Abstract
In this study, changes in various nitrogen concentrations in sediment based on a distance from an anode and depth from sediment surface were investigated to evaluate of influences of Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell (SMFC) on sediment. Additionally, changes in the sediment surface layer were investigated by the use of the microsensor measurement technique. By applying the SFC, the NH4+ concentration of the pore water, which was collected at the place of 15 mm away from the anode, reduced to 40% compared with the control operation. Meanwhile, the reduction rate of it at the place of 75 mm away from the anode was 10%. Therefore, it was suggested that SMFC can enhance the degradation rate of NH4+ in sediment within 75 mm from anode at least. An increase of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) concentration in the pore water of the SMFC was observed compared with the control operation, and this effect was higher as it was closer to the anode. From the result of the microsensor analysis, penetration of dissolved oxygen into the sediment surface in the SMFC was higher than it in the control operation. As the result, the increase of denitrification performance in sediment surfaces with the increase of nitrification performance was suggested.
