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Characteristic changes in algal organic matter derived from Microcystis aeruginosa in microbial fuel cells

  • Huan Wang
  • , Lu Lu
  • , Dongmei Liu
  • , Fuyi Cui*
  • , Peng Wang
  • *Corresponding author for this work
  • Harbin Institute of Technology
  • University of Colorado Boulder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate behavior of algal organic matter (AOM) during bioelectrochemical oxidation in microbial fuel cell in terms of compositions and structures. Study revealed that the AOM derived from blue-green algae Microcystis aeruginosa could be degraded more completely (82% COD removal) in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) than by anaerobic fermentation (24% COD removal) in a control reactor without closed-circuit electrode and electricity was produced simultaneously. A variety of techniques were used to characterize the changes in AOM compositions and structures during bioelectrochemical oxidation. The presence of syntrophic interactions between electrochemical active bacteria and fermentative bacteria to degrade large molecular organics into small molecular substances, which could be oxidized by electrode but not by fermentation. The dominant tryptophan protein-like substances, humic acid-like substances and Chlorophyll a in AOM were highly degraded during MFC treatment.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)25-30
Number of pages6
JournalBioresource Technology
Volume195
DOIs
StatePublished - 2015

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Keywords

  • Algal organic matter (AOM)
  • FT-IR spectroscopy
  • Fluorescence EEM spectroscopy
  • Microbial fuel cell (MFC)
  • Molecular weight distribution

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