Wastewater Bacteria Under the Microscope

Wastewater treatment involves the process of identifying and eliminating microorganisms including:

Bacteria - These small, single-celled organisms are found in large numbers in polluted water. Phase contrast microscopes are used to identify most bacteria in wastewater.

Protozoa - These single-celled organisms are typically much larger than bacteria and are typically found in large numbers in wastewater, many being quite mobile. Protozoa have received increased attention because of their connection with waterborne diseases.

Metazoa - Multi-celled organisms that are larger and more complex than Protozoa. Rotifers are included in this group and are fairly common in wastewater treatment processes, as they play an active role in the breakdown of organic wastes.

Viruses - These are much smaller than bacteria and can not be seen with a standard microscope. Viruses are parasites that can reproduce within a host cell. Many diseases caused by viruses can be transmitted through polluted waters.

There are two types of wastewater treatment microscopes: ohase contrast microscopes and brightfield microscopes. The more common wastewater treatment microscopes use phase contrast to identify bacteria, protozoa and rotifers.

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Gem Microscopes

A gem microscope is similar to a biological or medical microscope in that it is binocular, and uses compound lenses. 

A binocular magnifying device has two eyepieces so that both eyes are used at once. This is ideal for getting a good three dimensional view. In a compound scope, there is a set of lenses close to the object being magnified and a set in the eyepieces.
With this set-up, magnification is compounded, meaning that, for example, if the objective lens is 5x and the ocular lens is 10x, the total magnification is 50X (5X x 10X).

Gem scopes differ from biological scopes in that the total maximum magnification is usually lower and there are more lighting options. 

Professional grade gem microscopes generally include:

• brightfield illumination
• darkfield illumination
• oblique fighting
• overhead lighting
• light diffusing system
• a system for immersing the object in liquid in a well for viewing
• polarizing lighting
• pivoting stone holder

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