International Journal of Environmental Science and Development

Abstract—Metal ion or clay mineral-adsorbed organic matter present in littoral sediment is known as hardly decomposed organic matter, which is difficult to use as a natural resource. This study is aimed at changing the organic matter characteristics of littoral sediment through the application of solar cell-combined sediment microbial fuel cell (SC-SMFC). The experimental results showed that the sediment pH decreases and the concentration of metal ions in the sediment pore water increases after the application of SC-SMFC. This suggests the dissociation of metal complexes in the sediment. From the analysis results of organic matter characteristics, variations in the ignition characteristics of the sediment and the absorbance at wave number ranges of 3300–3800 and 800–1800 cm^-1 were confirmed, indicating changes in organic matter characteristics of the sediment. It can be concluded that SC-SMFC can separate organic matter from metal complexes, leading to the transformation of organic matter in sediment from valueless into a useful product.

Index Terms—Dissociation, metal complex, sediment microbial fuel cell, solar cell.

The authors are with Hiroshima University, Higashihiroshima 739-8527, Japan (e-mail: narong-cambodia@hiroshima-u.ac.jp, m175472@hiroshima-u.ac.jp, m172401@hiroshima-u.ac.jp, hibinot@hiroshima-u.ac.jp).

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Cite: Narong Touch, Hiroki Takata, Satoshi Yamaji, and Tadashi Hibino, "Changing Organic Matter Characteristics of Littoral Sediment by Solar Cell-Combined Sediment Microbial Fuel Cell," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 62-66, 2018.