Environmental Solutions

EM Technology® offers solutions to today's and tomorrow's environmental problems.

TeraGanix focuses on using EM Technology® to provide solutions to pollution. Effective Microorganisms® is easy to use and cost effective because it does not requires changes to the existing treatment and collection system and application equipment is relatively inexpensive.

Restore Natural Environments With Effective Microorganisms® Organic Soil Conditioner

Debris
It seems that everywhere there are people, there is trash. In many areas there is debris that needs to be removed as it can be an eyesore, be a source of contamination (in the case of chemicals or other pollutants), or even hazardous to animals. The materials should be removed and disposed of properly. This can take quite a bit of labor and coordination.

Invasive species
Invasive species are non-native plants that establish themselves, choking out native species and affecting local wildlife. The purple loosetrife is a wild flower found almost everywhere in the United States. It is an invasive species that chokes out native plants in areas where there is enough water for it to survive. In the Southwestern United States the salt cedar grows along river beds, irrigation ditches and washes, sucking up valuable water along the way that is intended for irrigation and drinking.

The invasive plant materials will be removed and handled properly. Disposing of them in a landfill is not ideal since it is a waste of valuable organic materials. Using Effective Microorganisms® allows you to get a double use out of these plants. Plants like these are very strong and have lots of beneficial compounds in them. Making a Fermented Plant Extract (FRE) with the plants will extract these compounds. It will also make any seeds they have unable to sprout and will start the breakdown of the lignin and cellulose in them. You can ferment this material for two weeks to several months. Strain off the liquid once the fermentation is complete. The liquid will be added to the soil mix as well as follow-up treatments of the soil. Once the extract is drawn off, there will be leftover plant materials. These can be made into EM® Bokashi by adding some more organic (dried plant material such as grass or dried leaves and fermenting for a few weeks. The EM® Bokashi can be used to amend the soil and as a living mulch as part of the restoration process. If there is enough material left over, it can be sold to landscaping companies or to farmers to amend their soils.

Re-Vegetation & Restoring
Take a soil analysis of the area to be restored. You may find the area is deficient of certain nutrients, has drainage problems, or is compacted, salted, or has high acidity or alkalinity. Knowing the soil will help you properly decide a course of action. That course of action may include deciding what species of plants to plant, what nutrient programs will be needed, what types of physical measures may need to be taken in regards to drainage or amending the soil. A good soil analysis involved digging a representative sample of soil across the entire area to be planted, mixing up the soil, and sending a portion of it to a lab. You will want to include organic matter, pH, and nutrients (Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, Ammonium, Nitrate, Copper, Sulfur, Iron, Sodium, Boron, Magnesium, Manganese, Calcium, etc.). Once you have these numbers, you will be able to chose the plants you will use, know what the soil is lacking and make a fertility program accordingly, and be able make some decisions on how much amending you will make to the soils at time of planting.

After the invasive species are removed the soil will be fairly barren. To avoid erosion from wind and water, it is a good idea to re-vegetate it with native species. To ensure they will establish well, you will want to amend the soil. A good soil mix will have some nutrients, lots of organic matter, and be light enough for roots to grow and establish themselves. Dig hold and add the soil mix, water in with some nutrient solution and Activated EM-1® (or the FPE). Build a berm around trees and large plants to hold in water. After planting, water once per week until the plants are well-established with both a 3% Nutrient and 3% AEM-1®/FPE solution. If watering a large area, to make applications easier, you can set up a water truck and spray from tanks on the truck.

Examples
Take a look at a recent project by GOAL (The Greenbelt Overhaul Alliance of Levittown), a Pennsylvania based non-profit organization.  

Photos courtesy of G.O.A.L. and B OrgaNix.

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All versions of the Effective Microorganisms® brand (EM-1®) work great as environmentally-safe digesting agents. EM-1® Waste Treatment is especially useful as a deodorizing agent due to its antioxidant qualities and ability to eat grease. APC500 is an Effective Microorganisms®-based probiotic All Purpose Cleaner.

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You never know what is going to happen. When disaster strikes, it can be a devastating blow. Your safety and the safety of your family is the first thing you must address. After the event, you need to start cleaning everything. Make sure what you use is effective and safe. EM-1® is both of those and it has a track record for use in disaster cleanup around the world.

EM-1® was used after the Kobe Earthquake in Japan to clean water, control odors, and break down toxic chemicals. It was ordered for use after the 2004 Tsunami by the Thai Government, the Thai Red Cross and the Thai military. EM-1® was used to remediate hundreds of homes in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was most recently used after the earthquakes in Haiti as well.

Click through these sections to learn of different methods EM-1® has been used to address disaster cleanup efforts so you will prepared.

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Super Cera Powder | Agriculture

Waterways around the world have been cleaned using Effective Microorganisms®.
Some examples include:

  • The Seto Inland Sea, Japan (280 Square Miles in Length) 
  • Ilusiones Lake, Mexico (484 Acres/ 196ha) 
  • Lake of Amatitlan, Guatemala (4,448 Acres/1800ha) 
  • Mikawa Bay, Japan (233 Square Miles/ 604km2) 
  • Kelian River, Malaysia 
  • Tiscapa Lake, Nicaraugua 
  • Bogota River, Colombia. 

Below are several videos documenting the Seto Inland Sea cleanup project that ran for nearly 6 years from 1997-2003.

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Wastewater Solutions with EM-1® Waste Treatment

EM-1® Waste Treatment is applied at various stages in the treatment process for optimum results. The application site and dosage amounts are dependent on the type of treatment system, the age of the system, and the goals of the operation. Application rates can vary from 1:1000 to 1:40,000. The average rate into a treatment system is around 1:10,000 (based on daily flow). The EM-1® is activated and injected at various points throughout the collection system on a steady flow.

The average daily flow is determined. After a site assessment and preliminary data is collected for at least one year that proper amount of product is calculated. EM-1 ® is injected at a rate of 1:10,000 on a daily basis in the collection system as far away from the plant as possible to increase residence time in the line.
A siphon/venturi unit can be installed to work on a pressurized trigger or an injection pump can be installed on site. In systems that have high flow rates or excessive sludge levels, the addition of Bokashi can accelerate sludge digestion.

For odor control, a fogging system will be installed in lift stations, at the headworks, or other areas of concern. EM-1® Waste Treatment has a unique ability to stabilize complex proteins through a shift from anaerobic putrefaction cycles to a fermentative cycle. Hair and plastics can play havoc with the balancing of an anaerobic digester by creating over-thickening of the scum layer. Hair is primarily composed of complex proteins, which have been historically difficult to stabilize to a point at which the biological breakdown will occur in a timely manner. EM-1®Waste Treatment will assist by accelerating protein stabilization.

The microbes in EM-1® Waste Treatment secrete beneficial substances such as organic acids, enzymes and antioxidants (chelated minerals and vitamins) when in contact with organic matter. In wastewater applications, EM-1® assists in shifting conditions from putrefactive to non-putrefactive. This unique ability enables EM-1® to transition the wastewater collection system into a pretreatment system, thereby lowering the loading demand on wastewater treatment plants. Consistent applications of EM Technology® into the collection system will increase the capacity of the treatment plant, decrease the operation costs, and improve the efficiency of the entire system. Take a look at our case study conducted at Meridian, Texas over a three-week period.

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Biosolids is a nice sounding word for sludge. Sludge from a treatment plant is pretty ripe, releasing all sorts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) that give it a characteristic smell. High BOD, COD, Fats Oils & Greases (FOGs) produce hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) and ammonia NH3. The use of Dr. Higa's Effective Microorganisms® will rid any biosolids handling facility of its odor problem.

Odors can be controlled by misting or fogging the area and by incorporating EM-1 ® into the materials while still in solids handling. In areas where the biosolids are being collected, fogging the area will prevent corrosion on equipment from the sulfuric acid produced by the H 2S and will make for a safer working environment.

Digestion rates in the composting process can also be noted by incorporating early on in the system as a pre-treatment. Rates are suggested below.

Management of biosolids varies. Sometimes the solids are composted and used as fertilizers. Other times they are incinerated or injected into the ground. No matter what is done, they all have odor issues.

  • The equipment can be treated with a 50:1 application rate to clean and eliminate odor. 
  • The facility can be fogged on a regular basis with a 100:1 application. 

 Activated EM-1® is generally used for these applications. Application rates for EM-1 ® and Activated EM-1® are the same. Activation is strictly a function of economics as it results in 22 times the original product.

How EM-1® Works:
EM-1® Waste Treatment has a unique ability to stabilize complex proteins through a shift from anaerobic putrefaction cycles to a fermentative cycle. Hair and plastics can play havoc with the balancing of an anaerobic digester by creating over-thickening of the scum layer. Hair is primarily composed of complex proteins, which have been historically difficult to stabilize to a point at which the biological breakdown will occur in a timely manner. EM-1® Waste Treatment will assist by accelerating protein stabilization.

The microbes in EM-1® Waste Treatment secrete beneficial substances such as organic acids, enzymes and antioxidants (chelated minerals and vitamins) when in contact with organic matter. In wastewater applications, EM-1 ® assists in shifting conditions from putrefactive to non-putrefactive. This will improve the overall microbial cultures in the biosolids and speed up the finishing time of the materials with little change in methods and no change in equipment used.

Application Instructions:
EM-1® Waste Treatment is applied at various stages in the treatment process for optimum results. The application site and dosage amounts are dependent on the condition of the material to be treated. If it is odorous and putrefied, it will require a higher rate of application. Typical application rates to biosolids are 1.5-2 gallons per ton at time of mixture. From the application, conventional processing steps are followed thereafter.

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Depending on of the condition of the pond, you will need to give it several months to fully recover. You should also look at trying to find the source of the nutrients going into the pond which are causing algae growth or slime and try to stop it if you can to prevent this from happening again.

A general starting point is to apply EM-1® at a rate of 1:10,000 on a monthly basis (100 gallons per acre foot) if the pond is in poor condition. If it is in very poor condition (you can only see a few inches below the surface), the application is done twice per month until desired clarity it achieved. For small ponds, use 1.28 ounces per 100 gallons.

In systems that have high flow rates or excessive sludge levels, the addition of EM-1® Bokashi can accelerate sludge digestion.

Calculating the amount of water in the pond:
Taking an average of the volume of the pond to calculate how much EM-1® Waste Treatment you will need is fine. If it is a small pond, say 300 gallons, figure your numbers by using ounces instead of gallons. Follow the application chart on this page to find out how much EM-1® Waste Treatment you will need.

Water Volume (Gallons)
1st Application EM-1®Next 4 Weeks (Once Per Week) EM-1®
Maintenance (Once Per Month) EM-1®
5,000-10,0003 Gallons1 Quart1 Quart
10,001-50,0004 Gallons2 Quarts2 Quarts
50,001-100,0005 Gallons3 Quarts3 Quarts
100,001-300,0006 Gallons1 Gallon1 Gallon
300,001-500,0007 Gallons1 1/2 Gallons1 1/2 Gallons
500,001-1,000,00010 Gallons2 Gallons2 Gallons
1,000,001-1,500,00015 Gallons3 Gallons3 Gallons

The live microbes in the EM-1® will work on breaking down lignin, carbohydrates, cellulose and other starches in the wastewater sludge. Laboratory analysis has demonstrated these effects.
This is evidenced by a reduction of BOD, COD, and sludge levels. It can also be measured with a secci disk.

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Each project has unique chemical components and severity of problems. TeraGanix develops a specific program for each situation. Items needed to complete programs include:

  • a full onsite assessment
  • lists of all the materials that have contaminated the area 
  • lists of all materials that since been used 
  • any geological assessments of the area 
  • maps 
  • soil samples 
  • water samples (if applicable) etc. 

These assessments are usually outsourced to an agency that specializes in these areas. TeraGanix will meet with the consultants to develop a mode of treatment and monitor the project to assure the project goals are achieved. The programs generally involve combinations of EM-1®, EM-1® Bokashi, and EM® Ceramics. Please contact TeraGanix for help on preparing a customized program for a site that you intend for bioremediation. TeraGanix encourages engineering firms engaged in bioremediation or enhanced bioremediation to contact us and collaborate on projects.

Bioremediation principles are very simple and this field has grown rapidly since the late 1980's. All synthetic chemicals are modeled on some natural product in one form or another. Microorganisms are known to break down any natural substance. The idea is to introduce microbes of a certain genus that are known to break down the natural substance and hope that it will break down the synthetic substance. Because the synthetic substances are usually toxic, a tremendous amount of the microorganisms are needed to surpass a threshold. Once the microbes can establish large populations, they can work on breaking down the substance.

Studies by the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy have shown the ability of photosynthetic bacteria to break down substances such as benzene and perchlorates.

Science likes to isolate events so it can understand how one substance works. However, by doing this they often miss the synergistic effects that could take place with complex cultures of microorganisms. Effective Microorganisms® works as a complex network of beneficial microorganisms. More often than not, EM-1® becomes a food source for the group of microbes that do the actual job. Without the EM-1® present, the indigenous biologicals may not have been able to accomplish the task themselves. The fact that Effective Microorganisms® co-exist with indigenous microbes is one reason why EM-1® has such vast uses.

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Antioxidants reverse oxidation. Antioxidants are chelated minerals and vitamins. Metabolites in EM-1®, in addition to the billions of live, active microbes, include trace minerals, vitamins, and various organic acids. Therefore, EM-1® Waste Treatment is known to reverse putrefaction and oxidation through these secreted antioxidants. Antioxidants help with pH balance, preventing and even reversing corrosion, as well as controlling odors and salt build up on equipment. The pH balance also contributes to prevention of H2S combining with water vapor and forming H2SO4, the main cause of crowning in sewer lines. Thiobacillus bacteria are the same bacteria that are used in strip mining to produce the acid wash. These bacteria are found everywhere on earth, but they need a certain pH, water, and sulfur to form sulfuric acid. The wastewater vapors in sewer lines provide the perfect environment for sulfuric acid production.*
The microbes in EM-1® not only release O2 during their respiration which raises the pH, they also ingest a tremendous amount of sulfur, therefore removing it from the waste stream.*

Rising corrosive gases in lift stations can be dealt with through several types of applications with regular applications of EM-1® Waste Treatment, thereby preventing corrosion from outset. With repeated applications of EM-1® Waste Treatment, metals and concrete will not corrode and those that already are corroded further corrosion will be prevented.

In wastewater, antioxidants have a scavenging effect in the treatment system, pulling compounds out of suspension by combining with salts, thus causing a crystallization formation into a benign salt. By preventing various salts and mineral formation build up, the pipes will be polished without the need for mechanical cleaning. This all equals saving the municipality and the taxpayers money.
Depending on the condition, an application rate of 1:10-1:100 is recommended. The area is sprayed with the appropriately-sized piece of equipment and odor is eliminated. If this is to be a daily application, a fogging unit, injection pump, and timer are installed. A fresh water source is need for scheduled treatments.

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Septic Tanks and Drain/Sewer Odors

Septic Tank:
For every 1,000 gallons of holding capacity

  • Apply 1 gallon of Activated EM-1® Septic Treatment every month down a common drain such as the sink, toilet, or bath tub.
    The best results are achieved when EM-1® Septic Treatment is applied immediately after septic tank has been pumped clean.

Portable Toilets (Porta Potties, RVs, Boats, etc):
To make an odor-free portable toilet and prevent mounding in the toilet use one of the following methods:

  • 5-6 ounces of EM-1® Septic Treatment per toilet.  

Restaurants (Septic Tanks and Grease Traps, each):

  • Apply 1 gallon for every 1,000 gallons of holding capacity per week down any drain feeding to the trap.
  • For bad grease trap problems, make first application directly in grease trap and inject daily into trap.
  • When applying directly into leach field (via inspection port) or into the septic tank (via a toilet) mix the EM-1® Septic Treatment and/or Super "C" ceramics with warm water (98°F to 110°F) at 1:10 ratio.

Stuck drain or slow flowing drain:
Pour 1/4 cup EM-1® Septic Treatment and 1/4 cup molasses into drain when you know the drain will not be used for at least 8 hours.  Let sit and start to ferment. The activation process will start to loosen the material in the drain.
For a stubborn drain, pack the drain with baking soda and pour vinegar until the drain clears. Flush with water. Follow up with regular applications of EM-1® Septic Treatment once or twice per week as you clean the sink. This will keep the microbes in the drain and help to keep the drain clean and flowing properly.  

  • Pour 1/4 cup EM-1® down each drain two to three times per week until odors are dealt with. Thereafter, apply once per week.
  • One tip to make this easier is to add about 1/4 cup EM-1® to shampoo and liquid soap containers so a little goes in all the time.
  • Another application point is with laundry. Add 1/2 cup EM-1® to a 100oz bottle of liquid laundry detergent.

***Please note that Activated EM-1® can be used interchangeably with EM-1.***

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Wt1000™ can control odor and increase compaction rates if used on a regular basis. The beneficial microbes in the Wt1000™ will stop pathogenic microbial growth (as has been laboratory tested) and set the growing conditions for other beneficial microbes in the landfill which will increase the decomposition of the organic matter in the landfill. At this ratio, the methanogenic groups of microbes will be suppressed and methane gas will not be produced.

  • Mix 100 gallons Wt1000™ in 5,000-gallons of water in a water truck (1:50 ratio) which is normally used for dust control and for compaction. This spraying ratio will knock out any surface odors immediately and can be sprayed on any odorous materials.This same ratio can be used to spray for odor control around dumpsters, transfer stations, or areas where odors are a nuisance.
  • For Daily Cover Material:
    Daily cover made of organic material can be mixed with Wt1000™ at a rate of 1.5 gallons per ton of material.
    Incorporating as much as possible into materials such as sludge will have a longer impact.
    Wt1000™ can be applied through bioreactors as well. The application ratio will be 1 part EM-1® to 1,000 gallons of water.
  • Leachate ponds and runoff collection ditches can all be treated for odor control at a ration of 1 part Wt1000 to 1,000 parts water.
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The product is injected in the inflow line, at a rate of 1:1,000 on a daily basis. A siphon/venturi unit, to control the flow rate, can be installed on site to work on a pressurized trigger or an injection pump. For best results, we generally do all grease applications with specially-formulated version of EM-1® Waste Treatment.
EM-1® Waste Treatment lowers the cloud point of the fats, oils, and grease (FOGs) within the trap, eliminating the formation of parafins, thereby reducing gas pockets of H2S gas formed around putrefactive food particles.This is evidenced by a reduction of BOD and COD, after application directly into grease traps, within the waste stream.

EM-1® Waste Treatment improves efficiency of treatment plant skimmer tanks to capture a greater amount of grease.

Biological polishing of the sewer pipes occurs as the EM-1® Waste Treatment is seeded throughout the collection system, thus reducing clogging and crowning from saponifiable or non-saponifiable grease.

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Hydrogen Sulfide Reduction, Mercaptans, Ammonia.

  • Dramatic reduction of odors, such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide 
  • Prevent the production of H2S 
  • Corrosion prevention 
  • Fast-acting. Odors are reduced to near 0ppm on contact  

Depending on the condition, an application rate of 1:10-1:100 is recommended. The area is sprayed with the appropriately-sized piece of equipment and odor is eliminated. If this is to be a daily application, a fogging unit, injection pump, and timer are installed.
 A fresh water source is need for scheduled treatments.

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