# Microbial Culture in STP and ETP: Wastewater Treatment Efficiency Enhancement

## Introduction

With a rising concern regarding water pollution and environmental sustainability, efficient treatment of wastewater is now considered a requirement for industries as well as for municipalities. STP and ETP successfully treat the wastewater before it flows into the environment. Of all these, the treatments on STP and ETP based on microbial cultures have gained high importance in itself because this helps to increase the efficiency of biological treatment.

This blog explains why microbial culture is an important aspect of STP and ETP, its types, benefits, challenges, and future trends.

### What is Microbial Culture in STP and ETP?

Microbial culture therefore refers to a population of microbes that include bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. They are considered the most active component in any biological treatment since they break down organic matter and convert toxic substances into harmless byproducts.

In activated sludge processes, biofilters, and bioreactors, the active sludge is added to increase the rate of degradation to satisfy the environmental standard about the quality of water.

### Importance of Microbial Culture in STP and ETP

1. Efficient decomposition of organic pollutant

Organic matter or material which can be subject to biodegradation is being degraded due to the presence of microbial culture having COD as well as BOD that is participating in the process of reduction of pollution of water.

2. Increased nutrient removal

Microbes help in nutrient removal like nitrogen and phosphorus, which is not causing eutrophication of water bodies.

3. Economical Treatment Solution

Biological treatment with microbial culture is more sustainable and economical compared to chemical treatments and saves on operational costs.

4. Sludge Volume Reduction

Effective microbial activity reduces the production of excess sludge hence saving on handling and disposal of sludge.

5. Odor Control

Microbial culture plays a great deal in controlling foul smells of anaerobic decomposition thus making the working site nontoxic in treatment plants.

### Types of Microbial Culture Used in STP and ETP

1. Aerobic Microbial Culture

Aerobic bacteria are microbes which easily decompose organic matter in the presence of oxygen. Some examples are given as follows:

* Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter (for nitrification)
* Bacillus species (for degrading organic matter)
* Pseudomonas species (for hydrocarbon degradation)

2. Anaerobic Microbial Culture

Anaerobic bacteria work in less oxygen surroundings and are used in anaerobic digesters, for decomposing complex organic matter which later produces biogas as its byproduct. Some examples are given as follows:

* Methanogenic bacteria (for the production of methane)
* Clostridium species (for fermentation methods)

3. Facultative Microbial Culture

Facultative bacteria can thrive in both aerobic as well as anaerobic environments, thus proving versatile in wastewater treatment.

* Example: Enterobacter species

4. Bioaugmentation Cultures

Certain microbial species are introduced in the wastewater treatment systems to increase the effectiveness of treatment, mainly in the elimination of industrial wastes.

### Role of Microbial Culture in STP and ETP Processes

1. Primary Treatment

Microbial culture is not widely involved in primary treatment, although certain bacteria decompose grease and oils in preliminary treatment.

2. Secondary Treatment

Microbial culture is largely responsible for biological treatment through the following procedures.

* Activated Sludge Process (ASP): Aerobic bacteria decompose organic matter in aeration tanks.

* Trickling Filters: Microorganisms grow on filter media, decomposing pollutants.

* Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR): Biofilms containing microbial cultures break down organic pollutants.

3. Tertiary Treatment

The advanced treatment stages involve nutrient removal, effluent polishing, and pathogen reduction by microorganisms.

## Factors Affecting the Performance of Microbial Culture

1. Temperature

Most of the microbial cultures survive at 20-35°C. Higher than these temperatures or lower than these badly affect the microbial activity.

2. pH Values

The optimal pH should be 6.5-8.5 as here, microbes can act at an optimal level. Acidic or basic conditions may exhibit some debilitative influences on the microbial activity.

3. DO(Dissolved Oxygen)

There is a sufficient quantity of dissolved oxygen, and aerobic bacteria decompose the organic matter appropriately

4. Toxic Substances

Toxic concentrations of heavy metals, disinfectants, and industrial chemicals may cause a depression in the activity of microbes.

5. Nutrient Availability

Microorganisms require an adequate availability of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus for the maximum growth and activity.

### Advantages of Microbial Culture in STP and ETP

1. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable

The treatment is eco-friendly and reduces the dependency on chemical treatments.

2. Quality of Effluent

Effluent is within the regulation discharge standard with a guarantee of environmental law compliance.

3. Chemical Savings

There is a reduction in the expensive chemical treatments for microbial treatment, thereby saving costs.

4. Biogas Generation

Biogas can be regarded as a renewable source of energy is from anaerobic microbial cultures.

5. Removal of Pathogen

A few microbes permit toxic pathogens to be removed from it, hence the effluent obtained is of good quality.

### Limitations to Use Microbial Culture in STP and ETP

1. Sensitivity of Environmental Condition

Change in temperature, pH, or load of toxicity changes the activity of microbes and thereby affects the performance of treatment.

2. Periodic Check-up and Replacement

Periodic check-up is necessary for the microbe culture followed by periodic replacement for performance.

3. Larger Retention Time

It is more as compared to other types of chemical treatment, thus requires more retention time in the treatment units.

4. Risk of Biofilm Clogging

The risk of clogging in filters and reactors in biofilm-based systems is due to overgrowth of microorganisms.

### Trends in Microbial Culture for STP and ETP

1. Genetically Engineered Microbes

Biotechnology-based microbial strains enhance the efficiency of the degradation of pollutants.

2. AI and IoT-based Monitoring

AI sensors and IoT-based monitoring systems collect real-time data and analyze them to optimize the efficiency of the microbial treatment process.

3. Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells are a technology wherein wastewater treatment microbes are used to generate electricity while treating effluents.

4. Design of Customized Microbial Consortia

Designated microbial blends are under development capable of targeting specific industrial wastewater pollutants.

5. New Bioaugmentation Technologies

Bioaugmentation improvement ensures reliable culture supplies to enhance long-term wastewater treatment.

### Conclusion
This revolutionizes the treatment of wastewater, considering that it introduces a cheap, sustainable, and environmentally friendly use of microbial culture in STP and ETP. Through the activity of microbes therefore, industries and municipalities ensure that pollutants are removed efficiently while regulations are upheld with minimal negative environmental impacts.

Despite some of the challenges, continuous research and technological advancement will make microbial culture-based wastewater treatment more efficient and reliable. A clean, green future is on the cards for the management of wastewater through innovative microbial solutions.

### Product and Services

Bio culture for STP and ETP: https://enbiogreen.com/bio-culture-for-stp-etp/

Bio Culture for Sewage Plant: https://enbiogreen.com/bio-culture-for-sewage-plant/

Water Analyzer for STP, ETP: https://enbiogreen.com/water-analyzer-for-stp-etp/

### About Enbio Green

Our team includes professionals from the sugar, distillery, automobile, pharmaceuticals, textile, and dairy industries, who bring experience and expertise to our work. We are confident in using well-researched and tested methods to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. Thus, we intend to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for waste management. We dream of a future where waste treatment is no longer dependent on harmful, complex, and expensive methods but transformed into safe, useful resources that benefit the environment.
Contact us- [e-mail]