Articles tagged with Wastewater Treatment
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.
A study by McGill University reveals significant regional variation in Canada's nitrogen footprint, with Ontario and Quebec contributing the most. The research highlights the importance of understanding local drivers of nitrogen pollution to develop targeted solutions.
Researchers at West Virginia University are monitoring wastewater statewide for COVID-19 using an egg-shaped robot that collects samples every 20 minutes. The project aims to develop a testing network throughout the state, providing early indicators of changes in community-level spread of COVID-19.
A study by North Carolina State University found that surface waters in eastern North Carolina were more likely to face dual contamination from human and swine waste after Hurricane Florence. The presence of Arcobacter, a pathogen not associated with human or swine fecal markers, was also discovered.
Researchers found a spike in prescription opioid and anti-anxiety sedative consumption, while illicit drug use plummeted during the early pandemic. The study used wastewater analysis to track community-wide habits and anxiety levels.
Researchers found substantial amounts of pharmaceutical compounds in a stream in Baltimore, despite low concentrations over the course of a year. The high loads are likely coming from leaking sewer pipes, posing a significant threat to aquatic life and ecosystems.
Researchers at Lehigh University have developed an energy-saving desalination process using carbon dioxide, which can reduce water pretreatment required and cost savings. The HIX-Desal technology has shown promising results in reducing salinity of treated wastewater by over 60% without the need for reverse osmosis.
A recent ASU study reveals that up to 75% of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) used in laundry and dish pods goes untreated in US wastewater treatment plants, amounting to around 8,000 tons released annually. This raises concerns about the environmental impact of these products, as PVA can sequester heavy metals and alter gas exchanges.
A research team led by ECU's Natasha Bell has received a $1.2 million grant to overcome barriers to growth in North Carolina's aquaculture industry and strengthen wastewater infrastructure. The project aims to develop new ecological engineering treatment technologies, including hybrid constructed wetlands and novel 3D-printed materials.
Scientists have found a way to filter wastewater through the roots of willow trees, treating over 30 million litres of primary wastewater per hectare annually. The process produces renewable lignocellulosic biofuels and 'green' chemicals with antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.
A new study found that microplastics in wastewater treatment plants can host antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogens, leading to a significant increase in resistance by up to 30 times. The microplastics form a biofilm that allows the bacteria to attach and exchange genes, posing risks to human health.
Researchers from INRS develop electrolytic treatment of wastewater to degrade microplastics directly at the source. The technology breaks down microplastics into non-toxic CO2 and water molecules, offering a promising solution for mitigating their environmental impact.
WSU researchers create a microbial fuel cell system that substitutes for oxygen in wastewater treatment, removing contaminants at comparable rates. The system generates electricity while cleaning water, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional methods.
Researchers at NUS have developed a new way to treat sewage using a novel strain of bacteria called Thauera sp. strain SND5. This new method significantly reduces operational costs and greenhouse gas emission compared to traditional methods.
Researchers found over 40 species of dragonflies and more than a year of effluent-fed river flow led to a biodiversity comeback in the Santa Cruz River. The river's return was attributed to upgraded wastewater treatment plants providing better reclaimed water quality, supporting high levels of aquatic life.
Researchers estimate 5.6 million metric tonnes of synthetic microfibers emitted from apparel washing between 1950 and 2016, with half generated in the last decade alone. The fibers accumulate in wastewater treatment sludge, posing a terrestrial pollution issue.
A new study reveals that microfibers from synthetic clothing released during washing exceed the amount entering waterbodies, with approximately 176,500 metric tons released annually. The majority ends up on cropland, highlighting the need for emission prevention and reduced wastewater treatment.
Researchers develop a ceramic mortar called grit-assisted patch (GAP) that can be used to fill in potholes without polluting the environment. GAP is made from wastewater treatment grit and has shown comparable compressive strength to traditional asphalt, making it a potentially superior alternative.
Researchers at INRS have successfully tested an advanced electro-oxidation process, which uses electric current to break down non-biodegradable pollutants in treated domestic wastewater. The process generates hydroxide radicals that attack refractory molecules without requiring chemicals, reducing the cost of treatment.
A study by Washington State University researchers reveals that over 90% of US tap water contains nanoscale plastics, with unknown health and environmental consequences. The team is now working on techniques to remove these plastics from water.
Researchers have discovered that ozone treatment and subsequent chlorination can convert trace amounts of some pharmaceuticals in wastewater into potentially toxic halonitromethanes. The study found that ozone treatment increased the formation of these compounds, which could be harmful to human health.
A study of seven US wastewater treatment plants found that granular activated carbon and ozonation can effectively remove pharmaceuticals like antidepressants and antibiotics. The technologies reduced the concentration of these medicines by more than 95%.
Research from the University of Surrey and Deakin's Institute for Frontier Materials found that microplastics can break down further during water treatment processes, impacting on water quality. The study highlights the need for new detection strategies to limit nano and microplastics in water treatment systems.
A study of long-term data from the River Ray in Wiltshire found a steady increase in freshwater invertebrate diversity and abundance since 1991, attributed to improved sewage treatment. This improvement is linked to reduced ammonia levels and increased oxygen, creating a cleaner water environment.
The Stanford group's battery captures blue energy by releasing sodium and chloride ions, then reincorporating them through rapid wastewater and seawater exchanges. The technology has shown 97% effectiveness in capturing salinity gradient energy over 180 cycles.
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 have created fired-clay bricks that can incorporate up to 25% biosolids, significantly reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The biosolids bricks also exhibit lower thermal conductivity, making them a sustainable alternative for construction materials.
A new study by Portland State University found that higher-than-acceptable levels of pollutants remain in urbanized regions of South Korea's Han River basin, particularly in suburban areas. The research suggests that land management practices, such as afforestation and conservation, can help improve water quality.
Research found that water samples downstream of six UK wastewater treatment plants contained significantly higher concentrations of microplastics. The study suggests that these plants are a key route into UK rivers for microplastic pollution, posing a threat to river ecosystems and marine environments.
Researchers at the University of Southern Denmark found that widespread feminization among male brown trout in Danish streams had completely disappeared between 2004 and 2016. The improvement was attributed to better wastewater treatment practices, particularly the connection to municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been used to treat Okinawan pig farm wastewater, removing contaminants and generating electricity. The technology has shown promise in reducing the island's wastewater burden, with efficiency rates of up to 90%.
Researchers at the University of Kansas are launching a three-year study to identify how microplastics enter US waters, with goals to engage municipalities and create a publically accessible database. The study aims to quantify plastics release from municipal wastewater treatment plants and estimate national release estimates.
Researchers from UBC Okanagan have developed a novel approach to control odor and pathogens in anaerobic digestion, reducing sulfuric gases by 93% and pathogenic fecal coliforms by 83%. The technique uses common commercial chemicals and has minimal annual costs of $10,000.
Researchers at UC Riverside found that indoor residential conservation during droughts can diminish the quantity and quality of influent available for treatment in wastewater reuse systems. This can lead to reliability issues and increased pollutants in treated wastewater, hindering its use for irrigation or other purposes.
Researchers from MSU and University of Turku developed an optimized method for removing organic compounds, nitrogen, and phosphorus from wastewater using Chlorella vulgaris UHCC0027 microalgae. The treatment also produces biofuel suitable for blending with fossil diesel fuel.
A recent Penn State study analyzed the fate of seven emerging contaminants in wastewater treatment plants and groundwater wells. The results showed that soil generally acts as an effective biogeochemical filter, removing most contaminants except during snowmelt events.
Researchers have identified a community of bacteria in wastewater treatment plants that breaks down toxic substances and produces valuable resources. These 'anammox bacteria' can save energy by removing oxygen from the process, making wastewater treatment more efficient and sustainable.
Researchers analyzed 300 published works on silver nanoparticles and wastewater treatment, finding no adverse effects at current concentrations. The team suggests that moderate or high concentrations could pose a problem in decades to come.
Researchers at UC Riverside developed an economic model that shows how flexible treatment processes can create a water supply that is affordable and benefits crops. The model demonstrates the potential of blending wastewater to produce irrigation water suitable for various crops, reducing fertilizer costs and increasing affordability.
McMaster engineers are working with Aevitas to create cost-effective and faster treatment solutions for biocides in industrial wastewater. The partnership aims to reduce biocide usage and protect the environment, with a goal of improving treated wastewater quality.
Research found that wastewater treatment plants are a significant source of microplastics in rivers, with particles traveling up to 2 kilometers downstream. The microplastics were home to potentially harmful bacterial communities, highlighting the need for improved filters and treatment processes.
Researchers have discovered a way to maximize electricity generation from wastewater using a novel combination of substrates, allowing for more efficient energy production. This breakthrough could enable the development of microbial fuel cells and make wastewater treatment centers self-sustaining.
New Danish research reveals that wastewater treatment plants contain a vast pool of genes providing bacteria with antimicrobial resistance, but these genes are rarely found in hazardous bacteria. The study challenges the common perception that wastewater treatment plants are hotbeds for the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes.
A global team of experts aims to mitigate the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms through contaminated water. The researchers focus on understanding how wastewater treatment processes affect resistance dissemination and develop novel approaches to stop it.
CU-Boulder researchers have developed a novel wastewater treatment process called Microbial Electrolytic Carbon Capture (MECC) that captures greenhouse gases and produces renewable energy. The process uses electrochemical reactions to absorb CO2 from wastewater, producing stable mineral carbonates and bicarbonates.
A new method of converting squalene from microalgae to gasoline or jet fuel has been developed by Tohoku University researchers. The process uses a highly dispersed ruthenium catalyst supported on cerium oxide, producing branched alkanes with high stability and low freezing points.
Scientists are finding valuable metals in sewage, including gold, silver, and rare elements like palladium and vanadium. The discovery could reduce the need for mining and decrease environmental pollution by recovering these metals from treated solid waste.
Scientists have developed a new method to analyze sewage and track levels of illicit drug use in local communities in real time. This study found cocaine and byproducts from opioids and hallucinogenic drugs in 93% of untreated wastewater samples.
Scientists at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf develop sophisticated measuring sensors to improve biological treatment stages. The sensors help determine the dynamic of flow and inform treatment plants on optimal mixing strength.
The new method reduces phosphorus levels by over 80% and saves energy and waste, producing significant cost savings for municipal wastewater treatment plants. Simultaneous precipitation eliminates the need for additional chemical treatments.
New membrane-biofilm reactor (MBfR) technology uses gaseous electron donors to reduce chemical costs and carbon footprint in wastewater treatment. Researchers are exploring the use of sulfur, methane, and other waste products as alternative compounds.
The UFZ has established a Project Office at the Jordanian Ministry of Water and Irrigation to develop an implementation strategy for decentralised wastewater treatment in rural and peri-urban areas. The initiative aims to alleviate water scarcity and groundwater protection issues in Jordan by reclaiming and reusing wastewater locally.
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.
A statewide analysis of Minnesota's freshwater bodies reveals widespread presence of personal care product antimicrobial ingredients triclosan and triclocarban. These chemicals persist for decades and contaminate human blood, urine, and breast milk.
Urban rivers throughout England and Wales have experienced dramatic improvements in water quality and biodiversity over the past two decades. The range of invertebrates found has increased by around 20%, with insects such as mayflies and stoneflies making a comeback.
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.
A portable, self-sustaining wastewater treatment system is being developed to reduce the cost of water and fuel for military bases on or near the front lines. The integrated system uses solar power, biological conversion processes, and nano-filtration to break down wastewater and produce methane fuel and drinking water.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that even treated municipal wastewater can contribute significantly to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in surface waters. Researchers found that quantities of these bacteria were typically 20-fold higher near the site where treated wastewater was released into Duluth-Superior Harbor.