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Microbial Electrochemical Technologies for Sustainable Nitrogen Removal in Marine and Coastal Environments

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  • María José De La Fuente

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Marine Energy Research & Innovation Center (MERIC), Santiago 7550268, Chile)

  • Carlos Gallardo-Bustos

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable (CEDEUS), Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Rodrigo De la Iglesia

    (Marine Energy Research & Innovation Center (MERIC), Santiago 7550268, Chile
    Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile)

  • Ignacio T. Vargas

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Hidráulica y Ambiental, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 7820436, Chile
    Marine Energy Research & Innovation Center (MERIC), Santiago 7550268, Chile
    Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable (CEDEUS), Santiago 7820436, Chile)

Abstract

For many years, the world’s coastal marine ecosystems have received industrial waste with high nitrogen concentrations, generating the eutrophication of these ecosystems. Different physicochemical-biological technologies have been developed to remove the nitrogen present in wastewater. However, conventional technologies have high operating costs and excessive production of brines or sludge which compromise the sustainability of the treatment. Microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) have begun to gain attention due to their cost-efficiency in removing nitrogen and organic matter using the metabolic capacity of microorganisms. This article combines a critical review of the environmental problems associated with the discharge of the excess nitrogen and the biological processes involved in its biogeochemical cycle; with a comparative analysis of conventional treatment technologies and METs especially designed for nitrogen removal. Finally, current METs limitations and perspectives as a sustainable nitrogen treatment alternative and efficient microbial enrichment techniques are included.

Suggested Citation

  • María José De La Fuente & Carlos Gallardo-Bustos & Rodrigo De la Iglesia & Ignacio T. Vargas, 2022. "Microbial Electrochemical Technologies for Sustainable Nitrogen Removal in Marine and Coastal Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2411-:d:753476
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