ABSTRACT
The applicability of biologically treating a particular wastewater is a function of the biological degradability of the dissolved organics present in the wastewater. When considering the economics of a biological treatment system, the time required to biologically degrade the dissolved organics is of primary importance. The degradation rate of an organic compound is a function of the molecular structure of the compound, the prevailing environmental conditions, the genera and species of microorganisms utilizing it as a food source, and the time required for microorganisms to develop the enzymes necessary for substrate utilization.
