Why Is the Biocenosis of Wastewater So Important?
Biological wastewater treatment would not be possible without microorganisms, the tiny but most important helpers in sewage treatment plants. Wastewater treatment plants are gigantic microbiological power plants in which microorganisms are responsible for the conversion of chemical compounds and the degradation of pollutants. A malfunction of the plant is usually based on a malfunction of the microbial processes. It is therefore essential to know the biocenosis of the plant in order to maintain control over the processes.
Why Is the Biocoenosis Not Yet Continuously Monitored?
The conventional detection of microorganisms is still based on the cultivation of microorganisms and is not suitable for the analysis of complex samples, which include wastewater. Studies show that up to 99.9 % of all bacteria in wastewater cannot be cultivated. However, even simple staining methods are not sufficient due to their lack of specificity and the morphovariability or Gram variability of the bacteria. In order to get as realistic a picture as possible of the microbiological conditions in a wastewater treatment plant, it is necessary to analyze the bacteria directly in the sample and without detours.
Complexity of the Wastewater Sample
The wastewater is complex. The biocenosis cannot be analyzed using conventional methods.
Cultivation in Waste Water
Cultivation is unsuitable for wastewater microbiology, as most bacteria cannot be cultivated.
Microscopy
Due to the sample matrix, a clear identification of the bacteria based on morphology is also hardly possible.
Monitoring of the Biocoenosis Is Possible!
With the help of our expertise and our analytical methods, direct monitoring of microorganisms in wastewater is possible. With VIT® gene probe technology, the following parameters can be systematically integrated into operational analysis:
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