Articles tagged with Sludge
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Researchers track benthic nutrient fluxes using a new device called CAROSEL, which measures nitrogen released from sediments in real-time. The findings reveal daily rhythms in oxygen fluxes and highlight the importance of understanding sediment-water interactions in managing aquatic ecosystems.
A new study from Linköping University finds that wastewater treatment plants emit significantly more greenhouse gases than previously thought. Drones measured methane and nitrous oxide emissions at 12 Swedish treatment plants, revealing a significant discrepancy between estimated and actual emissions.
As Arctic permafrost thaws, geochemical reactions unleash metals like cadmium, harming fish and disrupting ecosystems. The Salmon River's transformation poses indirect threats to Indigenous communities and other species.
Researchers have developed a system that captures high-speed jet images of activated sludge to predict moisture content with remarkable accuracy in under 20 seconds. The convolutional neural network (CNN) model VGG-16 emerged as the most effective for moisture prediction, achieving impressive validation results.
The study finds hydrothermal liquefaction effective in breaking down complex organic compounds, producing high-energy density bio-oil and reducing pollutants like microplastics and pharmaceutical residues. Further research is needed to optimize HTL processes and explore alternative catalysts and solvents to enhance efficiency and reduc...
Scientists at NTU Singapore have developed a solar-powered method to transform sewage sludge into green hydrogen and single-cell protein, reducing environmental damage and creating renewable energy and sustainable food. The three-step process recovers 91.4% of organic carbon and converts 63% into single-cell protein without producing h...
A new study showcases a cutting-edge biorefinery that converts sewage sludge and food waste into valuable volatile fatty acids. The biorefinery's dual benefits include efficient waste management and reduced fossil fuel dependency, with potential environmental improvements through location optimization and alternative chemical use.
Researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have discovered a combination of green algae and yeast that enhances wastewater treatment efficiency. The mixture boosts the growth environment, uptake of ammonium and phosphate ions, making it an effective solution for wastewater treatment facilities.
Nitrous-oxide emissions have increased by 40% over the past four decades, resulting in accelerating atmospheric accumulation of this potent greenhouse gas. Agricultural production is the largest source of emissions, and improving practices can help reduce nitrous-oxide emissions and water pollution.
A new method recovers phosphorus from sewage sludge ash through chemical and heat treatment, providing a valuable resource for industries. The process can be implemented with lower energy requirements and costs than conventional technologies, making it an attractive solution for addressing the depletion of phosphorus ores.
A new study reveals that retention ponds and wetlands can significantly reduce the amount of tyre particles entering aquatic environments, with an average reduction of 75%. The research found that tyre wear particles outweigh other forms of microplastics, but are also removed in greater quantities.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective method to create waterproof and grease-resistant paper coatings using extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from anaerobic granular sludge. The study found that EPS derived from waste sludge can improve paper coating properties, including water/grease-proofing behaviour.
A 10-year study monitored the recovery of macroinvertebrate communities after a red sludge disaster in Hungary, finding that severe disturbances hinder long-term recovery. Community recovery dynamics were found to vary with disturbance severity.
Researchers developed an innovative method to manage construction-generated sludge by utilizing aeration curing, which reduces pH levels and requires less neutralizer. The technique has the potential to improve soil health and support sustainable development goals.
Scientists from Japan create a new, more efficient form of liquefied stabilized soil from construction waste that can fill narrow spaces and be pumped over long distances. The material has improved flowability and lower environmental impact, making it suitable for large-scale civil engineering projects.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered that microalgae can be used to sequester carbon dioxide and convert it into mass-produced proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. This process has the potential to transform food production, treat wastewater, and produce sustainable biofuels.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a cellulose-based thickener to reduce environmental risks associated with liquefied stabilized soil. The thickener prevents bleeding, loss of fine particles, and unwanted settling, while maintaining soil strength.
Researchers found an average of 41 microplastic particles per square meter per day settled from the atmosphere, while sediment samples contained denser particles with higher population densities. The study suggests clothing is likely the prominent source of microplastics to the Ganges River system.
The study explores the impact of residual aluminum hydrolyzed species on activated sludge properties, revealing that moderate polymeric RAS stimulate EPS secretion and improve flocculation performance. In contrast, excessive RAS lead to loose flocs structure and cellular inhibition, affecting physico-chemical and biological properties.
Researchers at UBC's Bioreactor Technology Group have developed a method to concentrate and recycle phosphorous from municipal waste. The process converts organic components into a petroleum-like bio-crude and concentrates the phosphorous into a solid residue called hydrochar, which has 100 times higher total phosphorus than raw sludge.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an electrochemical device that can recover phosphorus fertilizer from municipal waste with high efficiency. The device achieved over 93% efficiency in recovering phosphorus and precipitating approximately 99% of it into solid form.
A team of engineers at RMIT University has developed a novel approach to recover heavy metals, including copper and zinc, from treated sewage sludge. The innovation enables the recycling of acidic liquid waste, reducing environmental harm and retaining nutrients for land applications.
Researchers analyzed microbial interactions at elevated salinity in activated sludge systems, finding low diversity and complex networks leading to poor treatment performance. Keystone species played crucial roles in maintaining system stability despite low abundances.
A team from IISc has identified three key factors contributing to the lake's foaming: untreated sewage, surfactants that don't decompose, and heavy rainfall that churns up surfactant-laden sludge. The researchers propose removing accumulated sludge before rains and proper disposal to address this issue.
Researchers evaluated three P recovery methods, finding struvite as the most societally feasible method. The study highlights significant benefits of P recovery, aligning with UN Sustainable Development Goals and promoting sustainable phosphorus supply.
A new pretreatment technology has been developed that can convert more than 85% of organic material in sewage sludge to biogas, producing 98% more methane than current practice. This efficient process could help communities lower their waste treatment costs while promoting the circular economy.
Researchers developed a facile method to transform floc sludge into porous carbon matrix composites for use as an electrode material in high-performance supercapacitors. The treatment process improved conductivity, mass transfer efficiency, and electrochemical performance.
Researchers have discovered a technique to remove phosphorus from wastewater at higher temperatures, using bacteria to store the chemical. The SCELSE-developed innovation extends the temperature range of enhanced biological phosphorus removal to 35 degrees Celsius.
Researchers at UC Riverside have found that common microbial communities can degrade a stubborn class of PFAS called fluorinated carboxylic acids (FCAs) by breaking the carbon-fluorine bond under anaerobic conditions. This breakthrough could lead to new methods for environmental remediation and reduce the harm caused by PFAS.
Researchers at University of Copenhagen find that pharmaceutical residues in sewage sludge and cattle manure do not harm soil organisms, despite concerns over environmental risks. Organic fertilizers like sludge and manure provide better soil quality than conventional mineral fertilizers.
Researchers found that sewer slime can accumulate SARS-CoV-2 RNA, which could decompose or slough off later. The slime's ability to hold onto the viral RNA was linked to the number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in late fall. Further studies are needed to assess its impact on wastewater epidemiology.
Researchers analyzed primary sludge from a Connecticut wastewater treatment plant, revealing trends in pandemic-related chemicals like hydroxychloroquine. The study found increases in drugs of abuse and antidepressants, as well as seasonal changes in sunscreen chemicals.
Researchers at University of Córdoba successfully substitute up to 40% of conventional aggregates with granite sludge, maintaining mortar's durability and strength. The use of granite sludge reduces environmental harm and promotes sustainability in self-compacting concrete.
The Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) has secured a grant to develop data collection techniques for assessing the scale of challenge in safely dealing with sewage waste. On-site sanitation, such as pit latrines, is used by 3.1 billion people worldwide, but few countries keep data on waste treatment, posing major health risks.
North Carolina State University researchers have developed a more efficient method for converting sewage sludge and restaurant grease into methane. By increasing the amount of grease in the mixture, they were able to achieve a 75% ratio of grease to biosolids, resulting in a significantly higher methane yield.
A new research project called REBOOT aims to recover almost 100% of valuable resources in liquid waste management. The project uses continuous hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) technology to produce clean freshwater, hydrogen, and CO2 from sewage sludge and manure.
A University of Oklahoma-led study mapped the global diversity and biogeography of activated sludge microbiomes, identifying a core of about 28 bacterial strains. This comprehensive effort provides new insight into the fundamental structure and function of these microbial communities.
Researchers at RMIT University developed a new method to track sludge flow during thermal treatment, enabling real-time monitoring of process performance. The technique enables engineers to design better wastewater treatment plants and boost biogas production by tracking how sewage sludge flows.
Researchers at the University of South Australia have developed nanoparticles from green mango peel that can break down toxins in oil sludge through chemical oxidation. These plant-based nanoparticles successfully decontaminate oil-polluted soil, providing a novel and effective treatment for oil-contaminated soils.
A new technology, hydrothermal liquefaction, converts sewage sludge into biocrude oil with properties similar to fossil fuels. The process produces a high-quality biocrude that can be refined to yield fuels such as gasoline and diesel.
A cross-sectional survey found high prevalence of parasitic infection among urban farmers in Kampala, with an infection rate of 76%. The study highlights the need for increased public health protection measures and integrated sanitation safety planning for marginalized communities.
Decades of using antimicrobial household products have left consumers with no measurable benefits, but lax regulation has caused widespread contamination. The FDA is revisiting the safety of triclocarban and triclosan, which are linked to environmental and human health risks.
A new study reveals that subcritical hydrothermal treatment can convert paper sludge into fuel with a composition similar to coal. The process has the added benefit of diverting waste from landfills and reducing pollution.
A study by Arjun Venkatesan and Rolf Halden found that sludge contains 123 distinct CECs, including high-production volume chemicals like flame-retardants and antimicrobials. Analysis of these chemicals in sludge may provide a useful surrogate for assessing human exposure and bioaccumulation.
Researchers at Columbia University have launched a pilot facility in Ghana to convert fecal sludge into biodiesel fuel, producing renewable, cost-effective sustainable energy. The project aims to create an economically sustainable approach to waste management, eliminating the sanitation crisis in developing cities.
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been awarded a US $5-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop sustainable decentralized wastewater management systems. The five-year project aims to reinvent innovative, decentralized systems for treating human excreta and wastewater in developing countries.
Scientists developed a more efficient version of a 2-in-1 device that harnesses bacteria in municipal sewage to generate electricity and clean the sewage. The device can process five times more sewage six times more efficiently at half the cost of its predecessors.
New research suggests that a large number of high-production-volume chemicals used in US industries are likely to persist in post-treatment sludge and enter the environment. Eleven chemicals were identified as potential hazards to human and environmental health due to their propensity for accumulation and persistence.
Research by Arizona State University's Rolf Halden found that triclosan and triclocarban persist in wastewater sludge, soils, and natural water environments, posing risks of bioaccumulation and biomagnification. These chemicals are also linked to endocrine disruption and selective pressure on microorganisms, increasing the likelihood o...
Researchers propose using oil-field brine and carbon dioxide to reduce the pH of bauxite residue, making it less toxic. The process involves dissolving carbon dioxide in water-based brine, which counteracts alkalinity and forms a less-toxic compound.
Researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno have demonstrated a successful method for transforming wastewater sludge into electrical power. The process uses an innovative fluidized bed system to produce a solid fuel that can be used to generate electricity.
Researchers found that sewage sludge can be used to produce biodiesel fuel within a few cents of being competitive with petroleum-based diesel. The study suggests that microorganisms could be used to boost oil production in sludge, increasing biodiesel production capacity to over 10 billion gallons per year.
The University of Nevada, Reno is testing a demonstration-scale waste-to-energy system that uses patented technology to turn wastewater sludge into electricity. The system aims to generate 600 kilowatts of electricity per day and reduce operating costs for the water treatment plant.
Using earthworms and animal manure, researchers have successfully converted textile mill sludge into a nutrient-rich compost. The composting process changes the physical and chemical properties of the material, making it suitable for plant growth.
Researchers have detected vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in Swedish sewage sludge, highlighting the potential for antibiotic resistance genes to spread through the food chain. The study emphasizes the need for more efficient treatment of sewage sludge to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Scientists investigated the effects of long-term biosolids application on dioxin accumulation in soil and uptake by plants. The study found that dioxins were not detected in corn grains but only trace levels were found in corn stover.
Researchers have found that silver nanoparticles destroy benign bacteria used to remove ammonia from wastewater treatment systems. The presence of these particles can hinder the reproduction activity of good bacteria, potentially harming soil and food crops.
Researchers have created a building block made almost entirely of recycled glass, metal slag, and other waste products, aiming to revolutionize the construction industry. The 'Bitublock' is estimated to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% and use an estimated 400,000 tonnes of crushed glass annually.
A new metagenomic study of activated sludge wastewater treatment processes reveals key players and mechanisms behind the process. The researchers were able to obtain a nearly complete genetic blueprint for Accumulibacter phosphatis, a bacterial species essential for removing excess phosphorus from wastewater.
The Nereda TM purification method uses oxygen-using bacterial granules to purify water, offering advantages over conventional processes in terms of space and energy requirements. This technology has been nominated for the Dutch Process Innovation Award and is currently being tested on a larger scale.