Intermittent electrical stimulation on biodegradation of pharmaceuticals and bacterial community changes

This study aimed to build and operate anaerobic-aerobic-coupled up-flow bioelectrochemical reactors (AO-UBERs) using an intermittent supply of different voltages to treat recalcitrant pharmaceuticals. Ibuprofen, diclofenac, and carbamazepine were chosen as the three typical contaminants. The main objectives were: (1) to determine the effect of different applied voltages and HRT on the biodegradation of these mixtures, (2) to investigate the impact of electrode transition on the elimination of pharmaceuticals, and (3) to analyze the responses of bacterial communities in AO-UBERs.