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🔬 Biology  ·  Microbes in Human Welfare  ·  NEET

Which step of sewage treatment involves the use of aerobic microorganisms?

Answer: Secondary treatment.

  • A Primary treatment
  • B Tertiary treatment
  • C Secondary treatment
  • D Chlorination

Correct answer: C. Secondary treatment

Explanation: Secondary treatment uses aerobic microorganisms to biologically degrade organic matter in sewage, reducing BOD.

Sewage Treatment FlowPrimaryphysical filtering+ sedimentationSecondary (aerobic)aeration tank, flocsconsume organic matterActivated sludgesettles out;part reused as inoculumSludge digesterANAEROBIC →biogas (CH₄)Note the switch: aerobic microbes in the tank, anaerobic microbes in the digester

Sewage passes through physical removal (primary), then aerobic biological treatment where microbes form flocs that consume organic matter (secondary); the settled activated sludge is then digested anaerobically to produce biogas - a deliberate switch from aerobic to anaerobic conditions between stages.

Concept context

Microorganisms in food, medicine, sewage treatment, biocontrol, and biofertilizers

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