Integrating bioremediation and microbial fuel cell technologies: The role of Soil Microbial Communities in contaminant degradation and bioelectricity generation

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review

Authors

1 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran.

3 Department of Microbial Biotechnology, School of Biology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

With growing global concerns about soil and water pollution and the escalating impacts of climate change, there is an urgent need for innovative technologies capable of simultaneously achieving bioremediation and clean energy generation. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) and their sediment- or soil-based variants (SMFCs) have emerged as promising bioelectrochemical systems that convert the chemical energy of organic matter into electrical energy through the metabolic activity of electrogenic microorganisms, while concurrently degrading resistant pollutants. Microbial communities residing in sediments and soil layers, particularly those forming anodic biofilms, play a crucial role in system performance by facilitating direct and mediated electron transfer. However, the open and dynamic nature of SMFC environments leads to complex microbial succession, influencing the electrochemical stability and long-term efficiency of the system. Despite significant progress, challenges such as limited diversity of efficient electroactive species, competition between non-electrogenic and electrogenic microorganisms, and biofilm instability continue to restrict large-scale deployment. This review focuses on the microbial and electrochemical aspects of MFCs and SMFCs, discussing electron transfer mechanisms, microbial community dynamics in anodic and cathodic zones, and the influence of electrochemical parameters on system performance. Future perspectives include the development of engineered microbial consortia with complementary functionalities, integration of biostimulation strategies to regulate microbial succession, and optimization of operational conditions to enhance both power generation and bioremediation efficiency. The insights presented in this review may facilitate the design of more sustainable and efficient systems for environmental management and renewable energy production.

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Main Subjects

Iranian Journal of Soil and Water Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 28 January 2026

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