Bioaugmentation FAQ
Curious about what exactly bioaugmentation is and how it works? On this page, we answer the most frequently asked questions about bioaugmentation – an innovative technique that adds specific QM microorganisms to enhance biological processes. Whether you’re interested in learning more about applications in water purification, soil remediation, or industrial processes, you’ll find clear answers and practical information here. Discover how bioaugmentation contributes to more sustainable and efficient solutions in various sectors.
Frequently asked questions about bioaugmentation with QM products
Our microbial formulations ensure the biodegradation (biodegradation) of a wide variety of organic contaminants. This biodegradation is achieved through enzymes produced by the microbes. The enzymes biochemically break down the contaminating compounds into carbon dioxide (CO2) and water. The enzymes enable the microbes to use these organic contaminants as an energy source or as building blocks for their cells.
Our products and services are based on the latest commercially available developments in environmental biotechnology and meet the needs of specific waste treatment problems.
Each prescribed treatment program is based on an analysis of the specific system. The treatment program combines appropriate microbial strains with dosing instructions and process adjustments to achieve a cost-effective solution.
. . . and Additional Service . . .
Our service is focused on complementing and supporting our products to solve even the most complex waste problems. QM Environmental International’s support staff and fully equipped laboratory facilities are available to provide a wide range of services, including microscopic examination, chemical analysis, treatability studies, toxicity testing, and process design. Highly skilled and experienced scientists, the laboratory and production facilities, combined with the practical expertise of QM Environmental Services International, are available 24/7 to support you!
Our microbes (microorganisms) are naturally occurring organisms isolated from their natural environment. They are generally found in contaminated areas such as wastewater or contaminated soil. Once isolated, the microbes are cultivated in a specific growth medium. This growth medium is formulated to enhance the microbes’ specific ability to break down certain chemical contaminants. The next step in the process produces several variants of each original microbe, which are again cultivated in a specific medium. The most active and successful strains are then harvested from the culture and produced in large batches in a medium that ensures the microbes’ activity is not lost during transport and storage. Finally, to create the final product, the microbes are mixed with other microbes, enzymes, surfactants, and adsorbents.
Yes. Our commercial microbial strains are cultured from parent strains in a manner that closely resembles how this occurs in nature. In addition, our quality control ensures that no pathogenic microbes are present in our formulations. Our quality control standards are high and are ISO 9001:2015 certified.
No. Naturally occurring microorganisms generated in this way will very rapidly consume the contaminating chemical compounds present, which are normally toxic or inhibitory to many other microorganisms. During this consumption process, our microbes grow, multiply, and die in a dynamic sequence. If their preferred food (pollution) becomes limiting (decreases in concentration), the growth rate of our microbes slows. These microbes, in turn, become a food source for other microbes present in the system. Although our microbes can become a permanent part of the ecosystem, they rarely, if ever, assume a dominant role in the microbial population.
Usually, yes. The specific conditions in a treatment system determine whether the purifying microbes become an established part of the waste treatment ecosystem. If the contaminants to be degraded vary in concentration (as in most cases), the bacteria will grow rapidly when concentrations are high and slowly when concentrations are low. Our microbes may die off or be present in too low numbers after a period of low influent concentrations to be effective when concentrations rise rapidly. Other conditions (pH, temperature, waste flow rate, salt concentration) can also vary, causing fluctuations in the microbial population dynamics (the relative number of different microbes) in the system. For these reasons, a regular maintenance dose is usually recommended. Exceptions include start-up support and one-time batch applications. For long-term batch applications (e.g., bioremediation), a maintenance dose is required when site conditions change.
No. Our microbial products are inexpensive to use and, in most cases, much cheaper than alternative methods for solving problems. Bioaugmentation with QM products can replace hazardous chemicals and even help increase the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, preventing expensive physical modifications.
