Efficient nitrate and perchlorate removal from aqueous solution via a novel electro-dialysis ion-exchange membrane bioreactor

Abstract The performance of a novel Electro-dialysis ion-exchange membrane bioreactor (EDIMB) for simultaneous removal of perchlorate and nitrate from aqueous solution was studied. EDIMB combines electrodialysis (ED) with bioreduction to remove contaminants while avoiding secondary contamination of organic matter and microorganisms. The removal process of pollutants in water compartment and bio-compartment can be well simulated by the First-order kinetic model and the established Zero-Michaelis-Menten model. Furthermore, compared with ED (VSS = 0.00 g/L), when the microbial concentration was 3.00 g/L, the total current efficiency was increased by 43.5% in first 60 min. The biological reaction takes place in the bio-compartment, which reduces the resistance of pollutant transmembrane migration and promotes ion migration. Microorganisms played a promoting role in the process of pollutant migration. High-throughput sequencing analysis of microorganisms showed that Thauera and Macellibacteroides were the main denitrifying and perchlorate-reducing bacteria.