Define the maximum amount of energy that an organism

Reference no: EM13513478

The microorganisms in a waste treatment pond are exposed to 35 mg/L of easily degradable organic compounds with a typical composition C5H10O5. The standard molar Gibbs energy of formation of these compounds is -2797 kJ/mol. The pond is at pH 7.3, its temperature is 25ºC, and its alkalinity is 2 x 10-3 eq/L. The overall reaction for the organic matter is:
C5H10O5+ 5O2(aq) ? 5H2CO3(aq)

a. Due to oxygen consumption by the above reaction, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water is only 2 mg/L. What is the maximum amount of energy that an organism could obtain by oxidizing 1 µmol of the organic matter?

b. The operator of the treatment facility has suggested that the treatment efficiency could be improved by bubbling air through the water to encourage biological activity. Would the organisms find the environment in the untreated water more favourable, less favourable, or identical (from an energy standpoint) after equilibration with air? Explain briefly - a calculation wouldn't hurt to make your point.

c. Determine the pH of the system after it has been bubbled with air.

Reference no: EM13513478

Questions Cloud

How much force was generated by his punch : The fastest martial arts punch is 43.3 mph (69.6 km/h) and was achieved by John Ozuna (United States), How much force was generated by his punch

Find the net rate at which your body loses energy : If you lie on the ground at night with no cover, you get cold rather quickly. Much of this is due to energy loss by radiation. Estimate the net rate at which your body loses energy by radiation to the night sky under these conditions

Overhead for the year was overapplied : Actual manufacturing overhead for the year amounted to $105,000 and the actual direct labor-hours were 4,000. Overhead for the year was overapplied (+) or underapplied (-) by how much?

Find how far does the smaller piston move : in a hydraulic lift, if the radius of the smaller piston is 2.0 cm and the radius of the larger piston is 20.0 cm, how far does the smaller piston move

Define the maximum amount of energy that an organism : Due to oxygen consumption by the above reaction, the dissolved oxygen concentration in the water is only 2 mg/L. What is the maximum amount of energy that an organism could obtain by oxidizing 1 µmol of the organic matter

What is the role of the itinerate trader : What is the relationship of the Kirghiz and Wakhi to the wider national government and economy? What is the role of the itinerate trader in this situation?

The turnover cost per labor : Consider an economy where, consumer's utility function is given as U(C,L)=C-(1/2)L2 . where C is consumption and L is labor. The production technology is Y=(1.6)L-(1/2)L2. The turnover cost per labor is (0.36)/(w/p)

Estimate the shear stress : a hole punch has a diamter of 8.0 mm and presses onto ten sheets of paper with a force of 6.7 kN, If each sheet of paper is of thickness .20 mm, what is the shear stress

Compare and contrast kinship and social organization : Compare and contrast kinship and social organization of the Wakhi and Kirghiz.

User Account

All Pages