Microorganism Degradation Efficiency in BOD Analysis Formulating a Specific Microbial Consortium in a Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent

Pulp and paper mills are a major source of pollution, generating huge amounts of intensely colored effluent that goes to the receiving end of a wastewater treatment plant. The biochemical oxygen demand test (BOD5) relies heavily on the microorganism metabolic capability added to the test as seeding material. The seeding material in the testing is obtained from sewage sampling or from commercial sources. Specific organic pollutants that are present in paper and pulp mill effluent can only be degraded by specific microbes; therefore, common sewage or synthetic seed may lead to erroneous BOD5 estimations. In this study, specific microbial species were selected to evaluate their degradation efficiency, both individually and in combination. The microorganisms selected in the formulated seed exhibit BOD5 in a reproducible and synergistic manner. The formulation of this specific microbial consortium can be used to develop bioremediation strategies.