Electrochemical phosphate removal and recovery cells

A method for removing phosphorus from a phosphate ion-containing aqueous solution using an electrochemical cell comprising:

• a first electrode in the aqueous solution, the first electrode comprising a metal, metal oxide, or a combination thereof, wherein the metal, metal oxide, or combination thereof are selected from bismuth, bismuth oxide, zinc, zinc oxide, copper, copper oxide, iron, and iron oxide, the method comprising:
• at least partially converting the metal, metal oxide, or combination thereof in the first electrode into a metal phosphate phase in the first electrode, the metal phosphate phase comprising a metal phosphate selected from bismuth phosphates, zinc phosphates, copper phosphates, and iron phosphates;
• replacing the phosphate ion-containing solution with a second aqueous solution;
• providing an anode for phosphate recovery in the electrochemical cell;
• and
• applying a voltage across the phosphatated first electrode and the anode for phosphate recovery, wherein the voltage drives a reduction of the metal phosphate phase in the first electrode, releasing phosphate ions into the second aqueous solution, and drives an oxidation reaction at the anode for phosphate recovery.