The Importance of Nitrogen in Wastewater Treatment and Its Environmental Impact

The importance of nitrogen goes hand in hand with its ill effects on the environment and organisms specifically humans as the heavy accumulation of the same in water bodies leads to hazardous effects such as eutrophication having direct impact on human health.

The major contributors to this nitrogen accumulation in water bodies are industries in the form of ammoniacal nitrogen. The pollution control bodies such as NGT and CPCB are very stringent about the ammoniacal nitrogen discharge through the effluent.

What is Nitrification and Denitrification in Wastewater Treatment?

Understanding Nitrification

Nitrification is a two-step aerobic process where ammonia (NH3) is converted into nitrate (NO3–) through the action of specialized bacteria. This process occurs naturally in soil and water but is crucial in wastewater treatment to prevent ammonia toxicity and eutrophication in aquatic environments.

1. Ammonia Oxidation: The first step involves the conversion of ammonia to nitrite (NO2–) by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) such as Nitrosomonas.

NH3 ​+O2  ​→ NO2− ​+ 3H+ + 2e−

2. Nitrite Oxidation: The second step involves the conversion of nitrite to nitrate by nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) such as Nitrobacter.

NO2− ​ + 1/2​O2​ → NO3−​

Understanding Denitrification

Denitrification is an anaerobic process where nitrate is reduced to nitrogen gas (N2), which is then released into the atmosphere. This process helps in the removal of excess nitrogen from wastewater, thus preventing nutrient pollution.

  1. Nitrate Reduction: Nitrate is first reduced to nitrite.

NO3− ​→ NO2−​

  1. Nitrite Reduction: Nitrite is further reduced to nitric oxide (NO), nitrous oxide (N2O), and finally nitrogen gas.

NO2−​ → NO → N2​O → N2​

 The Role of Bioremediation in Wastewater Treatment:

Bioremediation leverages natural or engineered biological processes to degrade pollutants. In the context of nitrification and denitrification, bioremediation uses microbial communities to enhance nitrogen removal efficiently.

  1. Bioaugmentation: This involves the addition of specific strains of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria to wastewater treatment systems. These microorganisms are selected for their efficiency in nitrogen transformation processes.
  • Nitrosomonas europaea and Nitrobacter winogradskyi are common bioaugmentation agents for nitrification.
  • Pseudomonas and Paracoccus species are effective for denitrification.
  1. Biostimulation: This approach involves optimizing the environmental conditions to favor the growth and activity of indigenous nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. Parameters such as pH, temperature, oxygen levels, and nutrient availability are carefully controlled.
  2. Immobilization Techniques: Microorganisms can be immobilized on various carriers such as activated carbon, biochar, or synthetic polymers to enhance their stability and activity. This method can significantly improve the efficiency of nitrification and denitrification processes by providing a conducive environment for microbial growth and activity.

Ammoniacal nitrogen control highly depends on the microbes responsible for nitrification and denitrification as well as dissolved oxygen. While in the case of industries specific anoxic systems are designed to control the ammonia in the effluent.

 Anoxic Systems in Wastewater Treatment?

The anoxic system is designed to follow the nitrifying and denitrifying process.

  1. Nitrifying Tank: – It consists of an oxygen source specifically aerators to induce dissolved oxygen in the effluent, which nitrifying bacteria utilize to convert ammonia to nitrite.
  2. Denitrifying Tank: – This tank is devoid of any oxygen sources to induce denitrification where nitrite turns into nitrate with the help of denitrifying bacteria.
  1. Canal or Stream: – Here the wastewater is allowed to flow through a canal or a stream uniformly which allows the nitrogen gas to escape which is ultimately the degradation of bacteria.

The anoxic system is ideally amalgamated with popular and prominent wastewater treatment types to achieve the eradication of NH3-N. By understanding and implementing these processes, industries can significantly reduce their impact on the environment and comply with stringent regulations on ammoniacal nitrogen discharge.

Curious to know more? Get a FREE sample of our bio cultures for effluent treatment or schedule a 1:1 consultation with our technical experts.

Bioremediation of Wastewater Treatment in Pharma Industries

“It’s an Illusion that the solution to pollution is dilution.”

This is India’s Century!! These words from S. Jayshankar echoed to every horizon of the planet and no single contradiction came, not from even the harshest critiques of India. This phrase is completely true in its sense and the pharmaceutical sector of India has made a tremendous contribution in making this phrase the “brahm vaakya”.

Current Scenario – Motion and Pollution

India ranks 3rd globally in pharmaceutical production, including generic drugs, OTC medicines, bulk drugs, vaccines, biosimilars, and biologics. It leads in supplying generic medicine with a 20% global share and is a major player in low-cost vaccines. India produces 60% of global vaccines, fulfilling up to 70% of WHO’s demand for Diphtheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DPT) and Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccines, and 90% of WHO’s demand for the measles vaccine. Projections suggest the industry will reach $65 billion by 2024 and $132 billion by 2030.

Yet, this growth comes at a significant cost—pollution. India’s global achievements are marred by its 120th rank in the water quality index, with 70% of its water contaminated. Pharmaceutical industries are major contributors to this issue. Despite having wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), many industries fail to meet compliance standards, leading to continued environmental challenges.

But then the question arises that if every pharmaceutical industry has a WWTP then why the compliances are not met?

Bioremediation – Exploring the Solutions

The challenges previously mentioned represent significant risks to the sustainability and operation of industries. However, much like a light at the end of a dark tunnel, Bioremediation emerges as a potential beacon of hope. When implemented effectively, it has the potential to revolutionize wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, there is a notable divide in opinions between industrialists and environmentalists regarding such claims. This skepticism is understandable, given that some companies present themselves as bioremediation companies without possessing the necessary expertise or foundational knowledge

So, we need to first understand the core of bioremediation which is the use of microorganisms. Now the readers will wonder that microorganisms are a vast group falling under Protista, do all of them work in ETP? So, this definition should be reframed as the use of the CORRECT microorganisms, especially selective bacteria to treat the wastewater.

Think of it like building a township: if the government hires without specifying the roles needed, it leads to chaos. But with careful selection—hiring engineers, doctors, and essential personnel—the township thrives. Similarly, bioremediation requires precise selection of microbial strains tailored to the specific needs of the treatment process for optimal results.

Challenges:

1. Tough to degrade Pollutants

Pharmaceutical effluents consist of some of the most tough to degrade compounds and pollutants such as carbamazepine and metformin. Compounds like these consist of NH and cyclic chain groups which makes them tough to degrade.

2. High COD and TDS

Due to the manufacture of drugs and medicines, few of the pharma effluent streams consist of very high COD and TDS up to 1 lakhs ppm which makes ETP operations difficult along with low sustainability of biomass, thereby leading to violation of compliances.

3. Shock Loads

Due to the manufacture of multiple products and constant changes in the constituents of effluent shock load situation is a common occurrence which leads to the sudden collapse of the ETP ecosystem even leading to serious conditions such as septic. Recovery is also very difficult in such  situations.

4. Poor MLSS:MLVSS Ratio

Due to the above-mentioned factors, natural biomass finds it difficult to develop to its optimum quantity which leads to poor MLSS:MLVSS ratio, which is one of the most important factors in the degradation of compounds in the secondary system.

5. Foul Odour 

Due to the presence of sulphides, mercaptans and other odour inducing compounds which mostly go undigested release a very foul and pungent odour which sometimes becomes dangerous for human health.

6. Hydraulic Load irregularities

Due to toxic and tough to degrade compounds, the EHS managers find it difficult to run the ETPs up to its maximum capacity which also sometimes affects the production.

7. Damage to RO/MEE membranes

Due to poor performances of ETPs and especially biological systems, the effluent carrying undigested pollutants eventually damages the membranes in the RO system.

8. Improper Plant design

With excessive pressure from pollution control boards and NGT it has become compulsory for industries having ETP, but many times low-experienced environment consultants suggest improper design thereby creating problems in waste-water treatment overall.

Solutions:

1. Tough to degrade Pollutants -Not so tough

Not so tough before bioremediation as compounds like metformin, carbamazepine and other aliphatic compounds can be easily degraded using the strain of bacteria which synthesizes enzymes like cytochrome P450s, peroxidases, etc. thereby degrading the myths of the afore-mentioned compounds being tough to degrade.

2. High efficiency in High COD and TDS

These high tides of COD and TDS can be easily sailed on the boat of bioremediation using paddles of microbes especially bacteria. Bacteria are not just the most primary, but one of the toughest organisms who possess the capacity to sustain and perform in high COD and TDS effluent, and degrading higher levels of COD closer to the permissible limits. Often a question is encountered whether bacteria membrane can sustain high amounts of salts or not. To be very specific there are a vast species of bacteria called halophiles which can easily sustain high amounts of TDS.

3. Shock Loads – The Myth Busted

Microbes with the shields of their enzymes can handle these shock waves of notorious effluents with shields of composure like rocks embracing high tides the sea shore. Efficiently working under shocking conditions and maintaining the efficiency of the biological system is one of the USPs of bioremediation. If a microbial consortium with a combination of selective bacteria is being assimilated into the system, then shock load management becomes very smooth enabling faster recoveries. This combination of strains makes sure that even if a different stream of effluent enters the system they act rapidly and maintain the degradation efficiency.

4. From Poor MLSS: MLVSS Ratio – to a Rich one

Bioremediation works towards upliftment of needy biological systems, especially those with poor MMLSS:MLVSS ratio. As explained earlier selective strain bacteria with the capacity to perform under certain conditions effectively maintain their cycle of LAG, LOG and Death phase which combined with efficient RAS (Return Activated Sludge) and WAS (Wate Activated Sludge) management improves the MLSS: MLVSS ratio.

5. Foul Odour – Pushed in past tense

Unfortunately, ETPs/STPs can’t opt for perfumes, but this distress has a savior called bioremediation. The sulphides, mercaptans and other odour-inducing compounds can be easily degraded by bioremediation thereby giving extremely high probability of odour removal.

 6. Hydraulic Load irregularities – From irregularities to punctualities.

Since the toxic and tough-to-degrade compounds easily be managed by bioremediation as explained before the EHS managers find it smooth to run the ETPs up to their maximum capacity which also sometimes can optimize the production.

7. Damage to RO/MEE membranes – Longevity ensured by bioremediation

Bioremediation do possess the tendency to tame the notoriously uncontrolled pollutants by either eliminating them or converting into simpler form like a constitution does to criminals by means of encounters or capital punishments.  Due to proper degradation of pollutants at microbial level, regulation of sludge, improved settling, improvement of MLSS:MLVSS the life span of RO membranes and MEE plant increases.

8. Improper Plant design-but a proper solution

Bioremediation is the best example for the concept- “Prosper in the Disaster”. Even if the plant design is improper, bioremediation with proper consultation on process management can manage the functionality of ETP thereby easing the pressures from CPCB/NGT.

Pharmaceutical industries do the noble work of manufacturing lifesaving drugs, products to fight diseases, ailments, traumas and epidemics. But when they need solutions to fight pollution or when they are in distressing time related to pollution agencies make them stand in court like trails and whole and sole blame them for the pollution despite of the efforts by the respective organizations to follow the norms. My message to the complete pharma diaspora is that you need not worry more when comes to pollution control. Bioremediation is there to give you a 360-degree solution that covers deliverance, compliance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

To sum up, bioremediation is the Aspirin, or Nitroglycerine in wastewater treatment that relieves the ETPs from dangers of heavy pollution, plant failures. choking of membranes and non-compliances of the parameters.

Uncertain about how biocultures will handle wastewater treatment in your ETP/STP? Reach out to us today to discover more about our bioremediation technology from our wastewater specialists or schedule an on-site plant visit to assess your current processes in ETP/STP.

Explore our Wastewater Treatment Bioremediation Solutions or contact us at +91 885505075.

Repel – Non-Toxic and Biodegradable, Fly, Garbage Mosquito, Herbal Repellent Liquid

For an eco-friendly yet robust solution to get rid of flies, mosquitoes, ticks and fleas Team One Biotech has fabricated T1B Repel. A strong and tenacious amalgamate of essential oils and plant extracts capable of repelling common houseflies, mosquitoes, ticks and fleas.

Extracts from lemongrass, lemon balm, eucalyptus oil, citronella oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, and soybean oil are some of the constituents of the T1B Repel formulation. These essential oils and plant extracts have potent natural insect-repellent components. T1B Repel is a result of a unique combination of natural resources and biotechnology that is highly effective and affordable.

T1B Repel is an easy-to-apply fragrant and biodegradable solution that can be applied for open spaces and commercial use areas such as garbage dump sites, public transport facilities – bus stations, railway stations, bathrooms and toilets, residential and commercial structures, hospitals etc.

T1B Repel | Mosquito Repellent – Biodegradable Eco-Safe Essential Plant Oils & Extracts Based Formulation – For Open Spaces & Closed Areas

 Mosquitoe Repellent – Fly Repellent – Herbal Repellent Liquid – Garbage Mosquitoe Repellent – Non-Toxic And Biodegradable – Natural Plant-Based Essential Oils – Chemical-Free – Natural Plant Extracts – Mosquito And Fly Repellent

Eco Clean – Prevents Insects and Bugs, Removes Stains, Dust & Grime, No Phosphates, No Chlorine, No Ammonia, Enriched with Good Microbes

Team One Biotech’s Eco Clean is a multipurpose surface cleaner designed for use in commercial cleaning applications composed of a 100% natural biodegradable enzyme and microbe-based blend. Eco Clean from the team of TOB is an all-natural non-toxic and net zero waste alternative to traditional chemical cleaning solutions that are harsh on the surface they are applied to and may contain compounds that are harmful to human, plant, and animal life.

The bio enzymatic action of T1B Eco Clean completely degrades and dissolves dirt, grime and grease on surfaces and removes stains without resulting in residue wastes. The presence of plant-based essential oil formulation also provides a fresh and pleasant fragrance thus controlling odour issues for commercial settings.

A key feature of T1B Eco Clean is its versatility making it a flawless choice for a wide range of surfaces – floors, countertops, walls, and surface types – wooden, ceramic, marble and more. The bio enzyme solution is capable to remove stubborn stains and spills from high-traffic areas that require frequent cleaning.

Chemical cleaners can have a negative impact on the environment, as they can pollute the water and harm aquatic life. Bio-enzyme cleaners, on the other hand, are considered to be more environmentally friendly, as they are biodegradable and do not release harmful chemicals into the environment. T1B Eco Clean by Team One Biotech is an excellent choice for commercial space cleaning applications due to its sustainability, effectiveness and affordability properties.

T1B Eco Clean | Surface Cleaner With Bio-Enzymatic Power – Degrades Oils & Fats Suitable For Tiles Marble Kitchen Tops Wooden Floors & Metal Surfaces

 Bio Enzyme Natural Bathroom Cleaner – Prevents Insects And Bugs – Enriched With Good Microbes -No Phosphates, No Chlorine, No Ammonia – Removes Stains, Dust & Grime – Cleans All Types Of Surfaces – Natural Floor Cleaner – Grime, Grease, And Dirt – Non-Toxic And Biodegradable – Pet Safe Product – Powerful Bio-Actives – Bio Enzyme – Deep Clean – Enzymatic Cleaning – Tough Cleaning – Hazardous Chemical Cleaners

O Spray – Odour Control, Odour Reduction, Natural Odour Removal, Dumpster, Toilet, Foul, Trash Chutes Odour

Conventional odour control methods often involve the use of chemical-based sprays and solutions which can be harmful to both humans and the environment. T1B O-Spray is a biodegradable, completely safe, highly effective and eco-friendly alternative that helps control odours with the dual action of microbial metabolic activity and enzymatic action.

The T1B O-Spray has been created as a composite of bacteria culture and nature-driven enzymes that together work to disintegrate odour-causing materials and eradicate odours at the source.

T1B O-Spray reduces the ammonic components present in human wastes, organic pollutants, and domestic garbage content into manageable smaller water-soluble compounds which can be removed safely. The degradation process makes it easier to eliminate odours at the problematic source itself.

With varied areas of application such as private and public toilets, commercial and residential spaces, garbage collection grounds and dump sites, TOB O-Spray can also be used at an industrial scale for all kinds of industries and manufacturing units.

T1B O-Spray | Combined Action Of Microbes & Enzymes – Bio-product Controls & Blocks Odour At Source Naturally – Best For Toilet Hygiene & Garbage Dumps

 Odour Control – Odour Reduction – Spray For Odour Control – Natural Odors Removal – Non-Toxic And Biodegradable – Bio Enzyme – Dumpster Odour – Toilet Odour – Foul Odour – Trash Chutes Odour

D Cleaner – Powerful Bio-Actives, Non-Toxic and Biodegradable, Urine Odour Removing Product, Liquefy FOG

A concentrated, ecologically safe, and dependable solution for keeping drains unclogged and clean without impacting the environment. The T1B D-Cleaner is a specialised formulation of microbes and enzymes that breaks down and dissolves even the toughest organic materials including fats, oils, grease, hair, soap residue and food wastes.

Unlike traditional chemical drain cleaners T1B D-Cleaner has been developed with all-natural biodegradable ingredients and is an ideal choice for all types of drain pipelines and drainage systems.

TOB D-Cleaner ensures there is no residue left after the degradation of the organic pollutants and hence it is a safe option for urinals pipe lines. It prevents scaling which is a major cause of pipeline damage and sewer system failure.

T1B D-Cleaner also helps to control and prevent odour emissions as it biodegrades the contaminants completely. For clog-free and smooth-flowing urinals with a reduced environmental footprint, the bio-enzymatic concentrated D-Cleaner by Team One Biotech is the ultimate and optimal solution.

T1B D-Cleaner | Natural Ingredients Based Microbial Formula – Helps Remove odour form urinals pipe and drainage

 Urine Degrader – Non-Toxic And Biodegradable – Urine Odour Removing Product – Powerful Bio-Actives – Bio Enzyme – Grease Trap Cleaner – Pipe Bio Cleaner- Bio Plumbing – Natural Drain Cleaner And Unblocker – Liquefy FOG

Acqua S – Detoxifying Aquaculture Ponds, Aquatic Animal Growth, Disease Resistance, Probiotic Environment, Water and Soil Probiotic

Team One Biotech presents T1B Acqua S, a special formulated probiotic for Penaeus vannamei and Penaeus monodon farming. The specific bacterial strains are responsible for decomposing organic pollutants and contaminants present in water bodies, keeping the sludge build-up at bay, works in high density culture, cleansing the water source, and improving the overall quality of water necessary for a high-quality yield of aquatic farming.

Toxic gases such as H2S and SO2 can cause a decrease in dissolved oxygen levels in aquaculture ponds, increase stress and mortality rates for aquatic beings and lead to poor growth rates. The microorganisms present in T1B Acqua S prevent the proliferation of toxic gases and harmful pollutants such as – ammonia, ammonical nitrogen, hydrogen sulphide, sulphur rich compounds – in aquaculture systems and tanks.

By reducing these harmful contaminants the solution Acqua S by Team One Biotech improves the dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in pond water, breaks down excess sludge, and protects the aquatic animals from soil-borne pathogens and parasites.

The microbial formulation T1B Acqua S is a great addition as a water & soil probiotic especially for fresh water and saline water aquatic farming.

The use of T1B Acqua S in aquaculture is an economical and ecologically safe solution for preventing the build-up of toxic gases and promoting the health and productivity of aquatic life forms. By improving water quality, reducing abiotic and biotic stress, preventing disease-causing pathogens, and enhancing growth performance, the probiotic can help ensure the sustainability and profitability of the aquaculture industry while minimizing its environmental impact.

T1B Acqua S | Microbial Bio-solution To Reduce Sludge Buildup For aquaculture ponds – Controls Pathogenic Growth & Supports shrimp molting

 Detoxifying Aquaculture Ponds – Aquatic Animal Growth – Disease Resistance – Probiotic Environment – Water And Soil Probiotic – Aquaculture Probiotic – Shrimp Pond Bacteria – Ammonia, Nitrite, And Sulfide Reduction – Improved Animal Survival And Yields – High Stocking Density – Mineralization – Hatchery Water – Healthier Aquatic Animal – Suppresses The Growth Of Harmful Bacteria – Reduces Need For Water Exchanges – Zoea Syndrome Problems – Penaeus Vannamei Probiotic – Intensive Aquaculture – Penaeus Monodon Probiotic – Biological Water Conditioner – Accumulation Of Toxic Gases – Eco-Friendly Bacteria – Probiotic Bacteria – Improved FCR – Zero Water Exchange – Cost Effective Probiotic – Lactobacillus Casei Probiotics – White Gut Probiotic – Bifidobacterium Bifidum Probiotics – Shrimps Aqua Probiotic Powder – Shrimps Lactobacillus Bulgaricus – Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter – Probiotic Enzymes – Consortium Of Bacillus Species – Sludge Eliminator – Increase Shrimp Size And Yield – Eliminates Pond Sludge – Controls Toxic Gases In The Water – Heterotrophic Bacteria – Good Probiotics – Mass Mortality – Special Probiotic – Fresh Water Probiotics – Saline Water Probiotics – Fast Growth Probiotic – Improved Molting – Controlling Pathogens – Enzyme Producing Bacteria – Nitrogen Control – Hydrogen Sulfide Removal – Nutrient Absorption Through Enzymatic Activity – Algal Bloom – Best Water And Soil Probiotic

Acqua F – Naturally Occurring Microorganisms, Fish Feed Probiotic, Hatchery Water, Mineralization, Accumulation Of Toxic Gases

To achieve high quality and maintain a balanced water ecosystem for aquaculture and aqua farming the water source must remain free of organic matter, pollutants and nasty chemical and synthetic waste. The Acqua F from the team of Team One Biotech is a bankable option to solve this challenge for fish framing.

The T1B Acqua F is an aquaculture probiotic mainly for water and soil comprising of microbes such as Bacillus spp., Nitrobacter, pseudomonas, Nitrosomonas and many more that promote the conversion of organic wastes into favourable minerals and improving the health and growth prospects of fish species.

The formulation of T1B Acqua F assists in maintaining nitrogen and phosphorous concentration levels, elevates oxygen dissolved in water, and facilitates the elimination and control of pathogens by increasing competition for resources and space.

Excessive amounts of BOD, COD and TSS pose a threat to efficient, productive and sustainable aquatic farming practices. TOB Acqua F is highly potent to reduce these nutrients providing a safer, healthier and more protected environment for fish farming. It is also effective in reducing the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in fisheries.

The T1B Acqua F supports various types of fish cultures in both sea and freshwater systems and its operational capacity does not get affected by variable temperatures or pH levels. The product is an excellent alternative to synthetic and chemical additives and antibiotics that impact both the environment and human life adversely.

T1B Acqua F | Water & Soil probiotics To Protect Fish – Reduces BOD COD & TSS Levels Improves Dissolved Oxygen & Water Quality – Degrades Ammonical Nitrogen & Organic Wastes

 Naturally Occurring Microorganisms – Fish Feed Probiotic – Mineralization – Hatchery Water – Nutrient Stress – Biotic Stress – Abiotic Stress – Biological Water Conditioner – Accumulation Of Toxic Gases -Probiotic Bacteria – Improved FCR – Cost Effective Probiotic – Nitrosomonas Nitrobacter – Probiotic Enzymes – Sludge Eliminator – Eliminates Pond Sludge – Increase Fish Growth Rate, Biomass, And FCR – Reduce Vibrio And Pathogenic Bacteria Activity – Controls Toxic Gases In The Water – Heterotrophic Bacteria – Good Probiotics – Mass Mortality – Special Probiotic – Fresh Water Probiotics – Saline Water Probiotics – Fast Growth Probiotic – Controlling Pathogens – Hydrogen Sulfide Removal – Best Fish Probiotic

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