Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108661
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Enriching electroactive microorganisms from ferruginous lake waters – Mind the sulfate reducers!
Author Valero, A.; Petrash, D.A.; Kuchenbuch, A.; Korth, B. ORCID logo
Source Titel Bioelectrochemistry
Year 2024
Department MIBITECH
Volume 157
Page From art. 108661
Language englisch
Topic T7 Bioeconomy
Supplements https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S1567539424000239-mmc1.docx
Keywords Bioelectrochemical systems; Anodic enrichment; Weak electricigens; Ferruginous lakes; Extracellular electron transfer; Biomineralization
Abstract Electroactive microorganisms are pivotal players in mineral transformation within redox interfaces characterized by pronounced oxygen and dissolved metal gradients. Yet, their systematic cultivation from such environments remains elusive. Here, we conducted an anodic enrichment using anoxic ferruginous waters from a post-mining lake as inoculum. Weak electrogenicity ( j = ∼5 µA cm−2) depended on electroactive planktonic cells rather than anodic biofilms, with a preference for formate as electron donor. Addition of yeast extract decreased the lag phase but did not increase current densities. The enriched bacterial community varied depending on the substrate composition but mainly comprised of sulfate- and nitrate-reducing bacteria (e.g., Desulfatomaculum spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp.). A secondary enrichment strategy resulted in different bacterial communities composed of iron-reducing (e.g., Klebsiella spp.) and fermentative bacteria (e.g., Paeniclostridium spp.). Secondary electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy results indicate the precipitation of sulfur- and iron-rich organomineral aggregates at the anode surface, presumably impeding current production. Our findings indicate that (i) anoxic waters containing geogenically derived metals can be used to enrich weak electricigens, and (ii) it is necessary to either specifically inhibit sulfate reducers. Otherwise, sulfate reducers tend to dominate over EAM during cultivation, which can lead to anode passivation due to biomineralization.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=28689
Valero, A., Petrash, D.A., Kuchenbuch, A., Korth, B. (2024):
Enriching electroactive microorganisms from ferruginous lake waters – Mind the sulfate reducers!
Bioelectrochemistry 157 , art. 108661 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2024.108661