Iranian Journal of

Background and Objectives: Microbial fuel cells are the electrochemical exchangers that convert the microbial reduced power, generated via the metabolism of organic substrate, to electrical energy. The aim of this study is to find out the rate of produced electricity and also treatment rate of simulated wastewater of food industries using dual chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC) without mediator and catalyst.
Materials and Methods: MFC used in this study was consisted of two compartments including anaerobic anode chamber containing simulated food industries wastewater as synthetic substrate and aerobic cathode chamber containing phosphate buffer, respectively. These two chambers were separated by proton exchange membrane made of Nafion. Produced voltage and current intensity were measured using a digital ohm meter and the amount of electricity was calculated by Ohm's law. Effluent from the anode compartment was tested for COD, BOD5, NH3, P, TSS, VSS, SO42- and alkalinity  in accordance with the Standard Methods. 
Results: In this study, maximum current intensity and power production at anode surface in the OLR of 0.79 Kg/m3.d were measured as 1.71 mA and 140 mW/m2, respectively. The maximum voltage of 0.422 V was obtained in the OLR of 0.36 Kg/m3.d. The greatest columbic efficiency of the system was 15% in the OLR of 0.18 Kg/m3.d. Maximum removal efficiency of COD, BOD5, NH3, P, TSS, VSS, SO42- and alkalinity, were obtained 78, 72, 66, 7, 56, 49, 26 and 40%, respectively.
Conclusion: The findings showed that the MFC can be used as a new technology to produce electricity from renewable organic materials and for  the treatment of different municipal and industrial wastewaters such as food industries.

Background and Objectives: Perchlorate, as an emerging contaminant, has attracted notice of the most individuals and organizations. Presence of perchlorate in the human body can lead to inappropriate regulation of metabolism in adults. Moreover, due to inhibition of iodide uptake in the thyroid gland, it causes neurological and behavioral problems in infants and children. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted 15 µg/L perchlorate in drinking water as a guideline value. Regarding the possible sources and potential presence of perchlorate in the environment of the study area, and the unique characteristics of this pollutant, such as extreme water solubility, high mobility in soils and stability in the environment, the status of its contamination was assessed in soil, surface water and drinking water in the study area (Khorramshahr County).

Materials and Methods:  Soil and water samples were taken during February to April, 2013. Combined sampling was used for soil sample collection and the random sampling was used for water (surface and drinking water) samples. Each sample was analyzed using ion chromatography. In this study, 15 samples of surface soil and 22 samples of surface and drink water were tested for perchlorate analysis.

Results: It was found that all surface soil and water samples collected from the study area were contaminated with perchlorate and exceed the standard level. Concentration of perchlorate in surface water and drinking water was 1400-5800 and 700-5900 µg/L respectively and in surface soils was 3.3-107.9 mg/kg.

Conclusion: The assessment of perchlorate in soil, surface water, and drinking water in the study area is extremely higher than recommended standards and therefore is a threat to the health of consumers.