A recent development on iron-oxidising bacteria (IOB) applications in water and wastewater treatment

This paper reviews recent literature related to the developments on iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) applications in water and wastewater treatment which incorporates discussions on the oxidation processes, the species variations, its applications, impacts, challenges, issues, and future prospects. Different species of IOB survive in different environmental conditions based on their characteristics. Optimum environmental conditions such as an acidic environment and optimum oxygen are necessary to ensure IOB can consume sufficient ferrous iron as an energy source. However, there is a dearth of understanding about the IOB species and genes to date. The bacteria can be applied to remove contaminants in the water and wastewater treatment independently or inoculated with other adsorbents to increase the removal efficiency through concurrent oxidation and adsorption processes. The majority of IOB used in treatments are aerobic microbes that need enough oxygen to perform metabolic reactions. Although there are many other removal technologies, As opposed to chemical treatments that can remove the pollutants effectively in a shorter time, IOB technology is preferred because of its low cost and environmental friendly. The former also has a shorter lifespan and high operation costs. However, the presence of IOB in the piping system may cause microbially influenced corrosion (MIC) which rate accelerated under oxygendepleted conditions due to the presence of anaerobic sulphate-reducing bacteria. Although different corrosion prevention technologies in the piping system exist, there is still a knowledge gap in solving the corrosion issues induced by the IOB.

Automated summary

This paper reviews recent developments in the application of iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) in water and wastewater treatment, discussing oxidation processes, species variations, applications, challenges, issues, and future prospects. Although IOB technology is preferred for its low cost and environmental friendliness, the presence of IOB in piping systems may cause microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC).