Interactions of Extremely Low-Frequency Electric Field with the Active Sludge Live Materia from Wastewater Treatments

Abstract

Through specific chemical and microbiological determinations, the interaction of the extremely low-frequency (ELF) electric field (EF) of 49.9 Hz and 99.9 Hz with the living matter of the activated sludge from a wastewater treatment plant was studied. The determinations showed that a 49.9 Hz EF significantly stimulates both the multiplication of microorganisms (more than 2$\times$, compared to the reference) and the rate of pollutant metabolism, as opposed to a 99.9 Hz EF, where the stimulation of the multiplication of microorganisms is insignificant (below 1.1$\times$, compared to the reference), instead, more strongly stimulates the metabolism of pollutants.