Application of electrolysis to stimulate microbial reductive PCE dechlorination and oxidative VC biodegradation.

Full Abstract

A novel approach was applied to stimulate biodegradation of chloroethenes bya coupled bioelectro-process. In a flow-through column system, microbial dechlorination of tetrachloroethene to cis-dichloroethene, vinyl chloride, and ethene was stimulated by hydrogen produced by water electrolysis. Dechlorinating bacteria (Dehalococcoides spp. and Desulfitobacterium spp.) and also methanogens and homoacetogens were detected in the anaerobic column. Simultaneously, oxidative biodegradation of lower chlorinated metabolites (vinyl chloride) was stimulated by electrolytic oxygen formation in the corresponding aerobic column. The process was stable for more than 100 days and an average removal of approximately 23 micromol/d PCE and 72 micromo/d vinyl chloride was obtained with a current density of 0.05 mA/cm2. Abiotic electrochemical degradation of the contaminants was not observed. Microbial dechlorination correlated with the current densities in the applied range of 0.01-0.05 mA/cm2. The results are promising for environmental applications, since with electrolysis hydrogen and oxygen can be supplied continuously to chloroethene degrading microorganisms, and the supply rates can be easily controlled by adjusting the electric current.

Author information

Author/s: Lohner, Svenja T (ST); Tiehm, Andreas (A);

Affiliation: Water Technology Center, Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Environmental science & technology (Environ Sci Technol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 43 (issue 18) : pp 7098-104

Dates: Created 2009/10/07; Completed 2009/11/06;

PMID: 19806748, status: MEDLINE (last retrieved date: 11/6/2009)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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