MODEL PRIVATE SCHOOL, ABU DHABI
SCIENEC PROJECT
NAME: GRADE: 7
Project Title: Bioremediation of Wastewater Using Microorganisms
• Objective: To demonstrate how microorganisms can break down pollutants in wastewater
and analyze their role in natural and engineered water treatment systems.
Part 1: Observation
1. Observe how microorganisms like bacteria or fungi thrive in wastewater and help break
down organic pollutants.
Through aerobic respiration, they transform these complex
substances into simpler compounds
2. Think about why bioremediation is important for wastewater management in the UAE,
considering its limited freshwater resources and need for sustainable solutions.
Efforts in waste management in the UAE include converting waste to energy,
treating wastewater, controlling the movement of hazardous waste, protecting
the marine and coastal environment from sea dumping and reducing plastic
waste.
Part 2: Data Collection
1. Build a small bioreactor model.
• Use a clear container filled with wastewater (simulated by adding dirt and organic
matter to water).
• Add a small amount of compost or soil as a source of microorganisms.
• Aerate the mixture using an aquarium air pump.
2. Record changes over time (e.g., 3 days, 5 days, 7 days):
• Colour : _Colour: Slightly lighter or more brownish-green as some degradation
occurs.
_ • Odor: _Reduced but still noticeable, may begin to smell slightly sour or
ammonia-like_ • Clarity: Still cloudy, with some settling of particles, but not fully
clear.________________________________________________________
3. Create a data table to track sunlight intensity and the model’s performance:
Day Water Odor Intensity Sediment
colour(Dark/Light) (High/ Low) (Present/Absent)
Day 1 dark high presence
Day 3 Light compared to day1 Low compared to day1 Less than day 1
Day 5 Lighter and clear low absence
Part 3: Analysis
Analyse the data:
1. What patterns do you observe about water clarity and odor over time?
Clarity: Improves gradually as contaminants and solids are removed.
Odor: Strong initially due to degradation gases, then decreases as stabilization occurs.
2. How does the presence of microorganisms contribute to breaking down pollutants?
move through the porous matrix of soils and sediments to degrade
pollutants localized at distant places, increasing therefore bioavailability
Part 4: Interpretation
1. Explain your results:
• Why do microorganisms play a critical role in cleaning wastewater?
They act as a universal catalyst and provide ecological
transformations.
• How effective was your bioreactor model in demonstrating bioremediation?
A bioreactor's effectiveness is measured by pollutant removal, energy efficiency, by-product
generation, scalability, and consistent performance.
2. Draw your conclusion: What are the benefits and challenges of bioremediation of
wastewater using microorganisms?
• Benefits: Sustainable, cost-effective, and energy-efficient.
Degrades diverse pollutants with low sludge output.
Produces valuable by-products like methane or biofertilizers
• Challenges: Requires specific conditions and can be slow.
● May leave some pollutants untreated.
● Scaling and toxicity issues can hinder effectiveness.
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3. Present your findings to the class, highlighting how bioremediation supports
sustainability and could be scaled up for wastewater management in the
UAE.
Sustainability:
● Recycles water, reduces pollution, and generates biogas.
Scaling in UAE:
● Advanced bioreactors, local microbes, solar power, and supportive policies enable efficient wastewater
treatment.
Supports UAE’s water conservation and sustainability goals.
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