title: Biodegradation of phenolic compounds and their metabolites in contaminated groundwater using microbial fuel cells.
abstract: This is the first study demonstrating the biodegradation of phenolic compounds and their organic metabolites in contaminated groundwater using bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). The phenols were biodegraded anaerobically via 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzoic acid, which were retained by electromigration in the anode chamber. Oxygen, nitrate, iron(III), sulfate and the electrode were electron acceptors for biodegradation. Electro-active bacteria attached to the anode, producing electricity (~1.8mW/m(2)), while utilizing acetate as an electron donor. Electricity generation started concurrently with iron reduction; the anode was an electron acceptor as thermodynamically favorable as iron(III). Acetate removal was enhanced by 40% in the presence of the anode. However, enhanced removal of phenols occurred only for a short time. Field-scale application of BESs for in situ bioremediation requires an understanding of the regulation and kinetics of biodegradation pathways of the parent compounds to relevant metabolites, and the syntrophic interactions and carbon flow in the microbial community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, Broad Lane, University of Sheffield, S3 7HQ, United Kingdom. Electronic address: petra.hedbavna@sheffield.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hedbavna
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, Alfred Denny Building, Western Bank, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Stephen A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Rolfe
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering Science, Oxford University Begbroke Science Park, Sandy Lane, Yarnton, Kidlington OX5 1PF, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Wei E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, Kroto Research Institute, Broad Lane, University of Sheffield, S3 7HQ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steven F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Thornton
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D001565:Benzoates / Q000737:chemistry; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D004560:Electricity; D004566:Electrodes; D004583:Electrons; D004867:Equipment Design; D005285:Fermentation; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D060587:Groundwater; D007501:Iron / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010226:Parabens / Q000737:chemistry; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D013431:Sulfates / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000085:Acetates; D001565:Benzoates; D005290:Ferric Compounds; D009566:Nitrates; D010226:Parabens; D010636:Phenols; D013431:Sulfates; C009503:3-toluic acid; D007501:Iron; C038193:4-hydroxybenzoic acid
keywords: Bioremediation; Contaminants; Groundwater; Microbial fuel cells; Phenol