Term Paper Abstracts (Fall 2000):
Use of Respirometry as an Early-Warning Device of Toxicity in Wastewater Treatment
Elizabeth E. Baldwin
ABSTRACT
The increase in number of wastewater treatment plants and the increased flow that requires treatment results in expansion of treatment facilities or
refined control methods. Since most treatment plants use biological processes for a portion of the pollutant removal, it is important to monitor and
optimize these processes to achieve the most effective removal capacity. Toxic wastewater may affect the dependability of these biological
processes, therefore causing high effluent pollutant emission. Respirometry is a method to monitor the effects of toxic loads upon activated sludge
and provide a warning if the growth inhibition caused by the toxic compound reaches a pre-set alarm level. Toxicity and its effect on the respiration
rate of bacteria can be quantified graphically by plotting the dissolved oxygen vs. time during substrate addition. The RODTOX respirometer and its
performance in treatment plant test will be discussed as well as other respirometers and
manufacturers.
KEYWORDS: Respirometer, Toxicity, Activated Sludge, Respiration rate,
WWTP.
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