MICROORGANISMS, ENZYMES AND CHEMICALS

 

     Enzymes are biochemical catalysts that affect the rate at which specific chemical reactions occur. Each enzyme usually catalyzes one particular kind of reaction.

In other words, a microorganism, that has been scientifically adapted to digest animal fats will send out an enzyme specific to that food source. The enzyme breaks down the waste so the microorganisms can utilize the food source. The microorganisms then digest the waste in carbon dioxide and water, as by-products. Enzymes are not living, reproducing organisms! Enzymes are produced by living reproducing organisms, microorganisms.

 

A good example of what can enzymes and can not do

 

    Enzymes that are manufactured to digest grease will only liquefy the grease, putting it in a soluble state, carrying it through system only to have the grease congeal further down the line (often times on a leach field or waste treatment plant) and cause problems there. The liquefied grease still needs to be digested but there are little no microorganisms in the system capable of doing the job, the grease goes back to its original state of sticky clumps.

    The chemical odor controllers are designed to kill microorganisms, and use a strong fragrance to mask any odors. When using this type of odor controller, you will kill not only the odor-causing microorganisms but the beneficial microorganisms as well. This renders the system biologically inactive resulting in a build up of solids that will require frequent pumping.

 

Bioaugmentation

 

      Bioaugmentation is a technique used to increase the biological efficiency of waste treatment systems by through the programmed addition of specific microorganisms. Selectively adapted microorganisms are introduced into a waste treatment system in large number in order to swiftly cope with any light chemicals and/or difficult present.

      Before the advent of strong chemicals to clean restrooms, most septic tanks and waste treatment plants worked quite well using the microorganisms available in organics. Since the 1950s the use of these chemical cleaners has dramatically increased. These cleaners effectively kill microorganism populations, severely limiting waste system functions.

 

The following are the most common facing systems maintenance personnel:

 

Type System	Problem	Cause
Septic Tank	Hand mat buildup Pumping tank more than once per year Water rises to surface in leach field	High use and low biological activity Leach field is clogged Hard mat buildup in leach field
Grease Traps	Odor, corrosion and high PPM of grease in effluent	Biological activity in system is low
Lift Station	Hydrogen sulfide odor	Crease and waste accumulating on the side walls of the tank
Sludge Activated Plant	Shock Loading FM radio is off High MG/L settle able solids Slow bio-activity	Influx of Chemicals Too much sewage, not enough biologics Not enough equalization time Bad aeration
Lagoons	Odor Algae bloom Settled sludge	pH level is off High organics Too many solids in lagoon

Bioaugmentation of any of the above systems can reduce or eliminate the causes thus eliminating the problems.

 

 

 

The Principle Behind Specialized Microorganisms For Waste Degradation And Odor Control

 

    Microorganisms are living organisms that produce the specific enzymes needed to break down compounds so that these microorganisms can digest them. Specialized microorganisms are scientifically adapted to digest specific compounds such as detergents, papers, oils, greases, hydrocarbons and phenols. These specialized microorganisms secrete the proper enzymes for their environment and will then digest the compounds. By using specialized microorganisms, the process of digestion is greatly improved. During the digestion process, odors such as hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and the obnoxious odor from grease, are controlled. By controlling odors at a molecular level, the need for a masking agent such as perfume is eliminated.  

  

Conditions For Growth Of Beneficial Microorganisms

 

    When environmental conditions are favorable, microorganisms will enter a period of rapid growth and reproduction.

Temperature: Conditions best for growth of most types of microorganisms will range from 5° to 48° С.

 

Moisture: microorganisms need water for two reasons:

1) microorganisms are made up of almost 90% water and need moisture of function.

2) microorganisms need water as a transportation medium that allows them to move around the waste.

 

Food Source: When utilizing specialized microorganisms, it is necessary to introduce the proper microorganisms to the specific waste to be digested. Otherwise the microorganisms must mutate to the food source. This takes time and the resulting microorganisms are not nearly as strong as the original generation.

 

The Life Of Microorganisms

 

    Microorganisms are either aerobic or anaerobic. Aerobic microorganism needs atmospheric oxygen to breathe. Anaerobic microorganism metabolize by using carbohydrates or amino acids. Microorganism that can metabolize equally well in the presence or absence of oxygen are called facultative anaerobes.

All organic compounds are a potential food source to microorganisms. Each stain of microorganisms will produce a specific enzyme that enables it to break down the waste. The microorganism will then utilize that “food” in its work. That resulting compounds from microorganism digestion are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. Without microorganisms (and fungi) all carbon and nitrogen atoms would eventually be tied up in dead bodies of plants and animals. Life would cease because of the lack of raw material needed for building new cellular components.

    Specialized microorganism reproduces at a rate of once every 20 minutes. This gives rise to a large population in a very short period. However, later generations will not be quite as strong and will be somewhat mutated from the original generations. This reduction in microbe strength requires regular, periodic introduction of a fresh, new supply of microorganisms to your system.

 

MICROORGANISMS VS. ENZYMES VS. CHEMICALS

 

What Are Microorganisms, Enzymes and Chemicals?

 

Microorganisms are living cells which have the capabilities of consuming wastes of different types, reproducing, and actually producing enzymes. Better said, microorganisms are the factories that produce enzymes. When the right microorganisms are present in the right quantities and in the right conditions, they produce enzymes much more economically than people can manufacture them.

Enzymes are NOT alive. They are complex chemicals produced by bacteria. They cannot reproduce, or actually consume waste. They speed up chemical reactions without getting used themselves. However, enzymes are all proteins, and some enzymes attack proteins. Therefore, enzyme usefulness is limited by digestion from other enzymes.

Chemicals are NOT alive. Chemicals include soaps, harsh acids and bases, solvents, and enzymes. Chemicals do not reproduce themselves. Chemicals can be used to mimic the properties of bacteria or enzymes, but they are either environmentally harmful, not as efficient, or both.

 

How Do Microorganisms, Enzymes and Chemicals Work?

 

Microorganisms consume waste materials. When microorganisms consume waste, they convert the waste into safe by products - carbon dioxide and water. When the waste materials are very complex (such as pond sludge), TRI-BIO microorganisms actually produce enzymes to break down the complex waste into simple compounds that the TRI-BIO microorganisms can consume.

Enzymes are not capable of consuming waste materials, such as sludge or ammonia. Rather, all that they can do is convert complex wastes into simple wastes. Bacteria are still needed to consume the waste material - enzymes alone will not do the job. An enzyme product only has half the tools necessary to get the job done right!

Chemicals can oxidize sludge and ammonia, but only very harsh and dangerous chemicals can accomplish this job. Less hazardous chemicals are generally not effective in a pond environment for tough jobs like sludge digestion. In addition, chemicals have considerable toxicity issues, and are likely to harm fish, wildlife, and the general pond health.

 

Which System is Best for the Environment?

 

Microorganisms contained in TRI-BIO are 100% natural, safe, and non-pathogenic. TRI-BIO microorganisms are not genetically engineered or altered in any way. Since microorganisms both degrade complex waste AND consume the by-products, less pollution is discharged to the environment. TRI-BIO microorganisms also consume phosphates, ammonia and nitrates. This improves water quality in lakes, ponds, and groundwater. TRI-BIO is the environmentally superior solution.

Enzymes are not necessarily bad for the environment, but they do not have the advantages that the TRI-BIO microorganisms provide. Again, enzymes do not actually consume wastes; they simply break complex compounds into simpler compounds. Microorganisms are still needed to finish the job. Enzymes cannot help in removing pollutants such as phosphates, ammonia, and nitrate. Therefore, enzymes have limited benefits. For the complete solution, choose TRI-BIO over enzyme products!

Chemicals are often bad for the environment, and they do not have the advantages that the TRI-BIO microorganisms provide. Chemicals can be used for some pond water treatment, such as chlorine removal, heavy metal removal, and pH adjustment. However, they are neither effective, economical or environmentally appropriate for removal of ammonia, nitrite, or sludge.