Performance of electro-Fenton process coupling with microbial fuel cell for simultaneous removal of herbicide mesotrione.

The aim of this work was to investigate the performance of electro-Fenton process coupling with microbial fuel cell for removal of herbicide mesotrione. After a six months acclimation, the anodic biofilm exhibited stable degradation ability to herbicide mesotrione, and the bioelectricity generated by the anodic biofilm could be utilized to in-situ generate H2O2 in cathode. Under the optimized conditions, the mesotrione removal rates reached 0.83 mg L-1h-1 for anodic microbial degradation and 1.39 mg L-1h-1 for cathodic Fenton oxidation, respectively. The bacteria possessing functions of compounds degradation (e.g. Petrimonas, Desulfovibrio, and Mycobacterium) and electrons transfer (e.g. Petrimonas, Cloacibacillus, and Azospirillum) were selectively enriched in anodic biofilm. Therefore, with the advantages of pollutant removal by simultaneous microbial degradation and Fenton oxidation, the MFC-Fenton offer a promising and sustainable approach for wastewater treatment and refractory contaminants elimination.