Effect of hydraulic retention time on the electro-bioremediation of nitrate in saline groundwater

Puggioni, G.; Milia, Stefano; Unali, Valentina; Ardu, Riccardo; Tamburini, Elena; Balaguer, M. Dolors; Pous, Narcís; Carucci, Alessandra; Puig, Sebastià

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157236

Cited by 6 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…This observation is in line with previous studies where a positive correlation was observed between low HRTs and high nitrate removal performances (Ceballos‐Escalera et al, 2021; Pous et al, 2017, Puggioni et al, 2022). The present study also demonstrates that this operational mode is improving the ecotoxicological water quality and can provide additional knowledge about the positive effect of high HRTs on denitrifying electro‐bioremediation reactors.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Ecotoxicity characterization assisted performance assessment of electro‐bioremediation reactors for nitrate and arsenite elimination

Fekete‐Kertész,

Pous,

Feigl

et al. 2023

Biotech & Bioengineering

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The performance of combined reduction of nitrate (NO3−) to dinitrogen gas (N2) and oxidation of arsenite (As[III]) to arsenate (As[V]) by a bioelectrochemical system was assessed, supported by ecotoxicity characterization. For the comprehensive toxicity characterization of the untreated model groundwater and the treated reactor effluents, a problem‐specific ecotoxicity test battery was established. The performance of the applied technology in terms of toxicity and target pollutant elimination was compared and analyzed. The highest toxicity attenuation was achieved under continuous flow mode with hydraulic retention time (HRT) = 7.5 h, with 95%, nitrate removal rate and complete oxidation of arsenite to arsenate. Daphnia magna proved to be the most sensitive test organism. The results of the D. magna lethality test supported the choice of the ideal operational conditions based on chemical data analysis. The outcomes of the study demonstrated that the applied technology was able to improve the groundwater quality in terms of both chemical and ecotoxicological characteristics. The importance of ecotoxicity evaluation was also highlighted, given that significant target contaminant elimination did not necessarily lower the environmental impact of the initial, untreated medium, in addition, anomalies might occur during the technology operational process which in some instances, could result in elevated toxicity levels.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Ecotoxicity characterization assisted performance assessment of electro‐bioremediation reactors for nitrate and arsenite elimination

Fekete‐Kertész,

Pous,

Feigl

et al. 2023

Biotech & Bioengineering

Self Cite

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“…This study indicated that with increasing HRT in the range of 1-4 days, the conductivity of the salt solution and artificial seawater, after passing through the desalination chamber, decreased and a rise in TDS reduction was found since the higher HRT provided enough opportunity for ions to cross the membranes. A similar trend was found for desalination efficiency in a three-chamber MDC in galvanostatic conditions [47] with a power source connected to the MDC making the cathode a negative pole and the anode a positive one. Here, with a decrease in HRT from 30.1 to 2.4, the desalination efficiency decreased from 77% to 12% while the nitrate removal rate increased from 17 up to 131 mg (NO 3 -N) L −1 d −1 .…”

Section: Setting Hydraulic Retention Timesupporting

confidence: 76%

Microbial Desalination Cell for Sustainable Water Treatment: A Critical Review

Aber,

Shi,

Xing

et al. 2023

Global Challenges

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In view of increasing threats arising from the shortage of fresh water, there is an urgent need to propose sustainable technologies for the exploitation of unconventional water sources. As a derivative of microbial fuel cells (MFCs), microbial desalination cell (MDC) has the potential of desalinating saline/brackish water while simultaneously generating electricity, as well as treating wastewater. Therefore, it is worth investigating its practicability as a potential sustainable desalination technology. This review article first introduces the fundamentals and annual trends of MDCs. The desalination of diverse types of solutions using MDCs along with their life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) and economic analysis is studied later. Finally, limitations and areas for improvement, prospects, and potential applications of this technology are discussed. Due to the great advantages of MDCs, improving their design, building materials, efficiency, and throughput will offer them as a significant alternative to the current desalination technologies.

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