Old Sludge – what is it and why is it a problem for wastewater treatment
In wastewater treatment plants, biomass solids is a byproduct of the treatment process. It consists of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials, microorganisms, and bound water. Over time, sludge can age and transform into what is known as "old sludge."...
Impact of Surfactants on Wastewater Treatment Plants
Surfactants, or surface-active agents, are among the most common chemcials used in both households and industrial facilities. Found in everything from personal care products to industrial cleaners, these chemical compounds reduce surface tension between two...
Understanding Bacterial Gene Expression: The Impact on Phenotype vs. Genotype
In the world of microbiology, understanding the relationship between genotype and phenotype is crucial for advancing wastewater treatment technologies. Bacterial gene expression plays a pivotal role in this dynamic, influencing how genetic information translates...
Differences in aeration system Oxygen Transfer Efficiency (OTE) and why it is important to wastewater treatment
For aerobic wastewater treatment systems, maintaining Dissolved Oxygen levels is key to efficient treatment. Operating a combination of blowers or surface aerators represents a significant use of energy/utility costs. Picking the correct aeration system and...
4 Myths About Using Molecular Diagnostics for Wastewater
You may have seen information on using molecular tools or genetic testing in wastewater treatment systems. While 15 years ago, this was either unavailable, expensive, and not useful, things have changed, and Aster Bio’s Microbial Community Analysis (MCA) test gives...
Using qPCR to diagnose the problem after losing nitrification
Nitrification is one of the most complex and crucial processes within the wastewater microbial community. This biochemical process involves the conversion of ammonia (NH₃) into nitrate (NO₃⁻) and is carried out by a specialized group of microorganisms known as...
Understanding qPCR vs. MCA Tests in Wastewater Applications: Choose the Right Molecular Method for Your Needs
In wastewater treatment and environmental monitoring, molecular testing technologies have revolutionized the way we analyze microbial populations and identify specific contaminants. But what's the difference? qPCR vs MCA Tests... Among these technologies,...
Using enzymes for improving hydrolysis rate in anaerobic digesters
Anaerobic digesters rely on a complex consortium of microorganisms for converting biosolids into methane gas and carbon dioxide. The community includes both bacteria and archaea. The first steps in the process rely on the action of bacteria, while the final steps...
Common Functional Groups in Wastewater Treatment
When discussing wastewater system organisms, we clump organisms into functional groups based on their ecological impact(s) in wastewater treatment. After working with Microbial Community Analysis (MCA) testing for over 8 years, Aster Bio now reports % of reads in...
Impact of high temperatures on wastewater treatment
Rapid temperature changes tend to cause more problems than gradual drift in WW. Even with slow increase in temperatures, you reach inflection points where system drifts above the growth range of most common mesophilic organisms. Most common genera in WW thrive up...
