Bioelectrochemically powered remediation of xenobiotic compounds and heavy metal toxicity using microbial fuel cell and microbial electrolysis cell

Abstract

This review emphasizes the applicability of bioelectrochemical systems for the treatment of wastewaters contaminated with xenobiotic compounds. Treatment options for dyes, antibiotics, aromatics and chlorinated compounds are reviewed in this article. Two major variants of bioelectrochemical systems, namely microbial fuel cell (MFC) and microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), are discussed in light of xenobiotics removal. The efficiency of each system in terms of pollutant removal and power recovered/utilised is discussed and degradation mechanisms for these biorefractory compounds are described. This review also discusses the removal and recovery of heavy metals through biocatalytic and electrochemical reduction in the cathodic chamber of MFC and MEC. Further, the future scope of research is also elaborated in light of different issues pertaining to the replicability and scalability of the system.

Keywords

• Antibiotics removal
• Bio-remediation
• Dye degradation
• Microbial fuel cell
• Refractory compounds
• Xenobiotics