The Role of Microbial Fuel Cells in Heavy Metal and Toxic Contaminant Remediation

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have developed over many years to become a cutting-edge technology for the generation of bioelectricity and the bioremediation of toxic contaminants. The potential of MFCs to function as biosensors to detect heavy metals in wastewater while harvesting power density is one important role that they play in wastewater treatment. This chapter reviews the role of MFCs in the bioremediation of toxic contaminants, including heavy metals, dyes, pharmaceuticals and other recalcitrant organics, through the utilization of a range of designs, physicochemical considerations and electrical data acquisition. This chapter also highlights the degradation mechanisms and exoelectrogenic bacteria that govern the bioremediation process. This chapter deepens the understanding of MFCs as real-time sensors for the advancement of wastewater treatment technologies.