Enhanced hydro-reductive dechlorination of TCE in groundwater by promoting specific microbial consortia using tubular microbial fuel cells integrated with biochar

This study investigates microbial community dynamics associated with hydro-reductive dechlorination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in anaerobic groundwater using tubular microbial fuel cells. Samples were collected from anodic and cathodic compartments of systems operated with mud volcano sludge, with and without biochar amendment, and from biochar-only controls. High-throughput sequencing was used to characterize microbial taxa involved in electron transfer, methanogenesis, and organohalide respiration. The resulting sequence data provide insight into how biochar-assisted systems influence microbial consortia, suppress methanogenesis, and enhance electron utilization for chlorinated solvent dechlorination, supporting research on anaerobic groundwater bioremediation and microbe-electrode interactions.