Behavior of Microorganisms from Wastewater Treatments in Extremely Low-Frequency Electric Field
Csaba Bartha, Monica Jipa, Alina-Ruxandra Caramitu, Andreea Voina, Attila Tókos, Gabriela Oprina, Dan-Doru Micu, Iosif Lıngvay, D Yoswaty, I Effendi, M Mardalisa, E Efriyeldi, A Maulid Makwa, M Dzikri, A Banciu, L Ionescu, D Ionica, M Vaideanu, S Calinescu, M Nita-Lazar, L Marutescu, M Popa, M Chifiriuc, D Cirtina, M Mihut, C Muntenita, C Dragomir Balanica, A Simionescu, S Stanciu, C Popa, C Dragomir Balanica, A Simionescu, C Popa, C-I Bichescu, C Muntenita, R-M Frncu, O Iulian, I-C Moroan, A Lobiuc, L Ivnescu, Olaru, N Costic, M Zamfirache, Ludwigia Glandulosa, P Ionescu, V-M Radu, G Deak, E Diacu, A Ivanov, I-E Ciobotaru, E Marcu, V-M Radu, P Ionescu, E Diacu, G Deak, A Ivanov, Y Demir, E Moraru, O Dontu, N Baran, A Petre, I Moga, C Dragomir Balanica, C Muntenita, D Zeca, M Stoica, A Iova, C Neagu, D Cretu, S Mihalache, M Carbureanu, L Klima, I Melkov, J Novkov, M Brtkov, A Hlav, A Krakovsk, V Dombek, P Andr, M Mincu, M Marcus, M Mitiu, N Raischi, C Bumbac, E Manea, A Banciu, C Stoica, I Ionescu, V Badescu, M Nita-Lazar, V Gherman, P Molnar, M Motoc, A Negrea, E Manea, C Bumbac, A Banciu, C Stoica, M Nita-Lazar, E Biris-Dorhoi
Abstract
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.