Massachusetts Wastewater Practice Exam

Effluent from food processing is characterized by high levels of ammonia due to the breakdown of proteins and other nitrogenous compounds in food waste. In food processing, significant amounts of organic material—including meat, dairy, and vegetable products—are processed, leading to a discharge that contains various types of nitrogen compounds. When proteins decompose, they release ammonia as part of the nitrogen cycle.

High pH is typically not a characteristic of food processing effluent; instead, it often has a neutral to slightly acidic pH, depending on the specific types of food being processed. Low temperature is not characteristic either, as food processing often involves processes that generate heat. While food processing can introduce metals into the effluent, high metal content is more specifically related to industrial processes rather than food processing. Therefore, the high levels of ammonia are a key identifier of effluent from food processing.