FAQ's - Frequently asked questions

Bioaugmentation

Typical questions posed by customers ...

WHAT DO YOUR PRODUCTS DO?
Our microbial formulations carry out the biodegradation of a large variety of organic pollutants. This biodegradation is accomplished by the enzyme systems produced by the microbes. The enzymes chemically break down waste compounds, ultimately to carbon dioxide and water. The enzymes enable the microbes to use the organic contaminants as sources of energy or as reproductive building blocks.

... QM Environmental Services supplies MICROCAT® bioformulations ...
Our products and services are based on the latest commercially available advances in biotechnology designed to meet the requirements of specific waste treatment problems.

Each prescribed augmentation program is based on an engineering analysis of the specific treatment system. The augmentation program combines the appropriate microbial species with dosage recommendations and process adjustments to effect a cost-effective solution.

... and Complementary Services ...
Our services are designed to complement our product offerings in order to solve the most complex waste treatment problems. Our support staff and fully equipped laboratory facilities are available to provide a wide range of services, including: Microscopic Examinations, Chemical Analyses, Treatability Testing, Toxicity Testing, and Process Design.

WHERE DO YOUR MICROBES COME FROM?
These microbes are naturally occurring and were originally isolated from the environment. In general they can be found in areas of contaminated water or soil containing the compounds of interest. Once isolated, the microbes are grown on selective media designed to enhance their ability to degrade the compounds. The next step in the process produces several variants of each original microbe, which are again grown on selective media. The most viable and successful are harvested from the culture, grown in large batches, dispersed in a medium designed to maintain activity during shipment and storage and then blended with other microbes, enzymes, surfactants and adsorbents to create the final product.

ARE THEY SAFE?
Yes. Our commercial microbial strains have been reproduced from the parental stains in much the same manner as this occurs in nature. In addition, our quality control program insures that no disease-producing microbes are present in any of our formulations.

CAN THEY "TAKE OVER", CAUSING NEW PROBLEMS?
No. Naturally occurring micro organisms generated in this manner will very rapidly consume the chemicals normally toxic or inhibitory to many other micro organisms. As this consumption occurs, the microbes grow, reproduce and die in a dynamic sequence. Once their preferred food source becomes limiting (runs out), the growth rate of the microbes slow. The microbes, in turn, become a food source for other microbes present in the system. Although our microbes may become an established part of the ecosystem, they seldom, if ever, take over or predominate the microbial population.

ARE REGULAR MAINTENANCE DOSES REQUIRED?
Usually. The specific conditions of the treatment system determine if the augmentation microbes become established as a permanent part of the waste treatment ecosystem. If target contaminants fluctuate in concentration (as in the most common situations) the bacteria will grow rapidly when concentrations are high and slowly when concentrations are low. The augmented microbes may die out or be present in too low a number after a period of low influent concentration to be effective when the waste strength increases rapidly. Other conditions (pH, temperature, waste flow rate, alkalinity) will also vary causing fluctuations in the population dynamics (relative numbers of different microbes) of the system. For these reasons, regular maintenance application is most often recommended.