reducing bacteria, thereby reducing the production of methane and sulfide. Dual-chamber bioelectrochemical reactors were constructed and operated in fed-batch mode with the coexistence of Electroactive bacteria, Methanogenic archaea and Sulfate-reducing bacteria. Acetate was supplied as the sole carbon source. The results indicated that electrogenesis induced by the anode potentials of -0.42 V and -0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) had advantages over methanogenesis and sulfidogenesis in consuming acetate. The stimulated electrogenesis by anode potentials resulted in a decrease in pH. Methane production was suppressed in the reactors with anode potentials of -0.42 and -0.2 V compared to open circuit controls. In contrast to methane, the capacity for sulfide production was facilitated in the reactors with the anode potentials of -0.42 V and -0.2 V compared to open circuit controls. 16s rRNA gene analysis showed that Geobacter was the most abundant genus on the anode biofilm in the anode potential-controlled reactor, while acetoclastic methanogens dominated in open circuit controls. Methanosaeta and Methanosarcina were the most abundant methanogens in open circuit controls. Collectively, our study demonstrates that the use of electrodes with anode potential control can help to control methane emissions, but could not yet prevent sulfide production, which requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Sun
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Huub Rijnaarts
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Wei-Shan Chen
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 17, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
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9
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Liu F, Ma B, He Z, Bai P. Electron transfer kinetics at anode interface in microbial electrochemical systems. Electrochim Acta 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2022.141188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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10
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Lee HS, Xin W, Katakojwala R, Venkata Mohan S, Tabish NMD. Microbial electrolysis cells for the production of biohydrogen in dark fermentation - A review. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127934. [PMID: 36100184 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To assess biohydrogen for future green energy, this review revisited dark fermentation and microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). Hydrogen evolution rate in mesophilic dark fermentation is as high as 192 m3 H2/m3-d, however hydrogen yield is limited. MECs are ideal for improving hydrogen yield from carboxylate accumulated from dark fermentation, whereas hydrogen production rate is too slow in MECs. Hence, improving anode kinetic is very important for realizing MEC biohydrogen. Intracellular electron transfer (IET) and extracellular electron transfer (EET) can limit current density in MECs, which is proportional to hydrogen evolution rate. EET does not limit current density once electrically conductive biofilms are formed on anodes, potentially producing 300 A/m2. Hence, IET kinetics mainly govern current density in MECs. Among parameters associated with IET kinetic, population of anode-respiring bacteria in anode biofilms, biofilm density of active microorganisms, biofilm thickness, and alkalinity are critical for current density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sool Lee
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH) 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea.
| | - Wang Xin
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ranaprathap Katakojwala
- Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - S Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Engineering Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Noori M D Tabish
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Alcala, Alcala De Henares, Madrid 28801, Spain
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Maximum thickness of non-buffer limited electro-active biofilms decreases at higher anode potentials. Biofilm 2022; 4:100092. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2022.100092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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12
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Lee HS, Lee SY, Yoo K, Kim HW, Lee E, Im NG. Biohydrogen production and purification: Focusing on bioelectrochemical systems. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2022; 363:127956. [PMID: 36115508 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2022.127956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Innovative technologies on green hydrogen production become significant as the hydrogen economy has grown globally. Biohydrogen is one of green hydrogen production methods, and microbial electrochemical cells (MECs) can be key to biohydrogen provision. However, MECs are immature for biohydrogen technology due to several limitations including extracellular electron transfer (EET) engineering. Fundamental understanding of EET also needs more works to accelerate MEC commercialization. Interestingly, studies on biohydrogen gas purification are limited although biohydrogen gas mixture requires complex purification for use. To facilitate an MEC-based biohydrogen technology as the green hydrogen supply this review discussed EET kinetics, engineering of EET and direct interspecies electron transfer associated with hydrogen yield and the application of advanced molecular biology for improving EET kinetics. Finally, this article reviewed biohydrogen purification technologies to better understand purification and use appropriate for biohydrogen, focusing on membrane separation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sool Lee
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea.
| | - Soo Youn Lee
- Gwangju Clean Energy Research Center, Korea Institute of Energy Research, 61003 Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Keunje Yoo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan 49112, South Korea
| | - Hyo Won Kim
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
| | - Eunseok Lee
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
| | - Nam Gyu Im
- KENTECH Institute for Environmental and Climate Technology, Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH), 200 Hyeoksin-ro, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, South Korea
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Kubannek F, Block J, Munirathinam B, Krull R. Reaction kinetics of anodic biofilms under changing substrate concentrations: Uncovering shifts in Nernst‐Monod curves via substrate pulses. Eng Life Sci 2022; 22:152-164. [PMID: 35382544 PMCID: PMC8961052 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202100088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study, it is shown that the concentration dependency of undefined mixed culture anodic biofilms does not follow a single kinetic curve, such as the Nernst‐Monod curve. The biofilms adapt to concentration changes, which inevitably have to be applied to record kinetic curves, resulting in strong shifts of the kinetic parameters. The substrate concentration in a continuously operated bioelectrochemical system was changed rapidly via acetate pulses to record Nernst‐Monod curves which are not influenced by biofilm adaptation processes. The values of the maximum current density jmax and apparent half‐saturation rate constant Ks increased from 0.5 to 1 mA cm−2 and from 0.5 to 1.6 mmol L−1, respectively, within approximately 5 h. Double pulse experiments with a starvation phase between the two acetate pulses showed that jmax and Ks decrease reversibly through an adaptation process when no acetate is available. Pseudo‐capacitive charge values estimated from non‐turnover cyclic voltammograms (CV) led to the hypothesis that biofilm adaptation and the observed shift of the Nernst‐Monod curves occurred due to changes in the concentration of active redox proteins in the biofilm. It is argued that concentration‐related parameters of kinetic models for electroactive biofilms are only valid for the operating points where they have been determined and should always be reported with those conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kubannek
- Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
| | - Jonathan Block
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
| | - Balakrishnan Munirathinam
- Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
| | - Rainer Krull
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
- Center of Pharmaceutical Engineering (PVZ) Technische Universität Braunschweig Braunschweig Germany
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Rossi R, Baek G, Logan BE. Vapor-Fed Cathode Microbial Electrolysis Cells with Closely Spaced Electrodes Enables Greatly Improved Performance. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1211-1220. [PMID: 34971515 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen can be electrochemically produced in microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) by current generated from bacterial anodes with a small added voltage. MECs typically use a liquid catholyte containing a buffer or salts. However, anions in these catholytes result in charge being balanced predominantly by ions other than hydroxide or protons, leading to anode acidification. To enhance only hydroxide ion transport to the anode, we developed a novel vapor-fed MEC configuration lacking a catholyte with closely spaced electrodes and an anion exchange membrane to limit the acidification. This MEC design produced a record-high sustained current density of 43.1 ± 0.6 A/m2 and a H2 production rate of 72 ± 2 LH2/L-d (cell voltage of 0.79 ± 0.00 V). There was minimal impact on MEC performance of increased acetate concentrations, solution conductivity, or anolyte buffer capacity at applied voltages up to 1.1 V, as shown by a nearly constant internal resistance of only 6.8 ± 0.3 mΩ m2. At applied external voltages >1.1 V, the buffer capacity impacted performance, with current densities increasing from 28.5 ± 0.6 A/m2 (20 mM phosphate buffer solution (PBS)) to 51 ± 1 A/m2 (100 mM PBS). These results show that a vapor-fed MEC can produce higher and more stable performance than liquid-fed cathodes by enhancing transport of hydroxide ions to the anode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruggero Rossi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Gahyun Baek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Bruce E Logan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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15
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Pereira J, Mediayati Y, van Veelen HPJ, Temmink H, Sleutels T, Hamelers B, Heijne AT. The effect of intermittent anode potential regimes on the morphology and extracellular matrix composition of electro-active bacteria. Biofilm 2022; 4:100064. [PMID: 34984335 PMCID: PMC8693015 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2021.100064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Electro-active bacteria (EAB) can form biofilms on an anode (so-called bioanodes), and use the electrode as electron acceptor for oxidation of organics in wastewater. So far, bioanodes have mainly been investigated under a continuous anode potential, but intermittent anode potential has resulted in higher currents and different biofilm morphologies. However, little is known about how intermittent potential influences the electron balance in the anode compartment. In this study, we investigated electron balances of bioanodes at intermittent anode potential regimes. We used a transparent non-capacitive electrode that also allowed for in-situ quantification of the EAB using optical coherence tomography (OCT). We observed comparable current densities between continuous and intermittent bioanodes, and stored charge was similar for all the applied intermittent times (5 mC). Electron balances were further investigated by quantifying Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS), by analyzing the elemental composition of biomass, and by quantifying biofilm and planktonic cells. For all tested conditions, a charge balance of the anode compartment showed that more electrons were diverted to planktonic cells than biofilm. Besides, 27–43% of the total charge was detected as soluble EPS in intermittent bioanodes, whereas only 15% was found as soluble EPS in continuous bioanodes. The amount of proteins in the EPS of biofilms was higher for intermittent operated bioanodes (0.21 mg COD proteins mg COD biofilm−1) than for continuous operated bioanodes (0.05 mg COD proteins mg COD biofilm−1). OCT revealed patchy morphologies for biofilms under intermittent anode potential. Overall, this study helped understanding that the use of a non-capacitive electrode and intermittent anode potential deviated electrons to other processes other than electric current at the electrode by identifying electron sinks in the anolyte and quantifying the accumulation of electrons in the form of EPS. Continuous acetate feeding and intermittent anode potential lead to EPS production in electro-active bacteria. A charge balance was made including soluble EPS and planktonic cells. Patchy biofilm morphologies and more planktonic cells were observed when intermittent anode potential was applied. Biofilms grown under intermittent anode potential had more EPS and more proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Pereira
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Yuniki Mediayati
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - H Pieter J van Veelen
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Hardy Temmink
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Tom Sleutels
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands
| | - Bert Hamelers
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, 8911MA, Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.,Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, 6700, AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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16
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El-Qelish M, Mahmoud M. Overcoming organic matter limitation enables high nutrient recovery from sewage sludge reject water in a self-powered microbial nutrient recovery cell. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 802:149851. [PMID: 34464808 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In order to meet the global demand of fertilizers for food production, there is an urgent need to recover macronutrients (such as NH4+, PO43-, Ca2+, K+, and Mg2+) from non-conventional sources (e.g., waste streams). Sludge reject water - a by-product produced during the dewatering of anaerobically-stabilized sewage sludge - is considered an ideal feedstock for bioelectrochemical nutrient recovery due to its high nutrient content. However, its low readily available organic matter and alkalinity usually limit electric current generation, resulting in low nutrient recovery. Here, we designed and operated self-powered microbial nutrient recovery cells (MNRCs) to test whether or not the addition of high-strength livestock wastewater could improve the macronutrients recovery from sludge reject water into a liquid concentrate. MNRCs fed with sludge reject water exhibited a low current density generation of 0.98 ± 0.31 A/m3 with approximately 24 ± 2% reduction in chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration. The NH4+ removal was only 37.1 ± 11% with an up-concentration factor of ~0.43 ± 0.15. Macronutrients recovery and up-concentration were optimized by mixing sludge reject water with livestock wastewater, which its content varied from 10 to 30%. Consequently, the current output and NH4+ up-concentration factor were remarkably increased, peaking at 14.10 ± 1.14 A/m3 and 2.19 ± 0.51, respectively, for MNRCs fed with sludge reject water:livestock wastewater = 70%:30% (v:v). Detailed analysis of the liquid concentrate revealed that it could be efficiently used as a liquid fertilizer to replace chemical fertilizers with comparable agricultural productivity at a lower cost. These results suggest that the MNRC can promote self-powered, chemical-free macronutrients recovery from sludge reject water (and other low-strength wastewater, too) by controlling the availability of organic matter in waste streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed El-Qelish
- Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Mahmoud
- Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, 33 El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt.
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17
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Hussain A, Lee J, Xiong Z, Wang Y, Lee HS. Butyrate production and purification by combining dry fermentation of food waste with a microbial fuel cell. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 300:113827. [PMID: 34649320 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study developed and evaluated a high-purity butyrate producing bioprocess from food waste by combining dry fermentation (DF) with a microbial fuel cell (MFC). Acclimatization of a DF reactor with an enrichment culture resulted in high food waste degradation (VS removed, %) and butyrate production. A high VS degradation of 81%, butyrate concentration of up to 24 gCODbutyrate/L and butyrate yields of 497 gCODbutyrate/kg VSadded was obtained in the DF reactor. As a result, butyrate comprised 83% of all short chain fatty acids (SCFA) in the DF broth. Acetate (10%) and propionate (7%) comprised the rest of the SCFA. The butyrate composition was further purified by feeding the DF broth to a multi-electrode MFC enriched with anode respiring bacteria (ARB) such as Geobacter sp. (>55%). The ARB in the MFC removed acetate and propionate while purified butyrate was recovered in the MFC effluent. Butyrate purity in the MFC effluent reached as high as 99% at hydraulic retention time of 72 h. Along with butyrate purification, the MFC produced electric power in a range of 0.1-0.6 Wh/gCODbutyraterecovered (or 0.01-7.85 kWh/ton of food waste), demonstrating that MFCs can be an energy-positive butyrate purification bioprocess.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abid Hussain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By. Drive, Ottawa, K1S 5B6, Canada; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Jangho Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By. Drive, Ottawa, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Ziyi Xiong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Yifei Wang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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18
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Atnafu T, Leta S. A novel fragmented anode biofilm microbial fuel cell (FAB-MFC) integrated system for domestic wastewater treatment and bioelectricity generation. BIORESOUR BIOPROCESS 2021; 8:112. [PMID: 38650271 PMCID: PMC10991661 DOI: 10.1186/s40643-021-00442-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The critical MFC design challenge is to increase anode surface area. A novel FAB-MFC integrated system was developed and evaluated for domestic wastewater treatment. It was operated in fed-batch flow mode at 1-3 days of HRT with 755 mg/L CODIN and 0.76 kg-COD/m3/day. The study includes anaerobic-MFC and aerobic-MFC integrated systems. Microbial electrode jacket dish (MEJ-dish) with hybrid dimension (HD) was invented, first time to authors' knowledge, to boost anode biofilm growth. The treatment system with MEJ+ (FAB) and MEJ- (MFC) anode are called FAB-MFC and MFC, respectively. RESULTS Fragmented variable anode biofilm thickness was observed in FAB than MFC. The FAB-MFC (FAB+) simple technique increases the anode biofilm thickness by ~ 5 times MFC. Due to HD the anode biofilm was fragmented in FAB+ system than MFC. At the end of each treatment cycle, voltage drops. All FAB+ integrated systems reduced voltage drop relative to MFC. FAB reduces voltage drops better than MFC in anaerobic-MFC from 6 to 20 mV and aerobic-MFC from 35-47 mV at 1 kΩ external load. The highest power density was achieved by FAB in anaerobic-MFC (FAB = 104 mW/m2, MFC = 98 mW/m2) and aerobic-MFC integrated system (FAB = 59 mW/m2, MFC = 42 mW/m2). CONCLUSIONS The ∆COD and CE between FAB and MFC could not be concluded because both setups were inserted in the same reactor. The integrated system COD removal (78-97%) was higher than the solitary MFC treatment (68-78%). This study findings support the FAB+ integrated system could be applied for real applications and improve performance. However, it might depend on influent COD, the microbial nature, and ∆COD in FAB+ and MFC, which requires further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tesfalem Atnafu
- Center for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
- Department of Biological Science, College of Natural Sciences, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia.
| | - Seyoum Leta
- Center for Environmental Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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19
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Zhang X, Li R, Song J, Ren Y, Luo X, Li Y, Li X, Li T, Wang X, Zhou Q. Combined phyto-microbial-electrochemical system enhanced the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons from soil: A profundity remediation strategy. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126592. [PMID: 34265647 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The soil contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons has been a global environmental problem and its remediation is urgent. A combined phyto-microbial-electrochemical system (PMES) was constructed to repair the oil-contaminated soil in this study. During the 42-day operation time, a total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) of 18.0 ± 3.0% were removed from PMES, which increased by 414% compared with the control group (CK1). The supervision of physicochemical properties of pore water in soil exhibited an enhanced microbial consumption of the total organic carbon (TOC) and N source under the applied potential with the generation of bio-current. The microbial succession indicated that the Dietzia, Georgenia and Malbranchea possibly participated in the degradation and current output in PMES. And a collaborative network of potential degrading microorganisms including unclassified norank_f__JG30-KF-CM45 (in Chloroflexi), Dietzia and Malbranchea was discovered in PMES. While the functional communities of microorganism were re-enriched with the reconstructed interactions in the system which was started with the sterilized soil (S+MEC). The superiority of TPHs degradation in S+MEC compared to P + CK2 (removing the electrochemical effect relative to CK1) revealed the key role of external potential in regulating the degradation microflora. The study provided a strategy of the potential regulated phyto-microbial interaction for the removal of TPHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Ruixiang Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Jintong Song
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yuanyuan Ren
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xi Luo
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yi Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiaojing Li
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs/Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, China
| | - Tian Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Qixing Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China.
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20
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Cheng Z, Yao S, Yuan H. Linking population dynamics to microbial kinetics for hybrid modeling of bioelectrochemical systems. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117418. [PMID: 34273778 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mechanistic and data-driven models have been developed to provide predictive insights into the design and optimization of engineered bioprocesses. These two modeling strategies can be combined to form hybrid models to address the issues of parameter identifiability and prediction interpretability. Herein, we developed a novel and robust hybrid modeling strategy by incorporating microbial population dynamics into model construction. The hybrid model was constructed using bioelectrochemical systems (BES) as a platform system. We collected 77 samples from 13 publications, in which the BES were operated under diverse conditions, and performed holistic processing of the 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing data. Community analysis revealed core populations composed of putative electroactive taxa Geobacter, Desulfovibrio, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. Primary Bayesian networks were trained with the core populations and environmental parameters, and directed Bayesian networks were trained by defining the operating parameters to improve the prediction interpretability. Both networks were validated with Bray-Curtis similarly, relative root-mean-square error (RMSE), and a null model. A hybrid model was developed by first building a three-population mechanistic component and subsequently feeding the estimated microbial kinetic parameters into network training. The hybrid model generated a simulated community that shared a Bray-Curtis similarity of 72% with the actual microbial community at the genus level and an average relative RMSE of 7% for individual taxa. When examined with additional samples that were not included in network training, the hybrid model achieved accurate prediction of current production with a relative error-based RMSE of 0.8 and outperformed the data-driven models. The genomics-enabled hybrid modeling strategy represents a significant step toward robust simulation of a variety of engineered bioprocesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Cheng
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Temple University, 1947N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Shiyun Yao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Temple University, 1947N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Heyang Yuan
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Temple University, 1947N. 12th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA.
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21
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Yan Y, Wang X, Askari A, Lee HS. A modelling study of the spatially heterogeneous mutualism between electroactive biofilm and planktonic bacteria. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 759:143537. [PMID: 33272602 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microbial cooperation widely exists in anaerobic reactors degrading complex pollutants, conventionally studied separately inside the biofilm or the planktonic community. Recent experiments discovered the mutualism between the planktonic bacteria and electroactive biofilm treating propionate, an end-product usually accumulated in anaerobic digesters. Here, a one-dimensional multispecies model found the preference on acetate-based pathway over the hydrogen-based in such community, evidenced by the fact that acetate-originated current takes 66% of the total value and acetate-consuming anode-respiring bacteria takes over 80% of the biofilm. Acetate-based anodic respiration most apparently influences biofilm function while propionate fermentation is the dominant planktonic bio-reaction. Additionally, initial planktonic propionate level shows the ability of coordinating the balance between these two extracellular electron transfer pathways. Increasing the propionate concentration from 2 to 50 mM would increase the steady hydrogen-originated current by 210% but decrease the acetate-originated by 26%, suggesting a vital influence of the planktonic microbial process to the metabolic balance in biofilm. Best strategy to promote the biofilm activity is to increase the biomass density and biofilm conductivity simultaneously, which would increase the current density by 875% without thickening the biofilm thickness or prolonging the growth apparently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yan
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xin Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria/Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control/College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, No. 38 Tongyan Road, Jinnan District, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Anis Askari
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering/Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering/Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
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22
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Korth B, Kretzschmar J, Bartz M, Kuchenbuch A, Harnisch F. Determining incremental coulombic efficiency and physiological parameters of early stage Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234077. [PMID: 32559199 PMCID: PMC7304624 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms were cultivated in batch using one-chamber and two-chamber bioelectrochemical reactors. Time-resolved substrate quantification was performed to derive physiological parameters as well as incremental coulombic efficiency (i.e., coulombic efficiency during one batch cycle, here every 6h) during early stage biofilm development. The results of one-chamber reactors revealed an intermediate acetate increase putatively due to the presence of acetogens. Total coulombic efficiencies of two-chamber reactors were considerable lower (19.6±8.3% and 49.3±13.2% for 1st and 2nd batch cycle, respectively) compared to usually reported values of mature Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms presumably reflecting energetic requirements for biomass production (i.e., cells and extracellular polymeric substances) during early stages of biofilm development. The incremental coulombic efficiency exhibits considerable changes during batch cycles indicating shifts between phases of maximizing metabolic rates and maximizing biomass yield. Analysis based on Michaelis-Menten kinetics yielded maximum substrate uptake rates (vmax,Ac, vmax,I) and half-saturation concentration coefficients (KM,Ac,KM,I) based on acetate uptake or current production, respectively. The latter is usually reported in literature but neglects energy demands for biofilm growth and maintenance as well as acetate and electron storage. From 1st to 2nd batch cycle, vmax,Ac and KM,Ac, decreased from 0.0042-0.0051 mmol Ac- h-1 cm-2 to 0.0031-0.0037 mmol Ac- h-1 cm-2 and 1.02-2.61 mM Ac- to 0.28-0.42 mM Ac-, respectively. Furthermore, differences between KM,Ac/KM,I and vmax,Ac/vmax,I were observed providing insights into the physiology of Geobacter spp. enrichment biofilms. Notably, KM,I considerably scattered while vmax,Ac/vmax,I and KM,Ac remained rather stable indicating that acetate transport within biofilm only marginally affects reaction rates. The observed data variation mandates the requirement of a more detailed analysis with an improved experimental system, e.g., using flow conditions and a comparison with Geobacter spp. pure cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korth
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Jörg Kretzschmar
- Biochemical Conversion Department, DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Manuel Bartz
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Anne Kuchenbuch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
| | - Falk Harnisch
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
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23
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Sarmin S, Ethiraj B, Islam MA, Ideris A, Yee CS, Khan MMR. Bio-electrochemical power generation in petrochemical wastewater fed microbial fuel cell. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 695:133820. [PMID: 31416036 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The petrochemical wastewater (PCW) from acrylic acid plants possesses a very high chemical oxygen demand (COD) due to the presence of acrylic acid along with other organic acids. The treatment of PCW by conventional aerobic and anaerobic methods is energy intensive. Therefore, the treatment of PCW with concurrent power generation by employing microbial fuel cell (MFC) could be a potential alternative to solve the energy and environmental issues. This study demonstrates the potentiality of PCW from acrylic acid plant with an initial COD of 45,000 mg L-1 generating maximum power density of 850 mW m-2 at a current density of 1500 mA m-2 using acclimatized anaerobic sludge (AS) as biocatalyst. The predominant microbes present in acclimatized AS were identified using Biolog GEN III analysis, which include the electrogenic genera namely Pseudomonas spp. and Bacillus spp. along with methanogenic archea Methanobacterium spp. The mechanism of electron transfer was elucidated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) which clearly demonstrated the natural metabolite-based electron transfer across the electrode/biofilm/solution interface. The abundance of the electron shuttle metabolites was increased with the microbial growth in the bulk solution as well as in the biofilm leading to a high power generation. The COD removal efficiency and the coulombic efficiency (CE) were found to be 40% and 21%, respectively after 11 days of operation using initial COD of 45,000 mg L-1. The low COD removal efficiency could drastically be increased to 82% when the initial COD of PCW was 5000 mg L-1 generating a power density of 150 mW m-2. The current work proves the feasibility of the MFC for the treatment of acrylic acid plant PCW using acclimatized anaerobic sludge (AS) as a biocatalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumaya Sarmin
- Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia; Centre of Excellence for Advanced Research in Fluid Flow (CARIFF), Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Baranitharan Ethiraj
- Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai, India
| | - M Amirul Islam
- Interdisciplinary Institute for Technological Innovation (3IT), CNRS UMI-3463, Laboratory for Quantum Semiconductors and Photon-based Bio Nanotechnology, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, 3000, boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 0A5, Canada
| | - Asmida Ideris
- Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Chin Sim Yee
- Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Md Maksudur Rahman Khan
- Faculty of Chemical & Natural Resources Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia; Centre of Excellence for Advanced Research in Fluid Flow (CARIFF), Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.
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Zakaria BS, Lin L, Dhar BR. Shift of biofilm and suspended bacterial communities with changes in anode potential in a microbial electrolysis cell treating primary sludge. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 689:691-699. [PMID: 31280150 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This study, for the first time, documented microbial community shifts in response to the changes in anode potential in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) operated with primary sludge. At an anode potential of -0.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl, the MEC showed COD and VSS removal efficiencies of 73 ± 1% and 75 ± 2%, respectively. The volumetric current density and specific hydrogen production rate were 23 ± 1.2 A/m3, and 145 ± 4.1 L/m3-d, respectively. The anodic microbial community was consisted of various fermentative/hydrolytic bacteria (e.g., Bacteroides and Dysgonomonas) and anode-respiring bacteria (Geobacter), while different hydrolytic/fermentative bacteria were abundant in suspension. The MEC showed substantially inferior performance along with a higher accumulation of various volatile fatty acids when the anode potential was switched to more positive values (0 V and +0.4 V). Both biofilms and suspended communities were also shifted when the anode potential was changed. Notably, at +0.4 V, Geobacter genus entirely disappeared from the biofilms, while Paludibacter species (known fermentative bacteria) were selectively enriched in biofilms. Also, the relative abundance of genus Bacteroides (known hydrolytic bacteria) substantially decreased in both biofilms and suspension, which was correlated with the inferior hydrolysis of VSS. Quantitative comparison of biofilms and suspended microbial communities at different anode potentials revealed a sharp decrease in bacterial cell numbers in anode biofilms after changing anode potential from -0.4 V to +0.4 V. By contrast, bacterial cell numbers in suspension were slightly decreased. Collectively, these results provide new insights into the role of anode potential in shaping key microbial players associated with hydrolysis/fermentation and anodic respiration processes when MECs are operated with real biowastes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basem S Zakaria
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Long Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Bipro Ranjan Dhar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 Street NW, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada.
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An J, Gao Y, Lee HS. Induction of cathodic voltage reversal and hydrogen peroxide synthesis in a serially stacked microbial fuel cell. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 241:84-90. [PMID: 30986665 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
We developed an innovative strategy to address the inhibition of anode-respiring bacteria due to voltage reversal in serially stacked microbial fuel cells by inducing cathodic voltage reversal and H2O2 production. When platinum-coated carbon (Pt/C) cathodes were employed (stacked MFCPt/C) and the MFC was operated with acetate medium, the last unit (MFC 4) caused a voltage reversal of -0.8 V with a substantial anode overpotential of 1.22 V. After replacing the Pt/C cathode with a Pt-free carbon gas diffusion electrode in MFC 4, an electrode overpotential, approximately 0.5 V, was shifted from the anode to the cathode, inducing cathodic voltage reversal. Under cathodic voltage reversal, MFC 4 generated H2O2 at a production rate of 117 mg H2O2/m2-h. Hence, under cathodic voltage reversal induced by Pt-free cathodes, due to less anode polarization, the anode-respiring activity can largely be sustained in a stacked MFC that treats organic wastewater consistently and the quality of treated wastewater may be improved with energy-efficient and on-site generated H2O2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyeong An
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada; Environmental Assessment Group, Korea Environment Institute, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Yaohuan Gao
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada; Department of Civil and Resource Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, ON, N2L 3G1, Canada.
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Lusk BG. Thermophiles; or, the Modern Prometheus: The Importance of Extreme Microorganisms for Understanding and Applying Extracellular Electron Transfer. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:818. [PMID: 31080440 PMCID: PMC6497744 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.00818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately four billion years ago, the first microorganisms to thrive on earth were anaerobic chemoautotrophic thermophiles, a specific group of extremophiles that survive and operate at temperatures ∼50 - 125°C and do not use molecular oxygen (O2) for respiration. Instead, these microorganisms performed respiration via dissimilatory metal reduction by transferring their electrons extracellularly to insoluble electron acceptors. Genetic evidence suggests that Gram-positive thermophilic bacteria capable of extracellular electron transfer (EET) are positioned close to the root of the Bacteria kingdom on the tree of life. On the contrary, EET in Gram-negative mesophilic bacteria is a relatively new phenomenon that is evolutionarily distinct from Gram-positive bacteria. This suggests that EET evolved separately in Gram-positive thermophiles and Gram-negative mesophiles, and that EET in these bacterial types is a result of a convergent evolutionary process leading to homoplasy. Thus, the study of dissimilatory metal reducing thermophiles provides a glimpse into some of Earth's earliest forms of respiration. This will provide new insights for understanding biogeochemistry and the development of early Earth in addition to providing unique avenues for exploration and discovery in astrobiology. Lastly, the physiological composition of Gram-positive thermophiles, coupled with the kinetic and thermodynamic consequences of surviving at elevated temperatures, makes them ideal candidates for developing new mathematical models and designing innovative next-generation biotechnologies. KEY CONCEPTS Anaerobe: organism that does not require oxygen for growth. Chemoautotroph: organism that obtains energy by oxidizing inorganic electron donors. Convergent Evolution: process in which organisms which are not closely related independently evolve similar traits due to adapting to similar ecological niches and/or environments. Dissimilatory Metal Reduction: reduction of a metal or metalloid that uses electrons from oxidized organic or inorganic electron donors. Exoelectrogen: microorganism that performs dissimilatory metal reduction via extracellular electron transfer. Extremophiles: organisms that thrive in physical or geochemical conditions that are considered detrimental to most life on Earth. Homoplasy: a character shared by a set of species that is not shared by a common ancestor Non-synonymous Substitutions (K a ): a substitution of a nucleotide that changes a codon sequence resulting in a change in the amino acid sequence of a protein. Synonymous Substitutions (K s ): a substitution of a nucleotide that may change a codon sequence, but results in no change in the amino acid sequence of a protein. Thermophiles: a specific group of extremophiles that survive and operate at temperatures ∼50-125°C.
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Su SG, Cheng HY, Zhu TT, Wang HC, Wang AJ. A novel bioelectrochemical method for real-time nitrate monitoring. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 125:33-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Revised: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 09/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Kinetic competition between microbial anode respiration and nitrate respiration in a bioelectrochemical system. Bioelectrochemistry 2018; 123:241-247. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
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Semi-continuous measurement of oxygen demand in wastewater using biofilm-capacitance. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biteb.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Sim J, Reid R, Hussain A, An J, Lee HS. Hydrogen peroxide production in a pilot-scale microbial electrolysis cell. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 19:e00276. [PMID: 30197872 PMCID: PMC6127372 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2018.e00276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A pilot-scale dual-chamber microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) equipped with a carbon gas-diffusion cathode was evaluated for H2O2 production using acetate medium as the electron donor. To assess the effect of cathodic pH on H2O2 yield, the MEC was tested with an anion exchange membrane (AEM) and a cation exchange membrane (CEM), respectively. The maximum current density reached 0.94-0.96 A/m2 in the MEC at applied voltage of 0.35-1.9 V, regardless of membranes. The highest H2O2 conversion efficiency was only 7.2 ± 0.09% for the CEM-MEC. This low conversion would be due to further H2O2 reduction to H2O on the cathode or H2O2 decomposition in bulk liquid. This low H2O2 conversion indicates that large-scale MECs are not ideal for production of concentrated H2O2 but could be useful for a sustainable in-situ oxidation process in wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyoung Sim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robertson Reid
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Abid Hussain
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Junyeong An
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo N2L 3G1, Ontario, Canada
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Lee HS. Electrokinetic analyses in biofilm anodes: Ohmic conduction of extracellular electron transfer. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2018; 256:509-514. [PMID: 29478785 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Revised: 01/31/2018] [Accepted: 02/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
This review explores electron transfer kinetics from an electron donor to the anode in electrically conductive biofilm anodes. Intracellular electron transfer (IET) from the donor to the anode is well described with the Monod equation. In comparison, mechanisms of extracellular electron transfer (EET) conduction are unclear yet, complicating EET kinetics. However, in biofilm anodes where potential gradient to saturated current density is less than ∼300 mV, Ohmic conduction successfully describe conductive EET mainly with biofilm conductivity (Kbio) and biofilm thickness (Lf). High Kbio essential for production of high current density is found in Geobacter pure or enriched biofilm anodes, but other exoelectrogens could make biofilms electrically conductive. IET is rate-limiting for current density in conductive biofilms, and biofilm density of active exoelectrogens and Lf are operating parameters that can be optimized further to improve current density.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sool Lee
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G, Canada.
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Qiao S, Yin X, Zhou J, Wei L, Zhong J. Integrating anammox with the autotrophic denitrification process via electrochemistry technology. CHEMOSPHERE 2018; 195:817-824. [PMID: 29289909 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.12.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Revised: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In this study, an autotrophic denitrification process was successfully coupled with anammox to remove the nitrate by-product via electrochemical technology. When the voltage applied to the combined electrode reactor was 1.5 V, the electrode reaction removed nitrate by using the autotrophic denitrification biomass without affecting the anammox biomass. The nitrogen removal efficiency of the combined electrode reactor reached 99.1% without detectable nitrate at an influent NO2--N/NH4+-N ratio of 1.5. On day 223, using the model calculations based on reaction equations, 19.7% of total nitrogen was removed via the autotrophic denitrification process, while the majority of nitrogen removal (approximately 79.4%) was attributed to the anammox reaction. Small variations of the population numbers and community structure of artificial bacteria according to electron microscopy predicted that the anammox and autotrophic denitrifying biomasses could coexist in the electrode reactor. Then, 16S rRNA analysis determined that the anammox biomass group was always dominant in mixed flora during continuous cultivation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, PR China.
| | - Xin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, PR China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Institute of Water Sciences, Nanchang 330029, PR China
| | - Jiti Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, PR China
| | - Li'e Wei
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Institute of Water Sciences, Nanchang 330029, PR China
| | - Jiayou Zhong
- Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Environment of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Institute of Water Sciences, Nanchang 330029, PR China
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Dhar BR, Sim J, Ryu H, Ren H, Santo Domingo JW, Chae J, Lee HS. Microbial activity influences electrical conductivity of biofilm anode. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 127:230-238. [PMID: 29055828 PMCID: PMC7321815 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the conductivity of a Geobacter-enriched biofilm anode in a microbial electrochemical cell (MxC) equipped with two gold anodes (25 mM acetate medium), as different proton gradients were built throughout the biofilm. There was no pH gradient across the biofilm anode at 100 mM phosphate buffer (current density 2.38 A/m2) and biofilm conductivity (Kbio) was as high as 0.87 mS/cm. In comparison, an inner biofilm became acidic at 2.5 mM phosphate buffer in which dead cells were accumulated at ∼80 μm of the inner biofilm anode. At this low phosphate buffer, Kbio significantly decreased by 0.27 mS/cm, together with declined current density of 0.64 A/m2. This work demonstrates that biofilm conductivity depends on the composition of live and dead cells in the conductive biofilm anode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipro Ranjan Dhar
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada; Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G, Canada.
| | - Junyoung Sim
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G, Canada.
| | - Hodon Ryu
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| | - Hao Ren
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
| | - Jorge W Santo Domingo
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| | - Junseok Chae
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G, Canada.
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Mahmoud M, Torres CI, Rittmann BE. Changes in Glucose Fermentation Pathways as a Response to the Free Ammonia Concentration in Microbial Electrolysis Cells. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:13461-13470. [PMID: 29039192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b05620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
When a mixed-culture microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is fed with a fermentable substrate, such as glucose, a significant fraction of the substrate's electrons ends up as methane (CH4) through hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis, an outcome that is undesired. Here, we show that free ammonia-nitrogen (FAN, which is NH3) altered the glucose fermentation pathways in batch MECs, minimizing the production of H2, the "fuel" for hydrogenotrophic methanogens. Consequently, the Coulombic efficiency (CE) increased: 57% for 0.02 g of FAN/L of fed-MEC, compared to 76% for 0.18 g of FAN/L of fed-MECs and 62% for 0.37 g of FAN/L of fed-MECs. Increasing the FAN concentration was associated with the accumulation of higher organic acids (e.g., lactate, iso-butyrate, and propionate), which was accompanied by increasing relative abundances of phylotypes that are most closely related to anode respiration (Geobacteraceae), lactic-acid production (Lactobacillales), and syntrophic acetate oxidation (Clostridiaceae). Thus, the microbial community established syntrophic relationships among glucose fermenters, acetogens, and anode-respiring bacteria (ARB). The archaeal population of the MEC fed 0.02 g FAN/L was dominated by Methanobacterium, but 0.18 and 0.37 g FAN/L led to Methanobrevibacter becoming the most abundant species. Our results provide insight into a way to decrease CH4 production and increase CE using FAN to control the fermentation step, instead of inhibiting methanogens using expensive or toxic chemical inhibitors, such as 2-bromoethanesulfonic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mahmoud
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University , 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre , 33 El-Buhouth St., Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt
| | - César I Torres
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University , 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University , 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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Jin X, Zhang Y, Li X, Zhao N, Angelidaki I. Microbial Electrolytic Capture, Separation and Regeneration of CO 2 for Biogas Upgrading. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:9371-9378. [PMID: 28728410 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b01574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Biogas upgrading to natural gas quality is essential for the efficient use of biogas in various applications. Carbon dioxide (CO2) which constitutes a major part of the biogas is generally removed by physicochemical methods. However, most of the methods are expensive and often present environmental challenges. In this study, an innovative microbial electrolytic system was developed to capture, separate and regenerate CO2 for biogas upgrading without external supply of chemicals, and potentially to treat wastewater. The new system was operated at varied biogas flow rates and external applied voltages. CO2 was effectively separated from the raw biogas and the CH4 content in the outlet reached as high as 97.0 ± 0.2% at the external voltage of 1.2 V and gas flow rate of 19.6 mL/h. Regeneration of CO2 was also achieved in the regeneration chamber with low pH (1.34 ± 0.04). The relatively low electric energy consumption (≤0.15 kWh/m3 biogas) along with the H2 production which can contribute to the energy input makes the overall energy need of the system low, and thereby makes the technology promising. This work provides the first attempt for development of a sustainable biogas upgrading technology and potentially expands the application of microbial electrochemical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdan Jin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark , DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark , DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Xiaohu Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark , DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nannan Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark , DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irini Angelidaki
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark , DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
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36
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Jin X, Li X, Zhao N, Angelidaki I, Zhang Y. Bio-electrolytic sensor for rapid monitoring of volatile fatty acids in anaerobic digestion process. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 111:74-80. [PMID: 28049049 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Revised: 12/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study presents an innovative biosensor that was developed on the basis of a microbial electrolysis cell for fast and reliable measurement of volatile fatty acids (VFA) during anaerobic digestion (AD) process. The bio-electrolytic sensor was first tested with synthetic wastewater containing varying concentrations of VFA. A linear correlation (R2 = 0.99) between current densities (0.03 ± 0.01 to 2.43 ± 0.12 A/m2) and VFA concentrations (5-100 mM) was found. The sensor performance was then investigated under different affecting parameters such as the external voltage, VFA composition ratio, and ionic strength. Linear relationship between the current density and VFA concentrations was always observed. Furthermore, the bio-electrolytic sensor proved ability to handle interruptions such as the presence of complex organic matter, anode exposure to oxygen and low pH. Finally, the sensor was applied to monitor VFA concentrations in a lab-scale AD reactor for a month. The VFA measurements from the sensor correlated well with those from GC analysis which proved the accuracy of the system. Since hydrogen was produced in the cathode as byproduct during monitoring, the system could be energy self-sufficient. Considering the high accuracy, short response time, long-term stability and additional benefit of H2 production, this bio-electrolytic sensor could be a simple and cost-effective method for VFA monitoring during AD and other anaerobic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdan Jin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Xiaohu Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Nannan Zhao
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Irini Angelidaki
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Yifeng Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Mahmoud M, Parameswaran P, Torres CI, Rittmann BE. Electrochemical techniques reveal that total ammonium stress increases electron flow to anode respiration in mixed-species bacterial anode biofilms. Biotechnol Bioeng 2017; 114:1151-1159. [PMID: 28067404 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 12/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
When anode-respiring bacteria (ARB) respire electrons to an anode in microbial electrochemical cells (MXCs), they harvest only a small amount of free energy. This means that ARB must have a high substrate-oxidation rate coupled with a high ratio of electrons used for respiration compared to total electrons removed by substrate utilization. It also means that they are especially susceptible to inhibition that slows anode respiration or lowers their biomass yield. Using several electrochemical techniques, we show that a relatively high total ammonium-nitrogen (TAN) concentration (2.2 g TAN/L) induced significant stress on the ARB biofilms, lowering their true yield and forcing the ARB to boost the ratio of electrons respired per electrons consumed from the substrate. In particular, a higher respiration rate, measured as current density (j), was associated with slower growth and a lower net yield, compared to an ARB biofilm grown with a lower ammonium concentration (0.2 g TAN/L). Further increases in influent TAN (to 3 and then to 4.4 g TAN/L) caused nearly complete inhibition of anode respiration. However, the ARB could recover from high-TAN inhibition after a shift of the MXC's feed to 0.2 g TAN/L. In summary, ARB biofilms were inhibited by a high TAN concentration, but could divert more electron flow toward anode respiration with modest inhibition and recover when severe inhibition was relieved. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2017;114: 1151-1159. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Mahmoud
- Water Pollution Research Department, National Research Centre, 33 EL Bohouth St., Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt.,Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701.,School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Prathap Parameswaran
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701.,Department of Civil Engineering, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
| | - César I Torres
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701.,School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - Bruce E Rittmann
- Biodesign Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Arizona State University, 727 Tyler Road, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701.,School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
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Teleken JT, Silva JDS, Fraga MF, Ogrodowski CS, Santana FB, Carciofi BAM. MATHEMATICAL MODELING OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT GENERATION IN A MICROBIAL FUEL CELL INOCULATED WITH MARINE SEDIMENT. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2017. [DOI: 10.1590/0104-6632.20170341s20150377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - M. F. Fraga
- State Power Generation and Transmission Company, Brazil
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Dhar BR, Ryu H, Ren H, Domingo JWS, Chae J, Lee HS. High Biofilm Conductivity Maintained Despite Anode Potential Changes in a Geobacter-Enriched Biofilm. CHEMSUSCHEM 2016; 9:3485-3491. [PMID: 27870324 PMCID: PMC7377214 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201601007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This study systematically assessed intracellular electron transfer (IET) and extracellular electron transfer (EET) kinetics with respect to anode potential (Eanode ) in a mixed-culture biofilm anode enriched with Geobacter spp. High biofilm conductivity (0.96-1.24 mS cm-1 ) was maintained during Eanode changes from -0.2 to +0.2 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), although the steady-state current density significantly decreased from 2.05 to 0.35 A m-2 in a microbial electrochemical cell. Substantial increase of the Treponema population was observed in the biofilm anode at Eanode =+0.2 V, which reduced intracellular electron-transfer kinetics associated with the maximum specific substrate-utilization rate by a factor of ten. This result suggests that fast EET kinetics can be maintained under dynamic Eanode conditions in a highly conductive biofilm anode as a result of shift of main EET players in the biofilm anode, although Eanode changes can influence IET kinetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipro Ranjan Dhar
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta, 9211-116 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Hodon Ryu
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - Hao Ren
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Jorge W Santo Domingo
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - Junkseck Chae
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue, West Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G, Canada
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Lee HS, Dhar BR, An J, Rittmann BE, Ryu H, Santo Domingo JW, Ren H, Chae J. The Roles of Biofilm Conductivity and Donor Substrate Kinetics in a Mixed-Culture Biofilm Anode. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:12799-12807. [PMID: 27797183 PMCID: PMC7388032 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b04168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We experimentally assessed the kinetics and thermodynamics of electron transfer (ET) from the donor substrate (acetate) to the anode for a mixed-culture biofilm anode. We interpreted the results with a modified biofilm-conduction model consisting of three ET steps in series: (1) intracellular ET, (2) non-Ohmic extracellular ET (EET) from an outer membrane protein to an extracellular cofactor (EC), and (3) ET from the EC to the anode by Ohmic-conduction in the biofilm matrix. The steady-state current density was 0.82 ± 0.03 A/m2 in a miniature microbial electrochemical cell operated at fixed anode potential of -0.15 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode. Illumina 16S-rDNA and -rRNA sequences showed that the Geobacter genus was less than 30% of the community of the biofilm anode. Biofilm conductivity was high at 2.44 ± 0.42 mS/cm, indicating that the maximum current density could be as high as 270 A/m2 if only Ohmic-conduction EET was limiting. Due to the high biofilm conductivity, the maximum energy loss for Ohmic-conduction EET was negligible, 0.085 mV. The energy loss in the second ET step also was small, only 20 mV, and the potential for the EC involved in the second ET was -0.15 V, a value documenting that >99% of the EC was in the oxidized state. Monod kinetics for utilization of acetate were relatively slow, and at least 87% of the energy loss was in the intracellular step. Thus, intracellular ET was the main kinetic and thermodynamic bottleneck to ET from donor substrate to the anode for a highly conductive biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Bipro Ranjan Dhar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Junyeong An
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, Ontario N2L3G1, Canada
| | - Bruce E. Rittmann
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, Arizona 85287-5701, United States
| | - Hodon Ryu
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Jorge W. Santo Domingo
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, United States
| | - Hao Ren
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Junseok Chae
- School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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41
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Pannell TC, Goud RK, Schell DJ, Borole AP. Effect of fed-batch vs. continuous mode of operation on microbial fuel cell performance treating biorefinery wastewater. Biochem Eng J 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2016.04.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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42
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Dhar BR, Ryu H, Domingo JWS, Lee HS. Ohmic resistance affects microbial community and electrochemical kinetics in a multi-anode microbial electrochemical cell. JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES 2016; 331:315-321. [PMID: 32704200 PMCID: PMC7376749 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2016.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Multi-anode microbial electrochemical cells (MxCs) are considered as one of the most promising configurations for scale-up of MxCs, but understanding of anode kinetics in multiple anodes is limited in the MxCs. In this study we assessed microbial community and electrochemical kinetic parameters for biofilms on individual anodes in a multi-anode MxC to better comprehend anode fundamentals. Microbial community analysis targeting 16S rRNA Illumina sequencing showed that Geobacter genus was abundant (87%) only on the biofilm anode closest to a reference electrode (low ohmic energy loss) in which current density was the highest among three anodes. In comparison, Geobacter populations were less than 1% for biofilms on other two anodes distant from the reference electrode (high ohmic energy loss), generating small current density. Half-saturation anode potential (EKA) was the lowest at -0.251 to -0.242 V (vs. standard hydrogen electrode) for the closest biofilm anode to the reference electrode, while EKA was as high as -0.134 V for the farthest anode. Our study proves that electric potential of individual anodes changed by ohmic energy loss shifts biofilm communities on individual anodes and consequently influences electron transfer kinetics on each anode in the multi-anode MxC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bipro Ranjan Dhar
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
| | - Hodon Ryu
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Jorge W. Santo Domingo
- National Risk Management Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Hyung-Sool Lee
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Ave. West, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
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Sleutels THJA, Molenaar SD, Heijne AT, Buisman CJN. Low Substrate Loading Limits Methanogenesis and Leads to High Coulombic Efficiency in Bioelectrochemical Systems. Microorganisms 2016; 4:microorganisms4010007. [PMID: 27681899 PMCID: PMC5029512 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms4010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
A crucial aspect for the application of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) as a wastewater treatment technology is the efficient oxidation of complex substrates by the bioanode, which is reflected in high Coulombic efficiency (CE). To achieve high CE, it is essential to give a competitive advantage to electrogens over methanogens. Factors that affect CE in bioanodes are, amongst others, the type of wastewater, anode potential, substrate concentration and pH. In this paper, we focus on acetate as a substrate and analyze the competition between methanogens and electrogens from a thermodynamic and kinetic point of view. We reviewed experimental data from earlier studies and propose that low substrate loading in combination with a sufficiently high anode overpotential plays a key-role in achieving high CE. Low substrate loading is a proven strategy against methanogenic activity in large-scale reactors for sulfate reduction. The combination of low substrate loading with sufficiently high overpotential is essential because it results in favorable growth kinetics of electrogens compared to methanogens. To achieve high current density in combination with low substrate concentrations, it is essential to have a high specific anode surface area. New reactor designs with these features are essential for BESs to be successful in wastewater treatment in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom H J A Sleutels
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, P.O. Box 1113, Leeuwarden 8911 MA, The Netherlands.
| | - Sam D Molenaar
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, P.O. Box 1113, Leeuwarden 8911 MA, The Netherlands.
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, Wageningen 6700 AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Annemiek Ter Heijne
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, Wageningen 6700 AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Cees J N Buisman
- Wetsus, European Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Water Technology, Oostergoweg 9, P.O. Box 1113, Leeuwarden 8911 MA, The Netherlands.
- Sub-Department of Environmental Technology, Wageningen University, Bornse Weilanden 9, P.O. Box 17, Wageningen 6700 AA, The Netherlands.
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Qiao S, Yin X, Zhou J. Application of cathode modified by reduced graphene oxide/polypyrrole to enhance anammox activity. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra18941e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In this paper, a modified carbon felt (serving as the cathode) prepared by coating reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with polypyrrole (PPy) was applied in an electrode-anammox reactor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China)
- School of Environmental Science and Technology
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Xin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China)
- School of Environmental Science and Technology
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
| | - Jiti Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education, China)
- School of Environmental Science and Technology
- Dalian University of Technology
- Dalian 116024
- P. R. China
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Zeng X, Borole AP, Pavlostathis SG. Performance evaluation of a continuous-flow bioanode microbial electrolysis cell fed with furanic and phenolic compounds. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra13735k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
An MEC bioanode operated under different continuous-flow conditions converts problematic furanic and phenolic compounds to renewable hydrogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Zeng
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Atlanta
- USA
| | - Abhijeet P. Borole
- Biosciences Division
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Oak Ridge
- USA
- Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Education
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A combined model for large scale batch culture MFC-digester with various wastewaters through different populations. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 106:298-307. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Korth B, Rosa LF, Harnisch F, Picioreanu C. A framework for modeling electroactive microbial biofilms performing direct electron transfer. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 106:194-206. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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49
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A comprehensive impedance journey to continuous microbial fuel cells. Bioelectrochemistry 2015; 106:159-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2015.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2014] [Revised: 04/07/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Yoho RA, Popat SC, Rago L, Guisasola A, Torres CI. Anode Biofilms of Geoalkalibacter ferrihydriticus Exhibit Electrochemical Signatures of Multiple Electron Transport Pathways. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:12552-12559. [PMID: 26488071 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b02953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Thriving under alkaliphilic conditions, Geoalkalibacter ferrihydriticus (Glk. ferrihydriticus) provides new applications in treating alkaline waste streams as well as a possible new model organism for microbial electrochemistry. We investigated the electrochemical response of biofilms of the alkaliphilic anode-respiring bacterium (ARB) Glk. ferrihydriticus voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and chronoamperometry. We observed there to be at least four dominant electron transfer pathways, with their contribution to the overall current produced dependent on the set anode potential. These pathways appear to be manifested at midpoint potentials of approximately -0.14 V, -0.2 V, -0.24 V, and -0.27 V vs standard hydrogen electrode. The individual contributions of the pathways change upon equilibration from a set anode potential to another anode potential. Additionally, the contribution of each pathway to the overall current produced is reversible when the anode potential is changed back to the original set potential. The pathways involved in anode respiration in Glk. ferrihydriticus biofilms follow a similar, but more complicated, pattern as compared to those in the model ARB, Geobacter sulfurreducens. This greater diversity of electron transport pathways in Glk. ferrihydriticus could be related to its wider metabolic capability (e.g., higher pH and larger set of possible substrates, among others).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Yoho
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University , P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University , P.O. Box 879709, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Sudeep C Popat
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University , P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Laura Rago
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University , P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- GENOCOV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , 08193, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
| | - Albert Guisasola
- GENOCOV, Departament d'Enginyeria Química, Escola d'Enginyeria, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona , 08193, Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain
| | - César I Torres
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University , P.O. Box 875701, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University , P.O. Box 876106, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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