MESSAI.iO

AI summary

70% confidence

This study investigates the degradation and detoxification of PAHs in single-chamber air-cathode MFCs using various microbial communities, and finds significant variability in power and current density outputs, with highest values of 300 mW/m² and 25 mA/m² respectively.

Generated by MESSAI extraction pipeline · review against source PDF

Generic MFCRepresentative model
Click to animate flow
loading 3D model…

Representative MFC — matched on the paper’s system type only, not its reactor or geometry.

Extraction

Reported parameters

12 extracted values

View extracted values

Open in lab for full controls, parameter editing, and template overlays.

Open in lab →

What they did

System
MFC

What worked

No outcome metrics extracted yet.

Abstract

Abstract The influence of microelectrogenesis on PAHs degradation and detoxification operated by Pseudomonadaceae, Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae was investigated in water environment. Single chamber, air‐cathode MFCs and bioreactors were filled with the microbial pool (10 7 –10 8 CFU mL −1 ) inoculated in a 400 mL Winogradsky saline solution containing no other carbon and energy source than naphthalene (80 ppm), phenanthrene (40 ppm), pyrene (40 ppm), benzo(a)pyrene (20 ppm). MFCs and bioreactors operated at 25 °C for thirteen weeks. Power Density (PD) and Current Density (CD) outputs as well as PAHs degradation rate were measured. The toxic effect of PAHs suspension vs. Raphidocelis subcapitata was quantified by EC 1 , EC 20 , EC 50 , LOEC and NOEC calculations. The results showed a significant variability in PD and CD outputs, with highest PD of 300 mW m −3 and 25 mA m −3 . After 5 weeks, the overall PAHs concentration in MFCs decreased of a 90%. COD and TOC removal respectively of 62% and 73% after 11 weeks was achieved in MFC inoculated with bacteria (MFC 2 ). Ecotoxicological tests showed for MFCs a lower toxic effect vs. P. subcapitata when bacteria are present. Microelectrogenesis just sped up microbial metabolism rather than take advantage from the interaction of PAHs with graphite electrodes.

Key findings

  • PAHs degradation rates were influenced by microelectrogenesis
  • Highest power density and current density outputs were achieved in MFCs with Pseudomonadaceae and Bacillaceae microbial communities
  • PAHs suspension showed toxic effects on Raphidocelis subcapitata, with EC50 values indicating moderate toxicity

Keywords

Microbial fuel cellPyrenePhenanthreneBiodegradationEnvironmental chemistryNaphthalene

Identifiers

DOI
10.1002/fuce.201700124
Journal
Fuel Cells
Year
2017