Abstract
Regulation on the usage of trace toxic metals and their depletion necessitates their detoxification/recovery. Tellurium scarcity in the environmental matrix and its multitude applications depicts its worth for recovery from toxic ionic forms. Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) facilitate metal detoxification/recovery. In this study, a novel double-chambered BES coupled with a biotic anode and abiotic cathode was operated using varied concentrations of toxic tellurite oxyanions (Te4+) as a terminal cathodic electron acceptor (CEA), facilitating bioelectroreduction of Te4+ to elemental tellurium (Te0) (cathode) and wastewater treatment (anode). Results depicted a Te0 element recovery of 45.3% with a tellurite removal of 54.7% in the abiotic cathode with a simultaneous substrate degradation of 67% in the biotic anode. The cathodic Te0 recovery with increased CEA-dependent electrotrophy has proportionally influenced the anodic microbial enzymatic activity. Bioelectrochemical characterization showed an increased anodic electrogenic performance relative to the increased CEA concentrations, achieving a comparatively higher power density of 0.044 W/m2 in the Te-C condition. Recovered Te0 samples were analytically characterized for structural/compositional functionalities and speciation variations to confirm the presence of Te0 element and its crystalline nature at the cathode. The study provided the application feasibility of BESs in favoring Te detoxification/recovery at the abiotic cathode, while regulating the anodic microbial electron/enzymatic/metabolic flux.
Published Version
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