Articles tagged with Water
Researchers identify commercialized Membrane Distillation as a green solution for clean, drinkable water. The technique overcomes Reverse Osmosis limitations and provides safe drinking water while managing brines, keeping the environment safe.
Researchers at TU Wien developed a model to assess the impact of heavy rainfall and flooding on water quality in riverine floodplains, which are essential for drinking water supplies. The model aims to reduce faecal contaminants from human and animal waste, ensuring safe extraction of drinking water.
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.
Researchers produce aqueous solution with metallic properties for the first time by dropping a tiny droplet of liquid alkali metal alloy into water. The resulting 'metallic water' exhibits characteristic spectroscopic properties, including a golden glow and conduction band.
Researchers found that prolonged silicon consumption in small doses led to lung fibrosis and inflammation in rats and mice, with negative effects appearing six months after switching to clean water. The findings have implications for the use of microelement additives in dietary supplements.
A study by Politecnico di Torino and Universidade de Ribeirão Preto found that wet scrubbers used in Brazilian sugarcane industry waste up to 70% of water. Dry technologies can achieve similar emissions control with significant energy and water savings.
Five teams have been selected to share $125,000 for developing solutions to reduce byproducts and generate more freshwater from inland desalination plants. The winning teams will receive additional funding and testing opportunities to advance their prototype.
A new study found that lead contamination in drinking water can have detrimental effects on individuals with advanced kidney disease, affecting hemoglobin levels and requiring higher doses of medications. The study also revealed concerning inequities, with higher water lead levels observed for Black patients compared to white patients.
A case control study found a positive association between sachet water consumption and increased risk of cholera. The study suggests that direct contact between the mouth and contaminated exterior of the sachet transmits pathogens.
A new study found high fluorine levels in most waterproof mascara, liquid lipsticks, and foundations tested, indicating probable presence of PFAS. Many products with confirmed PFAS had no PFAS listed on the label, making it impossible for consumers to avoid these chemicals through labeling.
Researchers aim to create a sustainable material design framework to mitigate pathogen exposure in drinking water. They will examine graphitic carbon nitride, a non-metal material with antimicrobial properties, to develop a cost-effective solution for treating drinking water.
Researchers found that pollutants can reach groundwater supplies quickly, posing a significant risk to drinking water quality. The study highlights the increased risk of pollution in karst regions with thin soils, such as the Mediterranean region.
A study by researchers in Berlin and Milan found that floods can increase bacteria concentrations in groundwater due to reduced purification capacity of bank filtration. The research highlights the importance of considering seasonal dynamics and sediment properties in risk assessment practices.
A study by researchers from the University of Leeds and colleagues found that 80% of community water supply systems in Ghana, Mali, and Niger had at least one lead-containing component. Sixty percent of tested water samples contained lead, with nine percent exceeding World Health Organisation guidelines.
A new method introduces faster and more reliable measurement of water pollution by detecting oxygen consumption in wastewater samples. This approach distinguishes between pollutants from sewage and naturally occurring organic matter.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed an affordable portable sensor using lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to detect fluoride levels in drinking water. The device is compatible with local populations and can be produced locally, aiming to improve access to safe water and sanitation for all
Researchers have developed xylem filters made from native trees that can remove bacteria and viruses from contaminated drinking water, showing promise as a community-based solution. The filters can be fabricated using simple techniques and have been tested in India, demonstrating their effectiveness in real-world situations.
A major new study from Denmark and USA finds that even small amounts of nitrates in mothers' drinking water result in smaller babies, with an average weight loss of 10 grams. The study, which analyzed over 850,000 births, challenges the current threshold value for nitrate levels in drinking water.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will collaborate with the Maine CDC to test 500 wells from student households in Maine, focusing on arsenic mitigation and data literacy. The grant aims to reduce environmental health hazards and develop tools for effective program evaluation.
A study of 850,000 Danish pregnancies found that nitrate in maternal drinking water was associated with lower birth weights and smaller body lengths, highlighting a critical data gap in current water standards for nitrate.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have shown that existing water purification plants can effectively remove nearly all enveloped viruses from drinking water. Using a coronavirus surrogate, they found that coagulation reduced viral quantities by 99.999%, meeting EPA regulations.
Researchers at NUS have created a substance that extracts water from air without external power, producing up to 17 litres of water per day. The 'smart' aerogel autonomously gathers and condenses water molecules, meeting World Health Organization standards for drinking water.
A novel, inexpensive chlorine dispensing device has been developed to improve tap water safety in regions with limited financial resources and infrastructure. The device, which requires no electricity or moving parts, releases measured quantities of chlorine into the water before it exits the tap.
A Stanford study reveals that installing piped water closer to remote households in Zambia improves the lives of women and girls by reducing fetching time, increasing economic opportunities, and enhancing well-being. Households with piped water spend up to 80% less time fetching water, allowing for more time on productive activities li...
WVU is launching a three-year drinking water testing and community engagement program to educate West Virginians about safe drinking water. The program will focus on several counties, providing free drinking water tests and support for interpreting results.
A study found high levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water in some Chinese cities, exceeding international guideline levels. The findings suggest urgent need for elimination of these chemicals from drinking water and better control and reduction of PFAS releases.
Desalination membranes' density distribution at the nanoscale is crucial for performance. Thinner membranes with consistent density improve water filtration, contrary to previous thought that thickness matters more. This breakthrough could lead to 30-40% efficiency increase and cost savings.
A recent NSF grant aims to address salt pollution in freshwaters, a growing environmental threat. The project seeks to develop new infrastructure designs and everyday choices that reduce salt use.
Research studies have detected microplastics in drinking water globally, particularly in California and New York. These findings highlight the urgent need for standardization of methods to analyze microplastics and implementation of regulations to mitigate their impact on human health.
Researchers discovered water's unique properties when confined in a tiny cage, facilitating access to the catalytic center. The team showed that water forms a droplet inside the cage, structurally and dynamically distinct from known phases of water.
A new study found significant inequalities in public drinking water arsenic exposure across US regions and sociodemographic subgroups. Despite a decline in national arsenic levels, Hispanic communities and those relying on groundwater continued to exceed maximum contaminant levels, raising environmental justice concerns.
Researchers found that residual disinfectants in drinking water distribution systems react with chromium in iron pipes to produce carcinogenic hexavalent chromium. The study recommends reducing the use of pipes with high levels of chromium alloy and using a less reactive disinfectant.
A new transistor detects glyphosate in drinking water at 0.26 parts per million, outperforming conventional sensors with a detection limit of 0.95 ppm. The device works by adding copper ions that bind to the herbicide molecules, causing a detectable reduction in electric current.
The Rappbode Reservoir in Germany is facing new challenges due to climate change, with projected temperature increases that could lead to significant changes in the reservoir's physical structure. This could result in increased oxygen demand, intensified nutrient dissolution, and algae growth, posing a risk to the drinking water supply.
A newly published Science journal paper reveals that water can exist as two liquids of differing density, with noticeably different properties and a 20% difference in density. The discovery explains many of water's anomalous properties and has significant implications for various scientific and engineering applications.
Environmental scientists at TalTech have developed a new ozonation method to treat drinking water contaminated with pharmaceutical residues. The study compared the efficiency of ozone, ozone/hydrogen peroxide and ozone/persulfate processes in degrading sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, finding promising results for the O3/PS process.
A new international study reveals that collecting drinking water can cause serious injury, with 13% of respondents reporting an injury while fetching water. Women are twice as likely to be hurt as men, highlighting the social and gender inequities of this hidden global health challenge.
Researchers estimate that the moon could harbor roughly 15,000 square miles of permanent shadows, reservoirs that might preserve water via ice. These cold traps, found in craters near the poles, could be more common than previously thought and may hold pockets of ice.
A new study by the Environmental Working Group estimates that more than 200 million Americans could have toxic PFAS in their drinking water. The analysis found high levels of PFAS in major metropolitan areas and dozens of U.S. cities, highlighting the widespread contamination issue.
Researchers at UToledo are developing new technologies using native freshwater bacteria to remove microcystin toxins from drinking water. The bacteria can destroy toxins produced during harmful algal blooms at levels exponentially above current exposure guidelines.
A study by Haizhou Liu and colleagues reveals that corroded cast iron pipes can react with residual disinfectants to form Cr(VI), a known carcinogen. The researchers suggest using less-reactive disinfectants and replacing cast iron pipes with chromium alloy could help mitigate Cr(VI) levels in drinking water.
Insufficient knowledge of thermodynamic and kinetic factors governing lead release led to the Flint Water Crisis. Understanding these factors can help anticipate and prevent lead contamination.
Researchers developed a filtration system that combines a polymer membrane with activated carbon to eliminate estradiol in drinking water. The method achieves an efficiency of more than 99%, reaching the European Commission's reference value of 1 nanogram per liter.
A new, efficient method to detect toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and chromium in vegetables and drinking water has been developed by researchers at the University of Johannesburg. The technique combines established methods with automation and can test for multiple metals simultaneously.
A new study found that geographical areas with high levels of lithium in public drinking water had correspondingly lower suicide rates. Lithium, known for its anti-suicidal effect, is widely used as a medication for mood disorders and has potential preventative use to combat dementia.
A new laser-based method can evaporate and purify contaminated water with over 100% efficiency, reducing contaminants to safe levels for drinking. The technology uses sunlight to heat water, eliminating microbial pathogens and heavy metals, and is easy to clean and aim.
The Flint water crisis resulted from simultaneous failures of federal drinking water standards and Michigan's emergency manager law, which exacerbated local financial challenges. The crisis offers lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic on building healthy communities through investments in modern infrastructure.
Children living in homes with private wells were more likely to have elevated blood lead levels than those with city water. Researchers found that African American neighborhoods lacking access to municipal water service faced compounded risks.
A nationwide analysis found Southwestern US correctional facilities' drinking water contains average arsenic concentrations twice as high as other community systems. This puts inmates at risk for chronic diseases like hypertension and diabetes.
A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that PFAS exposure may cause menopause to occur two years earlier in women. High levels of PFAS were associated with an increased risk of early menopause, which could have significant impacts on cardiovascular and bone health.
Researchers have found that PFAS chemicals have dispersed more broadly than previously thought, contaminating surface water and soil up to 30 miles from a manufacturing facility. The study's findings suggest that these chemicals could be carried into groundwater, highlighting the need for wider monitoring of PFAS exposure.
A new study presents a detailed global prediction map of groundwater arsenic concentrations, revealing previously unidentified areas of potential contamination. The map highlights high-risk regions in Asia and South America, where millions are at risk of drinking water containing harmful levels of arsenic.
Researchers found that aluminum can increase lead's solubility under certain conditions, leading to higher levels of lead in drinking water. This discovery was made by studying the interaction between aluminum and phosphate in a lab setting.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that clay layers do not always protect groundwater from arsenic contamination. In fact, distant municipal pumping can trigger the release of arsenic below such clay layers, putting thousands of people at risk in Bangladesh and potentially other regions worldwide.
Researchers discovered that microorganisms change the rock's nature by extracting water, causing a phase transformation from gypsum to anhydrite. The organisms use organic acids to penetrate the rock and access water, revealing an innovative survival strategy.
Researchers discovered that desert microbes extract water from rocks by producing biofilms that prompt mineral dissolution. These endolithic microbes have adapted to extremely dry environments, transforming gypsum into anhydrite through a process involving structurally ordered water extraction and phase transformation.
A recent study published in Water Research found that superoxide initiates the production of hydroxyl radicals, which then break down poorly biodegradable organic matter. This reaction is a natural process that can remove persistent natural and anthropogenic organic matter from lakes.
A new study by Duke University finds that US community water systems are disproportionately affected by droughts, with low-income and minority neighborhoods facing the highest risks. The analysis highlights the need for a fundamental re-evaluation of how these systems are managed and funded to ensure equal access to safe drinking water.
A new study by researchers from the University of Michigan found that several commercially available arsenic test kits performed poorly, with some underestimating arsenic levels by a factor of two. The most accurate kits returned field-test values closest to lab-tested arsenic values, while others produced lighter color test strips tha...
A study by the Environmental Working Group found that all 26 reviewed PFAS chemicals exhibit at least one carcinogenic characteristic. Exposure to these chemicals increases the risk of cancer and other serious health concerns, including reproductive harms and reduced vaccine effectiveness.