APPLICATION OF MICROBIAL FUEL CELLS FOR BIOREMEDIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS: AN OVERVIEW

Sanjeeb Kumar Mandal,Nilanjana Das

doi:10.15414/jmbfs.2018.7.4.437-444

Sanjeeb Kumar Mandal, Nilanjana Das

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2018.7.4.437-444

Copy DOI

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been demonstrated as a challenging and promising technology towards management of various environmental problems. Bioremediation has been accepted widely as viable option utilizing the naturally inhabited microorganisms, but sometimes the severe low efficiency of the microorganisms and poor controllability limits its application. In this context, MFC technology can be used as a potential means to stimulate bioremediation for effective removal of various pollutants. The special features including energy saving, less sludge and energy production make MFCs as outstanding technology compared to conventional technologies. This article is mainly focused on application of MFCs towards removal of various environmental pollutants viz. antibiotics, synthetic dyes, phenolic compounds, nitrogen based compounds, ethyl acetate, toluene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, perchlorate, pesticide, sulphur, emerging contaminants, trace organic compounds etc. from aqueous environment. Although the current applications of MFC technology is still at laboratory level, it will definitely prove a great potential towards commercial applications in near future.

Highlights

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have gained enormous global importance over the last few decades
The results indicated that specific interaction could enhance the performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and which may be beneficial for the development of bio-process controlling
Electricity generated from the microbial fuel cell (MFC) was applied to the bioelectrical reactor (BER) directly as electrical stimulation means for the enhancement of bacterial denitrification to remove nitrate effectively from groundwater

Summary

Introduction

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have gained enormous global importance over the last few decades. A microbial fuel cell (MFC), with graphite electrodes as both the anode and cathode, was reported by Zhang et al (2017b) for phenol degradation. Application of microbial fuel cell (MFC) with redox mediator modified anode was reported for enhancing simultaneous decolorization of azo dye and electricity generation (Huang et al, 2017).

Results

Conclusion