What key element indicates organic pollution in wastewater?

Ammonia nitrogen is a key indicator of organic pollution in wastewater primarily because it is a product of the decomposition of organic matter. As organic materials break down, nitrogen is released and converted into ammonia, which is a more soluble form that can be easily detected in wastewater. High concentrations of ammonia nitrogen suggest that there is a significant amount of organic material present that is undergoing bacterial decomposition.

This decomposition process is typically associated with the presence of biodegradable organic compounds, and elevated levels can indicate either pollution by organic waste or insufficient treatment processes in treatment facilities. Monitoring ammonia nitrogen levels is crucial in wastewater treatment, as they can affect not only water quality but also the health of aquatic ecosystems when treated effluents are released back into the environment.

Fecal coliform, while it indicates the presence of pathogenic organisms from fecal contamination, does not specifically reflect organic pollution levels. Suspended solids can indicate the turbidity attributed to particulate matter but do not directly measure organic compounds. Phosphorus, although essential for biological growth, primarily points to nutrient loading rather than organic pollution specifically. Therefore, ammonia nitrogen serves as a more direct measure of organic pollution in wastewater.