Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells

In this study, the removal of arsenate, an important environmental pollutant found in wastewater, and simultaneous electricity generation were investigated using microbial fuel cells. Single-chamber air cathode microbial fuel cells were used to examine the effects of synthetic wastewater prepared using sodium arsenate at a concentration range of 0-300 mg/L on electricity production. Arsenate removal percentages were investigated, and changes in microbial ecology were also examined. According to the results, 0.179 V electricity was produced in microbial fuel cells up to 200 mg/L sodium arsenate concentration. However, when the concentration was increased to 300 mg/L, the voltage production decreased significantly (p = 0.005). A significant difference (p < 0.0001) between lower concentrations (0–15 mg/L) and 300 mg/L arsenate was confirmed by one-way ANOVA analysis, suggesting a strong inhibitory response. 11.5% of sodium arsenate was removed from synthetic wastewater during batch operations. The microbial ecology results indicated that Geobacter, Azospirillum, and Xanthobacter genera significantly increased following arsenate treatment. In conclusion, arsenate-contaminated wastewater can be biologically treated with single-chamber microbial fuel cells, and electricity can be produced simultaneously.