(177b) Application of Bioelectrochemical Systems to Hexavalent Chromium Remediation

Interest in bioelectrochemical systems, including microbial fuel cells, has grown in recent years with regards to treatment of wastewater streams. As a potential sustainable treatment technology, these systems are able to capture chemical energy in the waste stream by performing a direct conversion to electrical energy. Recent studies have also shown that these systems are an ideal solution for controlling redox chemistry in aqueous solutions, presenting a promising approach for controlling certain heavy metals and radionuclides.

     This presentation will focus on an implementation of this technology to treat hexavalent chromium contamination in drinking water systems. Laboratory testing showed removal of hexavalent chromium to less than 2 ppb. Results from treatment and removal of hexavalent chromium with both single species and mixed bacterial communities in these bioelectrochemical systems will be shown here.

     A possible in situ treatment method to polish or remove relatively low chromium contamination from groundwater utilized for drinking water (e.g. well water) will also be presented. Possible extension of this technology to other contaminants (uranium, selenium) will also be presented.