Bioelectrochemical systems for managing the metal’s issues

Abstract The presence of heavy metals in the aquatic environment impacting on human health is one of the most pressing concerns in the current industrialized era. Bioelectrochemical technology employs living microbials as biocatalysts to remove the metal ions in aqueous solution via a reduction–oxidation mechanism, offering potential advantages that is more sustainable than the conventional method. In addition, it could recover the metal ions into their low oxidation states which have potential economic value. This chapter summarizes the application of bioelectrochemical systems on metal removal, either using microorganisms originating from freshwater or marine selected species. The basic theory of the process is discussed first. The optimizing process is also evaluated to pinpoint the advantages and the drawbacks of the process.