Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 2 : Sewage and domestic wastes, treatment and reuse

2.6.1.Biological and Non-Biological Wastes
Biological wastes are those which originate primarily from living or previously living sources, for example: sewage and discharges from tanneries, paper and pulp mills, food processing plants, slaughter houses, sugar mills, distilleries and breweries etc. Such wastes have a predominance of degradable organic matter.
The non-biological wastes are rich in non-degradable matter consisting of solids and liquids in suspended or dissolved form, including various inorganics and organics.
Example: Industrial contaminants-acids and bases
Acids: HCl, H₂SO₄, phosphoric and hydrofluoric
Bases: NaOH, Ca₂OH, NH₃OH, cyanides, metals and salts, sodium bicarbonate, benzene, ether etc.

Non-Biological Waste