Degradation of algal organic matter using microbial fuel cells and its association with trihalomethane precursor removal

In order to provide an alternative for removal of algal organic matter (AOM) produced during algal blooms in aquatic environment, microbial fuel cell (MFC) was used to study AOM degradation and its association with THM precursor removal. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) removals in MFCs were 81 ± 6% and 73 ± 3% for AOM from Microcystis aeruginosa (AOMM) and Chlorella vulgaris (AOMC), respectively. THM precursor was also effectively degraded (AOMM 85 ± 2%, AOMC 72 ± 4%). The major AOM components (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) were obviously removed in MFCs. The contribution of each component to the THM formation potential (THMFP) was obtained based on calculation. The THMFP produced from soluble microbial products was very low. If the energy input during operation process was not considered, MFCs treatment could recover electrical energy of 0.29 ± 0.02 kWh/kg COD (AOMM) and 0.35 ± 0.06 kWh/kg COD (AOMC).