ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant with
Activated Sludge Tanks Aerated by CELPOX
Devices as a Source of Microbiological Pollution
of the Atmosphere
1. Z. Filipkowska, 2. W. Janczukowicz, 2. M.Krzemieniewski, 2. J.Pesta
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1. Dept. of Environmental Microbiology
2. Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Division of Ecological Engineering
University of Warmia and Mazuria in Olsztyn, 2 Oczapowskiego St, 10-957 Olsztyn-Kortowo,Poland
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2002;11(6):639-648
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
This paper characterizes the influence of a wastewater treatment plant with activated sludge aerated by
CELPOX devices on the microbiological properties of the air at the plant grounds and in the vicinity. Field
studies by the sedimentation method were carried out in seven measurement series in 2001. Sampling posts
were each time set with regard to the current meteorological conditions like wind speed and wind direction.
Microbiological analyses were comprised of: heterotrophic bacteria at 37şC and 26şC, hemolytic bacteria at
37şC and 10şC, staphylococci mannitol-fermenting and non-fermenting, Escherichia coli, coliforms
Pseudomonas, enterococci, actinomycetes, yeasts and moulds.
The results indicate that generally - in accordance with the Polish Standards [1,2] the air at the plant
grounds and in its vicinity was not polluted. However, few spots (mostly in some distance from the plant)
were detected where a group of microorganisms was present in increased numbers which has qualified the
air as polluted. Biological aerosols from the activated sludge tanks were not generated in considerable
amounts, which was confirmed by the absence or small number of faecal bacteria (coliforms, enterococci),
absence of mannitol-fermenting straphylococci and typical water-sewage bacteria of the Pseudomonas fluorescens.
The main sources of microbiological pollution were the grit removal chamber and the secondary settlers.