Abstract
Microbial fuel cell (MFC) based sensing was explored to provide for the development of an in situ bioremediation monitoring approach for substrate concentrations and microbial respiration rates. MFC systems were examined in column systems where Shewanella oneidensis MR1 used an external electron acceptor (an electrode) to metabolize lactate (a bioremediation additive) to acetate. Column systems were operated with varying influent lactate concentrations (0–41 mM) and monitored for current generation (0.01–0.39 mA). Biological current generation paralleled bulk phase lactate concentration both in the influent and in the bulk phase at the anode; current values were correlated to lactate concentration at the anode (R 2 = 0.9), The electrical signal provided real-time information for electron donor availability and biological activity. These results have practical implications for efficient and inexpensive real-time monitoring of in situ bioremediation processes where information on substrate concentrations is often difficult to obtain and where information on the rate and nature of metabolic processes is needed.
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Acknowledgments
Dr. Rizlan Bernier-Latmani, of EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland donated the S. oneidensis MR1 culture and provided advice on handling and usage. Mr. Ernst Bleiker of ETH Zurich provided the LabView program and insight into the electrical system. Prof. Dr. J. Zeyer and Dr. Martin Schroth of ETH Zurich provided access to their Ion Chromatography System.
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Tront, J.M., Fortner, J.D., Plötze, M. et al. Microbial fuel cell technology for measurement of microbial respiration of lactate as an example of bioremediation amendment. Biotechnol Lett 30, 1385–1390 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-008-9707-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-008-9707-4