Application of aerobic respirometry: Studies on the impact of humate on biological treatment of municipal sewage

This paper describes an application of aerobic respirometry to investigate the influence of humic matter (humate) on biological processes in dilution water and in municipal sewage. Standard product PolySeed, a consortium of bacteria considered to be representative of those found in an activated sludge, was used as a source of biomass. The results indicate that aerobic respirometry is a simple and convenient method for studies of biological processes. It was observed that an addition of humate at doses up to 2000 mg l(-1) stimulated biological processes both in dilution water and in sewage. Also, it was found that humate is effective in suppressing an inhibitory effect of phenol and copper on the biomass. The results of the studies suggest than the application of humate has great potential in wastewater treatment, as it can serve as a source of additives, stimulating biological activity and removing toxic inhibitors of biological processes.