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.
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.
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