Exploring ammonium conversion at bioanodes of microbial electrolysis cells

Nitrogen pollution in water poses significant environmental challenges, including harm to aquatic ecosystems and contributions to climate change through nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Conventional biological wastewater treatment methods are often ineffective for streams with low carbon content, necessitating alternative approaches. This research investigates microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) as a promising and sustainable solution for nitrogen removal. By employing bioanodes as electron acceptors, MECs enable the direct conversion of ammonium (NH₄⁺), a primary nitrogen pollutant in raw wastewater, into nitrogen gas (N₂), eliminating the need for aeration or supplemental organic material. This study addresses key challenges in optimizing reaction rates, minimizing byproducts such as nitrate (NO₃⁻) and N₂O, and elucidating nitrogen conversion pathways. The findings contribute to advancing MEC technology, providing critical insights for achieving efficient nitrogen removal from wastewater while mitigating the environmental impacts of N₂O emissions.