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BACKGROUND Ferric chloride (FeCl3) is widely used as a flocculating agent during wastewater treatment but can detrimentally lower pH and increase iron concentration. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising technology for treating waste while concomitantly producing electricity and so were tested under the extreme conditions imposed by the addition of FeCl3. MFCs were fed eight concentrations of FeCl3 over two 8‐week periods and the effects on power, pH, conductivity, metal content and COD were examined. RESULTS MFCs generated highest power (3.58 W m‐3) at 1.6 mmol L‐1 FeCl3 (pH 3.46), however cells reversed when fed 2 mmol L‐1 (pH 3.29). During the second run, power almost doubled and MFCs were more resilient at higher loadings up to 2.8 mmol L‐1 (pH 3.02). Conductivity and pH increased following treatment while soluble phosphorus, sulphur and iron levels decreased significantly in all feedstock up to 1.6 mmol L‐1 FeCl3. COD reduction was observed but efficiency may have been affected by the presence of alternative electron donors such as hydrogen sulphide. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate the robustness and versatility of MFCs in hostile conditions. They also confirm that MFCs can complement current wastewater treatment processes, even downstream from FeCl3 dosing where conditions might be deemed unsuitable for operation. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry

As human populations grow, so do the resource demands imposed on ecosystems, and the impacts of anthropogenic use and abuse are becoming ever more apparent. This has led to the development of the concept of ecosystem services, which describes the beneficial functions provided by ecosystems for human society. Ecosystem services are limited and hence threatened by over-exploitation, and there is an urgent imperative to evaluate trade-offs between immediate and long-term human needs and to take action to protect biodiversity, which is a key factor in delivering ecosystem services. To help inform decision-makers, economic value is increasingly being associated with many ecosystem services and is often based on the replacement with anthropogenic alternatives. The on-going challenges of maintaining sustainable ecosystems and prescribing economic value to nature is prompting multi-disciplinary shifts in how we recognise and manage the environment. This volume brings together emerging topics in environmental science, making an excellent source for policy makers and environmental consultants working in the field or related areas. Ecosystem Services also serves as a concise and referenced primer for advanced students and researchers in environmental science and management.