Hello RK,

This is a comprehensive question; let's outline some general information:

Wastewater Treatment and Microorganisms:

Biological contaminants in wastewater include various types of bacteria (such as Fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli), diverse parasite cysts and eggs, viruses, and fungi.

Different wastewater treatment systems employ microorganisms to remove these contaminants. Here are some key points:

• Microbial agents are removed using activated sludge systems, stabilization ponds, wetlands, and low—and medium-pressure UV disinfection systems.
• Total coliforms and Fecal coliforms are commonly investigated indicators in wastewater treatment.
• Fungi and viral contamination removal from wastewater is not typically achieved in these systems.
• Cysts and parasitic egg removal are reported from stabilization pond systems (SPS).

Bioremediation and Organic Waste Decomposition:

Bioremediation refers to using microorganisms to degrade harmful or toxic pollutants into non-toxic products.

Microbes involved in bioremediation include:

• Pseudomonas putida
• Dechloromonas aromatic
• Methylibium petroleiphilum
• Alcanivorax borkumensis
• Bioremediation helps clean contaminated soil and remove pesticides, oil, fertilizers, and toxic chemicals.

In the context of organic waste decomposition:

• Bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes play essential roles.
• They secrete enzymes (both extracellular and intracellular) responsible for breaking down organic matter.

These microbes decompose to contribute to nutrient recycling, freeing up nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous essential for plant health.

Dr Francesco Barbangelo thank you for your contribution to the discussion

Microorganisms can convert toxic elements into water, carbon dioxide, and other less toxic compounds, which are further degraded by other microbes in a process referred to as mineralization. Bioremediation can be carried out using bacteria, fungi, algae, etc. Microbes possess the ability to degrade a large group of pollutants such as heavy metals, dyes, hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, etc. This bacterium uses the free oxygen within the water to degrade the pollutants in the wastewater and then converts it into energy that it can use to grow and reproduce. For this type of bacteria to be used correctly, it must have oxygen added mechanically. In these processes, bacteria, fungi, molds, protozoa, actinomycetes, and other saprophytic organisms feed upon decaying organic materials initially, while in the later stages of decomposition mites, millipedes, centipedes, springtails, beetles and earthworms further breakdown and enrich the composting materials. Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and plants to break down, change, remove, immobilize, or detoxify various physical and chemical pollutants in the environment. Microorganisms are used to break down organic waste. These micro-organisms use the wastes as a source of food and energy to develop and reproduce. You got it, bacteria are the heart of the process and finally, a wastewater treatment plant represents a small farm where micro-organisms are cultivated on a large scale. Microbial decomposition of natural waste also renders organic compounds and minerals bioavailable for growing crops effectively aiding in crop production. Fungi and bacteria eliminate pathogens and effectively accelerate the degradation process. However, micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes–even though they go unnoticed in your compost pile–are responsible for most of the organic material breakdown. They are chemical decomposers because they use chemicals in their bodies to break down organic matter.

Microorganisms can convert toxic elements into water, carbon dioxide, and other less toxic compounds, which are further degraded by other microbes in a process referred to as mineralization. Bioremediation can be carried out using bacteria, fungi, algae, etc. Microbes possess the ability to degrade a large group of pollutants such as heavy metals, dyes, hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, etc. This bacterium uses the free oxygen within the water to degrade the pollutants in the wastewater and then converts it into energy that it can use to grow and reproduce. For this type of bacteria to be used correctly, it must have oxygen added mechanically. In these processes, bacteria, fungi, molds, protozoa, actinomycetes, and other saprophytic organisms feed upon decaying organic materials initially, while in the later stages of decomposition mites, millipedes, centipedes, springtails, beetles and earthworms further breakdown and enrich the composting materials. Bioremediation is the process of using microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and plants to break down, change, remove, immobilize, or detoxify various physical and chemical pollutants in the environment. Microorganisms are used to break down organic waste. These micro-organisms use the wastes as a source of food and energy to develop and reproduce. You got it, bacteria are the heart of the process and finally, a wastewater treatment plant represents a small farm where micro-organisms are cultivated on a large scale. Microbial decomposition of natural waste also renders organic compounds and minerals bioavailable for growing crops effectively aiding in crop production. Fungi and bacteria eliminate pathogens and effectively accelerate the degradation process. However, micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes–even though they go unnoticed in your compost pile–are responsible for most of the organic material breakdown. They are chemical decomposers because they use chemicals in their bodies to break down organic matter.