Preliminary comparison of 2-chlorophenol biodegradation using microbial fuel cell and anaerobic systems

2-chlorophenol (2CP) is a typical contaminant found in industrial effluent that is both hazardous and persistent in the environment. The bioelectrochemical degradation of 2CP has been approved as a preferred method for removing the abrasive 2CP from wastewater. In this work, a microbial fuel cell (MFC) system inoculated with palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge was used to degrade 2CP. The changes of morphology of the anode biofilm were observed under a light microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) for 2CP-fed MFC compared with the biofilm inoculated in an anaerobic chamber (AC). Maximum current density generated by the MFC was 97.30 mA/m2 while degrading 75% 2CP. Lower 2CP degradation of 60% was observed using the AC. Also, the abundance of negatively stained bacteria is reduced in the AC biofilm. This research shows that bioelectrochemical 2CP degradation is more efficient than conventional AC degradation. POME has the potential to be a high-value substrate for bacteria that can generate electricity in the MFC while also degrading harmful 2CP.