Biodegradation and Bio-Electricity Generationof Diesel Oil-Polluted Seawater ViaLaccase-Producing Bacterial Consortium

Petroleum contamination is a significant concern for both the environment and human health.Various methods have been used for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated seawater.In this study, a laccase-producing bacterial consortium was selected and used for the remediation of dieselcontaminated seawater.Moreover, this consortium was integrated with a microbial fuel cell to recover electrical energy from the diesel degradation.The results found that the bacterial consortium MS exhibited the highest laccase activity (28.130.20 U/mL) and achieved a 97.850.52%diesel degradation rate.Metabolomic analysis revealed the presence of several degradation products, including ethylbenzene, 1,3-dimethylbenzene, propylbenzene, 1-(1-propynyl)-1-cyclohexene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, benzene, 1,1'-(1,2-dimethyl-1,2-ethanediyl) bis, and hentriacontane.Furthermore, a floating microbial fuel cell (MFC) coupled with the consortium generated a maximum power density (PD) of 0.180.00W/m and a maximum current density (CD) of 0.530.01A/m.These findings highlight the potential of marine bacterial consortia with laccase activity for bioremediation of diesel-contaminated seawater, coupled with the added benefit of bioenergy recovery.