Do microorganisms decompose sewage and what microorganisms are in sewage and sewage disposal?
The processes in which aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and bacteria consume organic substances in wastewater and lead to their removal are called biological processes of wastewater treatment. Microorganisms in nature have different characteristics and react differently to air oxygen for growth. So that some of them decompose and consume organic materials with the help of air oxygen and in this way they will grow and multiply.
On the other hand, another group of bacteria and microorganisms in anaerobic conditions will lead to hydrolysis and production of acid and acetate and finally production of methane from organic materials in wastewater. The type of behavior of these bacteria against air oxygen caused them to be used in wastewater treatment in different ways under the name of biological treatment processes.
Microorganisms’ breaks down the chemical and biological waste present in the sewage, digesting the organic matter present in it. They feed on the organic matter and release an enzyme which helps in its degradation removing the organic matter from the sewage. The microorganisms are aerobes, obligate anaerobes and facultative anaerobes present in millions in one milliliter of sewage. Most of them are intestinal and soil bacteria. The common bacteria are coliforms, streptococci, micrococci, lactobacilli, Clostridia, pseudomonads, etc. These microbes use the organic matter present in wastewater and reduce the BOD (Biological oxygen demand). BOD is the amount of oxygen that aerobic bacteria utilise to break down biodegradable organic matter into end products such as water and Carbon dioxide. Microorganisms recycle nutrients in the environment, by decomposing organic materials. Organic materials, such as animal carcasses and tree trunks, decay by the action of decomposing microbes, which are also responsible for getting rid of industrial and household waste. By consuming oxygen, they degrade wastewater pollutants naturally. As they degrade this organic material, these bacteria then create energy as a by-product that they can use to grow and reproduce a virtuous, self-perpetuating cycle. In a material, any physical and chemical change that is caused by the action of microorganisms is known as biodegradation. Natural and synthetic plastics are degraded by the action of microorganisms including bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi. Bacteria are a group of microorganisms that live in a wide variety of habitat in our environment. They feed on dead and decaying parts of plants and animals, therefore they are known as decomposers. Furthermore, anaerobic bacteria are an important element in the wastewater treatment processes. They are responsible for methane fermentation of sewage sludge, facilitating decomposition of macromolecular organic matter into simpler compounds. Bacteria primarily responsible for removing organic nutrients from wastewater. Protozoa a critical role in wastewater treatment, these microorganisms remove and digest free-swimming dispersed bacteria and other suspended particles. They also improve the clarity of wastewater effluent.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Biota
- Eukaryota
- Fungi