Articles tagged with Wastewater Treatment
Tiny waterfleas have been discovered to hold the key to removing persistent chemical pollutants from wastewater, improving environmental health and human well-being. The sustainable management of water resources is crucial for societal and economic benefits.
Researchers developed a new type of photocatalyst harnessing the visible portion of sunlight spectrum. The photocatalyst achieved high photo-to-chemical conversation efficiency and was found to be extremely stable under various conditions, including high temperatures and different pH levels.
A 2020 excavation at Auckland's Mangere Wastewater Treatment Plant yielded an unprecedented 266 fossil species, including the world's oldest known flax snails and extinct sawshark spine. The discovery provides valuable insights into New Zealand's geological history.
A new study by Goethe University Frankfurt found that effluents from treated wastewater treatment plants alter invertebrate communities in Hesse's waters. Pollution-tolerant taxa like worms and crustaceans increase, while sensitive species like stonefly and caddisfly larvae decline.
A new study from the University of Illinois finds that converting food waste into energy and bioproducts can be profitable in Illinois. The study analyzes supply chain logistics and technological and economic factors to determine the feasibility of this solution.
A recent study by Nils Heck and Kenneth Dumack reveals that microbial predators like amoebae and ciliates play a significant role in shaping the bacterial community in wastewater treatment. The findings suggest that these predators, which are temperature-dependent, contribute to seasonal variations in wastewater treatment efficiency.
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.
Professor Lapointe suggests treating certain types of wastewater with passive, modular, and decentralized solutions, reducing techno-economic barriers. These solutions include bioretention cells, aggregate-decant systems, and seepage areas through functionalized soils.
Researchers at University of Toronto Engineering have developed a sustainable solution to remove phosphate and ammonium from wastewater by utilizing advanced membranes incorporating inorganic particles. This method recovers these nutrients for future use, providing a new source of materials for agricultural fertilizers and helping addr...
Researchers at Stockholm University developed porous crystals made from pomegranate extract to capture and degrade pharmaceutical molecules in municipal wastewater. The new material, named SU-102, showed promising results in removing pollutants using both adsorption and photodegradation methods.
Researchers in Southern Nevada have detected Candida auris genetic material in untreated sewage samples from seven wastewater treatment facilities. The fungus was also found in nearly 80% of untreated sewage samples, indicating its spread in the region. Wastewater surveillance may provide an early warning system for public health actio...
Researchers at CABBI designed a new wastewater treatment process that simultaneously treats water and recovers biogas, reducing capital costs and energy usage. The process efficiently converts organic contaminants to biogas, achieving simultaneous energy recovery and wastewater treatment.
Researchers have developed a novel and cost-effective anode catalyst that can improve and stabilize power generation performance of MFCs treating vegetable oil industry wastewater. The study investigates modification of electrodes to increase bacterial adhesion and efficient electron transfer.
Researchers found that toilet paper is a significant source of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater systems, particularly in North America. The study detected diPAPs, which can convert to more stable PFAS like perfluorooctanoic acid, in toilet paper rolls and sewage sludge samples.
New research reveals that municipal wastewater treatment plants release significantly more methane into the atmosphere than previously estimated. The findings suggest that existing guidelines underestimate emissions equivalent to 5.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Anaerobic digesters, used in some facilities, are particularly s...
Researchers at Texas A&M University have created a new method to monitor flocculation and mixing in real-time, allowing for more precise control over the process. This technique reduces energy consumption by halving the workload and improving precision.
The study found that the lack of capacity in wastewater treatment works is a fundamental cause behind increased frequency and duration of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). This refutes suggestions that blame unpredictable weather for the issue. CSO use has been increasing, with most of it attributed to WWTWs' inadequate capacity.
Researchers have identified the need for standardization of performance indices and a single frame for normalization methods to address concerns with bioelectrochemical systems. The study proposes strategies for up-scaling BES technologies, enabling resource recovery through on-site treatment of wastewater at an efficiency comparable t...
Researchers developed a novel acid-resistant nanofiltration membrane for efficient treatment of acidic wastewater. The membrane shows high permeation for H+ while maintaining high retention for organics, making it beneficial for 'zero discharge' in strongly acidic organic wastewater reclamation.
Research from Karolinska Institutet found high levels of antibiotic residues in waterways, including wastewater and drinking water, in regions such as China and India. The study suggests these residues contribute to antibiotic resistance, a global threat to human health.
Composite wastewater samples taken over 24 hours reveal a more accurate representation of antibiotic-resistant genes, with levels 10 times higher than 'snapshots'. Chlorination can negatively impact water quality, highlighting the need for improved treatment protocols.
A study published in Addiction journal found a significant decrease in codeine consumption across Australia after the country's most misused legal opioid was switched to a prescription-only medicine. The switch led to a 37% overall drop in codeine consumption, with smaller decreases observed in regional areas.
A comprehensive assessment evaluates the removal of 38 emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and endocrine disruptors, using microfiltration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, UV radiation, and powdered activated carbon adsorption. PAC adsorption shows high removal rates for most compounds.
A WVU engineer has developed a technology that can treat urine on site rather than at a centralized wastewater treatment facility, allowing for the recovery of nitrogen as a valuable fertilizer. The approach enables quick treatment and promotes the reduction of nutrient discharge into lakes and rivers.
Scientists investigated microplastics and plasticizers in municipal wastewater treatment plants, detecting MPs in influent, effluent, and sludge. The study found high MP removal efficiency and accumulation of MPs in sludge, with PAEs detected in the MWTP. Thermal hydrolysis increased plasticizer concentration and decreased MP size.
Researchers have developed a novel mix-charged nanofiltration membrane for wastewater treatment, demonstrating improved separation selectivity for small organics and inorganic salts. The membrane shows reduced retention of divalent anions like SO42- while increasing retention of glucose.
Researchers have developed an innovative magnetic adsorbent that can remove microplastics 1,000 times smaller than those detectable by existing wastewater treatment plants. The process takes just one hour, compared to days for current methods.
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.
New research reveals a relationship between virus concentration and organic carbon in wastewater treatment plant effluents. The study found that viruses can affect the concentration of organic carbon, leading to potential negative impacts on aquatic ecosystems nearby.
Researchers at Okayama University found that an acidic adsorption layer in carbon nanotubes facilitates efficient adsorption of negatively charged nitrate anions, making the aqueous solution alkaline. This study provides a novel model for designing carbon nanotubes suitable for ion adsorption and purification.
Research by the University of Exeter found high levels of antibiotic ciprofloxacin in UK wastewater, posing a significant risk to human health. The study suggests that antibiotic pollution from human waste can increase resistance to antibiotics, even in countries with well-established sanitation infrastructures.
As sea levels rise, groundwater tables are increasing in coastal areas, causing unsaturated soils to shrink and leading to insufficient filtration for wastewater treatment. This can result in mixture of treated and untreated waste getting up to the surface, posing a health hazard to residents.
Researchers developed a new global water quality model to assess current and future pollution status of rivers and streams globally. The study found that achieving the SDG target would not be enough to protect surface water quality in some regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
Researchers at WVU investigate performance of low-energy treatment facilities, assessing nutrient removal and potential environmental impacts. The team aims to create an interactive map with search filters and develop a user manual for modeling lagoon performance.
Researchers propose a new coupling strategy combining photocatalytic water oxidation and catalytic wet peroxide oxidation to efficiently remove organic pollutants from wastewater. The proposed strategy achieves higher total organic carbon removal rates compared to traditional methods.
Researchers have developed a three-step process to treat phosphoric acid plant wastewater, recovering clean water and phosphate while reducing the volume of wastewater by 90%. The circular process uses selective electrodialysis, reverse osmosis, and neutralization, making it a promising solution for industries worldwide.
A new study found that COVID-19 treatments like remdesivir and dexamethasone persist in wastewater treatment plants and may harm aquatic life. The research highlights the utility of wastewater surveillance in monitoring human health impacts on water quality and ecosystem health.
Researchers found that integrated membrane system (IMS) technology can remove up to 98% of microplastics from wastewater, preventing their entry into coastal waters. This breakthrough could help reduce ocean pollution and solve water resource shortages.
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 have designed a new anaerobic reactor using polyurethane foam, reducing nitrogen removal costs in Brazil. The system achieves high nitrogen removal efficiency by creating an environment that optimizes denitrification.
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 have identified efficient technologies to remove endocrine disruptors from wastewater, including ozonation and adsorption with activated carbon. These methods can be added to existing treatment plants, improving performance without major changes.
Researchers compared mechanical aeration and biofiltration systems to minimize odorous compounds in sewage treatment plants. Biofilters with pruning waste and sludge compost showed efficacy, but lasting effects were variable depending on compound type.
A new study assesses wastewater infrastructure in 129 countries to explore community-wide health indices using Wastewater-based Epidemiology (WBE). The technique detects factors influencing health, including disease biomarkers detectable in wastewater.
A new framework by Stanford University could help policymakers spend billions on federal infrastructure funding more wisely. The study optimizes hourly demand and supply of power and water with integrated neighborhood-based power and water plants, significantly reducing costs and pollution.
A team of researchers discovered that combining food-grade plant extracts like okra and aloe can effectively remove microplastics from wastewater. The most effective combination was found to be okra paired with fenugreek in ocean water, while okra paired with tamarind worked best for freshwater samples.
A new global database reveals 1.2 million km of rivers at risk from treated wastewater discharge, with some exceeding environmental thresholds for concern. The research aims to identify hotspots and pinpoint individual treatment plants in need of improvement to mitigate water pollution risks.
A new chemoenzymatic cascade reaction has been proposed for sustainable and cost-effective membrane cleaning. The reaction, which combines glucose oxidase and Fe3O4 catalysis, shows improved degradation efficiency compared to traditional Fenton reactions.
Scientists have created a 'greener' way to clean wastewater treatment filters by using glucose-based nanoparticles, which effectively remove contaminants without destroying the membrane. The new system is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than traditional methods.
A team of researchers has developed a new method using environmental DNA analysis to track the source of fecal contamination in surface water. By analyzing specific DNA sequences, they can identify the main contributors to pollution and potentially pinpoint areas with faulty wastewater treatment infrastructure or poor manure management.
Scientists identified a new plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that enhances duckweed biomass productivity by 2.7-fold, increasing photosynthesis and wastewater treatment efficiency. The molecular mechanism suggests that organic compounds are transferred from the bacteria to duckweed, triggering an increase in photosynthetic activity.
Researchers propose a novel evaluation framework to assess energy neutrality in wastewater treatment plants, integrating energy efficiency and recovery. The study evaluated 970 plants in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, identifying 98 energy benchmark plants and 112 fully energy self-sufficient facilities.
A research team at PNNL has developed a system that converts waste carbon from sewage, food crops, and algae into fuels while removing impurities. The electrocatalytic oxidation fuel recovery system generates hydrogen to power its own operation, making it potentially carbon-neutral.
Researchers are working on developing low-cost, environmentally benign materials that can selectively remove nutrients from municipal and agricultural wastewaters. The goal is to create novel materials for the recovery of phosphates and nitrates, which could become valuable, environmentally friendly fertilizers for agricultural fields.
A study estimates that 55% of organic matter removed during wastewater treatment is refractory, leading to high greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers propose a new perspective on carbon neutrality in the industry by leaving non-toxic recalcitrant organic matter in the wastewater.
A study by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that even properly functioning septic systems contribute to nitrogen pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Groundwater samples showed higher dissolved nutrient concentrations than surface waters, indicating contaminated groundwater as a major source of nutrient loading.
A new process converts potent greenhouse gas methane into protein-rich fishmeal, a potential solution for global food security. The analysis found production costs involving methane from certain US sources are lower than conventional fishmeal prices, with feasible cost reductions possible using other methane sources.
Researchers emphasize the need for monitoring drinking water for HIV medications, as they can contaminate rivers and streams through wastewater. The lack of regulation on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants poses a significant challenge in ensuring safe drinking water.
Researchers created a portable electronic nose that can detect the stink of wastewater treatment plants with near-human accuracy. The device is combined with a drone to measure air quality and predict odor intensity, producing real-time maps for management.
A team of scientists at KAUST has developed a novel approach for cleaning biofouled membranes in anaerobic bioreactors, combining UV irradiation with bacteriophages to eliminate bacteria. The method improved upon individual treatments and was proven effective over four cleaning cycles.