What would happen if oxygen availability to activated sludge flocs is reduced? 1) It will slow down the rate of degradation of organic matter 2) The center of flocs will becomes anoxic, which would cause death of bacteria and eventually breakage of flocs 3) Flocs would increase in size as anerobic bacteria would grow around flocs 4) Protozoa would grow in large numbers

Options

A. It will slow down the rate of degradation of organic matter
B. The center of flocs will becoms anoxic, which would cause death of bacteria and eventually breakage of flocs
C. Flocs would increase in size as anerobic bacteria would grow around flocs
D. Protozoa would grow in large numbers

Answer

A, B

Explanation

Flocs are masses of bacteria associated with fungal filaments to form mesh-like structures. If oxygen availability to activated sludge flocs is reduced, their rate of decomposition of organic matter will decrease. And as the centre of flocs will become anoxic, the bacterial cells will die, thus causing breakage of flocs.