Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning F

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

facultative bacteria (FACK-ul-tay-tive)

Bacteria that can survive in the presence or absense of oxygen. They can use dissolved oxygen (DO) or combined oxygen in compounds such as sulfate or nitrate ions. When there is no oxygen, they switch to fermentation and respire through glycolysis.