NEET Exam  >  NEET Questions  >   During secondary treatment, all occurs excep... Start Learning for Free
During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?
  • a)
    Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocs
  • b)
    Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluent
  • c)
    Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculum
  • d)
    Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digesters
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we...
In secondary treatment, the primary effluent is passed into large aeration tanks where it is constantly agitated mechanically and the air is pumped into it. This allows the vigorous growth of useful aerobic microbes into flocs. While growing, these microbes consume the major part of the organic matter in the effluent. This significantly reduces the BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) of the effluent.
The sewage water is treated till the BOD is reduced. The BOD test measures the rate of uptake of oxygen by micro-organisms in a sample of water and thus, indirectly, BOD is a measure of the organic matter present in the water. The greater the BOD of waste water, the more is its polluting potential. Once the BOD of sewage or waste water is reduced significantly, the effluent is then passed into a settling tank where the bacterial ‘flocs’ are allowed to sediment. This sediment is called activated sludge.
A small part of the activated sludge is pumped back into the aeration tank to serve as the inoculum. The remaining major part of the sludge is pumped into large tanks called anaerobic sludge digesters. Here, other kinds of bacteria, which grow anaerobically, digest the bacteria and the fungi in the sludge.
During this digestion, bacteria produce a mixture of gases such as methane, hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide. These gases form biogas and can be used as a source of energy as it is inflammable. The effluent from the secondary treatment plant is generally released into natural water bodies like rivers and streams.
Free Test
Community Answer
During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we...
Answer:

Introduction:
Secondary treatment is a crucial step in the wastewater treatment process, where the primary goal is to further remove organic matter and nutrients from the effluent. It typically follows primary treatment and precedes the final disinfection process.

Explanation:
During secondary treatment, several processes take place to enhance the removal of organic matter and reduce the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of the effluent. However, one of the options listed is incorrect. Let's go through each option to determine the correct answer:

a) Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocs:
This option is incorrect. During secondary treatment, the growth of anaerobic microbes is minimal or absent because the process primarily focuses on aerobic conditions. The formation of flocs is mainly attributed to the growth and activity of aerobic microbes, which help in the removal of organic matter.

b) Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluent:
This option is correct. One of the main objectives of secondary treatment is to reduce the BOD of the effluent. BOD is a measure of the amount of biodegradable organic matter present in the wastewater. The microbial action, particularly by aerobic bacteria in the activated sludge, leads to the breakdown and consumption of organic matter, thereby reducing the BOD.

c) Activated sludge is pumped back into the aeration tank as the inoculum:
This option is correct. In secondary treatment, the activated sludge, which contains a high concentration of beneficial microorganisms, is recycled by pumping it back into the aeration tank. This serves as an inoculum for the incoming wastewater, ensuring a sufficient population of microbes for efficient treatment.

d) Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digesters:
This option is correct. After secondary treatment, a portion of the activated sludge is typically diverted to anaerobic sludge digesters. These digesters facilitate the breakdown of the excess sludge through anaerobic digestion, producing biogas and reducing the volume of sludge for disposal.

Conclusion:
In summary, during secondary treatment, the incorrect option is "a) Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocs." The growth of anaerobic microbes is minimal or absent, and the floc formation is primarily attributed to the activity of aerobic microbes.
Attention NEET Students!
To make sure you are not studying endlessly, EduRev has designed NEET study material, with Structured Courses, Videos, & Test Series. Plus get personalized analysis, doubt solving and improvement plans to achieve a great score in NEET.
Explore Courses for NEET exam

Top Courses for NEET

During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Question Description
During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? for NEET 2024 is part of NEET preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the NEET exam syllabus. Information about During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for NEET 2024 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for NEET. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for NEET Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice During secondary treatment, all occurs except one. Which 'one' are we referring to?a)Vigorous growth of anaerobic microbes into flocsb)Microbial action reduces the BOD of the effluentc)Activated sludge is pumped back into aeration tank as the inoculumd)Major part of activated sludge is passed into anaerobic sludge digestersCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice NEET tests.
Explore Courses for NEET exam

Top Courses for NEET

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev