Abstract
Metal laden wastes and contamination pose a threat to ecosystem well being and human health. Metal containing waste streams are also a valuable resource for recovery of precious and scarce elements. Although biological methods are inexpensive and effective for treating metal wastewaters and in situ bioremediation of metal(loid) contamination, little progress has been made towards metal(loid) recovery. Bioelectrochemical systems are emerging as a new technology platform for removal and recovery of metal ions from metallurgical wastes, process streams and wastewaters. Biodegradation of organic matter by electroactive biofilms at the anode has been successfully coupled to cathodic reduction of metal ions. Until now, leaching of Co(II) from LiCoO<inf>2</inf> particles, and removal of metal ions i.e. Co(III/II), Cr(VI), Cu(II), Hg(II), Ag(I), Se(IV), and Cd(II) from aqueous solutions has been demonstrated. This article reviews the state of art research of bioelectrochemical systems for removal and recovery of metal(loid) ions and pertaining removal mechanisms.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 102-114 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Bioresource Technology |
| Volume | 195 |
| Early online date | 17 Jun 2015 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
| Publication type | A2 Review article in a scientific journal |
Keywords
- Bioelectrochemical treatment (BET)
- Biorecovery
- Heavy metals
- Microbial fuel cells
- Wastewater treatment
Publication forum classification
- Publication forum level 2
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Waste Management and Disposal
