Pollutant remediation and green energy generation using integrated constructed wetland–microbial fuel cell systems: Current status, challenges, and prospects

Constructed wetlands (CW) and microbial fuel cell (MFC) are two complimentary wastewater treatment techniques. Working mechanism of both techniques depends on bacterial community to remove water pollutants. MFC requires anaerobic condition for action while CW maintains the redox conditions naturally. So, the integration of CW-MFC is considered as the most promising and ecofriendly installation for the treatment of wastewater. On the basis of an investigation, it is revealed that wastewater treatment can be improved in CW-MFC based on the electrochemical mechanism of anodic oxidation and cathodic reduction reactions. CW activity is upgraded by enhancements in the microorganism population at the anode surfaces subsequently boosting wastewater treatment effectiveness. Plant facilitates the removal of organic pollutants by exudates secretion and aerobic degradation at cathode. Likewise, the MFC can use the normal redox potential present inside CW for bioelectricity generation. In view of the published work over last few years, this review aims to provide present status of working with CW-MFC while investigating future research challenges and limitations.