Electrifying biotrickling filters for the treatment of aquaponics wastewater

This work aimed to study the electrification of biotrickling filters by means of Microbial electrochemical technologies (MET) to develop an easy-to-assemble and easy-to-use MET for nitrogen removal without external aeration nor addition of chemicals. Four different designs were tested. The highest ammonium and nitrate removal rates (94 gN center dot m(3)center dot d(-1) and 43 gN center dot m(3)center dot d(-1), respectively) were reached by combining an aerobic zone with an electrified anoxic zone. The standards of effluent quality suitable for hydroponics were met at low energy cost (8.3 x 10(-2) kWh center dot gN(-1)). Electrified biotrickling filters are a promising alternative for aquaponics and a potential treatment for organic carbon-deficient ammonium-contaminated waters.

Automated summary

This study explored the electrification of biotrickling filters using microbial electrochemical technologies, achieving high removal rates of ammonium and nitrate by combining an aerobic zone with an electrified anoxic zone. The effluent quality met hydroponics standards, with low energy cost, making electrified biotrickling filters a promising alternative for aquaponics and a potential treatment for organic carbon-deficient ammonium-contaminated waters.