Microscale gradients of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and pH in freshwater cathodic biofilms.

ABSTRACT: Cathodic reactions in biofilms employed in sediment microbial fuel cells is generally studied in the bulk phase. However, the cathodic biofilms affected by these reactions exist in microscale conditions in the biofilm and near the electrode surface that differ from the bulk phase. Understanding these microscale conditions and relating them to cathodic biofilm performance is critical for better-performing cathodes. The goal of this research was to quantify the variation in oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and the pH value near polarized surfaces in river water to simulate cathodic biofilms. We used laboratory river-water biofilms and pure culture biofilms of Leptothrix discophora SP-6 as two types of cathodic biofilms. Microelectrodes were used to quantify oxygen concentration, hydrogen peroxide

SUBMITTER: Babauta JT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4247834 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature