Abstract
The study introduces the benthic microbial fuel cell lander (BMFC Lander)-an newly constructed modification to an untethered instrumented seafloor platform or “ocean lander” for probing deep-sea energy potential at depths exceeding 1000 meters below the sea surface over long timescales (two to five months). The BMFC Lander’s design includes a detachable anode that permits the re-use of its electrical and anode components in subsequent deployments. Six BMFC Landers successfully deployed in the Southern California bight that hosted a variety of water depth and temperature conditions for testing BMFC performance, demonstrating their reliability as platforms for deployment, energy generation and recovery. Four Lander’s BMFC payloads generated a combined total energy density of approximately 30Whrsm−2 from the seafloor. Organic feedstock (chitin) shortened the time to discharge potential and enhanced power production for two BMFCs in deep-sea sediments despite increased depths and lower temperatures. The BMFC Landers, with a low-cost overhead, are adaptable to support a variety of low-power sensors for tracking water parameters.
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