title: A novel sediment microbial fuel cell with a biocathode in the rice rhizosphere.
abstract: Wetland plants possess the unique ability to release oxygen as well as organic matter into the rhizosphere. It is understood that microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can use organic matter from plants as key electron donors, but the effect of root excreted oxygen on MFCs is presently unknown. In this study, a novel biocathode was buried in the rice rhizosphere and found to be capable of delivering electrons to root excreted oxygen for oxygen reduction reactions. The voltages between electrodes in the rhizosphere and bulk soil were found to increase initially, but dissipate after approximately 1 month. Results from the MFC and oxygen microelectrode experiments indicated that the oxygen efflux rate from rice roots was dependent on the root maturity. Furthermore, the excreted oxygen from wetland plant roots could be used for the construction of highly efficient biocathodes.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
authors.forename: Zheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yan-chao
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jian-hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yong-guan
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology*; D004566:Electrodes / Q000382:microbiology; D004579:Electron Transport; D012275:Oryza / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism*; D058441:Rhizosphere
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen