What type of bacteria is used in WWTP/STP to treat the wastewater?
In order to safely dispose of sewage and other contaminated water while safeguarding the environment and general public health, wastewater treatment is a crucial process. Although there are many physical and chemical steps in the treatment process, the utilization of bacteria and other microorganisms is one of the most important ones. In this blog, we'll look at the many kinds of bacteria used in wastewater treatment facilities and how they clean our water through microbial magic.
1. Types of Bacteria Used in Wastewater Treatment
To decompose and eliminate impurities from sewage and industrial effluents, wastewater treatment facilities use a wide variety of bacteria and microorganisms. These microbes can be divided into two categories:
A. Aerobic Bacteria
Bacteria that can breathe oxygen are said to be aerobic. They are extremely important in the early stages of wastewater treatment. Here is how they function:
· Oxidation of Organic Matter: The elimination of organic matter is one of the main goals of wastewater treatment. Food scraps, human waste, and other organic compounds found in sewage are broken down and metabolised by aerobic bacteria using oxygen.
· Biomass Formation: Aerobic bacteria develop and proliferate as they devour organic stuff, creating biomass. It is simple to separate the biomass from the cleaned water.
· Pollutant Conversion: Aerobic bacteria transform organic pollutants into easier-to-process, less dangerous substances like carbon dioxide and water. We refer to this process as aerobic digestion.
B. Anaerobic Bacteria
On the other hand, anaerobic bacteria may survive in conditions with little or no oxygen. They aid in the breakdown of organic materials and are crucial to the subsequent treatment stage. Here is how they function:
· Breaking Down Complex Organics: Anaerobic bacteria break down complex organic compounds in the absence of oxygen. Methane gas is created as a result of this process, and organic compounds are transformed into less dangerous, simpler molecules.
· Methane Production: Some wastewater treatment facilities can capture and utilise the methane gas produced during anaerobic digestion as a source of electricity, making the procedure more environmentally friendly.
2. Wastewater Treatment Process
After identifying the main varieties of bacteria employed in wastewater treatment, let's examine the treatment procedure itself to comprehend how these microorganisms play a crucial part.
A. Primary Treatment
In the initial stage of wastewater treatment, known as primary treatment, big solid materials are physically removed and the liquid and solid fractions are separated. The role that bacteria perform is as follows:
· Grit removal and screening: Wastewater is screened to get rid of big things like twigs, trash, and grit. Although bacteria aren't directly involved in this stage, it helps safeguard downstream equipment from harm brought on by these materials.
· Sedimentation: Wastewater is allowed to settle in sedimentation tanks after being screened. Sludge is a layer that forms as a result of this process, which permits heavier solids to settle towards the bottom. Organic material in this sludge naturally begins to decompose due to some bacteria present in the wastewater.
B. Secondary Treatment
Where the majority of bacterial activity occurs is in secondary treatment. It focuses on further lowering the level of organic matter that is suspended and dissolved. This is how it goes:
· Aeration Tanks: More oxygen and aerobic bacteria are added in the aeration tanks. These microorganisms consume the leftover organic stuff and break it down into more basic elements like carbon dioxide and water.
· Activated sludge: The biomass that resultsis combined with the entering wastewater. This mixture is referred to as activated sludge. This procedure aids in ensuring that the bacteria continue to successfully degrade organic contaminants.
· Clarification: The wastewater is transferred to clarification tanks, where the activated sludge settles out, after the aerobic bacteria have completed their task. In order to keep a balanced population of bacteria, some of the settled sludge is recycled into the aeration tanks.
C. Tertiary Treatment
Tertiary treatment is used in some wastewater treatment facilities to further polish the effluent. While physical and chemical processes make up the majority of tertiary treatment, extra biological treatment steps using bacteria may also be used. These actions could involve:
· Filtration: To get rid of any lingering suspended particles that might still contain bacteria, some treatment facilities utilise sand or other filtration medium.
· Removal of nutrients: It's important to remove nitrogen and phosphorus to avoid nutrient pollution of receiving waters. To promote the transformation of these nutrients into less hazardous forms, specialised bacteria are used.
3. The Importance of Bacteria in Wastewater Treatment
They are the unsung heroes of wastewater treatment—bacteria and microbes. They offer the procedure various important benefits, including:
· Efficiency: Bacteria are very good at converting complicated chemical substances into less harmful, simpler forms. This effectiveness aids in lowering the amount of contaminants present in wastewater.
· Sustainability: Methane gas produced by anaerobic bacteria can be used as an energy source, making wastewater treatment more efficient and environmentally friendly.
· Natural Method: Wastewater treatment uses bacteria's inherent capacity to filter water. We use the power of microorganisms as a supplement to chemicals and energy-intensive operations.
4. Challenges in Wastewater Treatment with Bacteria
Although bacteria are essential for the treatment of wastewater, using them has drawbacks.
· Thermodynamics and pH Sensitivity: Different temperatures and pH levels favour the growth of various microorganisms. Maintaining ideal conditions can be difficult, particularly in harsh climates.
· Toxic Substances: Some pharmaceutical and industrial substances can limit bacterial activity, making it difficult to completely treat wastewater.
· Bacterial Competition: Various kinds of bacteria compete with one another for resources in a complex microbial community. Effective therapy depends on maintaining the proper balance.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, bacteria are essential to the breakdown of organic matter and the purification of our water. They are the unsung heroes of wastewater treatment. Together, aerobic and anaerobic bacteria break down complex substances while aerobic bacteria concentrate on oxidising organic matter. Anaerobic bacteria help aerobic bacteria break down organic matter.
The significance of using ecologically friendly and sustainable practises to manage our water resources is highlighted by an understanding of the role of bacteria in wastewater treatment. Wastewater treatment procedures will become even more effective and environmentally friendly as we continue to create new technologies and learn more about microbial communities, assuring clean and safe water for future generations.
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