Control of quorum sensing signals and emerging contaminants in electrochemical membrane bioreactors.

The present study investigated the influence of electric field on the removal of quorum sensing (QS) and emerging contaminants using an electrochemical membrane bioreactor (eMBR). A significant reduction of N-octanoyl-L-homoserine lactone signal molecules (∼76%) was achieved in the eMBR, with respect to the level observed in the conventional MBR as the control. Furthermore, the intermittent electric current supply (0.5 mA/cm2) was found to be effective for the removal of atrazine and estrone. The degradation of key pharmaceutical compounds, such as diclofenac, carbamazepine, and amoxicillin, was also possible, confirming the applicability of the eMBR system for removing the priority chemical compounds of public health concern.