| Abstract | In this study, removal of dissolved organic carbon and naphthenic acids (NAs) from oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) was evaluated in flow-through microbial fuel cell (MFC), microbial electrolysis cell (MEC), and microbial electrosynthesis (MES) cell setups with aerated cathodic compartments. At a hydraulic retention time of 2.4 days, the MEC and MFC setups demonstrated 79% and 4.0% removal efficiency of organic materials, respectively, with corresponding degradation rates of 27.25 and 1.86 mg (LR day)⁻¹ (R = total reactor volume). NAs removal was also significantly higher in the MEC operated at 1.4 V with 54% and 21% removal for the MEC and MFC setups, respectively. Furthermore, once the MEC applied voltage was increased to 2 V (MES mode), NAs removal was further improved, reaching 70% efficiency. Analysis of microbial community composition using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequences indicated the presence of known electroactive species and microbial populations capable of degrading hydrocarbons and NAs. |
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