A Novel Combined Biomonitoring System for BOD Measurement and Toxicity Detection using Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cell enriched with electrochemically-active bacteria using sludge was successfully applied as BOD and toxicity detection biosensors. The current from the microbial fuel cells was proportional to concentration up to 200 mg/L of BOD₅ with high linearity. A microbial fuel cell could be also applied to a toxicity detection biosensor. An electric current signal change was observed in the presence of toxic substances (singular/complex) such as cadmium, lead, chromium(VI), mercury, cyanide, arsenic, PCB, organophosphorus and surfactant. By combining the principles of BOD measurement and toxicity detection, a novel biomonitoring system that could simultaneously monitor BOD concentration and the presence of toxic substances in aqueous system could be developed.