Research Article

Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells

Number: 35 March 5, 2026

Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells

Abstract

In this study, the removal of arsenate, an important environmental pollutant found in wastewater, and simultaneous electricity generation were investigated using microbial fuel cells. Single-chamber air cathode microbial fuel cells were used to examine the effects of synthetic wastewater prepared using sodium arsenate at a concentration range of 0-300 mg/L on electricity production. Arsenate removal percentages were investigated, and changes in microbial ecology were also examined. According to the results, 0.179 V electricity was produced in microbial fuel cells up to 200 mg/L sodium arsenate concentration. However, when the concentration was increased to 300 mg/L, the voltage production decreased significantly (p = 0.005). A significant difference (p < 0.0001) between lower concentrations (0–15 mg/L) and 300 mg/L arsenate was confirmed by one-way ANOVA analysis, suggesting a strong inhibitory response. 11.5% of sodium arsenate was removed from synthetic wastewater during batch operations. The microbial ecology results indicated that Geobacter, Azospirillum, and Xanthobacter genera significantly increased following arsenate treatment. In conclusion, arsenate-contaminated wastewater can be biologically treated with single-chamber microbial fuel cells, and electricity can be produced simultaneously.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Industrial Microbiology, Environmentally Sustainable Engineering

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

September 15, 2025

Publication Date

March 5, 2026

Submission Date

April 18, 2025

Acceptance Date

August 4, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 35

APA
Kavaleuskaya, A., Kilinc, B., Sever Kaya, D., Kurt, H., & Çatal, T. (2026). Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells. Biotech Studies, 35, 1784164. https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164
AMA
1.Kavaleuskaya A, Kilinc B, Sever Kaya D, Kurt H, Çatal T. Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells. Biotech Studies. 2026;(35):1784164. doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164
Chicago
Kavaleuskaya, Aksana, Burak Kilinc, Dilek Sever Kaya, Halil Kurt, and Tunç Çatal. 2026. “Effects of Arsenate on Electricity Generation and Microbial Communities in Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells”. Biotech Studies, nos. 35: 1784164. https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164.
EndNote
Kavaleuskaya A, Kilinc B, Sever Kaya D, Kurt H, Çatal T (March 1, 2026) Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells. Biotech Studies 35 1784164.
IEEE
[1]A. Kavaleuskaya, B. Kilinc, D. Sever Kaya, H. Kurt, and T. Çatal, “Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells”, Biotech Studies, no. 35, p. 1784164, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164.
ISNAD
Kavaleuskaya, Aksana - Kilinc, Burak - Sever Kaya, Dilek - Kurt, Halil - Çatal, Tunç. “Effects of Arsenate on Electricity Generation and Microbial Communities in Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells”. Biotech Studies. 35 (March 1, 2026): 1784164. https://doi.org/10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164.
JAMA
1.Kavaleuskaya A, Kilinc B, Sever Kaya D, Kurt H, Çatal T. Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells. Biotech Studies. 2026;:1784164.
MLA
Kavaleuskaya, Aksana, et al. “Effects of Arsenate on Electricity Generation and Microbial Communities in Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells”. Biotech Studies, no. 35, Mar. 2026, p. 1784164, doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164.
Vancouver
1.Aksana Kavaleuskaya, Burak Kilinc, Dilek Sever Kaya, Halil Kurt, Tunç Çatal. Effects of arsenate on electricity generation and microbial communities in single-chamber microbial fuel cells. Biotech Studies. 2026 Mar. 1;(35):1784164. doi:10.38042/biotechstudies.1784164

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