Abstract
AbstractAdvanced treatment, such as tight membrane filtration and ion exchange, can be applied for Pb2+ removal from wastewater but these methods are expensive with a high demand for electric energy and chemicals. Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are an emerging wastewater treatment technology and MECs can remove Pb2+ by reduction and precipitation at the cathode and biosorption at the anode; however, reduction at the anode has not been reported. We investigated Pb2+ removal mechanisms using lab‐scale MECs. Using an anion exchange membrane, independent Pb2+ removal in the anode and cathode chambers was observed at various voltage applications, including open circuit, 0.3 V, 0.6 V, and 0.9 V. A substantial amount of metallic Pb (0. 10 ± 0.02 mg) was found on the graphite fiber anode. Also, the observed anode potential (−0.15 to −0.33 V vs. SHE) indicated sufficient driving force for Pb2+ reduction at the anode for the Pb2+ concentration of 0.1 to 2.5 mg L−1. Inactivation of exoelectrogens using ethanol resulted in no Pb2+ removal. The findings show that Pb2+ removal is achieved by various mechanisms in MECs, including electrodeposition at the anode by exoelectrogens.
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