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Database Central
Wastewater Organisms Database
Effects of Chlorination on Wastewater Organisms
Purpose of Web Page
The purpose of this web page is to present some physical characteristics of wastewater organisms associated with chlorination of wastewater during the treatment process. Filamentous bacteria are an important microscopic observation for the wastewater biologist. Filamentous bacteria by their physical nature, will extend out from the floc, and consequently increase the surface area of the floc. By increasing the surface area but not increasing the density of the floc, the floc will tend to settle down slower than without the filaments. One of the ways operators deal with excessive filamentous growth is by adding chlorine to the treatment process. Chlorination works from the outside of the floc towards the inside. Naturally, since the filaments are more exposed to the outside of the floc they will suffer the toxic effects of chlorine. The following photos are indicators of chlorine efficacy. By determining the percentage of filaments that show the effects of chlorination one can determine the efficacy of the chlorination.
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This filament extending out of the floc is showing the classic effect of chlorination. Parts of the filament are dead and that can be seen by the clear segments of the filament. |
This large-sized filament did not escape the toxic effects of chlorine. The clear segments within the filament are an indication of dead cells. This photo was taken at a magnification of 1000x. |
Another indicator of chlorine's deadly effects is the bending or twisting of the filament as is shown in this photo. Chlorine kills. Where there are dead segments in the filaments the filament itself will bend at its weakest point. That weakest point is where the dead cell is found.
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Date Page Last Revised: 15 March 2000
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