To study the feasibility to utilize the microbial desalination cell (MDC) to desalinate complex saltwater, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different salinity anions on anode performance. Experiments were conducted using three different salinity anions (Cl-, SO42-, and HCOil with different concentrations in the anode of two-chamber microbial fuel cell (MFC). Results showed that the supplement of anions, with concentration ranges of 25-50 mM for Cl-, 25 mM for SO42-, and 25-100 mM for HCO3-, into the substrate increased the voltage output of the MFC. With the HCO3- concentrations from 0 to 100 mM, the coulombic efficiencies increased from 29% to 44%, and the power densities increased from 465 to 1064 mW/m(2). At the same conductivity, the electron production in the MFC with the anions was in the order: HCO3- > Cl- > SO42-. The presence of HCO3- enhanced the buffer capacity of the anolyte and maintained the activity of the anode biofilm, in which the dominant species included Geobacter uraniireducens, Desulfofaba fastidiosa, and Mycobacterium fortuitum. This study suggests that the MDC can be used to desalinate complex saltwater to improve wastewater treatment in the anode chamber. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.