Which process helps reduce organic matter in wastewater through microbial action?

The process that helps reduce organic matter in wastewater through microbial action is digestion. This process, often referred to as anaerobic digestion or aerobic digestion depending on the conditions, involves microorganisms breaking down organic materials in the absence or presence of oxygen, respectively. During digestion, bacteria and other microorganisms consume organic matter and convert it into simpler compounds, resulting in a significant reduction in the volume and strength of the wastewater.

Digestion not only helps in wastewater treatment by reducing organic pollution but also produces by-products such as biogas, which can be harnessed as an energy source. This makes the process efficient and beneficial for both waste management and energy recovery.

In contrast, filtration primarily involves the physical removal of solids from liquid, coagulation refers to the chemical process of clumping particles together so they can be removed, and disinfection is aimed at killing pathogens in the water, which does not specifically target the reduction of organic matter. Understanding the role of digestion emphasizes the importance of microbial activity in effective wastewater treatment systems.