EM DISASTER RELIEF

A key aspect of this fermentative antioxidative EM technology is that it helps to promote growth of beneficial microbes and encourages beneficial microbial processes, and tends to discourage runaway oxidative putrefaction, also known as putrefactive decay, since primary hallmarks of runaway putrefactive processes will often include:

Strong and objectionable odors


Production of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas and other sulfides


Production of ammonia (NO4) gas


High levels of coliform bacteria


High levels of disease-causing microbes


Runaway oxidative processes, resulting in wholesale destruction of, or damage to, organic materials.


High biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in bodies of water bearing such a putrefactive burden.


High chemical oxygen demand (COD) in bodies of water bearing such a putrefactive burden.


Very low levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) in bodies of water bearing such putrefactive (decay) processes, often resulting in further proliferation of undesirable microbes and disease microbes.

EM technology may be applied in a wide range of local settings and environments which have been affected by floodwaters, including:

Bodies of standing water, including highly polluted and contaminated waters


Land and structures which had been immersed in floodwater.


Contaminated sites where hazardous materials were stored or where residues remain.


Lakes, canals and bays which have been contaminated by influx of polluted water pumped from, and draining from, flood-ravaged areas.


Structures which have suffered water damage and/or concomitant contamination due to presence of dead bodies of humans and/or animals.


Literally anywhere that foul odor and harmful molds are present or growing due to flood damage.


Livestock facilities that have large amounts of dead animals from flooded or destroyed confinement facilities or disease.


Bodies of water, outdoor areas and buildings where there are foul odors and/or evidence of putrefaction or contamination.


Debris removal sites, including landfill sites and large-volume transport vehicles such as waste barges, where there are many types of waste mixed together, including organic matter.


Temporary waste holding sites and temporary landfill sites.


Water and sites containing high levels of toxic metals and heavy metals.

Results from many years around the world, using these microbes in a wide variety of waste and agricultural applications, show that the benefits of applying very small amounts of this beneficial microbial inoculant (with application rates often ranging from 1 part microbial culture to 10,000 parts of water) will usually include:

Rapid and nearly-complete reduction in strong and objectionable odors


Drastic reduction in hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas and other sulfides


Great reduction of ammonia (NO4) gas


Drastic reduction in non-H2S sulfide gases such as methyl sulfide and dimethyl sulfide, and in putrefactive off-gassing products (putrescine, cadaverine, etc.)


Great reduction in emission of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) due to putrefactive decay and breakdown of organic materials


Reduction in levels of coliform bacteria


Reduction in levels of disease-causing microbes, including bacteria, viruses and pathogenic protozoa


Drastic amelioration of runaway oxidative putrefactive processes, thus preventing or slowing destruction of, or damage to, organic materials.


Reduction in BOD in bodies of water and waste accumulations


Reduction of COD in bodies of water and waste accumulations


Increase in levels of dissolved oxygen (DO) in bodies of water and waste accumulations.


Reduction in levels of undesirable microbes and disease microbes.


Reduction in levels of so-called “toxic molds” in aftermath of flooding


Drastic prevention of runaway putrefactive decay with attendant noxious odors, toxins and high levels of harmful microbes


Reduction in total suspended solids (TSS) of treated water after several days


Reduction in TKN (Total Kjehldahl Nitrogen)


Drastic reduction in phosphates (PO4) in treated water


Shift in microbial flora in wastewater or floodwater toward beneficial and remediative microbes and concomitant microbial processes.


Reduction in breeding and proliferation of flies and mosquitoes in and near channels, sluiceways, ponds, lagoons and treatment facilities carrying or holding waste liquids and solids


Reduction in color (aka decolorization) and turbidity, and improvement in clarity, of previously-contaminated water


Reduction or elimination of heavy scum layers (often caused by undesirable species of actinomycetes) on surface of wastewater


Oftentimes reduction in undesirable species of algae (phytoplankton)


In aerobic and semi-aerobic settings, an improvement (increase) in levels of DO (dissolved oxygen)


Due to reduction in BOD and COD (referenced above), an oftentimes reduction in needs for aeration, allowing frequency and duration of aeration of aeration ponds or tanks to be reduced significantly


Reduction in levels of (undesirable) nitric acid, nitrous acid and sulfuric acid in wastewater (these substances result in toxicity to wildlife and livestock, and also in corrosion of plant equipment, including accelerated corrosion of metal surfaces in pumps and handling equipment.)


Gross reduction in buildup of sludge via microbial-mediated disintegration and even removal of large accumulations of old sludge accumulations


Reduction in harmful forms of levels of heavy and toxic metals in waste, including cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), mercury (Hg, aka quicksilver), arsenic (As), copper (Cu) lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni). This is accomplished by the destruction of ionized oxidized forms of metal and reduction conversion of such oxidized form to non-ionized forms via antioxidative (aka reductive) redox processes. In some sectors, this reductive process is referenced as “deionization”. Non-ionized, non-oxidized forms of metals are largely inert and are relatively harmless to plants and animals, and are also undetectable in many types of tests for harmful metals.


Reduction in levels of particularly harmful or toxic oxidized forms of metals (e.g., hexavalent chromium, aka Cr6, Cr(VI), Cr+6 and CrVI, also the polyvalent forms of arsenic (As), such as arsenic (III) and (V) oxyanions) and halogens (e.g., polyvalent fluoride oxyanions), along reduction of toxic metal cations in waste stream and solids. Again, as noted above, this is largely accomplished by the destruction of ionized oxidized forms of metal and reduction conversion of such oxidized form to non-ionized forms via antioxidative (aka reductive) redox processes.


Reduction of toxic compounds such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, aldehydes, formaldehydes and nitrosamines


Establishment of the beneficial microbes in mud, gravel, concrete, and on surfaces (rock, concrete, etc.) and in interstices, and also to the encouragement of “wild” beneficial microbes with antioxidative (reducing) rather than runaway putrefactive properties, with the attendant (“competitive”) discouragement of undesirable microbes and undesirable decay processes.


Normalization of pH from extremes


Decrease in costs associated with managing waste


Drastic reduction in need for toxic substances for waste management or odor management of the waste stream


Improvement in quality and usability of recovered water and recovered solids, rendering them far more suitable for eventual use in a variety of applications


Improve nutrient value, safety and (value of) microflora of recovered waste solids which will be applied to soil as a fertilizer

Introduction | How EM Technology May be Used to Help Remediate |
Brief Notes on EM Technology | In Closing | Glossary