Biocatalyst behavior under self-induced electrogenic microenvironment in comparison with anaerobic treatment: Evaluation with pharmaceutical wastewater for multi-pollutant removal

► Anaerobic biocatalyst behavior under variable microenvironments was studied. ► Performance was evaluated with real-field pharmaceutical wastewater. ► Bioelectrochemical activity showed variation with the function of varying microenvironment. ► Self-induced bio-potential microenvironment showed multi-pollutant removal.