Degradation of algal organic matter using microbial fuel cells and its association with trihalomethane precursor removal

► Degradation of algal organic matter (AOM) was studied in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). ► The trihalomethane (THM) precursor was effectively biodegraded in MFCs. ► THMFP removal was higher in MFCs with M. aeruginosa than that using C. vulgaris. ► The protein, lipid, and carbohydrate from AOM were all significantly removed in MFCs. ► The contribution of the major AOM compositions to THMFP was studied.