Metagenomic analysis reveals functional genes in soil microbial electrochemical removal of tetracycline

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are capable of removing tetracycline in soils, in which the degradation efficiency of tetracycline is hindered by its strong adsorption capacity. Phosphate was chosen as a competitor for tetracycline adsorption to improve its removal rate in soil MFCs. The results showed that 42–50% of tetracycline was degraded within 7 days, which was 42–67% higher than open-circuit treatments. Compared with closed-circuit treatments without phosphate addition, the removal efficiencies of tetracycline after phosphate addition increased by 19–25% on day 51, and accumulated charge outputs were enhanced by 31–52%, while the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes decreased by 19–27%. Like Geobacter, the abundance of Desulfurispora and Anaeroomyxobacter in the anode showed similar tendencies with current densities, suggesting their dominant roles in bioelectricity generation. Gemmatimonadetes bacterium SCN 70–22, Azohydromonas australica, Steroidobacter denitrificans and Gemmatirosa kalamazoonesis were found to be potential electrotrophic microbes in the cathode. The expressed flavoprotein 2,3-oxidoreductase, quinol oxidase and fumarate reductase might have promoted the transfer efficiency of electrons from cathodes to cells, which finally accelerated the biodegradation rate of tetracycline in addition to the polyphenol oxidase. This study provides an insight into functional enzyme genes in the soil microbial electrochemical remediation. [Display omitted] •Tetracycline degradation was enhanced by 67% in soil MFCs within 7 d.•Bioelectricity generation increased by 52% after addition of phosphate.•Geobacter and Anaeroomyxobacter were responsible for electricity generation.•Electrotrophic microbes played an vital role on the degradation in soil MFCs.•Functional genes in the inward electron transfer were revealed firstly in soils.