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Behavior of Microorganisms from Wastewater Treatments in Extremely Low-Frequency Electric Field
Summary
The metabolism of activated sludge microorganisms from domestic wastewater treatment was characterized under extremely low-frequency electric field exposure using dielectric spectroscopy, identifying four characteristic frequencies at which the electric field significantly altered microbial activity.
The paper presents the research results regarding the metabolism of microorganisms from domestic wastewater treatment-activated sludge. The research approached this issue by dielectric spectroscopy measurements, chemical analyses, and specific microbiological techniques. In addition, the influence of extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric fields (1÷500 Hz) on microbial metabolism was studied. Four representative frequencies have been identified: 49.9, 99.9, 130.8, and 150.4 Hz using dielectric spectroscopy applied to the investigated samples. Also, dielectric loss and conductivity evolutions showed significant discontinuities, indicating oscillation/resonance phenomena in the investigated biomass, unlike the sterilized sludge samples (obtained either by boiling or electrically, applying a voltage that creates a 100 V/m electric field strength on the sample), which did not show discontinuities; instead, the values of tgδ and σ were approx. 5-6 times larger. Chemical and microbiological tests have shown that the metabolism, growth, and multiplication of microorganisms in activated sludge are significantly increased after exposure to 4-6 V/m electric field strength of 50 Hz. The research may continue by developing equipment and a bioelectrotechnological process to significantly increase the efficiency of wastewater treatment plants.
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