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Bioelectrochemical anaerobic sewage treatment technology for Arctic communities

  • Water, sanitation, pollution and health in the Arctic
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Abstract

This study describes a novel wastewater treatment technology suitable for small remote northern communities. The technology is based on an enhanced biodegradation of organic carbon through a combination of anaerobic methanogenic and microbial electrochemical (bioelectrochemical) degradation processes leading to biomethane production. The microbial electrochemical degradation is achieved in a membraneless flow-through bioanode–biocathode setup operating at an applied voltage below the water electrolysis threshold. Laboratory wastewater treatment tests conducted through a broad range of mesophilic and psychrophilic temperatures (5–23 °C) using synthetic wastewater showed a biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) removal efficiency of 90–97% and an effluent BOD5 concentration as low as 7 mg L−1. An electricity consumption of 0.6 kWh kg−1 of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removed was observed. Low energy consumption coupled with enhanced methane production led to a net positive energy balance in the bioelectrochemical treatment system.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Ave, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada

    Boris Tartakovsky & Michelle-France Manuel

  2. National Research Council of Canada, 12000 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada

    Yehuda Kleiner

Authors
  1. Boris Tartakovsky
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  2. Yehuda Kleiner
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  3. Michelle-France Manuel
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Boris Tartakovsky.

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Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

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Tartakovsky, B., Kleiner, Y. & Manuel, MF. Bioelectrochemical anaerobic sewage treatment technology for Arctic communities. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 32844–32850 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8390-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-8390-1

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