Study bacteria's role in organic decomposition, from forest floors to landfills and wastewater-treatment plants
Study bacteria's role in organic decomposition, from forest floors to landfills and wastewater-treatment plants
The role of bacteria in organic decomposition is part of the process of removing unwanted biological materials from landfills and water.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Transcript
NARRATOR: Organic decomposition occurs naturally in such places as the leaf litter of a forest and the digestive system of an animal. Organic decomposition is of special significance to humans, since decomposers are able to recycle much of the waste that we create. What we consider waste serves as a food source to many types of bacteria, which turn landfills and wastewater treatment plants into centralized, organized sites for decomposition.
In a landfill, bacteria break down food scraps, plant matter, and paper products. In many ways, a landfill is a self-contained ecosystem with its own food chain.
For example, certain bacteria contain enzymes to metabolize cellulose, which is found in the wood fibers in a sheet of newspaper. These cellulose-eating bacteria in turn produce chemicals that are fed on by methane-producing bacteria deeper in the fill.
Wastewater treatment plants also rely on an interdependent community of bacteria and protozoa to break down waste. Mats of filamentous bacteria absorb the soluble nutrients from the sewage. Protozoa mix through the slurry, stirring up the bacteria to keep them feeding. Through this process, bacteria can remove up to 90 percent of the organic matter from the wastewater.
In a landfill, bacteria break down food scraps, plant matter, and paper products. In many ways, a landfill is a self-contained ecosystem with its own food chain.
For example, certain bacteria contain enzymes to metabolize cellulose, which is found in the wood fibers in a sheet of newspaper. These cellulose-eating bacteria in turn produce chemicals that are fed on by methane-producing bacteria deeper in the fill.
Wastewater treatment plants also rely on an interdependent community of bacteria and protozoa to break down waste. Mats of filamentous bacteria absorb the soluble nutrients from the sewage. Protozoa mix through the slurry, stirring up the bacteria to keep them feeding. Through this process, bacteria can remove up to 90 percent of the organic matter from the wastewater.