title: Metals removal and recovery in bioelectrochemical systems: A review.
abstract: Metal laden wastes and contamination pose a threat to ecosystem well being and human health. Metal containing waste streams are also a valuable resource for recovery of precious and scarce elements. Although biological methods are inexpensive and effective for treating metal wastewaters and in situ bioremediation of metal(loid) contamination, little progress has been made towards metal(loid) recovery. Bioelectrochemical systems are emerging as a new technology platform for removal and recovery of metal ions from metallurgical wastes, process streams and wastewaters. Biodegradation of organic matter by electroactive biofilms at the anode has been successfully coupled to cathodic reduction of metal ions. Until now, leaching of Co(II) from LiCoO2 particles, and removal of metal ions i.e. Co(III/II), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ag(I), Se(IV), and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions has been demonstrated. This article reviews the state of art research of bioelectrochemical systems for removal and recovery of metal(loid) ions and pertaining removal mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Biofouling and Biofilm Processes Section of Water and Steam Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam 603102, Tamil Nadu, India; Environmental Engineering and Water Technology Department, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands. Electronic address: venkatany@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Y V
authors.initials: YV
authors.lastname: Nancharaiah
authors.affiliation: Bioengineering and Environmental Centre (BEEC), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad 500 007, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Venkata Mohan
authors.affiliation: Environmental Engineering and Water Technology Department, UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, P.O. Box 3015, 2601 DA Delft, The Netherlands; Department of Chemistry and Bioengineering, Tampere University of Technology, P.O. Box 541, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: P N L
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lens
mesh_terms: D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D004566:Electrodes; D004572:Electrolysis; D008670:Metals / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Bioelectrochemical treatment (BET); Biorecovery; Heavy metals; Microbial fuel cells; Wastewater treatment