by Erik Rumbaugh | Jan 8, 2026 | Uncategorized
Lowering dissolved oxygen (DO) below 2 mg/L in aerobic wastewater treatment can reduce aeration energy costs, but it risks impairing nitrification (ammonia oxidation) and subsequent denitrification (nitrate/nitrite removal), leading to poor ammonia and total nitrogen...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Dec 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Biological wastewater treatment is fundamentally driven by microbial metabolism, where microorganisms transform pollutants into less harmful compounds. The efficiency and sustainability of these processes hinge on the selection and sequence of terminal electron...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Dec 18, 2025 | Uncategorized
Cyanide is one of the most feared contaminants in the industrial world. Known primarily for its extreme toxicity to human and aquatic life, its presence in wastewater presents a significant technical and regulatory hurdle for plant operators. From mining to high-tech...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Dec 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
A diverse community of bacteria, archaea, protozoa, and fungi acts as a living, dynamic ecosystem responsible for several critical purification processes: Organic Compound Degradation: Various microbial groups specialize in breaking down different organic compounds...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Oct 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
As temperatures drop, wastewater treatment plants face a seasonal challenge that’s as subtle as it is critical: maintaining the delicate balance between nitrifying bacteria and filamentous organisms. Winter operations demand longer sludge ages to support...
by Erik Rumbaugh | Oct 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) are commonly found in disinfectants, detergents, and personal care products. Their extensive use has led to increased concentrations in wastewater. To better understand how this impacts biological wastewater treatment, let’s...
