Comparison – 6 Supplier’s Bacteria Formulations On The 6 Most Common Pond Wastes
Introduction
The purpose of this Study will be to determine the overall effectiveness of using beneficial bacteria formulations, to remediate the six most common wastes found in ponds and wastewater systems. Each supplier’s microbial formulation, was set-up and tested on each of the following six wastes:
1. Bottom Sludge (Muck) Reduction
2. Ammonia (NH3) Reduction
3. Phosphate (P04) Reduction
4. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Reduction
5. Fat, Oil & Grease (FOG) Reduction
6. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Reduction
Each of the supplier’s bacteria formulations was inoculated exactly the same, with known concentrations of each waste substrate, and let run for 120 hours, with exception of the sludge reduction test which was run for 240 hours. At the end of the blind testing, the efficacy of each product was documented.
Materials & Methods
Each company represented in the study sent 5 pounds of microbial formulations, to be tested in each of the 6 different waste categories listed above. Each formulation was dosed using the same exact protocol, using 5 grams of bacteria cultures at a concentration level of 5 billion CFU/gm. This concentration was agreed upon by all product manufacturers involved in this Study.
Each formulation was placed into nutrient/DI water 50 mL shake flask and was shaken for 2 hours, to separate the bacteria culture from their powder carriers. The product was then filtered through a 5 uL filter to make sure only bacteria cultures were captured. The bacteria were then dosed into each individual shake flask where 10 mL of DI water and biological concentrate was added to each study flask.
Summary
This study reveals that given the appropriate nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and BOD, beneficial bacteria cultures in general are highly successful in bioremediating the six most common waste substrates found in ponds and wastewater.
Specifically, this study reveals that while some bacteria formulations outperformed others in each individual category, the beneficial bacteria in AQUA-VIVE were by far the most effective bacteria strains, at removing all six of the most common wastes found in ponds and wastewater.
This study also suggests that any unsuccessful bio-augmentation programs could be related to having limited BOD, nutrients, or dissolved oxygen in your pond.
The Tables below show the specific results of testing each supplier’s bacteria formulations, on each of the six different waste substrates.
Sludge Reduction
Twelve 200-gallon fish tanks were filled with 5 inches of pond sludge (muck). Each 10 mL batch of biological concentrate was dosed as twenty 0.5 mL dosages, spread evenly throughout the aquarium. Measurements were taken at time 0 and 240 hours. Each sample was run in duplicate to ensure accuracy.
Table 1: Pond Sludge (Muck) Reduction, over 10 hours, using 6 different biological formulations.
Ammonia (Nh3) Reduction
An Ammonia concentration of 500 ppm was inoculated into each shake flask, along with a nutrient broth and enough BOD (500 ppm), to ensure the growth of the bacterial cultures. Aerators were also used to supply a minimum of 1.0 ppm of dissolved oxygen, again to ensure bacterial growth. Ammonia was checked using standard method 417G and was tested at time 0 and 120 hours. Each sample was run in duplicate to ensure accuracy.
Table 2: Ammonia (NH3) Reduction, over 120 hours, using 6 different biological formulations.
Phosphate (PO4) Reduction
A Phosphate concentration of 50 ppm was inoculated into each shake flask, along with nutrient broth and enough BOD (500 ppm), to ensure bacterial growth. We also used fish tank aerators, to supply a minimum of 1.0 ppm of dissolved oxygen, again to ensure bacterial growth. Ortho-phosphate was checked using standard method 8178 and was tested at time 0 and 120 hours. Each sample was run in duplicate to ensure accuracy.
Table 3: Ortho-Phosphate (PO4) Reduction, over 120 hours, using 6 different biological formulations.
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Reduction
A hydrogen sulfide concentration of 25 ppm was inoculated into each shake flask, along with nutrient broth and enough BOD (500 ppm), to ensure bacterial growth. Hydrogen Sulfide was checked using standard method 4500-S and was tested at time 0 and 120 hours. Each sample was run in duplicate to ensure accuracy.
Table 4: Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Reduction, over 120 hours, using 6 different biological formulations.
Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Reduction
A pure BOD source (glycerin) was added to each shake flask, at a concentration of 500 ppm. A nutrient broth containing minimal nitrogen and phosphorus was also added to ensure bacterial growth. Aerators were also used to supply a minimum of 1.0 ppm of dissolved oxygen, again to ensure bacterial growth. Since BOD is a 5-day test, samples were taken at Day 1 and preserved to stop any further biological activity, then again at Day 5. The samples were checked using standard method 5210B. Each sample was run in duplicate to ensure accuracy.
Table 5: Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Reduction, over 120 hours, using 6 different biological formulations.
Fat, Oil & Grease (FOG) Reduction
Fat, oil, and grease (FOG) was inoculated into each 500 mL shake flask. Each flask received 1000 ppm of fat, oil and grease, made up by ASTM standard solution to mimic that seen in actual grease traps, lift station and industrial wastewater. Once the FOG was inoculated, the bacteria cultures were inoculated and allowed to slowly mix for 120 hours. FOG was measured using Standard Method 1664 at times 0 and 120 to determine total reduction of FOG in 120 hours. Each sample was run in duplicate to ensure accuracy.
Table 6: Fat, Oil & Grease (FOG) Reduction, over 120 hours, using 6 different biological formulations.
