International Scientific Journals
of Scientific Technical Union of Mechanical Engineering "Industry 4.0"

Sediment microbial fuel cells are relatively new devices, originally designed to generate electricity from the degradation of organic matter in the soil by microorganisms. Currently, SMFC-based biosensors are attracting scientific interest as new and promising devices for rapid real-time monitoring of water quality and water pollutants. Compared with conventional biosensors, SMFC-based biosensors show advantages such as low cost, simple design, and the possibility of IN SITU operation and self-powered monitoring. SMFCbased biosensors are expected to be used for remote environmental monitoring, therefore evaluating their long-term performance is crucial for their usability. In this paper, we present new data needed to establish the long-term performance of SMFC based biosensors. The present study presents the effect of various environmental factors such as temperature, pH and microbial activity on the performance and effectiveness of the SMFC based biosensor for monitoring water contaminated with heavy metals. The results show stable long-term performance of these devices under various environmental conditions.

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) are special microbial fuel cells in which the anode is placed in the anaerobic sediment and the cathode is immersed in the surface layer of water. Natural electroactive bacteria decompose organic compounds in sediment, producing electrons and protons. The electrons reach the cathode through an external electrical circuit, while the protons pa ss through the soil layer, which acts as a kind of membrane. Oxygen is in many cases the preferred electron acceptor due to i ts presence in the cathode region and its high potential. Heavy metal ions and other compounds can also be reduced on the cathode, which will increase the energy generated. Based on the above characteristics, SMFCs would be suitable for application as biosensors and would be suitable for monitoring recurrent water pollution with heavy metals. In the present study, the possibility of application of SMFCs as biosensors for recurrent water pollution with copper has been studied. A high correlation was found between the concentration of copper ions and the voltage generated by SMFC, as the coefficient of determination reached 0.9921.

Plant sediment microbial fuel cells (PSMFC) transform solar energy in an environmentally friendly and efficient way. Their integration in constructed wetlands allows the generation of electricity in parallel wastewater treatment. The work of plant sediment microbial fuel cells is influenced by a number of factors, such as environmental conditions, vegetation type, hydraulic retention time, water flow, the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants in the treated water and others. The purpose of this study is to establish the seasonal dynamics of the effectiveness of PSMFC in Moderate continental climate zone. Seasonal changes in environmental conditions have a significant impact on the generation of energy from the PSMFC in regions with moderate continental climate. With the best electrical parameters the cell is characterized in spring and summer. They are significantly lower in autumn and winter. The effectiveness of PSMFC, both as a treatment facility and as electricity generation is directly related to the vegetation period of the planted vegetation and the effectiveness of the photosynthesis, which are a function of the intensity of the light, the duration of the sunshine and the average daily temperatures.