Wastewater Treatment Using Active Microorganisms and Evaluation of Results

Abstract

In this study, samples are taken from the facility where the wastewater is located, and tests and analyzes are made with an active microorganism (EM). EM Technology means technology using Active Microorganisms. EM is not composed of a single microorganism, but a mixture of various groups of microorganisms. It has a positive and healthy effect on people, animals, and nature. EM is effective in both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. For this reason, it would be beneficial to apply it at all stages of treatment in conventional wastewater treatment systems, except for the biological reactor. When used in EM-activated wastewater, various compounds are formed that may be beneficial for wastewater (enzymes with high hydrolytic activity and some antioxidant substances). These compounds together with EM microorganisms provide high-capacity purification of wastewater. As a result of analyses using EM, it is seen that the desired values are achieved. Heavy metal determination is made in Çankırı wastewater and water treated with EM using an ICP-OES device at a lower detection limit (LOD) value of the device at ppm level. As a result of treatment with EM, it has been determined that a high concentration of strontium fell to the lower detection limit. This result shows that EM has an effective role in removing heavy metals. It has been seen that the use of EM in wastewater is extremely beneficial in terms of eliminating bad odors, increasing the sedimentation rate of organic matter, and reducing chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and suspended solids amount (SSM). Besides, ionization is suppressed by the anti-oxidation effect. When EM is used, the operating cost will be lower as O2 consumption can be reduced. Since the water will still contain EM microorganisms after being treated, it is thought that wherever it is discharged from the wastewater plant to nature, a great improvement will be observed in terms of vegetation and the environment.