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This study demonstrates simultaneous degradation of toluene and chloroform in a continuous-flow anaerobic bioelectrochemical reactor (bioelectric well) operated for 190 days. At +0.4 V vs. SHE, the system achieved 47 μmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹ toluene and 60 μmol L⁻¹ d⁻¹ chloroform removal rates (96% and 94% removal efficiency). Toluene oxidation at the anode coupled with chloroform reduction at the cathode via reductive hydrogenolysis to dichloromethane, followed by fermentation. Acetate addition competitively inhibited toluene degradation, highlighting substrate competition effects in multi-contaminant systems.

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Abstract

Subsurface co-contamination by multiple pollutants can be challenging for the design of bioremediation strategies since it may require promoting different and often antagonistic degradation pathways. Here, we investigated the simultaneous degradation of toluene and chloroform (CF) in a continuous-flow anaerobic bioelectrochemical reactor. As a result, 47 μmol L -1 d -1 of toluene and 60 μmol L -1 d -1 of CF were concurrently removed, when the anode was polarized at +0.4 V vs. Standard Hydrogen Electrode (SHE). Analysis of the microbial community structure and key functional genes allowed to identify the involved degradation pathways. Interestingly, when acetate was supplied along with toluene, to simulate the impact of a readily biodegradable substrate on process performance, toluene degradation was adversely affected, likely due to competitive inhibition effects. Overall, this study proved the efficacy of the developed bioelectrochemical system in simultaneously treating multiple groundwater contaminants, paving the way for the application in real-world scenarios.

Keywords

BiodegradationTolueneChloroformAnaerobic exerciseBioreactorWaste management

Identifiers

DOI
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139467
PubMed
37437617
Journal
Chemosphere
Year
2023