ABSTRACT
Microorganisms have a number of vital functions in pollution control. It is the microbial component of aquatic ecosystems that provides the self-purification capacity of natural waters in which microorganisms respond to organic pollution by increased growth and metabolism. These same microorganisms are utilized in biological treatment systems to treat wastewaters (Section 10.2.3). Microorganisms utilize the organic matter for the production of energy by cellular respiration and for the synthesis of protein and other cellular components in the manufacture of new cells. This overall reaction can be summarized as follows: https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781315213194/17b15fcc-79ba-4442-937f-aaa61a61c791/content/math1_4_1.jpg"/> Biomass + organic matter + O 2 + NH 4 2 + + P → new cells + CO 2 + H 2 O
