The utility of electrode-assisted ammonia oxidation under strict anaerobic conditions

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the feasibility of electrode-assisted ammonia oxidation and subsequent nitrite accumulation within an anaerobic microbial fuel cell (MFC). Our study focused on determining whether these processes could be effectively maintained in a strictly anaerobic environment, which would be critical for advancing nitrogen removal technologies in wastewater treatment. Although we demonstrated electrode-assisted ammonia oxidation and nitrite accumulation, the expected dominance of these reactions within the system was not achieved. In contrast, ammonia assimilation appeared to be the prevailing nitrogen removal pathway under our experimental conditions. The study did not identify the specific microbial communities responsible for these processes, however, illustrates an important area for future research. Our findings enhance the current understanding of nitrogen cycling in anaerobic MFCs and demonstrate the need for improved strategies to enrich nitrifying bacteria and optimize electrode-assisted nitrogen removal processes in wastewater treatment.