Which organism should not be present in a healthy lagoon treatment system?

In a healthy lagoon treatment system, the presence of certain microorganisms is essential for effective waste treatment. Fungi are typically not a key component of the microbial community in such systems. This is because lagoons primarily rely on bacteria—both aerobic and anaerobic—to break down organic matter and perform the necessary biological processes for wastewater treatment.

Aerobic bacteria thrive in oxygen-rich environments, where they effectively decompose organic waste, while anaerobic bacteria function in low-oxygen conditions, aiding in the breakdown of materials that cannot be processed by aerobic bacteria. Algae also play a beneficial role in lagoon systems as they can produce oxygen and contribute to the overall balance of the ecosystem.

In contrast, fungi, while they do exist in some ecosystems and can decompose organic matter, are not central to the treatment process in lagoon systems. Their presence can indicate an imbalance or the degradation of the organized microbial community, which may negatively impact the treatment process. Therefore, their absence is a strong indicator of a healthy lagoon treatment system.