One contemporary issue experienced worldwide is the climate change due to the
combustion of fossil fuels. Microbial Electrochemical Systems pose as an alternative
for energy generation. In this technology, microorganisms are primarily responsible
for electricity production. To improve the performance it is reasonable to think
that bacteria from diverse environments, such as the brine pools of the Red Sea,
can be utilized in these systems. Samples from three brine pools: Atlantis II, Valdivia,
and Kebrit Deeps, were analyzed using Microbial Electrochemical Cells, with a
poised potential at +0.2 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) and acetate as electron donor, to evaluate
the exoelectrogenic activity by the present microorganisms. Only samples from Valdivia
Deep were able to produce a noticeable current of 6 A/m2. This result, along
with acetate consumption and changes on the redox activity measured with cyclic
voltammetry, provides arguments to con rm the presence of exoelectrogenic bacteria
in this environment. Further characterization using microscopy and molecular biology
techniques is required, to obtain the most amount of information about these
microorganisms and their potential use in bioelectrochemical technologies.
Date of Award | May 2014 |
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Original language | English (US) |
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Awarding Institution | - Biological, Environmental Sciences and Engineering
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Supervisor | Pascal Saikaly (Supervisor) |
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- brine pools
- Red Sea
- exoelectrogenic bacteria
- Microbial Fuel Cells