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Effect of the cathode potential and sulfate ions on nitrate reduction in a microbial electrochemical denitrification system

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Published:
Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology

Abstract

Recently, bioelectrochemical systems have been demonstrated as advantageous for denitrification. Here, we investigated the nitrate reduction rate and bacterial community on cathodes at different cathode potentials [−300, −500, −700, and −900 mV vs. standard hydrogen electrode (SHE)] in a two-chamber microbial electrochemical denitrification system and effects of sulfate, a common nitrate co-contaminant, on denitrification efficiency. The results indicated that the highest nitrate reduction rates (3.5 mg L−1 days−1) were obtained at a cathode potential of −700 mV, regardless of sulfate presence, while a lower rate was observed at a more negative cathode potential (−900 mV). Notably, although sulfate ions generally inhibited nitrate reduction, this effect was absent at a cathode potential of −700 mV. Polymerase chain reaction–denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis revealed that bacterial communities on the graphite-felt cathode were significantly affected by the cathode potential change and sulfate presence. Shinella-like and Alicycliphilus-like bacterial species were exclusively observed on cathodes in reactors without sulfate. Ochrobactrum-like and Sinorhizobium-like bacterial species, which persisted at different cathode potentials irrespective of sulfate presence, were shown to contribute to bioelectrochemical denitrification. This study suggested that a cathode potential of around −700 mV versus SHE would ensure optimal nitrate reduction rate and counteract inhibitory effects of sulfate. Additionally, sulfate presence considerably affects denitrification efficiency and microbial community of microbial electrochemical denitrification systems.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and future Planning (NRF-2015R1A2A1A15054528), and the Brain Korea 21 Plus Project in the Division of Creative Low Impact Development and Management for Ocean Port City Infrastructures (21A20132012304). The assistance of Mr. Chaeho Im at the Bioenergy and Bioprocess Laboratory, Department of Polymer Science and Chemical Engineering in gas chromatography operation is also acknowledged. The authors also wish to thank Ms. Yura Kim for her moral support during the experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Pusan, 609-735, Republic of Korea

    Van Khanh Nguyen, Younghyun Park, Heechun Yang, Jaecheul Yu & Taeho Lee

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  1. Van Khanh Nguyen
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Correspondence to Taeho Lee.

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Nguyen, V.K., Park, Y., Yang, H. et al. Effect of the cathode potential and sulfate ions on nitrate reduction in a microbial electrochemical denitrification system. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 43, 783–793 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-016-1762-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10295-016-1762-6

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