Utilizing sulfate-reducing bacteria in bioelectrochemical systems for industrial wastewater treatment: a comprehensive review

Abstract

Industrial processes play a major role in environmental pollution, particularly through the discharge of sulfate-laden wastewater containing harmful metals and organic contaminants. The generation of sustainable energy and the management of industrial wastewater are pressing global challenges that require worldwide attention. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) represent an emerging technology capable of simultaneously addressing both challenges by harnessing the metabolic processes of electroactive microorganisms to convert the chemical energy of organic substrates into electrical energy. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are anaerobic microorganisms that converts sulfate to sulfide, facilitating the precipitation of heavy metals and other pollutants. SRB oxidize a broad spectrum of electron donors, and their ability to work in extreme environments and to decompose complex pollutants makes them promising options for treatment of sulfate- and metal-rich industrial effluents. The present study integrates metabolic and electrochemical insights to consolidate current knowledge on SRB-based bioelectroremediation systems, emphasizing their mechanisms, influencing factors, and electrode interactions, while also exploring design strategies and performance limitations. By outlining existing challenges and highlighting future opportunities, this study provides a framework for advancing SRB-BES applications in sustainable industrial wastewater treatment.

Keywords: Bioelectroremediation; Heavy metal removal; Microbial fuel cell (MFC); Sulfate removal; Sulfate-Reducing bacteria (SRB).