Optimize and De-Risk Biological Water Treatment
We provide actionable advice for water treatment systems guided by microbial genomics. We use microbiology and genomics to guide our own treatment system designs, and also to troubleshoot and optimize other systems at the request of clients and technology providers. These tests can be used to effectively guide and manage costs associated with:
Process optimization
Commissioning
Source tracking
Address fouling
Baseline development and monitoring
Reagent and nutrient decisions
Design guidance
Inoculum choices
Troubleshooting
Adaptive management strategies
With over a decade of experience developing and commercializing tests such as the MCP (Microbial Community Profile) and qBAC (qPCR quantifying all bacteria in a sample) that are now commonly in use, Maven’s scientists have brought about the next generation of environmental microbial genomic testing for the water treatment, mining, oil, and gas sectors.
Our proprietary analyses and bioinformatic platforms enable actionable advice backed by cutting edge science and services from collaborations with other industry leaders in this field such as LuminUltra and Loop Genomics.
What Information do the Different Analyses Provide?
Identity
Who is there? The DNA of microbes can be used to determine the individual identities in a community sample such as a water treatment system. Much like in forensics, this DNA is sequenced and compared to databases to provide names and associated information. Abilities can be inferred from this information, such as ability to treat selenium, uranium, nitrate, ammonia, or reduce sulphate. Additional information about preferences can also be identified, such as favourable food sources and temperature ranges. When a name doesn’t exist in databases yet, we can determine its relatives, and our internal reference databases enable tracking of the unnamed organism(s) over time.
Quantity
How many bacteria are present of different types? Quantitative PCR (qPCR) can be used to rapidly target either all bacteria (such as the qBAC) or specific groups of microbes such as sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB), nitrate-reducing bacteria, ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, and so on. This test is powered by LuminUltra’s GeneCount assays and can be done in the laboratory or in the field.
Activity
What is the health and activity? The microbial community performing the water treatment (such as a bioreactor) can have variable activity and health depending on operating conditions and many other factors. This quick test, powered by LuminUltra’s 2nd Generation ATP® technology, is delivered in the field by Maven’s personnel for real-time results.
Context
But what does it mean? We understand that microbial analysis most often needs to be interpreted in the context of other information about the environment, process, and goals. Our applied and environmental microbiologists and biogeochemists assess your microbiology data in the context of your project and objectives. Maven assesses the microbial information in the context of the system in and goals in question to complete the picture for actionable advice. Learn more about our other services here.