Electrochemical enrichment of haloalkaliphilic nitrate-reducing microbial biofilm at the cathode of bioelectrochemical systems.

ABSTRACT: Electrotrophic microorganisms have not been well studied in extreme environments. Here, we report on the nitrate-reducing cathodic microbial biofilm from a haloalkaline environment. The biofilm enriched via electrochemical approach under 9.5 pH and 20 g NaCl/L salinity conditions achieved -43.5±7.2μA/cm2 current density and 49.5±13.2% nitrate reduction efficiency via partial and complete denitrification. Voltammetric characterization of the biocathodes revealed a redox center with -0.294±0.003V (vs. Ag/AgCl) formal potential putatively involved in the electron uptake process. The lack of soluble redox mediators and hydrogen-driven nitrate reduction suggests direct-contact cathodic electron uptake by the nitrate-reducing microorganisms in the enriched biofilm. 16S-rRNA amplicon sequencing of the cathodic biofilm revealed the presence of unreported Pseudomonas, Natronococcus, and Pseudoalteromonas spp. at 31.45% , 11.82%, and 9.69% relative sequence abundances, respectively. The enriched nitrate-reducing microorganisms also reduced nitrate efficiently using soluble electron donors found in the lake sediments, thereby suggesting their role in N-cycling in such environments.

SUBMITTER: Chaudhary S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8233197 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature