How ABIS Works: The Basics

Advanced Biological Integrated System Technoology

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1 Pretreatment

Influent enters into the system, passes through pretreatment comprised of a combination of conventional pretreatment technology and Agua Inc’s specialized filters like Electrochar. After pretreatment, influent enters the main treatment lagoons (aerobic/faculative/anaerobic), where the ABIS floating green filter is installed on the surface.


2 ABIS Green Filters 

Phytotech Phytoremediation plants are planted into Agua Matrixes, which are installed on the surface of the lagoon. The Agua Matrixes aid the plants to float, maintain the correct density, and form the Floating Green Filter.

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3 Aerated Rhizosphere Fixed-Biofilm

The macrophyte plant’s Arenchyma (air channels) transport oxygen from the atmosphere down to the roots where they passively aerate the water. The roots passive aeration provides oxygen to fixed biofilm aerobic bacteria that breakdown nutrients and contaminants.

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4 Heavy Metal Absorption 

The Macrophyte roots not only aerate the surrounding water, but absorb nutrients and heavy metals with the help of the Fungus Glomus,  which they use to grow and store into their foliage.

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More about ABIS


With over a decade of experiences working in biological water treatment, Agua Inc’s team knows the importance of using the right, high quality biotechnology in installations. That’s why our team is specialized in the selection and production of biotechnology specifically for water treatment and offers a wide selection of proprietary species, customized selections of Agua Inc’s global species collection, special breeding services for local varieties, and custom bacterial inoculations. One of our most important expertise is Macrophyte plants.

Macrophytes have special characteristics making them ideal for application within the ABIS system. Firstly, they have a lower density than water (0.6-0.7), so while the Bio-Matrix flotation hardware is vital to ensure stability, viability and easier maintenance, as they grow larger they do not require additional aid to maintain their buoyancy.

Secondly, as the plants develop they spread and form a dense root structure that aerates the water. It is powered by both photosynthesis and isostatic differential pressures between the air-channels of the plant and the atmosphere (21% Oxygen). This secondary method of aeration due to the plants physiological alveolar type continues to function even during the winter when leaves are dry and the vegetation stops.

Additionally, the aerated root structures becomes an ideal habitant for microorganisms, which breakdown contaminants in the water. They also drastically reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms due to the presence of predators ( protozoa and bacteriophages ) in the rhizosphere of the plants. Finally, minerals and heavy metals are fixed by the plants in their structure, and components such as phosphorus and nitrates are absorbed directly.

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  • Phyto

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  • Tech

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Hardware: AguaMatrix

Agua ABIS systems use patented Agua Bio-Matrixes (ABM) which are specially designed flotation aids for planting floating macrophyte plants. These matrixes help to stabilize young macrophytes and prevent them from tipping over, thus improving their viability. Additionally, they improve installation efficiency and ensure even growth across the filter. With a higher buoyancy and flexibility, better plant distribution, stronger design and connections, Agua’s Bio-Matrix is superior to other types of flotation aids. Designed uniquely for biological water treatment, Agua Bio-Matrixes promote the highest quality green filter formation.