Bioelectrochemical Systems for Removal of Selected Metals and Perchlorate from Groundwater: A Review

Daniele Cecconet, Arianna Callegari and Andrea G. Capodaglio
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Daniele Cecconet: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Adolfo Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Arianna Callegari: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Adolfo Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Andrea G. Capodaglio: Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, via Adolfo Ferrata 3, 27100 Pavia, Italy

Energies, 2018, vol. 11, issue 10, 1-21

Abstract: Groundwater contamination is a major issue for human health, due to its largely diffused exploitation for water supply. Several pollutants have been detected in groundwater; amongst them arsenic, cadmium, chromium, vanadium, and perchlorate. Various technologies have been applied for groundwater remediation, involving physical, chemical, and biological processes. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have emerged over the last 15 years as an alternative to conventional treatments for a wide variety of wastewater, and have been proposed as a feasible option for groundwater remediation due to the nature of the technology: the presence of two different redox environments, the use of electrodes as virtually inexhaustible electron acceptor/donor (anode and cathode, respectively), and the possibility of microbial catalysis enhance their possibility to achieve complete remediation of contaminants, even in combination. Arsenic and organic matter can be oxidized at the bioanode, while vanadium, perchlorate, chromium, and cadmium can be reduced at the cathode, which can be biotic or abiotic. Additionally, BES has been shown to produce bioenergy while performing organic contaminants removal, lowering the overall energy balance. This review examines the application of BES for groundwater remediation of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, vanadium, and perchlorate, focusing also on the perspectives of the technology in the groundwater treatment field.

Keywords: groundwater; bioelectrochemical systems; microbial fuel cell; microbial electrolysis cell; biocathode; arsenic; cadmium; vanadium; chromium; perchlorate (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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