Do Organisms Break Down Chemical Wastes?
Treatment plants are essential components of any sustainable water supply system. They are responsible for collecting, treating, and disposing of wastewater from agriculture, industry, and domestic sources. This is necessary to protect the environment and public health and ensure that water resources are not contaminated by pollutants. Treatment plants are equipped with a variety of processes and technologies, including biological treatment processes, which rely on organisms to break down chemical wastes.
Organisms That Break Down Chemical Wastes
Organisms play an important role in wastewater treatment by breaking down chemical wastes into simpler and less toxic forms. The most common organisms used in wastewater treatment plants are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and algae.
Bacteria
Bacteria are the most commonly used organisms in wastewater treatment plants. They are single-celled organisms that are capable of breaking down a wide variety of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Commonly used bacteria in wastewater treatment plants include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis. Bacteria are most effective when they are provided with an adequate food source, such as organic matter, and a favorable environment, such as oxygen.
Fungi
Fungi are also used in wastewater treatment plants. They are multicellular organisms that can break down complex organic compounds, such as proteins and carbohydrates, into simpler forms. Commonly used fungi in wastewater treatment plants include Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium chrysogenum. Fungi are most effective when they are provided with an adequate food source, such as organic matter, and a favorable environment, such as oxygen.
Protozoa
Protozoa are single-celled organisms that are capable of breaking down organic compounds, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Commonly used protozoa in wastewater treatment plants include Amoeba proteus, Colpoda cucullus, and Paramecium caudatum. Protozoa are most effective when they are provided with an adequate food source, such as organic matter, and a favorable environment, such as oxygen.
Algae
Algae are also used in wastewater treatment plants. They are multicellular organisms that can break down complex organic compounds, such as proteins and carbohydrates, into simpler forms. Commonly used algae in wastewater treatment plants include Chlorella vulgaris, Anabaena cylindrica, and Spirulina maxima. Algae are most effective when they are provided with an adequate food source, such as organic matter, and a favorable environment, such as oxygen.
What Organisms Break Down Chemical Wastes?
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli is a type of bacteria commonly found in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, E. coli can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, P. aeruginosa can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Bacillus subtilis
Bacillus subtilis is a type of bacteria commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, B. subtilis can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Trichoderma reesei
Trichoderma reesei is a type of fungus commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, T. reesei can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Aspergillus niger
Aspergillus niger is a type of fungus commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, A. niger can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Penicillium chrysogenum
Penicillium chrysogenum is a type of fungus commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, P. chrysogenum can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Amoeba proteus
Amoeba proteus is a type of protozoa commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, A. proteus can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Colpoda cucullus
Colpoda cucullus is a type of protozoa commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, C. cucullus can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Paramecium caudatum
Paramecium caudatum is a type of protozoa commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, P. caudatum can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Chlorella vulgaris
Chlorella vulgaris is a type of algae commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, C. vulgaris can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Anabaena cylindrica
Anabaena cylindrica is a type of algae commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, A. cylindrica can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Spirulina maxima
Spirulina maxima is a type of algae commonly found in soil, water, and sewage. It is capable of breaking down a wide range of organic compounds, including proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. In wastewater treatment plants, S. maxima can be used to break down organic waste, such as food scraps, as well as to remove nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater.
Benefits of Using Organisms in Treatment Plants
The use of organisms in wastewater treatment plants offers several benefits. For example, they are more efficient than chemical processes at breaking down complex organic compounds and produce fewer byproducts. Organisms also help to reduce the amount of sludge produced by wastewater treatment plants, as they are able to break down organic material more quickly. Furthermore, organisms are capable of breaking down pollutants that cannot be broken down by chemical processes, such as heavy metals.
Conclusion
Common bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis, fungi including Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger, and Penicillium chrysogenum, protozoa like Amoeba proteus, Colpoda cucullus, and Paramecium caudatum, and algae like Chlorella vulgaris, Anabaena cylindrica, and Spirulina maxima play an important role in wastewater treatment plants by breaking down chemical wastes into simpler and less toxic forms. More efficient than chemical processes, they help to reduce the amount of sludge produced and are capable of breaking down pollutants that cannot be broken down by chemical processes.