Category: Press Release

As a global leader in corrosion control technologies, with a subsidiary that specializes in biological wastewater treatment, Cortec® Corporation is in a unique position to make life easier for wastewater treatment plant operators. Biological treatments from Cortec’s subsidiary Bionetix® International help plants get on track for more efficient waste processing after plant upsets or imbalances, while simple and effective corrosion and preventative maintenance solutions from Cortec® bid to help plant equipment and facilities last longer in a notoriously corrosive environment. Here is a closer look at how these strategies work and the problems they address.

Let Microbes Eat Away Your Wastewater Troubles

Wastewater treatment plants rely on naturally occurring microorganisms to break down waste substances. Practically speaking, the microorganisms feed on the waste and eliminate it from water and/or convert toxins into harmless substances that can be safely discharged back to the environment. However, this delicate balance is easily upset. Temperature fluctuations can slow down microbial activity in cool weather or encourage growth of unwanted substances in hot weather. A sudden influx of waste reflected by a high BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) can overload the system, choking it for oxygen and increasing bad odors as the natural biological mechanism switches from aerobic to anaerobic digestion. Startup and reseeding are also sensitive periods when it can be difficult to get a good microbial colony established in time to handle a heavy new load of waste materials.

Bionetix® International comes to the rescue with bioaugmentation, the addition of “good” bacteria to help with industrial waste and sewage cleanup. These biological “reinforcements” help tackle sewage overload in general and target specific contaminants in particular. BCP50™ is one treatment that provides a good microbial population for seeding a new municipal wastewater treatment system. It can also reduce sludge and odors in lagoons. BCP11™ is well-suited to digesting wastewater from chemical plants, while BCP22™ is targeted to digest FOG (fats, oils, and greases). Operators can remove high levels of ammonia with BCP655™, a bioconverter that in certain conditions acts better than nitrifiers. Rather than converting nitrogen to another form that requires further denitrification, BCP655™ removes nitrogen from wastewater by consuming compounds such as ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite—even in cool weather and at lower pH.

Do Not Let Corrosion Eat Away Your Structures and Equipment

The main activity of wastewater treatment does not negate the significance of maintenance at a wastewater treatment plant. A rich supply of moisture, H2S, and contaminants in the wastewater treatment environment creates a perfect recipe for corrosion, threatening to accelerate the deterioration of structures and equipment. An especially critical area is corrosion protection of electronics and electricals. In these days of ever-increasing reliance on technology, wastewater treatment operations are controlled by HMIs (human machine interfaces) and other automatic devices that regulate pumps and equipment throughout the plant and the municipality that it serves. Replacement of these electronics due to corrosion is extremely costly and can add up quickly if corrosion failures are frequent. Moreover, critical equipment failure can have serious effects on plant functions.

Electricals/Electronics Protection

Fortunately, Cortec® has extremely simple answers for electronics and electricals. VpCI®-105 or VpCI®-111 Emitters are self-adhesive devices easy to stick inside a control panel. These devices emit Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors, which adsorb on metal surfaces within the enclosure to form a protective molecular layer that disrupts the normal corrosion reaction. VpCI® Emitters can be supplemented by spraying ElectriCorr™ VpCI®-238 or ElectriCorr™ VpCI®-239 over exposed electrical contacts (when the panel is powered down). This leaves behind a clear protective film that is effective even on electrical or electronics panels that are vented or not fully enclosed. A third step is to apply Corrosorber® cups. Similar to VpCI® Emitters, Corrosorbers are self-adhesive. Unlike VpCI® Emitters, they do not emit active corrosion inhibitors. Instead, they absorb H2S, helping make the environment inside a control panel less corrosive. By following this general prescription, one municipal wastewater treatment operation was able to significantly reduce the failure of HMIs located at pumphouses throughout the city, saving significant replacement costs with a price tag ranging from $15,000 to $40,000 apiece every six months.

Structural Protection

Corrosion also takes its toll on structures within the plant. Metal railings, beams, tanks, walkways, and even equipment can benefit from an anticorrosive coating. Where rust has already set in, it should be removed, or else arrested with CorrVerter® Rust Converter Primer. Applied to corroded surfaces where loose rust has been brushed off, this fast-drying water-based primer converts remaining rust into a passive layer. VpCI®-373 is an anticorrosion primer that helps with good bonding to aluminum and galvanized substrates, while VpCI®-396 or VpCI®-384 serve as tough urethane topcoats for protection in harsh, unsheltered applications. For equipment that needs an unnoticeable layer of corrosion protection, VpCI®-386 clear can be applied directly over painted surfaces.

Concrete structures such as tanks, pillars, or floors should also be protected. MCI®-2026 Floor Coating is an excellent choice for protecting concrete floors from chemical ingress and physical wear and tear. Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors can be added to new concrete structures as admixtures (e.g., MCI®-2005) or to existing structures as surface applied corrosion inhibitors (SACIs) (e.g., MCI®-2020). Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors slow time to corrosion and reduce corrosion rates once started.

Plant Maintenance

General plant maintenance can also benefit from a little extra protection here and there. For instance, CorrLube™ VpCI® Lithium EP Grease is a lithium complex grease that can be used in applications where NLGI grade 2 grease with added corrosion protection is needed. For NLGI grade 3 applications in severely corrosive environments, Cortec® offers EcoLine® Biobased Grease powered by Nano VpCI®. This multipurpose grease has superior corrosion protection properties and contains 86% USDA certified biobased content as an environmental “sustainability” side benefit. EcoLine® Cleaner/Degreaser also includes biobased content plus flash corrosion protection for metal cleanup tasks.

Make Life Easier for Wastewater Treatment Operators

Wastewater treatment can be a messy business with constant maintenance and oversight activities to perform. Together, Cortec® and Bionetix® are here to help make life easier for wastewater treatment plant operators by taking simple steps of bioaugmentation and corrosion preventative maintenance. Contact Cortec®/Bionetix® today for further help or a tailored solution! Cortec® corrosion and preventative maintenance solutions:
https://www.cortecvci.com/contact-us/

Bionetix® wastewater treatment solutions: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: Cortec, Bionetix, wastewater treatment, bioaugmentation, corrosion control, preventative maintenance, corrosion protection, MRO, corrosion protection of electronics and electricals, Migrating Corrosion Inhibitors

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Bionetix^® International is excited to introduce its newest probiotic waste-digesting deodorizing concentrate: ABC 9000™! This new water-soluble probiotic powder concentrate is designed for manufacturers to use as an additive in formulating a wide range of products. With its multi-spore bacteria blend, ABC 9000™ is effective in numerous applications where it is necessary to remove wastes/stains or control and mask odors.

The non-pathogenic bacillus blend of ABC 9000™ attacks a variety of complex organic compounds and digests them, helping remove stains and odor-producing compounds. For further odor control, formulators can choose from ABC 9000™ in a pine, floral, or custom fragrance to mask unpleasant odors. ABC 9000™ also comes in a wide selection of colors—light green, blue, pink, off-white, or custom—for better aesthetic blending with the final product:

• Cat litter
• Carpet cleaners
• Powder and liquid laundry detergents
• Deodorizers (e.g., odor control powder or solids)
• And other water-soluble cleaners!

As a powder concentrate, ABC 9000™ also offers an economical approach to formulating probiotic products. Possible formulation scenarios include the following:

• A manufacturer wants to create a new self-deodorizing cat litter product that not only masks odors from the cat box but also keeps them under control by helping digest some of the waste materials. The manufacturer chooses a preferred fragrance and color of ABC 9000™ and adds the powder to the cat litter formula for improved cat box maintenance.
• A formulator wants to design a probiotic carpet cleaner that will tackle stains and remove odors from food spills or other soils. The formulator adds ABC 9000™ powder to the cleaner for deep-cleaning and deodorizing power along with a fresh pine or lavender smell.
• A laundry detergent company wants a probiotic detergent for washing clothes with heavy stains and odors. They select a custom fragrance of ABC 9000™, add the probiotic blend to the detergent, and market the final product for heavy-duty industrial laundering.

Many similar options exist for formulators who need to add a probiotic boost to their cleaning or deodorizing product. ABC 9000™ offers formulators flexibility while harnessing the technology of nature for enhanced product effectiveness. As a 1 billion CFU/g powder product, a little ABC 9000™ goes a long way to maximize storage space and cleaning/odor control power! Contact Bionetix^® to learn more about ABC 9000™:
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: probiotic additive, bacillus blend, odor control, self deodorizing cat litter, laundry detergent additive, probiotic detergent, carpet deodorizer, powder deodorizer, Bionetix, probiotic carpet cleaner

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Today’s cleaning and maintenance landscape encompasses a growing “green” culture that emphasizes sustainability and environmental protection. But some things remain the same. A bad smell is still a bad smell, and facilities of all kinds still need routine cleaning. The exciting news is that Bionetix® has made it possible to tackle two maintenance problems at once with its new five-in-one probiotic cleaner/odor neutralizer concentrate, HYGIEA2401™, for more efficient cleaning and deodorization.

Dual Cleaning and Odor Control
The primary advantage of HYGIEA2401™ concentrate is that it cleans surfaces and neutralizes odors simultaneously, making cleanup faster and easier. Furthermore, instead of simply masking over odors with a powerful fragrance, HYGIEA2401™ destroys the odor-causing compounds themselves for long-lasting impact. HYGIEA2401™ is a probiotic cleaning concentrate that works in five ways:

1. Physically, by encapsulating molecules that cause bad odors
2. Chemically, by binding substances that cause bad odors
3. Biologically, by degrading and digesting organic odor-causing molecules
4. Thoroughly, by tackling the source of the smell and cleaning it off with strong, biodegradable detergents
5. Pleasantly, by covering malodors immediately with specially-formulated long-lasting fragrances.

These mechanisms provide a powerful combination for tackling almost any multipurpose cleaning task where odors are strong. The following cleaning applications are perfect candidates.

Garbage and Recycling Facilities/Containers
Garbage pails, garbage cans, garbage trucks, and dumpsters are notoriously smelly. With today’s expanding “circular economy,” the odors once confined to these receptacles are now showing up in regular or organics recycling bins full of empty milk cartons or rotting banana peels. HYGIEA2401™ is great for cleaning and deodorizing these containers where bad smells often linger.

Bathrooms, Fitness Centers, and Pet Rooms
Restrooms are another environment that need regular cleaning and odor control, especially public restrooms where spilling is common under toilets and urinals. Fitness centers battle sweat and body odors in addition to standard cleanup. Pets, however lovable and well trained, are another source of filth and odor left behind on cat-boxes, kennels, and even around the house on carpet and furniture. HYGIEA2401™ is great for cleaning these high odor areas because it can simultaneously provide long-term deodorization on a variety of hard and fabric surfaces.

Choose Greater, ‘Greener’ Cleaning Efficiency
HYGIEA2401™ offers great flexibility as a concentrate that comes in 10X and 20X versions. For starters, shipping and storing a concentrate is more economical than transporting and storing a ready-to-use (RTU) product. Furthermore, cleaning supply companies can dilute HYGIEA2401™ and repackage it into their own custom formulation, or large account cleaning services can buy it in bulk for their own use. Whatever the case, the probiotic cleaning and deodorizing power of HYGIEA2401™ offers great efficiency to tackle smelly cleaning tasks with a “green” cleaner that is gentler on the environment. Contact Bionetix® to learn more about HYGIEA2401™ for cleaning and odor control needs: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: probiotic cleaner, Bionetix, cleaner deodorizer, cleaning recycling bins, restroom odor control, pet odor removal, circular economy, green cleaner, restroom cleaning, probiotic cleaning concentrate

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Factories that make chemicals or use chemicals in their manufacturing processes face special wastewater treatment challenges. In a high chemical environment, it is difficult for biological wastewater treatment microorganisms to flourish and survive. A low level of dissolved oxygen makes biological treatment even more difficult and leads to less efficient treatment and increased bad odors. The overall impact is reflected in high levels of BOD/COD that are not compliant with wastewater discharge requirements and may result in additional fees or surcharges. Bionetix^® International is here to help chemical plants overcome these challenges with biological treatment solutions such as BCP11^™.

Reducing BOD in Wastewater

BCP11^™ is specifically targeted for treating chemical industry wastewater streams. The main goal of BCP11^™ and any biological wastewater treatment is to reduce BOD/COD levels and bring them into compliance with local regulations. BCP11^™ does so by removing chemicals from the wastewater. Beneficial bacteria in the biological treatment digest all kinds of organic chemicals, including solvents, surfactants, antifreeze, pharmaceutical byproducts, petrochemicals, and much more. The microorganisms use elements found in these compounds as a food source, thus digesting the chemicals in order to support their own growth and reproduction into a larger colony that can digest even more contaminants. BCP11^™ also reduces ammonia, an inorganic chemical often found at high levels in many different sources of wastewater.

Tackling High Chemical Wastewater Challenges

Biologicals typically do not flourish in high chemical wastewaters due to a lack of nutrients and the presence of some chemicals that may be toxic to microorganisms. When microorganisms do not have the nourishment needed, they are unable to grow, reproduce, and digest chemicals on a large scale. This can lead to problems with filaments and foam control. Another challenge is the absence of oxygen, which forces bacteria to switch over to anaerobic digestion and its associated bad odors and lower efficiency. In contrast, BCP11^™ has built-in mechanisms to survive and flourish in low-nutrient environments and help with low dissolved oxygen levels. With these advantages, BCP11^™ can perform its intended purpose of improving effluent quality and increasing wastewater treatment efficiency. Because of these built-in defenses against low nutrient environments, BCP11^™ is also good for reducing plant upsets from shocks, helping new plant startups, controlling filaments, and lowering odor and foam.

BCP11™ Success Stories

How, then, has BCP11^™ been used in the field? In one instance, a solvent recovery plant added BCP11^™ and BCP35^™ to a container of wastewater collected from rainwater, equipment wash water, and process water. The pH was adjusted and the tank aerated. Starting with a COD of about 15,000, the tank was observed for seven days. The final COD was <700 ppm—an approximately 96% reduction in COD that would help the plant meet municipal discharge limits. In a more recent case, a glove manufacturer desired a biological treatment that would help bring high levels of BOD and COD closer into compliance with standards. They began treating the effluent with BCP11^™ in February 2021 and saw a tremendous improvement after just the first two weeks. More than a year later, the customer continues to use BCP11^™ and is satisfied with the results.

Making Biological Treatment of Chemical Wastewaters Possible

In the face of so many challenges, some may think that biological treatment is not viable in a chemical wastewater environment. However, BCP11^™ shows otherwise as a biological treatment equipped to tolerate a nutrient- and oxygen-deficient environment. With BCP11^™, plant owners can successfully treat their chemical wastewaters to lower BOD/COD, can stabilize plant upsets, and can help new chemical plants launch their wastewater treatment programs. Contact Bionetix^® to learn more about BCP11^™ and other biological treatments tailored to specific wastewater environments:
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: reducing BOD, biological treatment of chemical wastewaters, biological wastewater treatment, chemical plant wastewater treatment, wastewater treatment refinery, petrochemical wastewater treatment, remove chemicals from wastewater, control filaments, lower foam, low dissolved oxygen levels, Bionetix

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No one typically enjoys bad smells. This makes life especially difficult for anyone dealing with odor problem areas such as garbage cans, restrooms, manure pits, wastewater treatment plants, and garbage processing facilities. Sometimes, an accidental garbage spill or the rotting of a hidden substance can cause odor surprises in unexpected areas. Whether or not the problem is routine or sudden, it is important to have an odor control solution that will not only cover up bad smells but also eliminate them. Bionetix® odor control products make use of natural technologies to do exactly that and more.

Tackling Odor from Two Angles
Bionetix® odor control technologies involve two main mechanisms. One aspect is to eliminate the materials that are causing the odor. This can be done both by cleaning the surface with detergent and also by introducing beneficial microorganisms that biodegrade the odor-emitting substances and continue to work even after the initial cleaning. The second mechanism works to actually bind the odorous molecules or inhibit their activity, thus reducing the concentration of odorous compounds. Products containing these odor neutralizers can be chosen based on the primary purpose of the application: odor control, cleaning, or accelerated waste digestion.

Odor Neutralizer with Cleaning Properties
When odor control is the main concern and cleaning is a side benefit, ECO-SCENT™ is a great ready-to-use technology. This liquid odor control can be sprayed in garbage pails, inside dumpsters and garbage trucks, on carpets, on bathroom surfaces, and in laundry and fitness facilities to eliminate odors and leave behind a fresh smell. It can also be added to mop water to clean floors around urinals or other areas notorious for contaminant buildup and bad odors.

ECO-SCENT™ contains synergistic bio-strains, surfactants, nutrients, stimulants, and odor-neutralizing agents that ensure excellent breakdown of starches, carbohydrates, protein, fats, and greases. While beneficial bacteria in ECO-SCENT™ work to digest odor-causing compounds even after the initial application, the natural active odor neutralizing ingredient forms a complex with odor-causing organic compounds, yielding a lower concentration of these organic molecules. This readily biodegradable, non-hazardous odor neutralizer encapsulates odorous molecules such as hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, smoke, sweat,
and ammonia to remove bad odors and not just mask the smell. The same biotechnology is available in a pre-stabilized multiple spore blend concentrate (HYGIEA2200™) manufactured specifically for large volume accounts with formulation capabilities.

Industrial Cleaner with Odor Neutralizing Properties
HYGIEA2400™ is another multiple spore blend liquid concentrate that can be formulated into cleaning and odor control products. It also contains an odor neutralizer but is primarily designed for use in industrial cleaning applications, with odor control as a side benefit. Products made from HYGIEA2400™ can be used to clean a wide variety of organic wastes such as grease, fats, oils, starches, proteins, and cellulose while simultaneously performing efficient odor control.

Odor Control for Large Scale Waste Treatment
Wastewater treatment plants and farms that need large scale odor control but not cleaning can opt for STIMULUS™. STIMULUS™ is a natural biostimulant,
surfactant, and odor control product derived from natural plant extract. It can be used to treat wastewater and agricultural waste by stimulating natural decomposition processes to work more rapidly. This naturally reduces odors by encouraging better aerobic digestion conditions and reducing the amount of waste and sludge in the system. Beyond this, STIMULUS™ also binds ammonia and inhibits urease activity, thus decreasing the concentration of odorous compounds. STIMULUS™ can be sprayed on compost and manure piles or added directly to sludge.

Eliminate Unpleasant Odors
Unpleasant odors are just that: unpleasant, with a negative impact on both employee and public relations. Bad odors can send facility or asset owners scrambling to cover up the unpleasant smells in whatever way they are able. Often this means only masking the odor without getting rid of the underlying cause, and possibly not solving the problem at all. By taking advantage of Bionetix® natural odor control mechanisms, users can eliminate odor and not just cover it up, creating a better long-term solution for both expected and unexpected odor problems. Contact us for further assistance in choosing the right technology to eliminate unpleasant odors!
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: eliminate bad odors, odor problems, Bionetix, odor control products, odor neutralizer, biotechnology, wastewater treatment odor control, farm odor control, natural odor control, remove bad odors

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June 6, 2022

Bionetix® is pleased to announce the release of ECO-DISPOSAL™, a new foaming garbage disposal cleaner and freshener with probiotics! While standard garbage disposal cleaners often have to be used weekly to clean out the organic waste residues that can collect and produce bad kitchen drain odors, Bionetix® adds probiotics to its formula for extra, long-lasting garbage disposal maintenance power.

ECO-DISPOSAL™ is a foaming cleaner and freshener that contains billions of beneficial probiotics per pouch. These probiotics wake up when in contact with water and start digesting organic waste. After the initial treatment, the probiotics cling to the garbage disposal and drain walls for ongoing long-term waste digestion and garbage disposal maintenance benefits. By continuing to digest organic residue, ECO-DISPOSAL™ helps combat drain clogging and garbage disposal odors, likely reducing garbage disposal cleaning frequency.

ECO-DISPOSAL™ is easy to apply. Simply run some warm water (35- 45 °C [95-113 °F]) into an empty garbage disposal that is turned off and insert an ECO-DISPOSAL™ pouch. Next, turn on the garbage disposal for just a few seconds, allowing foam to appear. The foam will recede after turning off the water and garbage disposal. A quick rinse with water completes the process, leaving behind a fresh smell and helpful living organisms to continue waste digestion!

This new probiotic garbage disposal cleaner is great for both private homeowners and commercial food industry establishments. In addition to drain and garbage disposal maintenance, it can be used to clean and maintain septic tanks, repopulating them with a healthy microbial colony for ongoing waste digestion. Contact Bionetix® today to learn about adding ECO-DISPOSAL™to your garbage disposal or septic system:
https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: probiotic cleaner, Bionetix, garbage disposal maintenance, garbage disposal cleaner, kitchen drain odors, combat drain clogging, garbage disposal cleaning frequency, food industry, maintain septic tanks, garbage disposal odors

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Almost everyone enjoys seeing lush green grass, especially on their own property. One of the drawbacks is that this typically involves routine application of weed killers and synthetic fertilizers. While the aesthetic results look beautiful, the treatment rarely makes lawn owners feel better about their contribution to the environment. Bionetix® changes the whole picture with its natural fertilizers for healthier grass.

How Can You Get a Better Lawn Naturally?

Bionetix® natural lawn treatments harness the biological processes already existing in nature to improve grass health and turf vigor in several ways:

• Improving water and nutrient absorption
• Fertilizing the soil with naturally derived nutrients
• Enhancing the overall growing environment
• Adding beneficial microorganisms that enrich the soil via better debris decomposition

All these aspects work together to create a healthier grass root and plant even in stressed conditions. Two naturally-derived products in particular combine to make a great turf vigor support team.

ECO-TURF™ + ORGANIC PLUS™ = A Great Lawncare Team!

ECO-TURF™ + ORGANIC PLUS™ are similar in many ways, but also different. Both contain humic and fulvic acids, which promote a healthy growing environment and good nutrient absorption. Both ECO-TURF™ and ORGANIC PLUS™ add nutrients to the soil to nourish the grass. Both contain natural surfactants that work as wetting agents to promote the uptake and efficient use of water even in dry conditions, thus reducing the stress of drought on plants. Altogether, these characteristics enhance root formation and plant growth by giving the grass the resources it needs to thrive.

ECO-TURF™ has an added advantage in that it contains 75 million CFU/g of beneficial bacteria that work as a microbial powerhouse to improve the condition of the soil. This “biofertilizer” promotes the decomposition of debris in the soil, making the soil richer and promoting more vigorous turf through bioaugmentation. ORGANIC PLUS™ is an excellent companion to support the process by providing additional nutrients and biostimulants that enhance bacterial activity, encourage the uptake of nutrients, and deliver other natural benefits to the soil and grass. ECO-TURF™ and ORGANIC PLUS™ can be used separately to naturally support lawn health, but they are even more powerful as a lawncare team together.

Who Can Benefit from Natural Lawn Amendments?

There are many potential people and places that can benefit from these two naturally derived lawn treatments. Professional lawn care companies can please their clients –  homeowners, businesses, and housing associations – by promoting healthy, vigorous grass. They can also have the upper hand on other lawn care service providers by emphasizing their reliance on natural treatment methods that may reduce the need for other chemicals. Sod farms stand to benefit by promoting a more vigorous, thicker crop with balanced growth. The same technologies can be used at the golf course on greens, fairways, or in the rough where lush grass is an integral part of the golfing experience. Even those tasked with sports fields maintenance can help the soccer or football field thrive by choosing these natural lawn amendments. The products are simple to apply by mixing with water and spraying thoroughly over the grass. ORGANIC PLUS™ should be applied every five days. ECO-TURF™ should be applied every two to four weeks and can be used in both warm and cool seasons.

It’s Time to Improve Turf Vigor

With ORGANIC PLUS™ and ECOTURF™, there is essentially no reason why you cannot make the grass greener on your side of the fence. Even better, with the support of these two products, you can do so naturally and feel good about what you are putting into the environment. Contact Bionetix® today for further assistance to get the grass growing greener on your side of the fence: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: Bionetix, natural fertilizers, healthier grass, natural surfactants, nutrient absorption, humic and fulvic acids, biofertilizer, bioaugmentation, biostimulants, lawn care, sod farms, improve turf vigor

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Healthy microbial activity is one important key to a healthy environment. Microbes are an important part of the biodegradation process that breaks down waste materials into harmless substances or improves the richness of organic material for plant growth. However, these microbes will only be as healthy as their available nutrition allows them to be. Just as humans sometimes need to take vitamins and supplements to make up for nutrients lacking in their diet, microbes can sometimes benefit from a healthy nutritional supplement, too. Such is Bionetix® MICRO 14™, a special blend of 14+ ingredients including minerals, vitamins, and microbial growth elements. MICRO 14™ can be used to stimulate the activity of existing microorganisms as well as those that have been added via bioaugmentation, thus speeding up beneficial natural processes in a variety of environments.

MICRO 14™ for Agriculture
While some commercial fertilizers have a few minerals in addition to nitrogen and phosphorous, none of them contain all of the compounds (such as cofactors and vitamins) that bacteria require for complete growth. In contrast, MICRO 14™ contains a full range of micronutrients, as well as cometabolites, natural growth factors, vitamins, and key amino acids to promote excellent growth. The health of soil microbes directly affects the health of the soil as microorganisms break down organic materials to improve the overall condition of the soil and, in turn, the health of the crops growing therein.

Manure and Compost Management
MICRO 14™ can also be used around the farm in manure pits and compost heaps. These waste materials are collected and left to decay into nutrient rich fertilizer and soil amendments. However, sometimes the decomposition process needs an extra boost. MICRO 14™ can help stimulate microbes in compost or manure to biodegrade the waste more quickly and potentially with less odor, especially if used in conjunction with bioaugmentation.

MICRO 14™ for Bioremediation
Soil bioremediation is another critical environmental cleanup process that relies on the activity of microorganisms to, for example, biodegrade hydrocarbons that have spilled or leaked into the ground. Naturally occurring microorganisms eventually degrade pollutants over a long period of time, so bioaugmentation with “good” bacteria that target petroleum waste is optimal. Adding MICRO 14™ can help these supplemental or existing bacteria be more active and get the
decontamination job done sooner by providing all the micronutrients needed for healthy microbial growth and activity.

MICRO 14™ for Enhanced Wastewater Treatment
Wastewater treatment also depends on tiny microbes to break down waste materials. Often, pre-existing bacteria is enough to do the job, but sometimes cool weather makes the microbes sluggish, or shock loading of waste material makes it difficult for the microbes to keep up with biodegradation. Once again, a good dose of MICRO 14™ can help existing or auxiliary microorganisms function more efficiently to speed up the waste treatment process in the secondary digester or lagoon system, or to stimulate biogas production.

Whatever the case may be, MICRO 14™ is a great supplement to nourish those microscopic but significant microbes constantly at work to enhance the soil, treat wastewater, and generally clean up the environment to the best of their ability.
Contact Bionetix® to discuss specific application needs: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

Keywords: microbial activity, soil bioremediation, bioaugmentation, Bionetix, wastewater treatment, manure and compost management, environmental cleanup, commercial fertilizers, agriculture, plant growth

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A common problem for ornamental ponds and fish farms is dirty water with a high amount of sediment and sludge buildup. This occurs as organic waste such as dead leaves, grass, or fecal matter accumulate. To make matters worse, a nutrient rich environment from fertilizer runoff (nutrient pollution) supports the growth of algae in the water. One problem adds to another, often leading to an oxygen-starved pond that smells bad, looks bad, and is unhealthy for fish. Bioaugmentation with BCP54™ is one exciting strategy to combat this problem by harnessing nature’s own biological processes.

Good Bacteria to the Rescue

The success of BCP54™ lies in its blend of aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacteria that work in high or low oxygen conditions. The underlying technology—bioaugmentation—involves adding microorganisms to the pond environment to speed up the decomposition of unwanted materials. The “good” bacteria present in BCP54™ produce amylase, lipase, cellulase, and protease—four enzymes involved in the digestion of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, and other organic compounds found in organic waste residues. The microorganisms consume organic wastes and excess nutrients to support their metabolism and reproduce in proportion to the level of contaminants available as a food source. The end result is a cleaner, clearer, healthier pond environment.

Counteract Nutrient Pollution

One of the exciting benefits of BCP54™ is that it can be used to naturally counteract algae growth without the use of algaecides. This is because BCP54™ goes after the heart of the algae problem: nutrient pollution. Nutrient pollution occurs when excess nitrogen or phosphorous enter the waterways. This is typically due to the heavy use of fertilizers. The same nutrients that make grass grow rich and green and healthy can run off via rainwater into a pond, where they provide a rich food source to support a healthy population of algae. BCP54™ counteracts this problem by competing for the same nutrients that algae feed on. The microorganisms in BCP54™ consume nitrogen and phosphorus, reducing nutrient pollution and giving algae less reason to grow.

Other Benefits of BCP54™ Bioaugmentation

The bacteria of BCP54™ also take care of other water quality problems by reducing organic waste, sludge, ammonia, and various toxins that create bad odors and murky ponds. BCP54™ can potentially reduce higher pH and help suspended solids settle. All these advantages are especially beneficial for aquaculture
applications (e.g., fish and shrimp farms) where there is excess organic waste from fecal matter and food particles and a natural tendency toward higher levels of ammonia. Such an environment stresses aquatic species’ health; emits bad odors; and requires extra time and labor to drain, clean, and refill ponds at the end of the production cycle. A weekly dose of BCP54™ boosts biological processes to reduce the level of contaminants and suspended solids for important savings of time and effort in the long run.

BCP54™ in Action

But how does BCP54™ actually work in the field? Before deciding to use BCP54™, it is helpful to take a closer look at the experience others have had to evaluate whether this biotechnology is worth trying. Results are exciting. In one case, a fly-fishery in Wales experienced an unprecedented algal bloom and a high level of suspended solids in April, threatening the loss of the fishing season that year. The client started adding BCP54™ to the water in May with some benefit that
suddenly backtracked in warmer weather at the beginning of June. He upped the dose and had clean water by the end of the month, but he was worried about how the lake would do in the heat of July. However, his fears proved unfounded as the water stayed clear, July fishing was the best it had ever been at those temperatures, and fish mortality dropped by 60%. In another case, a fish farm in Brazil did a trial of BCP54™ in conjunction with AQUA-FEED™ (a probiotic added to fish food). AEROBOOSTER-O2™ was also added at one point during the rainy season to boost oxygen levels. In the end, the treated pond had better fish production, odor control was excellent, and there was no need to discharge water contaminated with fish waste and clean out the tank at the end of the production period.

Achieve Cleaner Ponds and Fish Farms Naturally

BCP54™ is a natural way to clean up dirty, contaminated ponds for better aesthetics and a healthier aquatic environment. Microorganisms perform an important function simply by consuming the nutrient rich contaminants that support their natural biological processes. This promotes water clarity and, by extension, the health of the fish or shrimp that live in the ponds. BCP54™ is available in three forms: BCP54™ (standard 5 billion CFU/g powder), BCP54-20B™ (high concentration 20 billion CFU/g powder), and BCP54T™ (2 billion CFU/g tablets for dosing convenience).

Contact Bionetix® for assistance selecting the best version for your application: https://www.bionetix-international.com/contact-us/

To view the BCP54™ product data sheet, please visit: https://www.bionetix-international.com/products/bcp54/

To read the Brazil aquaculture case history, please visit: https://www.bionetix-international.com/wp-content/uploads/Restricted_Case_Histories/ch026.pdf

Keywords: cleaner pond water, ornamental ponds, fish farms, aquaculture, pisciculture, nutrient pollution, bioaugmentation, odor problems, Bionetix, water quality

For a PDF version please click here.