Wastewater Bacteria
Chapter One
Wastewater
Microorganisms
Although most organisms in biological wastewater treatment plants are microscopic
in size, there are some organisms such as bristleworms and insect larvae that are
macroscopic in size. Macroscopic organisms can be observed with the naked eye-that
is, without the use of a light microscope. Microscopic organisms can only be
observed with the use of a light microscope. Of the microscopic organisms the bacteria
(singular: bacterium) are the most important in wastewater treatment plants
and can be seen with the light microscope only under highest magnification. Several
groups of microorganisms such as protozoa and some metazoa possess large and
more complex cells that can be observed easily with the light microscope without
the use of highest magnification. Compared to other organisms, microorganisms
have relatively simple structures.
All living cells can be classified as procaryotic or eucaryotic (Table 1.1). Procaryotic
cells ... read full excerpt from Wastewater Bacteria ebook
