Developments in soil science with potential for electricity generation, water purification and soil conditioning

[studiot]

Quote

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-64755802

Scientists are harnessing the microorganisms in soil to generate electricity that could one day help decontaminate polluted landscapes.

 

 

 

 

[exchemist]

58 minutes ago, studiot said:

 

Interesting. The BBC article doesn't explain how it works but I've found this paper with an abstract and a diagram that help explain this:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261920311776

Here is the diagram:

It seems from this that these microbes generate CO2 and H+ ions by decomposing organic matter below the surface of the soil and in the process release free electrons (!). The electrons are captured by the anode of the circuit.

The cathode lies on the soil surface, which is exposed to oxygen in the air. There, H+ ions are combined with oxygen plus electrons from the cathode to produce water. So the net effect is oxidation (electron removal) of the organic matter, producing CO2 underground and water on the surface.

The slight mystery is that this paper is from 2 years ago, so it seems unclear why the BBC has decided to report it as news only now. 

 

Edited March 4, 2023 by exchemist

[studiot]

37 minutes ago, exchemist said:

Interesting. The BBC article doesn't explain how it works but I've found this paper with an abstract and a diagram that help explain this:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0306261920311776

Here is the diagram:

It seems from this that these microbes generate CO2 and H+ ions by decomposing organic matter below the surface of the soil and in the process release free electrons (!). The electrons are captured by the anode of the circuit.

The cathode lies on the soil surface, which is exposed to oxygen in the air. There, H+ ions are combined with oxygen plus electrons from the cathode to produce water. So the net effect is oxidation (electron removal) of the organic matter, producing CO2 underground and water on the surface.

The slight mystery is that this paper is from 2 years ago, so it seems unclear why the BBC has decided to report it as news only now. 

 

Thanks for the extra info +1