Wastewater Treatment and Ecology Quiz

The act of removing pollutants and harmful substances from wastewater to make it safe for the environment or reuse.

Biological methods of wastewater treatment using microorganisms (like bacteria) to break down organic matter into simpler, less harmful substances.

Wastewater generated from homes, including things like water from sinks, showers, toilets, and washing machines.

Wastewater produced by industries during manufacturing processes. It can contain chemicals, heavy metals, and other pollutants.

The process of converting organic waste into a more stable form that is less likely to decompose and cause environmental problems. This often involves microorganisms.

The process of recovering valuable materials from waste products for reuse or recycling. It reduces waste and conserves resources.

The use of physical methods like filtering, screening, or settling to remove solid particles from wastewater. It's the first step in many treatment processes.

The use of chemicals like disinfectants or coagulants to remove harmful substances from wastewater. This method can be effective, but it can also be expensive.

The time it takes for a wastewater particle to pass through a reactor. It influences the effectiveness of treatment. Factors that affect HRT include: the growth rate of microbes, reactor type, wastewater composition, and concentration.

A high organic loading rate can lead to an excessive buildup of organic acids, hindering methane production in anaerobic digestion.

When the wastewater has insufficient organic matter, the microbes don't have enough 'food' to produce biogas efficiently.

Specialized reactors that create a high upflow velocity to enhance mass transfer and improve biogas production, even at short hydraulic retention times.

A widely used anaerobic reactor, but requires long hydraulic retention times for effective biogas production.

Harmful substances that can disrupt or even kill the microbes in an anaerobic digestion process.

The process of removing ammonia (NH4+) from wastewater, usually in two stages: nitrification (oxidation of ammonia to nitrate) and denitrification (conversion of nitrate to nitrogen gas).

The microbial community in a wastewater treatment system converts nitrates to nitrogen gas, primarily under anoxic conditions (without oxygen).

The F/M ratio represents the food (organic matter) available for microorganisms in a wastewater treatment process, specifically the amount of biodegradable material measured in BOD (biological oxygen demand) per unit of microorganisms (MLVSS) in a given timeframe.

The F/M ratio is calculated by dividing the influent BOD5 concentration (So) by the MLVSS (mixed liquor volatile suspended solids) concentration (X), then multiplying by the flow rate (Q) and a conversion factor (day-1).

The F/M ratio is a key parameter for optimizing the performance of activated sludge systems in wastewater treatment.

The F/M ratio is typically adjusted by regulating the return activated sludge (RAS) rate from the secondary clarifier. This manipulates the MLVSS concentration, influencing the food availability for bacteria.

Attached growth processes, like trickling filters, utilize a fixed biofilm for microbial growth where microorganisms are attached to a surface. These systems offer a stable environment for microorganisms.

In attached growth processes, substrate removal primarily occurs in the outer layers of the biofilm, where microorganisms have direct access to organic matter.

Viruses and pathogenic bacteria are often present in wastewater. Post-biological disinfection steps are crucial for removing these harmful microbes from the treated effluent.

The F/M ratio is a crucial factor in optimizing the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment. By manipulating the food available for microorganisms, we can ensure the effective removal of organic pollutants.

A type of wastewater treatment that involves the use of biological systems, such as bacteria, to remove phosphorus.

A type of bacteria commonly used in biological phosphorus removal, known for its ability to accumulate polyphosphate.

A process where bacteria convert organic matter into methane gas and other byproducts. Typically occurs in anaerobic conditions (without oxygen).

Microorganisms that can use hydrogen as their energy source. They play a role in bio-hydrogen production.

A type of wastewater treatment that involves the use of natural systems, such as wetlands or constructed wetlands, to remove pollutants.

Refers to wastewater treatment processes and technologies that aim to minimize environmental impact and maximize resource recovery.

These methods are a standard set of procedures for examining the quality of water and wastewater. They help to assess the presence of contaminants and overall water quality.

Microorganisms that use nitrate or nitrite as their final electron acceptor and organic matter as energy and carbon source. They convert these nitrogen compounds into nitrogen gas.

A type of methanogen that uses acetate (a type of VFA) as its energy source to produce methane.

Short-chain fatty acids, like acetate, propionate, and butyrate, produced during organic matter decomposition. While essential for some microbes, high concentrations can inhibit others.

The process where ammonia is converted to nitrite, a key step in nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment.

A process where ammonia is directly oxidized to nitrogen gas using anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria. This process is more efficient than the conventional two-stage nitrification-denitrification process.

A type of biological nitrogen removal process that uses autotrophic bacteria to remove nitrogen from wastewater. These bacteria obtain their energy from oxidizing inorganic compounds like ammonia, while using carbon dioxide as their carbon source.

The process where a single reactor is used to remove ammonia through nitrite formation. This method utilizes both aerobic and anaerobic conditions to achieve high ammonia removal efficiency.

A type of wastewater treatment that uses bacteria to remove nitrogen compounds from wastewater by converting them into harmless nitrogen gas, which is then released into the atmosphere.

This process involves the removal of phosphates from wastewater using a combination of biological and chemical methods. It mainly relies on the activity of phosphate-accumulating organisms (PAOs).

Microorganisms, primarily bacteria, that are able to thrive in oxygen-deficient environments and utilize nitrate for respiration. These bacteria are crucial in the nitrogen cycle, particularly in wastewater treatment, where they play a vital role in the removal of nitrogen.

It refers to the formation of small granules by the microorganisms in the UASB reactor. These granules are an important factor in the proper functioning of the reactor, as they offer a large surface area for the bacteria to carry out the wastewater treatment process.

A comprehensive reference book that provides detailed information about the biology, ecology, and applications of bacterial species.