Electrochemical and microbial community responses of electrochemically active biofilms to copper ions in bioelectrochemical systems

Abstract Heavy metals play an important role in the conductivity of solution, power generation and activity of microorganisms in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). However, effect of heavy metal on the process of exoelectrogenesis metabolism and extracellular electron transfer of electrochemically active biofilms (EABs) was poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the impact of Cu 2+ at gradually increasing concentration on the morphological and electrochemical performance and bacterial communities of anodic biofilms in mixed-culture BESs. The voltage output decreased continuously and dropped to zero at 10 mg L −1 , which was attributed to the toxic inhibition that cased anodic biofilm damage and decreased secretion of outer membrane cytochromes. When stopping the introduction of Cu 2+ to anodic chamber, the maximum voltage production recovered 75.1% of the voltage produced from BES and coulombic efficiency was higher but acetate removal rate was lower than that before Cu 2+ addition, demonstrating the recovery capability of EABs was higher compared to nonelectroactive bacteria. Moreover, SEM-EDS and XPS suggested that most of Cu 2+ was adsorbed by the anode electrode and reduced by EABs on anode. Compared to the open-circuit BES, the flow of electrons through a circuit could improve the reduction of copper. Community analysis showed a decrease in Geobacter accompanied by an increase in Stenotrophomonas in response to Cu 2+ shock in anodic chamber.