biofilters
Biological cleansing systems
Biofilters are systems that use living organisms—typically bacteria, fungi, or plants—to remove pollutants from air or water.
Wastewater treatment plants use biofilters to break down organic waste.
Industrial facilities use them to scrub odors and volatile compounds from exhaust: The composting facility installed biofilters to control smell.
In aquariums, biofilters house beneficial bacteria that convert toxic ammonia to less harmful nitrates.
Introduction of impurities
- pollutantsHarmful environmental substances
- degradationDecline in condition
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
- biodegradationMicrobial breakdown of organics
hydrocarbons · toxins · groundwater · petroleum · enzymes · microbial · detoxification · organic compounds
Circulation of fresh air
- odor controlManaging unwanted smells
- scrubberPollution removal device
- activated carbonPorous charcoal for filtration
- adsorptionAccumulation on a surface
biogas · exhaust · hydrogen sulfide · ammonia · particulates · packing material · humidification · off-gas
Microbial ammonia-to-nitrate conversion
- denitrificationMicrobial nitrate-to-gas conversion
- aquacultureFarming underwater organisms
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
- biofilmAdhesive layer of microorganisms
substrate · media · bacteria · microorganisms · effluent · sewage · sludge · recirculating
Biogeochemical element circulation
- beneficial bacteriaHealth-promoting microorganisms
- canisterSealed cylindrical container
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
- nitriteNO₂ minus ion
nitrate · fish tank · reef tank · colony · water clarity · koi pond
contamination
Introduction of impurities
- pollutantsHarmful environmental substances
- degradationDecline in condition
- microorganismsMicroscopic living entities
biodegradation · hydrocarbons · toxins · groundwater · petroleum · enzymes · microbial · detoxification · organic compounds · heavy metals
ventilation
Circulation of fresh air
- odor controlManaging unwanted smells
- scrubberPollution removal device
- activated carbonPorous charcoal for filtration
adsorption · biogas · exhaust · hydrogen sulfide · ammonia · particulates · packing material · humidification · off-gas · industrial emissions
nitrification
Microbial ammonia-to-nitrate conversion
- denitrificationMicrobial nitrate-to-gas conversion
- aquacultureFarming underwater organisms
- wetlandsWater-saturated terrain
biofilm · substrate · media · bacteria · microorganisms · effluent · sewage · sludge · recirculating · pond
nitrogen cycle
Biogeochemical element circulation
- beneficial bacteriaHealth-promoting microorganisms
- canisterSealed cylindrical container
- cyclingRiding on two wheels
nitrite · nitrate · fish tank · reef tank · colony · water clarity · koi pond
- aquaculturefish farming, fish farms, aquaculture, salmon farming, shrimp farming
- pollution controlpollution control, emissions, emissions control, air purifier, scrubber
- aquaculture equipmentfish tanks, fish cages, aerators, pumps, nets
- Water Treatmentwater plant, chlorination, purification, disinfection, feedwater
- Filtrationfiltrate, prefilters, reverse osmosis, prefilter, permeate
- green restorationecosystem restoration, habitat restoration, reforestation, revegetation, rewilding