Abstract

Applying microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology for eco-remediation of Cr(VI) pollution from a subsurface environment has great scientific value and practical significance due to its promising advantages of pollutant remediation and renewable energy generation. The aim of the current review is to summarize the migration characteristics of Cr(VI) in a subsurface soil/water environment and investigate the factors affecting the MFC performance for synchronous Cr(VI) remediation and power generation, and sequentially highlight diverse challenges of MFC technology for in situ remediation of subsurface groundwater and soils. The critical review put forward that Cr(VI) removal efficiency and energy production of MFC can be improved by enhancing the adjustability of cathode pH, setting potential, modifying electrode, and incorporating other technologies into MFC. It was recommended that designing typical large-scale, long-term continuous flow MFC systems, adding electron shuttle media or constructing artificial electron according to actual groundwater/soil and Cr(VI) pollution characteristics, site geology, and the hydrogeology condition (hydrochemical conditions, colloid type, and medium) are essential to overcome the limitations of the small size of the laboratory experiments and improve the application of technology to in situ Cr(VI) remediation. This review provided reference and ideas for future research of MFC-mediated onsite Cr(VI) remediation.

Highlights

  • The existence of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) in waste water and soil has caused serious environmental and health issues

  • The results revealed that microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology has a high possibility to remediate

  • The presence of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) avoided the attachment between microorganisms and Cr(VI) under certain conditions, so the MFC system can adapt to the environmental conditions with a higher Cr(VI)

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Summary

Introduction

The existence of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) in waste water and soil has caused serious environmental and health issues. Microbes decomposed the inorganic and organic components in the anode and generated electrons transferred to the cathode through the external circuit, which reduced the Cr(VI) into Cr(III) and generated electricity These findings proved that MFC can effectively remove Cr(VI) and produce energy through bioelectrochemical reduction [16]. Considering the demand for efficient and cost-effective eco-remediation technology for Cr(VI) polluted water and soil under the worldwide commitment to the overall aims of peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality, this paper systematically reviewed the state-of-art experience of using. MFC for eco-remediation of Cr(VI) pollution and the dominant factors influencing the MFC performance on Cr(VI) removal, based upon a review summary of the migration and transformation of Cr(VI) in a subsurface environment. Effects, and (b) pathways of transformation in a subsurface environment

Bioelectrochemical Reduction of Cr(VI)
Energy
Electrode Position and Potential
Electrode Materials
Environmental Conditions of the Anode Chamber
Role of Cathode Conditions in Cr(VI) Remediation
Soil Properties and Media Types
Soil and Groundwater Pollution
Sediment and Wetland Pollution
Applicability of MFC System
Characteristic of Site Specific Cr(VI) Pollution Remediation
Complex Site Environmental Conditions
Findings
Summary and Conclusive Remarks

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