Biocatalysed sulphate removal in a BES cathode

Our study entitled “Biocatalysed sulphate removal in a bioelectrochemical System (BES) cathode” has been accepted for publication in Bioresource Technology Journal. The work carried out by M. Coma, S. Puig, N. Pous, M.D. Balaguer and  J. Colprim faces to an environmental issue (sulphate polluted water) using BES. I would like to recognise the impressive work carried out by Marta Coma and some preliminary studies done by Laura Batchellí.

The abstract is:

Sulphate reduction in a biological cathode and physically separated from biological organic matter oxidation has been studied in this paper. The bioelectrochemical system was operated as microbial fuel cell (for bioelectricity production) to microbial electrolysis cell (with applied voltage). Sulphate reduction was not observed without applied voltage and only resulted when the cathodic potential was poised at -0.26V vs. SHE, with a minimum energy requirement of 0.7 V, while maximum removal occurred at 1.4 V applied. The reduction of sulphate led to sulphide production, which was entrapped in the ionic form thanks to the high biocathode pH (i.e. pH of 10) obtained during the process.

More information at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960852412019086