title: Oxalate degradation in a bioelectrochemical system: reactor performance and microbial community characterization.
abstract: The aim of this work was to investigate the feasibility of using oxalate at the anode in a continuous reactor. Complete oxalate removal was observed, albeit at a maximum coulombic efficiency of 33.9±0.4%. At the cathode side, there was an increase in pH from 8 to 11 showing production of caustic. Analysis of the microbial community demonstrated a clear shift during reactor start-up, resulting in enrichment of microorganisms belonging to Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Mollicutes, and β and γ-Proteobacteria. Methane was produced throughout the experiment; Archaea belonging to the Methanosarcinacea, Methanomicrobiaceae and Methanosaetaceae were identified as key representatives.
authors.affiliation: IRTA, GIRO Joint Research Unit IRTA-UPC, Torre Marimon, E-08140 Caldes de Montbui, Barcelona, Spain. august.bonmati@irta.cat
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonmatí
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sotres
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mu
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rozendal
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rabaey
mesh_terms: D001105:Archaea / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D019149:Bioreactors; D017931:DNA Primers; D058645:Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004566:Electrodes; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers
keywords: Bioelectrochemical system; Microbial fuel cell; Oxalate degradation; PCR–DGGE; qPCR