Cathodic microbiota in constructed bioelectrochemical wetlands

Constructed wetlands are widely used systems for wastewater treatment because of their low cost and simplicity. They consist of a bed filled with particulate material in which macrophytes and microorganisms reduce the concentration of organic matter, nitrogen compounds and phosphorus in the wastewater circulating through it. One of the strategies to optimize this technology is to promote the growth of electro-active microorganisms, giving rise to the so-called bioelectrochemical wetlands. These microorganisms are naturally present in wastewater and are capable of using electrodes as a source or sink of electrons, generating an electric current. In this study, we aim to evaluate the role of macrophytes and their accompanying microbiota in the wastewater treatment capacity of bioelectrochemical wetlands.