Wastewater Treatment Processes and Concepts

These flashcards cover the key concepts, definitions, and processes involved in wastewater treatment as outlined in the lecture notes.

Preliminary treatment removes __ that could damage equipment.

large objects and grit

In primary treatment, raw sewage is passed through __ to remove nondigestible materials.

screens

In primary treatment, solids that sink to the bottom of the tank are called __.

sludge

The liquids that float above the sludge in primary treatment are known as __.

effluent

In secondary treatment, __ are microorganisms mixed with wastewater in an aeration tank.

activated sludge

The process of a trickling filter involves wastewater trickling over __ coated with bacteria.

a bed of rocks or plastic

In oxidation ponds, algae produces __ for aerobic digestion.

oxygen

Wetlands treat primary effluent through __ that decomposes remaining waste.

microbiota

During anaerobic digestion, solids are broken down by __ microorganisms.

anaerobic

Flocs are clumps of microbes that break down waste into __, ammonia, nitrate, sulfate, and phosphate.

CO2

BOD stands for __, which measures the amount of oxygen required to break down organic matter.

Biological Oxygen Demand

The part of a septic system that settles solids is known as __.

a septic tank

In a septic system, effluent flows from the septic tank into __.

the drainfield

In bioremediation, microorganisms are used to degrade __ in the environment.

pollutants or toxins

Biostimulation promotes the growth of native microbes by modifying the __.

environment

High concentrations of waste correspond to __ BOD.

high

The __ is where microbes on gravel break down organics aerobically in a septic system.

drain field

Methane produced during anaerobic digestion can be collected at the __ of the digester.

top

Trickling filters rely on a __ layer of bacteria to break down organic pollutants.

slime

The anaerobic digestion process produces __, H2, CO2 that are used by methanogens.

acetate

The treatment that polishes water to meet specific discharge standards is called __ treatment.

tertiary

In wetlands, treated water seeps into __, oceans, or lakes.

rivers

In a septic tank, solids are digested __.

anaerobically

Oxidation ponds utilize algae, bacteria, and other organisms in an __ environment.

open pond

BOD is influenced by the presence of __ in the wastewater.

organic matter

The __ tank is part of the septic system where effluent undergoes further treatment.

settling

Composting and other methods aim to promote the growth of __ through biostimulation.

native microbes

The process that removes inorganic nutrients in tertiary treatment includes polishing the __.

water

Activated sludge treatment involves pumping __ into a clarifying tank.

effluent

Wetlands are designed to enhance the __ processes of microbial life.

decomposition

Settled sludge removed in anaerobic digestion is sent to a __ bed.

drying

Bioremediation can be used for treating __ spills and other organic pollutants.

oil

In biostimulation, __ may be added to improve microbial growth.

nutrients

The __ system treats waste by separating solids and allowing biologically active microbes to work.

septic

Trickling filters expose wastewater to a bed of materials fostering __ activity.

bacterial