Environmental Biotechnology Questions and Answers – Microbial Recovery of Phosphate

This set of Environmental Biotechnology Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Microbial Recovery of Phosphate”.

1. At which step in the below diagram, phosphorus is released?
Anaerobic digestion is where phosphorus is released & further harvested for phosphorus
a) Incineration
b) Ash
c) Bioleaching
d) Anaerobic digestion
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Anaerobic digestion is the step where the phosphorus is released which is further harvested for phosphorus. In this step phosphorus rich solids are found. Bioleaching is the extraction of metals using microbes and ash is the by-product of incineration, which is a step where the effluent is burnt under very high temperature. The ash also contains parts of phosphorus but phosphorus is not released in this step.

2. Which of the following is the correct phosphate pathway?
a)
The following is the correct phosphate pathway - option a
b)
The following is the correct phosphate pathway - option b
c)
The following is the correct phosphate pathway - option c
d)
The following is the correct phosphate pathway - option d
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: For recovery of phosphorus from the sewage sludge or also known as municipal waste water, a particular type of phosphate pathway is followed to recover phosphorus in the end. So, in the phosphate pathway, the phosphate being the starting material starts the pathway, which is followed by sewage sludge. Again, the sewage sludge is divided into two parts, the liquid stage and the solid stage or the sludge stage. After this process the recovery is done.

3. Phosphorus accumulating microbes can store phosphorus in their cells.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Phosphorus accumulating microbes can absorb the dissolved phosphorus in the wastewater and then they store phosphorus in their cells in form of small pellets. The biological phosphorus removal is a method for removing phosphate in activated sludge system. This biological phosphorus removal system has an anaerobic tank which is the main element in the system and therefore, it helps in effective phosphorus removal.
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4. Which of the following can absorb dissolved phosphorus from sewage sludge?
a) Phosphorus accumulating microbes
b) Magnesium accumulating microbes
c) Copper accumulating microbes
d) Zinc accumulating microbes
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Phosphorus accumulating microbes in the sewage sludge are known to absorb dissolved phosphorus in the wastewater, the microbes then store it in their cells. Magnesium accumulating microbes, copper accumulating microbes and zinc accumulating microbes are not used to absorb dissolved phosphorus from sewage sludge.

5. Which of the following systems helps to remove phosphate in activated sludge system?
a) Enhanced biological phosphorus removal
b) Enhanced bacterial phosphorus removal
c) Reduced biological phosphorus removal
d) Enhanced biological magnesium removal
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Enhanced biological phosphorus removal, also known as EBPR is a method for removing phosphate in activated sludge system. This system is aided by anaerobic tank which is the main element in the system and therefore, it helps in effective phosphorus removal. Enhanced bacterial phosphorus removal is not the term, though biological organisms are used. Also, reduced biological phosphorus removal is not the term used. Enhanced biological magnesium removal is not used to remove phosphate.

6. Which of the following is not a major concern for removing phosphate from wastewater?
a) Eutrophication
b) Public safety
c) Environmental protection
d) Metal extraction
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: Metal extraction is not the concern but it’s the solution to control ever increasing metal deposition in the environment, however, Eutrophication is a major concern which leads to algal blooms. Public safety and environmental protection are one of the major concerns and therefore removing phosphate from wastewater is very important.

7. Which of the following treatment involves addition of metal salts?
a) Adsorption
b) Chemical treatment
c) Biological treatment
d) Reverse osmosis
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Chemical treatment involves addition of metal salts which forms solid precipitates and then separated by a few filtration techniques. Biological treatment, adsorption and reverse osmosis is used for heavy metal removal from water, these processes don’t involve addition of metal salts, hence, it is not chemical treatment.
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8. Which of the following technique helps in removing nitrogen and phosphate from wastewater using microbes?
a) Activated Alumina
b) Bacterial Sulfate Reduction
c) Reverse osmosis
d) Chemical precipitation
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Bacterial Sulfate is the technique that helps in removing nitrogen and phosphate from wastewater. This takes places with the help of an Anoxic Packed Bioreactor that if usually packed with wood and Iron. Chemical precipitation is used to remove heavy metals by use of chemicals which ultimately leads to precipitation of the heavy metals. Also, activated Alumina, chemical precipitation and reverse osmosis is used to filter out heavy metals.

9. Every individual contributes to phosphorus deposition.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Every individual contributes to phosphorus deposition in the environment. Per day on an average about 2g of phosphorus deposition in the environment. On an average every individual has some phosphorous requirements in say to day life.
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10. How much percentage of phosphorus does bacteria usually has?
a) 1%
b) 10%
c) 50%
d) 67%
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: The phosphorus content of the bacteria is about 1-2%. The phosphorus content of the bacterial biomass has phosphorus in their membranes and DNA. The bacteria present in the wastewater treatment plant feed on the nutrients. Then phosphorus is incorporated into the bacterial biomass as they feed and grow. 10%, 50% and 67% is comparatively very high percentage of phosphorus for bacterial biomass.

12. The entire world’s demand of phosphate can be satisfied by domestic waste streams.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Waste streams present can be used to recover about 15-20% of phosphate which can theoretically satisfy the phosphate demands of day to day life. The entire world’s demand of phosphate can be satisfied by domestic waste streams present.

13. Which of the following is a main constituent of Enhanced biological phosphorus removal?
a) Anaerobic tank
b) Sludge system
c) Incinerator
d) Recovery unit
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: In Enhanced biological phosphorus removal system incorporated in sewage treatment plants, the main constituent of Enhanced biological phosphorus removal is anaerobic tank which is present preceding to the aeration tank in the system. Sludge system, incinerator, recovery unit are an important part of the system but is not the main constituent of Enhanced biological phosphorus removal.

14. Which of the following media is used to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacterial Species?
a) Pikovskaya’s Agar
b) Gelatin Agar
c) Macconkey Agar
d) LB Agar
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Pikovskaya’s Agar is a very special type agar that is used to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacterial species. The isolates can be isolated on Pikovskaya’s Agar after few hours-days of incubation. Gelatin Agar, Macconkey Agar, LB Agar is not used to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacterial Species.

15. Which of the following media is used to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacterial species?
a) Psuedomonas sp.
b) Bacillus megaterium
c) Algae
d) Fungal species
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Bacillus megaterium is the most commonly used species of bacteria that is used to solubilize bacteria. Phosphate solubilizing bacterial species are generally used to solubilize phosphate present in the environment. Psuedomonas sp., Algae and Fungal species are not to isolate phosphate solubilizing bacterial species.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Environmental Biotechnology.

To practice all areas of Environmental Biotechnology, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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