How can heavy metals in wastewater impact the treatment process?

Heavy metals in wastewater can have a significant negative impact on the treatment process, particularly by being toxic to microorganisms that are essential for biological treatment methods. Many treatment facilities rely on microbial communities to break down organic matter and facilitate the removal of contaminants. When heavy metals are present, they can inhibit the growth and activity of these microorganisms, leading to reduced efficiency in biological processes such as activated sludge systems or biofilm reactors.

The toxicity of heavy metals can prevent microorganisms from metabolizing organic material effectively, resulting in lower removal rates for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS). This disruption can ultimately lead to the failure of treatment processes, causing environmental non-compliance and potentially posing risks to public health and the ecosystem.

While the other choices imply potential benefits or different types of impacts from heavy metals, none accurately represent the detrimental effects that heavy metals have on wastewater treatment processes.