title: Effect of pH on nutrient dynamics and electricity production using microbial fuel cells.
abstract: The aim of this work was to study the effect of pH on electricity production and contaminant dynamics using microbial fuel cells (MFCs). To investigate these effects, an air-cathode MFC was used to treat urban wastewater by adjusting the pH between 6 and 10. The short-term tests showed that the highest power production (0.66 W.m(-3)) was at pH 9.5. The MFC operation in continuous control mode for 30 days and at the optimal pH improved the performance of the cell relative to power generation to 1.8 W.m(-3). Organic matter removal (77% of influent COD) and physical ammonium loss were directly influenced by pH and followed the same behavior as the power generation. At a pH higher than the optimal one, anodic bacteria were affected, and power generation ceased. However, biological nitrogen processes and phosphorus dynamics were independent of the exoelectrogenic bacteria.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Chemical and Environmental Engineering (LEQUIA-UdG), Institute of the Environment, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi s/n, Facultat de Ciències, E-17071 Girona, Spain. sebastia@lequia.udg.cat
authors.forename: Sebastià
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puig
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coma
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cabré
authors.forename: M Dolors
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Balaguer
authors.forename: Jesús
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Colprim
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D002947:Cities; D003246:Conservation of Energy Resources; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010100:Oxygen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid
chemical_list: D009930:Organic Chemicals; D010710:Phosphates; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen