This research study was designed to generate
electrical power through a biolelectrochemical system:
microbial fuel cell (MFC) from petroleum contaminated
wetland sediment obtained from Ekerekana-Ama Creek,
Okrika, in Rivers State. Sediment Microbial Fuel Cells
(SMFCs) consisting of an anode embedded in the
anaerobic sediment containing petroleum hydrocarbon
contaminants and a cathode suspended in the overlying
aerobic water were used. Seven 300 ml sterile
transparent bottles labelled T1 to T7 subjected to
different treatments were used for this electrical power
generation study. Digital multimeter was used to
measure the voltage and current of electricity generated.
It was observed that voltage of electricity generated
increased for some weeks and finally fall which is as an
indication that organic substrates depletion was caused
by electrochemically active bacteria (EAB). Maximum
power output generated from T1, T2, T4, T5 and T6 were
0.95 mW, 306.50 mW, 0.18 mW, 126.60 mW and 0.49
mW respectively. Methylene blue (100 μM) aided
electron transfer by microbes than neutral red (100 μM)
while NPK 15-15-15 did not significantly improve
electricity generation as observed in this study Distinct
bacteria isolated were characterized biochemically and
molecularly. The identity of the bacteria nucleotide
sequences ( genus to species) as shown by Basic Local
Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) identified Clostridium
sporogenes (MF623797), Desulfobulbus propionicus
(MF623798), Ewingella Americana (MF623799), Bacillus
amyloliquefaciens (MF623800), Helicobacter sp.
(MF623801), Alcaligenes faecalis (MF623802),
Clostridium botulinum, Bacillus subtilis (MF623803),
Klebsiella oxytoca (MF623804), and Burkholderia cepacia
(MF623805) associated with T1 to T7. These isolated
Bioelectrochemically Active Bacteria (BEA) interplayed
metabolically to bring about electrical power generation
in this study. Installation of biolectrochemical devices in
water associated with Niger Delta, Nigeria where oily
activities are predominant will go a long way in
remediating such environment and concurrent
generation of electricity for sustainable development is
attainable.