Reduced Inorganic Sulfur Compounds of Simulated Mining Waters Support Bioelectrochemical and Electrochemical Current Generation

摘要

Tetrathionate (S_4O_6~(2-)) was removed from simulated acidic mining water (pH<2.5) while simultaneously generating electrical current in (bio)electrochemical systems. The current density in bioelectrochemical system was improved by optimizing the external resistance and the long-term stability was monitored for over 700 days. The electricity production efficiency improved over time and microbial cultures were dominated by Acidithiobacillus sp. and Ferroplasma sp. With bioelectrochemical systems, current was generated at lower anode potentials (20.3 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and tetrathionate was degraded at higher rate (≥110 mg L~(-1) d-1) than in the electrochemical system (20.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl and ≤35 mg L~(-1) d-1).