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Did
you know?
Reverse osmosis is the finest water filtration method known. This process will
allow the removal of particles as small as ions from a solution. It is used
to purify water and remove salts and other impurities in order to improve the
color, taste or properties of the fluid. R.O. uses a membrane that is semi-permeable,
allowing the fluid that is being purified to pass through it, while rejecting
other ions and contaminants from passing.
This technology uses a process
known as crossflow to allow the r.o. membrane to continually clean itself. This
is the reason of why an r.o. element can last many years before clogging or
need replacement. This
water purification process requires a driving force to push the fluid through
the membrane, and the most common force is household water pressure or pressure
from a booster pump. The higher the pressure, the larger the driving force and
efficiency.
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Forms of lower-life/ organisms in drinking water
part 1
ALGAE
These organisms
are found throughout the world. Simple algaes exist in the Monera and
Protista kingdoms. Other algaes are plants. They constitute single-celled
or simple multicellular photosynthetic organisms that are important producers-produce
their own food by using energy from sunlight to synthesize complex molecules
from carbon dioxide and water-both in sea and fresh water. Algae range
in size from microscopic organisms to giant seaweeds several hundred feet
in length. They contain chlorophyll and other pigments which give them
a variety of colors. They manufacture their food by photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis. This
is a process of nature in which green plants use energy from the sun to
manufacture carbohydrates out of water and carbon dioxide. Only those
plants which possess chlorophyll (green pigment) are able to carry on
the process of photosynthesis.
Algae
thrive well in stagnant surface waters, especially during the warm weather.
Algae give water fishy, grassy, earthy, musty, and other even more objectionable
odors. While algae-laden waters are replusive to man, animals will drink
them, and the presence of blue-green algae has been known to cause the
death of cattle drinking this water.
DIATOMS
Diatoms
are algal protists belonging to the plant-like (algae) portion of the
Protista kingdom. Some exist as single cells, others are found as groups
or colonies. More than 15,000 forms of diatoms are known to exist. Diatoms
have silica-impregnated cell walls. At times, they release essential
oils which give water a fishy taste.
FUNGI
Fungi
have many varieties. Included among these are molds, mildews, mushrooms,
yeast, rust, and smut. Fungi are not able to manufacture their own food;
they contain no chlorophyll. They exist by feeding on living things or
on dead organic matter. Like the bacteria, the fungi are important decomposers
that breakdown the wastes and the bodies of dead organisms making their
components available for reuse. Depending on their individual characteristics,
they are usually colorless, but may vary in this respect.
MOLDS
One
important category of fungi is molds. This group of fungi feeds entirely
on organic matter. They decompose carbohydrates, such as sugars, starches,
and fats, as well as proteins and other substances. They thrive ideally
in water that has a temperature range of approximately 80° to 100°F. The
presence of molds is generally a strong indicator of heavy pollution of
water.
BACTERIA
Bacteria
are another important class of prokaryotes in the Monera kingdom. Bacteria
cells range in size from less than 1 to 10 microns in length and from
0.2 to 1 micron in width. Despite their small size, it has been estimated
that the total weight of all bacteria in the world exceeds that of all
other organisms combined. Bacteria, along with fungi, are an important
component of the ecosystem because they decompose. If these decomposers
did not exist, nutrients would become locked up in the dead bodies of
plants and animals, and the supply of elements required by living systems
would soon be exhausted. Among the higher organisms in this group are
the iron, manganese, and sulfur bacteria. These higher bacteria gain their
energy from the oxidation of simple inorganic substances. (Review Lesson
5 for more details.) Lower forms of bacteria can be grouped as those that
are helpful and those that are harmful to man. Those harmful to man are
mainly the disease-producing organisms. Helpful organisms hasten the process
of decomposing organic waste matter. And by feeding on waste materials,
they aid in the purifying of water.
All
bacteria are sensitive to the temperature and pH of a water. Some bacteria
can tolerate acid water. But for the most part, they thrive best in waters
that have a pH between 6.5 and 7.5, that is, essentially neutral waters.
As to temperature, most pathogenic or disease bacteria thrive best in
water of body temperature. Beyond this, no hard and fast statements can
be made.
Some
bacteria are more resistant to heat than are others. Some are more sensitive
to cold. At low temperatures, for example, some bacteria may become dormant
for long periods of time, but will still continue to exist. Interestingly
enough, the waste products of their own growth can hamper bacteria and
may even prove toxic to them.
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