Articles tagged with Wastewater
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A new study from European universities has developed a method to analyze wastewater data from seven major cities, identifying thousands of disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and antimicrobial resistance. This approach can detect potential health threats simultaneously, potentially preventing epidemics from escalating into outbreaks.
The study found H5N1 virus detected in 10 out of 10 cities and 22 out of 23 sites, but no correlation with hospitalizations. The team used viral probe capture to detect viruses in wastewater samples, revealing animal origins of the virus load
A $2.35 million EPA grant will support a two-year OSU project studying 40 US wastewater treatment utilities to understand the impact of treatment processes on antimicrobial resistance markers.
Michigan State University researchers have found a new way to prevent antibiotic resistance by unleashing 'DNA scavengers' in wastewater treatment plants. The enzyme, developed by Syed Hashsham and James Tiedje, breaks up strands of antibiotic-resistant DNA before bacteria can pick them up and take on their properties.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have unveiled an eco-friendly method to extract rare metals from semiconductor waste, recovering precious tungsten and assessing its economic viability. The bioleaching process, using a fungus to dissolve metals, is found to be 7% cheaper than traditional methods.
Studies explore converting leftover wastewater from hydrothermal liquefaction into fertilizer for agricultural crops. Using a fungal treatment, researchers found significant increases in nitrate and ammonia concentrations, increasing nutrient availability. The method also removes toxic compounds, enabling circular economy applications.
A survey-based study found that 97% of Japanese respondents are willing to pay for a nationwide wastewater surveillance system, with a median value of $8.83 per household per year. The estimated annual tax would be more than enough to cover system maintenance costs, making the system economically justified.
Astronauts on spacewalks will have access to clean drinking water thanks to a novel urine collection and filtration system for spacesuits. The system recycles urine with an efficiency of 87% through forward and reverse osmosis, providing a continuous supply of potable water.
A deep metagenomic sequencing study in Berlin wastewater reveals common viruses like RSV and flu, seasonal visitors like asparagus-infecting viruses, and astroviruses with potential for gastrointestinal tract infections. The analysis also identifies novel enzymes with biotechnological potential, expanding our knowledge of viral diversity.
Researchers isolated three bacterial strains that produce amylase enzymes from sugar factory waste, showing great potential for production. The optimal conditions for amylase production were found to be 37°C and pH 7.0, leading to increased enzyme activity.
Researchers found that combining aquaponic wastewaters with hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase (HTL-AP) solutions up to 8% can support plant growth without inhibiting germination. This alternative nutrient source has the potential to increase circularity in food production systems and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers identifies 92 compounds in biosolids that could pose potential risks to human health and the environment. The team screened 16 samples of biosolids from US and Canadian cities and found a range of contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and industrial chemicals.
Researchers mapped wastewater flows on farms and found that copper and zinc footbath water causes fluctuations in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in slurry, highlighting opportunities to reduce AMR pollution through proper waste disposal or recycling.
A new BU study links sewage overflows to increased risk of acute gastrointestinal illnesses in downstream communities. Residents are at a 62% higher risk of developing AGI within four days after large-volume combined sewer overflows, regardless of drinking water source.
A study found that trees along UT's Waller Creek flourish during droughts due to wastewater from leaky city pipes, which also affects tree growth patterns. The research highlights the unintended positive consequences of urbanization on climate-resilience of stream ecosystems.
Researchers have found that lithium can be extracted from Pennsylvania wastewater with high efficiency, potentially supplying up to 40% of the country's demand. This could bring the US closer to meeting its goal of producing all lithium domestically by 2030.
Four studies document the feasibility of microalgae-based and microbial wastewater treatment methods to remove nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. The methods show promise in reducing environmental harm while increasing midwestern seafood production and consumption.
Researchers at NTU Singapore and Temasek Polytechnic develop a new, sustainable feed alternative for farmed Asian seabass, reducing reliance on wild-caught fishmeal. The single cell protein is cultivated from soybean processing wastewater, offering a promising solution to the aquaculture industry's environmental challenges.
Researchers at TU Wien have created a nanofabric filter using waste cellulose that can efficiently remove hazardous dyes from water. The filter, called 'nanoweb', uses a high surface area to bind organic dye molecules, resulting in a 95% removal rate.
A mysterious plasmid, pBI143, found in 90% of human intestines, could be used to identify faecal contamination and offer insights into intestinal diseases. The discovery also highlights the prevalence of 'cryptic' plasmids in human gut microbiota.
A new study from Colorado State University suggests that transitioning to green wastewater-treatment approaches, financed through carbon markets, could save $15.6 billion and reduce CO2-equivalent emissions by 30 million tonnes over 40 years. The research explores the potential economic tradeoffs of switching to green infrastructure an...
Researchers at Flinders University have discovered a novel way to degrade and remove toxic organic chemicals, including azo dyes, from wastewater. A new photocatalytic process powered by ultraviolet light effectively degrades methyl orange into water and carbon dioxide molecules with high degradation efficiency.
Researchers found that warmer water edges out antibiotic-resistant bacteria from wastewater in natural biofilms, suggesting a defense mechanism against their spread. The study suggests temperature can influence microbial competition in rivers.
Researchers detected nearly 73% of hepatitis E virus RNA in wastewater samples from sewage treatment plants. High-throughput sequencing revealed genetic variants that could indicate drug resistance, posing a challenge for treatment.
A new study found that solid waste scales linearly, while wastewater production and greenhouse gas emissions scale superlinearly and sub-linearly, respectively. Cities with higher per-capita GDP generate more waste, highlighting the link between economic growth and waste generation.
A new study reveals high concentrations of PFAS in micro-estuaries, posing significant risks to the environment and human health. The research emphasizes the need for targeted environmental management strategies to protect these critical ecosystems.
Researchers have discovered that wastewater monitoring can detect norovirus outbreaks earlier than traditional surveillance methods, depending on the level of reporting. This novel approach has significant implications for public health strategies, enabling authorities to respond more swiftly and effectively to emerging outbreaks.
A new study finds that cities with higher per-capita GDP generate more waste, while economies of scale reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research uses scaling theory to analyze waste products from over 1,000 cities worldwide.
Rice University engineers have developed a hybrid urban water supply system that combines conventional, centralized water sources with reclaimed wastewater to save energy and reduce freshwater use. The system is also more resilient against disruptions such as hurricanes and flooding.
Researchers at WVU develop a cotreatment process that reduces demand for chemicals to soften wastewater, allowing treated water to be reused up to 99% of its original volume. The study's findings offer a potential solution to the industry's water use challenge and could close the cycle of treating cooling tower blowdown and reusing it.
Researchers have found that struvite, a recycled phosphorus fertilizer, can reduce nutrient leaching and maintain soybean yields compared to conventional fertilizers. The study showed that struvite can be a full substitute for traditional fertilizers in terms of yield benefits.
Testing wastewater for COVID-19 provides a more accurate forecast of new hospital admissions than clinical data. The researchers found that wastewater surveillance improved prediction models by 11 and 15 percent over models using case data and regional estimates, respectively.
Researchers have designed micromotors that purify wastewater and create ammonia, a potential green energy source. An AI method developed at the University of Gothenburg will be used to optimize the motors' performance.
The LoCKAmp device uses lab-on-a-chip technology to detect Covid-19 and other pathogens in just three minutes, providing rapid and accurate results. The device has the potential to be used in remote healthcare settings and could also detect conditions like cancer.
The study highlights that up to 80% of dye-containing industrial wastewaters are released untreated into waterways, posing direct and indirect threats to human, animal, and plant health. New sustainable technologies and regulations are needed to combat the issue.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a technology to convert wastewater sludge into potent oil that can replace fossil fuels in planes, ships, and trucks. The hydrothermal liquefaction process produces energy-rich bio crude oil with minimal waste and pollutants.
A novel method transforms wastewater pollutants into semiconductor biohybrids directly in the wastewater environment, producing valuable chemicals like 2,3-butanediol. The process exhibits scalability and a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional methods, making it an eco-friendly approach to chemical manufacturing.
The publication provides comprehensive guidance on evaluating and using water safely in agriculture, with a focus on health and environmental protection. It offers technical solutions and good agricultural practices to mitigate risks from crop and livestock farming, fish farming, and wastewater use.
A new study using wastewater surveillance has predicted the start of the annual RSV season 12 days early, allowing hospitals to prepare and allocate resources effectively. The study used real-time wastewater measurements to forecast the surge in pediatric RSV cases, providing a population-level early warning signal for the community.
A new study has detected high levels of bacterial resistance to antibiotics in two Australian aged care facilities, highlighting a concerning trend in the sector. The study used wastewater-based surveillance to detect antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and found above-average levels of gentamicin resistance in one facility.
Scientists at IISc have developed an enzyme mimetic called NanoPtA that can degrade toxic chemicals in industrial wastewater effectively in the presence of sunlight. The nanozyme is highly specific and robust, making it suitable for large-scale industrial use.
Researchers at KAUST discovered that certain combinations of stressors increase gene-transfer rates, while others reduce it. They found synergistic effects from combining stressors like UV light and disinfection chemical byproducts, as well as antagonistic effects from chloroform.
A multidisciplinary team investigates hospital wastewater samples and demonstrates the effectiveness of photocatalytic treatment in reducing pharmaceutically active compounds and bacteria. The study highlights the challenges posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and suggests a promising step towards sustainable 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.
A unique study by University of Limerick researchers found bacteria resistant to antibiotics in hospital wastewater systems, correlating with outbreaks of infection. The study analyzed wastewater from sinks, showers, and toilets across wards and linked it to patient infections.
Researchers at EPFL engineered E. coli bacteria to exhibit enhanced extracellular electron transfer, producing electricity while metabolizing organic substrates. The bioengineered E. coli surpassed previous approaches, generating three times more electrical current in various environments, including wastewater from a brewery.
Researchers confirm fracking triggers tremors, which can be used to track fluid movement and monitor fault activity. This finding has implications for sustainability and climate science, as carbon sequestration through fracking may reduce atmospheric emissions.
Researchers developed an AI-based system using wastewater data from US counties to predict COVID-19 hospital admissions. The model achieved accurate predictions, allowing public health officials to prepare for and manage pandemic waves.
A study using wastewater metrics found accurate assessments of county SARS-CoV-2 incidence and may be the best metric for monitoring virus circulation. Home testing increases and vaccination treatment decrease disease acuity, making wastewater surveillance a reliable option.
Researchers have isolated two previously unknown species of microbes that can grow on nitric oxide, a highly reactive and toxic molecule. These microbes, named Nitricoxidivorans perserverans and Nitricoxidireducens bremensis, convert NO to nitrogen gas, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.
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.
A new study suggests that wastewater monitoring can be an effective way to track the spread of infectious diseases. The research found that testing for COVID-19 in wastewater was an objective way to measure where the disease was spreading, with most samples processed in under four days.
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.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute developed a new purification system that uses an electrified version of dialysis to separate salt and other unnecessary particles from wastewater. The method saves money and saps 90% less energy than its counterparts, making it a promising solution for global water scarcity.
A specially designed garden, rain garden, can capture toxic tire chemicals associated with tires entering waterways by more than 90%. Researchers tested a Vancouver rain garden and found that it captured about 75% of the chemical, preventing it from entering salmon-bearing streams.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new adsorbent that utilizes problematic protons in acidic wastewater to enhance the removal of radioactive cesium ions. The adsorbent, potassium calcium thiostannate, shows improved capacity under strongly acidic conditions.
Researchers are investigating methods to extract critical materials, including lithium for electric vehicle batteries and magnets for electric motors, from diverse water streams. By accelerating evaporation through porous photothermal materials, they aim to reduce energy intensity and improve supply chain security.
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.
A new study finds that popular compostable plastics like PLA don't biodegrade in marine environments, instead persisting unchanged. The research highlights the need for standardizing tests to see if materials promoted as compostable or biodegradable actually break down in natural environments.
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...