THERE ANY NATURAL WATER PURIFIERS?

We often take the small things for granted in life. Microorganisms, on the other hand, are nature's workhorses, despite being among the world's tiniest species. To maintain healthy habitats, aquatic ecosystems rely on a diverse range of creatures to consume organic matter and filter contaminants from water. Many of the same species are used in our built water purification systems, from aquaria and pond filters to municipal wastewater treatment facilities, to keep our water clean and safe.

Bacteria, unicellular protozoans, ciliates, rotifers, amoebas, and nematodes are among the organisms responsible for the breakdown of organic materials in natural and human-designed systems. Some are free-floating, while others have a "foot" that attaches to the substrate. Each species has its own ecological niche or function within the system, but they all work together to degrade and recycle waste in nature.

ACTIVATED SLUDGE

Wastewater treatment is underappreciated and misunderstood on a regular basis. Its goal is to filter out organic contaminants from anything that goes down the drain and ends up in a municipal facility.

This is done in a series of processes that resemble natural aquatic systems. Pollutants are removed by primary treatment, which includes solid waste settling and skimming. "Activated sludge" is a by-product made up of a biotic soup of bacteria, protozoa, and other microbes known as "mixed liquor." These bacteria are used in secondary treatment to devour the remaining waste or organic material.The result is effluent, or treated wastewater, that is clear, pollutant-free, and safe to dump into adjacent rivers.

The bacteria in activated sludge get their nourishment from trash. They play a key role in water filtration and, as a result, are important contributors to the preservation of public health – something that should not be overlooked. We would be at risk of developing a variety of water-borne infectious diseases if these advanced wastewater treatment technologies were not in place. A healthy sample of activated sludge seems to be dirty, brown water under the microscope, but a closer look reveals a rich world of microbiota.

UNICELLULAR PROTISTS

Amoebas, ciliates, and other one-celled animals are among the unicellular protists. Their constant work is necessary for water filtration.

There are two types of amoebas:

• naked
• shelled

The naked amoebas resemble amorphous protoplasm blobs that stretch their pseudopods as they travel and eat food. This movement is a reaction to substances in the water around it.Sheaths, often known as "tests," are produced by shelled or testate amoebas around their bodies. Internal secretions or accretion of surrounding particles in their environment are used to create these tests, similar to how caddisfly larvae encase themselves utilising things around them as a manner of disguise. These species can be found in pond bottom sediments and in waters with high organic matter contents.Stentors are ciliates, and they were originally known as "trumpet animalcules" for a reason. Their elongated bodies are fluted at the front, and their gullets are surrounded with beating cilia that attract food into them.

CONCLUSION

The diversity and adaptations of these incredible bacteria are intriguing, despite their small size. They all play an important part in the breakdown of organic pollution in natural systems, as well as the biological processing of human waste, preserving the purity of our water supplies for both humans and other species.