Microbial treatment of wastewater involves the addition of microorganisms to untreated water to reduce the amount of organic matter in it. It is a process that does take place naturally even when these microorganisms are not added but the organic matter is often too much. The microorganisms are cultured in a laboratory and added in a small quantity and multiply to a level that is effective.
Generally, bacterial organisms fall in three categories: anaerobes, aerobes and the facultative. Anaerobes do not require oxygen for their survival. Aerobes can only exist in the presence while the facultative bacteria can live in both conditions. Oxygen s usually added to water during purification so as to promote growth of the aerobes and inhibit that of the anaerobes.
The process treating water is divided into four main stages. These are the primary, secondary, tertiary and disinfection stage. In the primary stage, large solid waste is removed by use of filters, settling tanks and grates. Small suspended solids and dissolved chemical are released to the secondary stage. These may be either organic or inorganic.
In most plants, microbes are added at the secondary stage. Favourable conditions that increase growth are provided. The organisms increase in concentration and decompose the organic matter that is flowing to the next stage. The tertiary stage is important in situations where there is a high concentration of nutrients. Removal of these nutrients ensures that there is no abnormal growth of algae and other organisms. Disease-causing organisms are eliminated with disinfection, the last of the stages.
To have a more efficient system, the microbes may be added at any of the other stages as well and not just the secondary stage. In the primary stage, they are important in breaking down solids found both at the surface and at the bottom. At the end, there is less sludge produced and this is easier to manage. Additional of the microbes at different stages reduces the amount required at the secondary stage and avoids overconcentration. There are a number of variants of treatment systems all of which may benefit from the microbial treatment systems. They include suspended, fixed and lagoon systems.
There are many other benefits that accrue from the use of these systems. By maintaining the concentration of oxygen at fairly constant levels, aquatic life is not compromised. The tertiary stage is particularly important in reduces algae overgrowth and thus reducing competition for both oxygen and nutrients since it removes any excessive nutrients.
Compared to systems that use entirely physical or chemical treatment systems, this system is associated with greater efficiency, increased capacity, and lower operation costs. They are very natural and thus result in very minimal environmental degradation. Treated sludge is easier to dispose of and is associated with fewer odours. The odours are usually produced by anaerobic bacteria.
Microbial treatment of wastewater has eliminated the need for use of enzymes. Addition of enzymes would have been the alternative meant to speed up the decomposition of organic matter. Organic matter keeps changing in composition every time and as such getting a single effective enzyme is not possible. It is also a very expensive undertaking. Microbes, on the other hand, synthesize the enzymes themselves.
Generally, bacterial organisms fall in three categories: anaerobes, aerobes and the facultative. Anaerobes do not require oxygen for their survival. Aerobes can only exist in the presence while the facultative bacteria can live in both conditions. Oxygen s usually added to water during purification so as to promote growth of the aerobes and inhibit that of the anaerobes.
The process treating water is divided into four main stages. These are the primary, secondary, tertiary and disinfection stage. In the primary stage, large solid waste is removed by use of filters, settling tanks and grates. Small suspended solids and dissolved chemical are released to the secondary stage. These may be either organic or inorganic.
In most plants, microbes are added at the secondary stage. Favourable conditions that increase growth are provided. The organisms increase in concentration and decompose the organic matter that is flowing to the next stage. The tertiary stage is important in situations where there is a high concentration of nutrients. Removal of these nutrients ensures that there is no abnormal growth of algae and other organisms. Disease-causing organisms are eliminated with disinfection, the last of the stages.
To have a more efficient system, the microbes may be added at any of the other stages as well and not just the secondary stage. In the primary stage, they are important in breaking down solids found both at the surface and at the bottom. At the end, there is less sludge produced and this is easier to manage. Additional of the microbes at different stages reduces the amount required at the secondary stage and avoids overconcentration. There are a number of variants of treatment systems all of which may benefit from the microbial treatment systems. They include suspended, fixed and lagoon systems.
There are many other benefits that accrue from the use of these systems. By maintaining the concentration of oxygen at fairly constant levels, aquatic life is not compromised. The tertiary stage is particularly important in reduces algae overgrowth and thus reducing competition for both oxygen and nutrients since it removes any excessive nutrients.
Compared to systems that use entirely physical or chemical treatment systems, this system is associated with greater efficiency, increased capacity, and lower operation costs. They are very natural and thus result in very minimal environmental degradation. Treated sludge is easier to dispose of and is associated with fewer odours. The odours are usually produced by anaerobic bacteria.
Microbial treatment of wastewater has eliminated the need for use of enzymes. Addition of enzymes would have been the alternative meant to speed up the decomposition of organic matter. Organic matter keeps changing in composition every time and as such getting a single effective enzyme is not possible. It is also a very expensive undertaking. Microbes, on the other hand, synthesize the enzymes themselves.
About the Author:
Read more about Reasons For Microbial Treatment Of Wastewater visiting our website.
