Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review
Background: Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are emerging energy-effective and environment-friendly technologies. Different applications of BESs are able to effectively minimize wastes and treat wastewater while simultaneously recovering electricity, biohydrogen and other value-added chemicals via...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-10-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/11/2951 |
| _version_ | 1811300513397866496 |
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| author | Simeng Li Gang Chen Aavudai Anandhi |
| author_facet | Simeng Li Gang Chen Aavudai Anandhi |
| author_sort | Simeng Li |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are emerging energy-effective and environment-friendly technologies. Different applications of BESs are able to effectively minimize wastes and treat wastewater while simultaneously recovering electricity, biohydrogen and other value-added chemicals via specific redox reactions. Although there are many studies that have greatly advanced the performance of BESs over the last decade, research and reviews on agriculture-relevant applications of BESs are very limited. Considering the increasing demand for food, energy and water due to human population expansion, novel technologies are urgently needed to promote productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Methodology: This review study is based on an extensive literature search regarding agriculture-related BES studies mainly in the last decades (i.e., 2009⁻2018). The databases used in this review study include Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science. The current and future applications of bioelectrochemical technologies in agriculture have been discussed. Findings/Conclusions: BESs have the potential to recover considerable amounts of electric power and energy chemicals from agricultural wastes and wastewater. The recovered energy can be used to reduce the energy input into agricultural systems. Other resources and value-added chemicals such as biofuels, plant nutrients and irrigation water can also be produced in BESs. In addition, BESs may replace unsustainable batteries to power remote sensors or be designed as biosensors for agricultural monitoring. The possible applications to produce food without sunlight and remediate contaminated soils using BESs have also been discussed. At the same time, agricultural wastes can also be processed into construction materials or biochar electrodes/electrocatalysts for reducing the high costs of current BESs. Future studies should evaluate the long-term performance and stability of on-farm BES applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:53:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-65608d9f20c5444aa6ffc5ade5a02f19 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T06:53:10Z |
| publishDate | 2018-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-65608d9f20c5444aa6ffc5ade5a02f192022-12-22T02:57:21ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732018-10-011111295110.3390/en11112951en11112951Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current ReviewSimeng Li0Gang Chen1Aavudai Anandhi2Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310-6046, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310-6046, USABiological Systems Engineering, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USABackground: Bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) are emerging energy-effective and environment-friendly technologies. Different applications of BESs are able to effectively minimize wastes and treat wastewater while simultaneously recovering electricity, biohydrogen and other value-added chemicals via specific redox reactions. Although there are many studies that have greatly advanced the performance of BESs over the last decade, research and reviews on agriculture-relevant applications of BESs are very limited. Considering the increasing demand for food, energy and water due to human population expansion, novel technologies are urgently needed to promote productivity and sustainability in agriculture. Methodology: This review study is based on an extensive literature search regarding agriculture-related BES studies mainly in the last decades (i.e., 2009⁻2018). The databases used in this review study include Scopus, Google Scholar and Web of Science. The current and future applications of bioelectrochemical technologies in agriculture have been discussed. Findings/Conclusions: BESs have the potential to recover considerable amounts of electric power and energy chemicals from agricultural wastes and wastewater. The recovered energy can be used to reduce the energy input into agricultural systems. Other resources and value-added chemicals such as biofuels, plant nutrients and irrigation water can also be produced in BESs. In addition, BESs may replace unsustainable batteries to power remote sensors or be designed as biosensors for agricultural monitoring. The possible applications to produce food without sunlight and remediate contaminated soils using BESs have also been discussed. At the same time, agricultural wastes can also be processed into construction materials or biochar electrodes/electrocatalysts for reducing the high costs of current BESs. Future studies should evaluate the long-term performance and stability of on-farm BES applications.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/11/2951bioelectrochemical systemagriculture sustainabilityelectricity generationresource recoverydesalinationagricultural monitoringbiochar |
| spellingShingle | Simeng Li Gang Chen Aavudai Anandhi Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review Energies bioelectrochemical system agriculture sustainability electricity generation resource recovery desalination agricultural monitoring biochar |
| title | Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review |
| title_full | Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review |
| title_fullStr | Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review |
| title_short | Applications of Emerging Bioelectrochemical Technologies in Agricultural Systems: A Current Review |
| title_sort | applications of emerging bioelectrochemical technologies in agricultural systems a current review |
| topic | bioelectrochemical system agriculture sustainability electricity generation resource recovery desalination agricultural monitoring biochar |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/11/11/2951 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT simengli applicationsofemergingbioelectrochemicaltechnologiesinagriculturalsystemsacurrentreview AT gangchen applicationsofemergingbioelectrochemicaltechnologiesinagriculturalsystemsacurrentreview AT aavudaianandhi applicationsofemergingbioelectrochemicaltechnologiesinagriculturalsystemsacurrentreview |