Application of sediment microbial fuel cell for in situ reclamation of aquaculture pond water quality

Abstract

Performance of sediment microbial fuel cell (SMFC) with external resistance (SMFC-1) as well as short-circuited mode (SMFC-2) was evaluated at different operating temperatures (28–30°C and 21–25°C) and in presence and absence of aeration at the cathode. The performance was evaluated in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) removal for offering in situ treatment of aquaculture pond water. SMFC-2 demonstrated maximum COD and TKN removal efficiencies both in the absence and presence of aeration near cathode as compared to SMFC-1. With aeration at cathode, the COD and TKN removal efficiencies were 79.4% and 92.6% in SMFC-1 and 84.4% and 95.3% in SMFC-2, respectively. Without aeration and at lower operating temperature, the COD and TKN removals were slightly lower, yet satisfying aquaculture quality norms. SMFCs demonstrated effective in situ remediation of aquaculture water and can drastically save the operating cost of aquaculture.