Efficient enriching high-performance denitrifiers using bio-cathode of microbial fuel cells
Ruitao Li,
Xiang-peng Ren,
Xinxin Fan,
Zhen Zhang,
Tian-peng Gao,
Ying Liu
Affiliations
Ruitao Li
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, China
Xiang-peng Ren
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, China
Xinxin Fan
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, China
Zhen Zhang
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, China
Tian-peng Gao
The Engineering Research Center of Mining Pollution Treatment and Ecological Restoration of Gansu Province, Lanzhou City University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province 730070, China; Xi’an Key Laboratory of Plant Stress Physiology and Ecological Remediation Technology, College of Biological and Environmental Engineering, Xi’an University, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province 710065, China; Corresponding author
Ying Liu
Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Agricultural and Environmental Microbiology, College of Life Sciences, Northwest A&F University, No. 22 Xinong Road, Yangling, Shaanxi Province 712100, China; Corresponding author
Summary: Recent advancements in microbial fuel cells (MFC) technology have significantly contributed to the development of bio-cathode denitrification as a promising method for eco-friendly wastewater treatment. This study utilized an efficient repeated replacement method to enrich a mixed bio-cathode denitrifying culture (MBD) within a bio-cathode MFC, achieving a stable maximum output voltage of 120 ± 5 mV and a NO3−-N removal efficiency of 69.99 ± 0.60%. The electrotrophic denitrification process appears to be facilitated by electron shuttles. Microbial community analysis revealed a predominance of Proteobacteria, with Paracoccus and Pseudomonas as functional genera. Additionally, the isolated strain Lyy (belonging to Stutzerimonas) from MBD demonstrated exceptional denitrification efficiencies exceeding 98% when treating wastewater with a broad range of C/N (2–12) ratios and KNO3 concentrations (500–3000 mg/L) within 60 h. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the repeated replacement method in enriching bio-cathode denitrifiers and advancing MFC application in sustainable wastewater management.
