How Sludge Rx Influences Microbial Communities, and the Effect on Organic Carbon and Nutrient Levels.
Study Info
STUDY COMPLETED BY
Deborah Lee
Dan McKeaton
Michael Frett
STUDY TIME PERIOD
2016-2020
KEYWORDS
Lagoons, Sludge, Ammonia, TSS, Algae
Abstract
This study consisted of primary research to further understand the relationship between sludge at the bottom of lagoons and nutrient levels and TSS within the water column and at the surface level. Additionally, the research shed further light on the relationship between bacterial populations within the sludge and water quality in lagoons. Aquafix developed an experimental laboratory setup and methods to test sludge reduction. This setup was used to assess the efficacy of Aquafix’s Sludge Rx to reduce sludge and discovered the following.
Results
In the early 2019 lab tank testing, the sediment depth of the tanks treated with Sludge Rx reduced much
faster and ended at a lower soft-sediment depth than the control tanks. Adding Sludge Rx to a system
led to a decrease in the nutrient content of the sediments in the lab tanks. This was observed primarily
in the early 2019 lab tank testing and also corresponded with sediment reduction. The level of nitrogen
in the sediments of tanks treated with Sludge Rx tended to decrease compared to the control tanks. The
levels of total phosphorus in the sediments also decreased below that of the control tank in the early
2019 lab tanks test.
- Our researchers found a statistically significant reduction of sludge levels in treated tanks as compared to control tanks
- Metagenomic DNA analysis showed greater populations of microorganisms associated with the breakdown of BOD in treated tanks
- The untreated tank consistently had higher levels of flora associated with high TSS
Conclusion
Sludge Rx does not cause the sediment to float to promote sediment reduction in a lagoon or in our lab tank setup. This means sediments and the nutrients contained within will not simply be moved downstream or out of the system. Sludge Rx promotes the digestion of organic compounds in the sediments that lead to reduction of soft sediment depth, decrease of available nutrients in the sediments that remain, and promote increased water clarity. Through the lab tank testing, it has been observed that Sludge Rx enhances degradation of easily usable, and some complex, carbon substrates and also may aid in complete digestion to methanogenesis of such compounds.
We operate an11,000 sqft grease trap effluent disposal Pond. Can your SludgeRX product aid in reduction of the Floating Grease on the pond’s surface ?
Robert
Hi Robert,
An Aquafix technical rep will be in touch with you shortly.
-Team Aquafix
During the thirteen weeks, how much product was used per week or was it a one time application?