The Role of Bacteria in the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Process 3

The Role of Bacteria in the Industrial Wastewater Treatment Process 3

Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Enzymes in biochemical reactions act as organic catalysts. The enzymes become part of the reaction but are not themselves changed by the reaction. This is done by first the enzyme and the substrate coupling forming and enzyme-substrate complex. After the reaction is complete, the enzyme is released for catalyzing another reaction.

Okay, so now we have some general information about the biochemical reactions of bacteria and their enzymes. However, these chemical reactions occur within all bacteria, not just those in industrial wastewater and sewage treatment. So lets get back to the subject at hand – the role of bacteria in the industrial wastewater treatment process.

All bacteria, useful or otherwise, in a flow of industrial wastewater got there by happenstance. They remain, eat and reproduce because there is a food supply available to them. Remember bacteria have only thing on their mind; live, grow and reproduce. They are completely unconcerned about the quality of their workmanship as determined by your wastewater laboratory chemist.

Since it’s true that almost all industrial wastewater treatment plants are designed to take advantage of one of natures essential resources, the decomposition of organic material by bacterial activity, then we should know something about the bacteria with which we are working. In addition, we should learn about what is being done by  the scientific community to provide better or specific bacteria, bioaugmentation, that can be introduced into industrial wastewater treatment systems to maximize their effectiveness.

The addition of specific bacteria to a wastewater stream with the idea of maximizing contaminant removal is called bioaugmentation. The use of bioaugmentation by industrial wastewater treatment facilities can equate to a lower operational cost, higher quality of effluent, and freedom from wastewater odors like hydrogen sulfide.

By studying the makeup of sewage and industrial wastewater steams, scientists can determine the best microorganisms to use in breaking down the specific organic chemicals involved and can work with design engineers and operational consultants, either to build new industrial wastewater facilities or to employ bioaugmentation of wastewater in existing facilities.

End Part 3

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