Food to Microorganisms Ratio (F/M)
The Food to Microorganisms Ratio (F/M ratio) is a key parameter used in wastewater treatment processes to assess the organic loading rate and efficiency of the treatment system. It represents the ratio of the amount of organic food (measured as Chemical Oxygen Demand or Biochemical Oxygen Demand) entering the system to the quantity of microorganisms (typically measured as Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids or MLSS) present in the treatment process.