title: Performance of mixed-species biocathode microbial fuel cells using saline mustard tuber wastewater as self-buffered catholyte.
abstract: Mixed-species biocathode microbial fuel cells (MFCs) were constructed. Mustard tuber wastewater (MTWW) was used as catholyte. Simultaneous organic matters and nitrogen removal at the cathode was observed, and majority of contaminants reduced were accomplished within acclimating period (AP). Concerning nitrogen removal, aerobic and anaerobic microenvironment could be formed within the cathodic biofilms, and both heterotrophic denitrification and bioelectrochemical denitrification were involved. Also, it was demonstrated that organic matters and ammonium could have detrimental effects on voltage output, but it could retrieve finally. Similar maximum power densities were obtained during stage1 (1.20Wm(-3)), stage2 (1.24Wm(-3)) and stage3 (1.32Wm(-3)). However, overpotential for oxygen reduction was investigated due to lower bacteria activity at cathode, which could major limitation for energy recovery. Considering similar performance of MFCs during different stages, it could be concluded that MTWW was adequately self-buffered when used as catholyte at mixed-species biocathodes.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China. Electronic address: fuguokai@cqu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Guokai
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Three Gorges Reservoir Region's Eco-environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China; Faculty of Urban Construction and Environmental Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China.
authors.forename: Zhi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000378:metabolism; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources / Q000382:microbiology; D057919:Biological Oxygen Demand Analysis; D002021:Buffers; D058440:Denitrification; D004566:Electrodes; D052836:Heterotrophic Processes; D009149:Mustard Plant; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000302:isolation & purification; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D062065:Wastewater
chemical_list: D000641:Ammonia; D002021:Buffers; D009584:Nitrogen; D010100:Oxygen; D062065:Wastewater
keywords: COD and nitrogen removal; Microbial fuel cell; Saline mustard tuber wastewater; Self-buffered catholyte