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Biofilm structure, dynamics, and ecology of an upscaled biocathode wastewater microbial fuel cell
Author(s) -
Leininger Aaron,
Yates Matthew D.,
Ramirez Mark,
Kjellerup Birthe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.27653
Subject(s) - microbial fuel cell , biofilm , microbial population biology , wastewater , organic matter , biomass (ecology) , community structure , chemistry , ecology , pulp and paper industry , anode , environmental science , electrode , environmental chemistry , environmental engineering , biology , bacteria , genetics , engineering
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) system containing modular half‐submerged biocathode was operated for 6 months in an 800 L flow‐through system with domestic wastewater. For the first time, spatial and temporal differences in biofilm communities were examined on large three‐dimensional electrodes in a wastewater MFC. Biocathode microbial community analysis showed a specialized biofilm community with electrogenic and electrotrophic taxa forming during operation, suggesting potentially opposing electrode reactions. The anodic community structure shifted during operation, but no spatial differences were observed along the length of the electrode. Power output from the system was most strongly influenced by pH. Higher power densities were associated with the use of solids‐dewatering filtrate with increased organic matter, conductivity, and pH. The results show that the biocathode was the rate‐limiting step and that future MFC design should consider the effect of size, shape, and orientation of biocathodes on their community assembly and electrotrophic ability.