From Free Floaters to Organized Communities: How Bacteria Become Floc or Biofilm in Wastewater Treatment
In the bustling microcosm of a wastewater treatment plant, bacteria don’t just float around aimlessly—they evolve, interact, and build structured communities that play critical roles in purification processes. Two major forms of bacterial aggregation dominate:...
Favoring PAOs Over GAOs in Wastewater Treatment
As the temperature rises during the summer months, wastewater treatment operators often face a hidden biological battle—Polyphosphate-Accumulating Organisms (PAO) versus Glycogen-Accumulating Organisms (GAO). In Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal (EBPR)...
Harnessing Biological Treatment for Superior Manure Management in Pull-Pits and Lagoons
Managing manure in livestock operations is a complex challenge, with problems related to polluted water, odors, and decreased livestock health in enclosed areas. By introducing beneficial biological agents, producers can enhance manure liquefication in pull-pits,...
MCA vs qPCR – Which Should You Use
Microbial communities play a crucial role in wastewater treatment, helping break down organic pollutants, remove nutrients, and support overall ecosystem health. When analyzing these environmental cultures, researchers use molecular tools like Next-Generation...
The Power of Professional Bioaugmentation: Why Expert Consultation Is Essential
Bioaugmentation tools have been around for over 50 years in wastewater treatment. While they have been used successfully in numerous locations, there have also been numerous applications with limited results. Successful use of bioaugmentation isn't just about...
Why Protozoa Tell Us So Much About Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater treatment plants are complex ecosystems with many forms of microscopic life. While bacteria are the primary workhorses, breaking down pollutants, a diverse community of other microorganisms, particularly protozoa, plays a crucial role. These tiny...
Paracoccus: Important organisms for denitrification and sulfide oxidation in wastewater treatment systems
When running Microbial Community Analysis tests wastewater treatment systems some organisms are seen at very high frequencies. Among them most interesting genera is Paracoccus. We see this organism in municipal, pulp & paper, food processing, and even...
Critical Microorganisms in Wastewater Treatment Plants: Understanding how functional groups are used to monitor biomass composition
Biological wastewater treatment units contain an ecosystem where diverse organisms collaborate to treat the wastewater. These microbial communities play essential roles in removing pollutants, recycling nutrients, and maintaining water quality. While there are...
Exploring Syntrophic Bacterial Relationships in Wastewater Treatment
Biological wastewater relies on multiple microbial communities working together to break down pollutants and recycle nutrients. Among these microbial interactions, syntrophic relationships stand out as a cornerstone of efficient wastewater management. To understand...
The Role of Sulfides in Anaerobic Digesters
Sulfides are primarily produced through the activity of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). These microorganisms use sulfate as an electron acceptor, generating hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as a byproduct. While this process is natural, the accumulation of sulfides can have...
