Development of Bioelectrochemical Systems to Promote Sustainable Agriculture

Xiaojin Li, Ibrahim M. Abu-Reesh and Zhen He
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Xiaojin Li: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
Ibrahim M. Abu-Reesh: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
Zhen He: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA

Agriculture, 2015, vol. 5, issue 3, 1-22

Abstract: Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are a newly emerged technology for energy-efficient water and wastewater treatment. Much effort as well as significant progress has been made in advancing this technology towards practical applications treating various types of waste. However, BES application for agriculture has not been well explored. Herein, studies of BES related to agriculture are reviewed and the potential applications of BES for promoting sustainable agriculture are discussed. BES may be applied to treat the waste/wastewater from agricultural production, minimizing contaminants, producing bioenergy, and recovering useful nutrients. BES can also be used to supply irrigation water via desalinating brackish water or producing reclaimed water from wastewater. The energy generated in BES can be used as a power source for wireless sensors monitoring the key parameters for agricultural activities. The importance of BES to sustainable agriculture should be recognized, and future development of this technology should identify proper application niches with technological advancement.

Keywords: bioelectrochemical systems; microbial fuel cells; microbial desalination cells; anaerobic digestion; membrane filtration; wastewater reclamation and reuse; wireless sensors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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