| Secondary Treatment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Microorganisms Eat WHAT?! | The Process | References |
Microorganisms and Digestion
Microorganisms are used in the secondary treatment process because of their ability to consume certain chemicals and organic matter. Table 1 includes a list of the microorganisms (too small to be viewed without the aid of a microscope) that are used during the secondary treatment process. Generally a wastewater treatment plant does not add these organism, instead they grow naturally once the treatment plant provides enough oxygen. Some organisms will dominate at some wastewater treatment plants, while other organisms will be present in other wastewater treatment plants.
Table 1. Types of microorganism present in secondary treatment.
| Type of Organism | Description | Image |
|---|---|---|
| Bacteria |
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| Fungi |
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| Algae |
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| Protozoa |
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| Rotifers & Crustaceans |
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