Microbial Ecology

In a waste treatment system, or even a diverse natural environment, microorganisms are found in a mixed community with genetic variability and ecological niches. With respect to waste treatment, we can explain treatment efficiency and outcomes of changes based on our general understanding of the underlying microbial ecology. To understand the system's ecology, you must know the following:

1. What microorganisms are present - we can classify using temperature, pH, oxygen, redox potential, nutrients, organic compounds, and numerous other information to determine the general microbial populations.
2. What metabolic reactions could the existing microbes carryout.
3. What metabolic reactions are actually occurring in the system.
4. How do the microbes interact with each other and the surrounding environment.

In designing and operating a biological waste treatment system, we develop and environment designed to encourage specific reactions to meet treatment goals. This includes adjusting nutrients, pH, temperature, oxygen, redox potential, retention time, suspended or fixed film growth conditions, and varying these conditions inside the system.