Laboratory tests were performed to examine electrocoagulation (EC) as electrochemical disinfection of synthetic wastewater infected by non-pathogenic Escherichia coli species in batch culture and two surface waters employing ordinary steel, stainless steel and aluminum electrodes. Aluminum electrodes were observed most performant in killing E. coli cells relatively with stainless steel and ordinary steel electrodes. About thirty minutes are requested for EC to attain total E. coli cell elimination. Identical performance toward algae and coliform removal in two kinds of surface waters was noticed. EC technology relies on charge neutralization of pathogens via electrical field application and Al3 or Fe2 /3 followed by their flotation thanks to hydrogen and/or oxygen bubbles or flocculation/decantation thanks to Al(OH)3(s) or Fe(OH)2(s)/Fe(OH)3(s) flocs.
Cite this paper
Ghernaout, D. , Elboughdiri, N. and Lajimi, R. (2022). Electrocoagulation of Escherichia coli Culture: Effects of Temperature and Cell Concentration. Open Access Library Journal, 9, e8763. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1108763.
Hashim, K.S., Kot, P., Zubaidi, S.L., Alwash, R., Al Khaddar, R., Shaw, A., Al-Jumeily, D. and Aljefery, M.H. (2020) Energy Efficient Electrocoagulation Using Baffle-Plates Electrodes for Efficient Escherichia coli Removal from Wastewater. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 33, Article ID: 101079.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.101079
Ghernaout, D., Ghernaout, B. and Naceur, M.W. (2011) Embodying the Chemical Water Treatment in the Green Chemistry—A Review. Desalination, 271, 1-10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.01.032
Okoh, A.I., Odjadjare, E.E., Igbinosa, E.O. and Osode, A.N. (2007) Wastewater Treatment Plants as a Source of Microbial Pathogens in Receiving Watersheds. African Journal of Biotechnology, 6, 2932-2944.
https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB2007.000-2462
Al-Saati, N.H., Hussein, T.K., Abbas, M.H., Hashim, K., Al-Saati, Z.N., Kot, P., Sadique, M., Aljefery, M.H. and Carnacina, I. (2019) Statistical Modelling of Turbidity Removal Applied to Non-Toxic Natural Coagulants in Water Treatment: A Case Study. Desalination and Water Treatment, 150, 406-412.
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.23871
Lombardi, G., Stefani, G., Paci, A., Becagli, C., Miliacca, M., Gastaldi, M., Giannetti, B. and Almeida, C. (2019) The Sustainability of the Italian Water Sector: An Empirical Analysis by DEA. Journal of Cleaner Production, 227, 1035-1043.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.283
Dhadge, V.L., Medhi, C.R., Changmai, M. and Purkait, M.K. (2018) House Hold Unit for the Treatment of Fluoride, Iron, Arsenic and Microorganism Contaminated Drinking Water. Chemosphere, 199, 728-736.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.02.087
Hashim, K.S., Al-Saati, N.H., Hussein, A.H. and Al-Saati, Z.N. (2018) An Investigation into the Level of Heavy Metals Leaching from Canal-Dreged Sediment: A Case Study Metals Leaching from Dreged Sediment. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 454, Article ID: 012022.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/454/1/012022
Alattabi, A.W., Harris, C.B., Alkhaddar, R.M., Hashim, K.S., Ortoneda-Pedrola, M. and Phipps, D. (2017) Improving Sludge Settleability by Introducing an Innovative, Two-Stage Settling Sequencing Batch Reactor. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 20, 207-216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2017.11.004
Baran, W., Adamek, E., Jajko, M. and Sobczak, A. (2018) Removal of Veterinary Antibiotics from Wastewater by Electrocoagulation. Chemosphere, 194, 381-389.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.11.165
Ghernaout, D. (2017) Environmental Principles in the Holy Koran and the Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 6, 75-79. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20170603.13
Ghernaout, D., Moulay, S., Ait Messaoudene, N., Aichouni, M., Naceur, M.W. and Boucherit, A. (2014) Coagulation and Chlorination of NOM and Algae in Water Treatment: A Review. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 2, 23-34. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.s.2014020601.14
Ghernaout, D., Alghamdi, A., Aichouni, M. and Touahmia, M. (2018) The Lethal Water Tri-Therapy: Chlorine, Alum, and Polyelectrolyte. World Journal of Applied Chemistry, 3, 65-71. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.wjac.20180302.14
Ghernaout, D. and Ghernaout, B. (2010) From Chemical Disinfection to Electrodisinfection: The Obligatory Itinerary? Desalination and Water Treatment, 16, 156-175. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2010.1085
Boucherit, A., Moulay, S., Ghernaout, D., Al-Ghonamy, A.I., Ghernaout, B., Naceur, M.W., Ait Messaoudene, N., Aichouni, M., Mahjoubi, A.A. and Elboughdiri, N.A. (2015) New Trends in Disinfection By-Products Formation upon Water Treatment. Journal of Research & Developments in Chemistry, 2015, Article ID: 628833.
https://doi.org/10.5171/2015.628833
Ghernaout, D. (2018) Disinfection and DBPs Removal in Drinking Water Treatment: A Perspective for a Green Technology. International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences, 5, 108-117. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2018.02.018
Ghernaout, D., Aichouni, M. and Touahmia, M. (2019) Mechanistic Insight into Disinfection by Electrocoagulation—A Review. Desalination and Water Treatment, 141, 68-81. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2019.23457
Ghernaout, D., Alghamdi, A. and Ghernaout, B. (2019) Microorganisms’ Killing: Chemical Disinfection vs. Electrodisinfection. Applied Engineering, 3, 13-19.
Bidhendi, G.N., Hoveidi, H., Jafari, H., Karbassi, A. and Nasrabadi, T. (2006) Application of Ozonation in Drinking Water Disinfection Based on an Environmental Management Strategy Approach Using SWOT Method. Iranian Journal of Environmental Health, Science and Engineering, 3, 23-30.
Castro-Rios, K., Taborda-Ocampo, G. and Torres-Palma, R.A. (2014) Experimental Design to Measure Escherichia coli Removal in Water through Electrocoagulation. International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 9, 610-617.
Ghernaout, D. (2014) The Hydrophilic/Hydrophobic Ratio vs. Dissolved Organics Removal by Coagulation—A Review. Journal of King Saud University—Science, 26, 169-180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2013.09.005
Ghernaout, D., Al-Ghonamy, A.I., Boucherit, A., Ghernaout, B., Naceur, M.W., Ait Messaoudene, N., Aichouni, M., Mahjoubi, A.A. and Elboughdiri, N.A. (2015) Brownian Motion and Coagulation Process. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 4, 1-15.
Ghernaout, D., Al-Ghonamy, A.I., Naceur, M.W., Boucherit, A., Messaoudene, N.A., Aichouni, M., Mahjoubi, A.A. and Elboughdiri, N.A. (2015) Controlling Coagulation Process: From Zeta Potential to Streaming Potential. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 4, 16-27.
https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajeps.s.2015040501.12
Ghernaout, D. and Boucherit, A. (2015) Review of Coagulation’s Rapid Mixing for NOM Removal. Journal of Research & Developments in Chemistry, 2015, Article ID: 926518. https://doi.org/10.5171/2015.926518
Ghernaout, D., Badis, A., Braikia, G., Mataam, N., Fekhar, M., Ghernaout, B. and Boucherit, A. (2017) Enhanced Coagulation for Algae Removal in a Typical Algeria Water Treatment Plant. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 16, 2303-2315. https://doi.org/10.30638/eemj.2017.238
Collivignarelli, M.C., Abbà, A., Benigna, I., Sorlini, S. and Torretta, V. (2017) Overview of the Main Disinfection Processes for Wastewater and Drinking Water Treatment Plants. Sustainability, 10, Article No. 86. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010086
Ghernaout, D., Badis, A., Ghernaout, B. and Kellil, A. (2008) Application of Electrocoagulation in Escherichia coli Culture and Two Surface Waters. Desalination, 219, 118-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2007.05.010
Zhou, J., Wang, T. and Xie, X. (2019) Rationally Designed Tubular Coaxial-Electrode Copper Ionization Cells (CECICs) Harnessing Non-Uniform Electric Field for Efficient Water Disinfection. Environment International, 128, 30-36.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.03.072
Moreno-Andrés, J., Ambauen, N., Vadstein, O., Hallé, C., Acevedo-Merino, A., Nebot, E. and Meyn, T. (2018) Inactivation of Marine Heterotrophic Bacteria in Ballast Water by an Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Process. Water Research, 140, 377-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.04.061
Ghernaout, D., Alghamdi, A., Touahmia, M., Aichouni, M. and Ait Messaoudene, N. (2018) Nanotechnology Phenomena in the Light of the Solar Energy. Journal of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering, 3, 1-8.
https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jeece.20180301.11
Hernández, M.C., Barletta, L., Dogliotti, M., Russo, N., Fino, D. and Spinelli, P. (2012) Heavy Metal Removal by Means of Electrocoagulation Using Aluminum Electrodes for Drinking Water Purification. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry, 42, 809-817.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10800-012-0455-8
Betancor-Abreu, A., Mena, V., González, S., Delgado, S., Souto, R. and Santana, J. (2019) Design and Optimization of an Electrocoagulation Reactor for Fluoride Remediation in Underground Water Sources for Human Consumption. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 31, Article ID: 100865.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.100865
Guvenc, S.Y., Dincer, K. and Varank, G. (2019) Performance of Electrocoagulation and Electro-Fenton Processes for Treatment of Nanofiltration Concentrate of Biologically Stabilized Landfill Leachate. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 31, Article ID: 100863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.100863
Ghernaout, D., Irki, S. and Boucherit, A. (2014) Removal of Cu2 and Cd2 , and Humic Acid and Phenol by Electrocoagulation Using Iron Electrodes. Desalination and Water Treatment, 52, 3256-3270.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.852484
Ghernaout, D., Al-Ghonamy, A.I., Naceur, M.W., Ait Messaoudene, N. and Aichouni, M. (2014) Influence of Operating Parameters on Electrocoagulation of C.I. Disperse Yellow 3. Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 4, 271-283.
https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.2014.0065
Ghernaout, D., Al-Ghonamy, A.I., Irki, S., Grini, A., Naceur, M.W., Ait Messaoudene, N. and Aichouni, M. (2014) Decolourization of Bromophenol Blue by Electrocoagulation Process. Trends in Chemical Engineering, 15, 29-39.
Ghernaout, D., Al-Ghonamy, A.I., Ait Messaoudene, N., Aichouni, M., Naceur, M.W., Benchelighem, F.Z. and Boucherit, A. (2015) Electrocoagulation of Direct Brown 2 (DB) and BF Cibacete Blue (CB) Using Aluminum Electrodes. Separation Science and Technology, 50, 1413-1420. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2014.982763
Ghernaout, D. and Ghernaout, B. (2011) On the Controversial Effect of Sodium Sulphate as Supporting Electrolyte on Electrocoagulation Process: A Review. Desalination and Water Treatment, 27, 243-254. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2011.1983
Hashim, K.S., Shaw, A., Al Khaddar, R., Pedrola, M.O. and Phipps, D. (2017) Energy Efficient Electrocoagulation Using a New Flow Column Reactor To Remove Nitrate from Drinking Water—Experimental, Statistical, and Economic Approach. Journal of Environmental Management, 196, 224-233.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.03.017
Myllymäki, P., Lahti, R., Romar, H. and Lassi, U. (2018) Removal of Total Organic Carbon from Peat Solution by Hybrid Method—Electrocoagulation Combined with Adsorption. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 24, 56-62.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2018.05.008
Doggaz, A., Attoura, A., Mostefa, M.L.P., Côme, K., Tlili, M. and Lapicque, F. (2019) Removal of Heavy Metals by Electrocoagulation from Hydrogenocarbonate-Containing Waters: Compared Cases of Divalent Iron and Zinc Cations. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 29, Article ID: 100796.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.100796
Barrera-Diaz, C., Martinez-Barrera, G., Gencel, O., Bernal-Martinez, L.A. and Brostow, W. (2011) Processed Wastewater Sludge for Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Concretes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 192, 108-115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.04.103
Alattabi, A.W., Harris, C., Alkhaddar, R., Alzeyadi, A. and Hashim, K. (2017) Treatment of Residential Complexes’ Wastewater Using Environmentally Friendly Technology. Procedia Engineering, 196, 792-799.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.08.009
Ghernaout, D., Ghernaout, B. and Kellil, A. (2009) Natural Organic Matter Removal and Enhanced Coagulation as a Link between Coagulation and Electrocoagulation. Desalination and Water Treatment, 2, 203-222.
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2009.116
Saiba, A., Kourdali, S., Ghernaout, B. and Ghernaout, D. (2010) In Desalination, from 1987 to 2009, the Birth of a New Seawater Pretreatment Process: Electrocoagulation—An Overview. Desalination and Water Treatment, 16, 201-217.
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2010.1094
Ghernaout, D. (2019) Electrocoagulation and Electrooxidation for Disinfecting Water: New Breakthroughs and Implied Mechanisms. Applied Engineering, 3, 125-133.
Un, U.T., Koparal, A.S. and Bakir Ogutveren, U. (2013) Fluoride Removal from Water and Wastewater with a Batch Cylindrical Electrode Using Electrocoagulation. Chemical Engineering Journal, 223, 110-115.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2013.02.126
Ghernaout, D., Ghernaout, B. and Boucherit, A. (2008) Effect of pH on Electrocoagulation of Bentonite Suspensions in Batch Using Iron Electrodes. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 29, 1272-1275.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01932690701857483
Pulido, M.E. (2005) Evaluation of an Electro-Disinfection Technology as an Alternative to Chlorination of Municipal Wastewater Effluents. Ph.D. Thesis, University of New Orleans, New Orleans.
Gusmão, I.C.C.P., Moraes, P.B. and Bidoia, E.D. (2010) Studies on the Electrochemical Disinfection of Water Containing Escherichia coli Using a Dimensionally Stable Anode. Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 53, 1235-1244.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-89132010000500029
Ndjomgoue-Yossa, A., Nanseu-Njiki, C., Kengne, I. and Ngameni, E. (2015) Effect of Electrode Material and Supporting Electrolyte on the Treatment of Water Containing Escherichia coli by Electrocoagulation. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 12, 2103-2110.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-014-0609-9
Ghernaout, D. (2017) The Holy Koran Revelation: Iron Is a “Sent Down” Metal. American Journal of Environmental Protection, 6, 101-104.
https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajep.20170604.14
Ghernaout, D., Ghernaout, B., Boucherit, A., Naceur, M.W., Khelifa, A. and Kellil, A. (2009) Study on Mechanism of Electrocoagulation with Iron Electrodes in Idealised Conditions and Electrocoagulation of Humic Acids Solution in Batch Using Aluminium Electrodes. Desalination and Water Treatment, 8, 91-99.
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2009.668
Ghernaout, D. (2013) Advanced Oxidation Phenomena in Electrocoagulation Process: A Myth or a Reality? Desalination and Water Treatment, 51, 7536-7554.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.792520
Ghernaout, D., Alghamdi, A. and Ghernaout, B. (2019) Electrocoagulation Process: A Mechanistic Review at the Dawn of Its Modeling. Journal of Environmental Science and Allied Research, 2, 51-67.
https://doi.org/10.29199/2637-7063/ESAR-201019
Irki, S., Ghernaout, D. and Naceur, M.W. (2017) Decolourization of Methyl Orange (MO) by Electrocoagulation (EC) Using Iron Electrodes under a Magnetic Field (MF). Desalination and Water Treatment, 79, 368-377.
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.20797
Ghernaout, D., Naceur, M.W. and Aouabed, A. (2011) On the Dependence of Chlorine By-Products Generated Species Formation of the Electrode Material and Applied Charge during Electrochemical Water Treatment. Desalination, 270, 9-22.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2011.01.010
Holt, P.K., Barton, G.W., Wark, M. and Mitchell, C.A. (2002) A Quantitative Comparison between Chemical Dosing and Electrocoagulation. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 211, 233-248.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0927-7757(02)00285-6
Ghernaout, D. and Elboughdiri, N. (2021) Modeling Viruses’ Isoelectric Points as a Milestone in Intensifying the Electrocoagulation Process for Their Elimination. Open Access Library Journal, 8, e7166. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107166
Ghernaout, D. and Elboughdiri, N. (2021) Towards Combining Electrochemical Water Splitting and Electrochemical Disinfection. Open Access Library Journal, 8, e7445. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107445
Ghernaout, D. (2020) Demobilizing Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Antibiotic Resistance Genes by Electrochemical Technology: New Insights. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6685. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106685
Li, M., Qu, J.H. and Peng, Y.Z. (2004) Sterilization of E. coli Cells by the Application of Pulsed Magnetic Field. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 16, 348-352.
Ghernaout, D. and Elboughdiri, N. (2020) Vacuum-UV Radiation at 185 nm for Disinfecting Water. Chemical Science & Engineering Research, 2, 12-17.
https://doi.org/10.36686/Ariviyal.CSER.2020.02.04.015
Ghernaout, D., Elboughdiri, N., Alghamdi, A. and Ghernaout, B. (2020) Trends in Decreasing Disinfection By-Products Formation during Electrochemical Technologies. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6337. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106337
Ghernaout, D. and Elboughdiri, N. (2020) An Insight in Electrocoagulation Process through Current Density Distribution (CDD). Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6142. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106142
Ghernaout, D., Elboughdiri, N., Ghareba, S. and Salih, A. (2020) Disinfecting Water with the Carbon Fiber-Based Flow-Through Electrode System (FES): Towards Axial Dispersion and Velocity Profile. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6238.
https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106238
Drees, K.P., Abbaszadegan, M. and Maier, R.M. (2003) Comparative Electrochemical Inactivation of Bacteria and Bacteriophage. Water Research, 37, 2291-2300.
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(03)00009-5
Ghernaout, D., Elboughdiri, N., Ghareba, S. and Salih, A. (2020) Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes (EAOPs) for Disinfecting Water—Fresh Perspectives. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6257. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1106257
Ghernaout, D. and Elboughdiri, N. (2020) Advanced Oxidation Processes for Wastewater Treatment: Facts and Future Trends. Open Access Library Journal, 7, e6139.
Zhu, B., Clifford, D.A. and Chellam, S. (2005) Comparison of EC and Chemical Coagulation Pretreatment for Enhanced Virus Removal Using Microfiltration Membranes. Water Research, 39, 3098-3108.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2005.05.020
Ghernaout, D., Elboughdiri, N. and Lajimi, R. (2022) Combining Electrified Membranes and Electrochemical Disinfection for Virus Demobilization. Open Access Library Journal, 9, e8749. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107445
Ghernaout, D. (2019) Virus Removal by Electrocoagulation and Electrooxidation: New Findings and Future Trends. Journal of Environmental Science and Allied Research, 2019, 85-90. https://doi.org/10.29199/2637-7063/ESAR-202024
Ghernaout, D., Benblidia, C. and Khemici, F. (2015) Microalgae Removal from Ghrib Dam (Ain Defla, Algeria) Water by Electroflotation Using Stainless Steel Electrodes. Desalination and Water Treatment, 54, 3328-3337.
https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2014.907749
Ghernaout, D., Naceur, M.W. and Ghernaout, B. (2011) A Review of Electrocoagulation as a Promising Coagulation Process for Improved Organic and Inorganic Matters Removal by Electrophoresis and Electroflotation. Desalination and Water Treatment, 28, 287-320. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2011.1493
Drogui, P., Elmaleh, S., Rumeau, M., Bernard, C. and Rambaud, A. (2001) Oxidising and Disinfecting by Hydrogen Peroxide Produced in a Two-Electrode Cell. Water Research, 35, 3235-3241. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1354(01)00021-5