Size and Quantity of Bacteria Found in Sewage Treatment Plants?
Bacteria are the most essential and the largest components of the microbial ecosystem in all biological wastewater treatment processes. The overall percentage of bacteria differs based on the biological process and pH, with activated sludge—aggregates containing beneficial aerobic bacteria residing in colonial structures known as flocs—having the highest concentration of bacteria. Bacteria come in four different shapes: sphere (cocci), straight rod (vibrio), curved rod (vibrio), and spiral. Their sizes fluctuate between about 0.5 to 5 m. (spirilla). They can be found individually, in groups, packets, chains, or packets. Heterotrophic bacteria (which use organic materials as both energy and carbon sources for synthesis) and autotrophic bacteria are the two main categories of bacteria (which use inorganic matters for energy source and CO2 for carbon source).
What environments contain bacteria?
Bacteria are found everywhere, from the water's inlet to its outlet at the treatment facility. The working conditions established in the treatment ponds have an impact on the evolution of different microbial formations and the species that make them up. Contrary to the use of single cultures, this collection of microorganisms, which is rich in several species, achieves a higher degree of biodegradation on a variety of materials. This is the primary factor in the treated wastewater's high quality.
In open cultures, these microbes typically cluster and aggregate into a floc-like mass. These flocs, which can be seen with the naked eye, are made up of both living and dead cells of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and metabolic byproducts. They cluster together around the floating organic material that they consume. This is true, for instance, of activated sludge. Additionally, identical biofilms form on contact surfaces in fixed cultures. Biofilters and biological discs are two examples of fixed cultures.
How do bacteria remove pollutants from wastewater?
Microorganisms primarily uses the below mentioned two techniques to reduce the number of pollutants in effluent.
Aerobic - Aerobic digestion is a primary sewage treatment method that converts wastewater into an effluent that is more useful and ecologically friendly. Trillions of microbes are involved in the process, and they depend on oxygen to live and grow. By removing oxygen from organic waste, microbes decompose it, changing its chemical composition to produce something less harmful to the ecosystem.
Anaerobic - The biological decomposition of organic materials is known as anaerobic digestion. Biogas is created through the conversion of organic materials, which aids in removing impurity and contaminants from the water. To make wastewater more ecologically friendly, anaerobic treatments are employed to change the chemical makeup of the organic substance present in the wastewater.
Quantity of bacteria found in sewage:
Depending on the water source and the treatment method, different quantities of bacteria are found in wastewater. Bacteria concentrations in raw sewage water can vary from 10^6 to 10^9 per liter. However, there is a substantial decrease in bacterial population during the treatment process. There could be as few as 10^3 to 10^5 bacteria per liter in the treatment plant's finished effluent.
Impact of bacteria on wastewater treatment plant:
1- Low anaerobic digester biogas yield
2- Sedimentation and flocculation problems
3- too many filamentous microorganisms
4- too much phosphorous
5- low effectiveness of nitrogen removal (NH4, NO3)
6- The development of offensive smells
7- consumption of chemical goods in excess
8- Foam formation in anaerobic digestion
Conclusion:
In conclusion, microbes are essential to the process of treating sewage water. In accordance with the species and stage of the treatment process, the size and shape of bacteria found in wastewater treatment plants varies. The presence of bacteria in the shape of flocs aids in the elimination of contaminants and the disintegration of solids. Depending on the water source and the treatment method, different amounts of bacteria are found in sewage water. Throughout the treatment procedure, the number of bacteria is routinely checked to make sure the treatment is effective. Overall, microbes are an important part of the sewage purification process and are required to remove contaminants and pollutants from wastewater.
Do you need an advice or assistance on selecting the best water and waste water treatment unit? We have solutions for all your problems!
Let us now your problem, our experts will make sure that it goes away.
For an assistance or related query,
Call on +91-965-060-8473
Or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com