Articles tagged with Wastewater
A global study estimates that nature processes over 2 million cubic meters of human waste annually, equivalent to 41.7 million tons, in 48 cities containing about 82 million people. This natural process contributes significantly to sanitation services, worth approximately $4.4 billion per year.
Researchers at RUDN University have developed a biopolymer filter that captures phosphates and nitrates from wastewater using microalgae, making it a potential sustainable fertilizer. The filter is made of chitosan-based polymer and shows high efficiency in consuming nutrients.
Research reveals that hospital wastewater selectively kills antibiotic-sensitive bacteria, while multi-resistant bacteria thrive in its presence. This finding highlights the potential for hospital wastewaters to drive the evolution of new forms of antibiotic resistance.
Global wastewater treatment rates have improved to about half, but developing countries still lag far behind. The study highlights the need for increased financial resources and creative reuse opportunities to improve wastewater treatment practices.
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.
Scientists develop yeast cell-based sensor to detect diclofenac in environmentally relevant concentrations, aiming to improve sensitivity and detect lower concentrations in wastewater and soil. The system uses reporter yeasts to amplify fluorescence signals, enabling rapid on-site detection.
Researchers have developed nanodiamond-embedded membrane filters that can effectively treat hot wastewater by increasing filtration rates and removing impurities. These membranes achieve this through the synergistic effects of amine links and ethyl acetate treatment, resulting in thicker, more temperature-stable membranes.
Scientists analyzed compounds in wastewater to gauge public health aspects, including SARS-CoV-2 detection. They found that measuring virus particles in settled solids from sewage treatment plants could be a more sensitive approach than current methods.
A new material called ZIOS has been designed to capture copper ions from wastewater with unprecedented precision and speed. The material selectively removes copper, a contaminant linked to disease and organ failure, without removing desirable ions or nutrients.
Researchers found that recycled wastewater achieved the best overall results for crop development, yield, and water productivity. Deficit irrigation strategies at 80% capacity also performed well, ensuring maximum water efficiency while maintaining excellent crop growth and yield levels.
Researchers detect indigo denim microfibers in wastewater effluent and lakes, with levels estimated at 1 billion per day. Washing jeans less frequently could reduce pollution, but effects on aquatic life are unknown.
Researchers detected SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in untreated wastewater samples from two treatment plants in Louisiana, USA. The virus was only found in untreated waste and not in treated wastewater, indicating standard processing may remove or destroy the virus.
A consortium of German researchers detects SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in treatment plants, estimating potential transmission risks. The study reveals 3-20 gene equivalents per millilitre of raw wastewater, indicating the degree of infection among residents.
A team of scientists from Hokkaido University has successfully developed an adsorption-extraction technique to efficiently detect SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater. This breakthrough method, using a surrogate virus like murine hepatitis virus, offers a fast and economical way to track the spread of COVID-19 at a larger scale.
The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant's stored contaminated wastewater contains multiple radioactive isotopes with varying levels of risk. These include tritium, a relatively short-lived isotope, and other isotopes like carbon-14, cobalt-60, and strontium-90, which pose more complex hazards to humans and the environment.
Researchers in Australia analyzed urine and wastewater samples to estimate changes in bisphenol exposure over six years. They found that urinary levels of BPA decreased, while BPS increased, with higher levels detected in younger age groups. In wastewater, BPA and BPS were consistently detected, with BPF also present in 29% of samples.
A new study reveals fibre-catching devices can significantly reduce microplastic particles in wastewater, with some devices reducing fibres by up to 78%. The research suggests that designing garments to last longer and shedding less fibres is crucial for long-term environmental benefits.
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.
Researchers from the University of Sydney developed an electrochemical oxidation process to clean up complex wastewater containing toxic chemicals. The process transforms organic contaminants into harmless gases or minerals without requiring additional chemicals or severe operation conditions.
A Rutgers study reveals that sewer pipe walls harbor biofilms containing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which can withstand standard disinfection methods. Cleaning with bleach can reduce biofilm density but not remove them entirely, posing health risks to wastewater treatment workers and the public.
A Swansea University research team has developed a new method for fast removal and detection of wastewater pollutants from everyday pharmaceuticals. The single process uses QuEChERS with mass spectrometric detection to detect, extract and quantify pharmaceutical compounds and personal care products.
Scientists at The University of Manchester have developed an energy-efficient and highly versatile membrane coating using chemically modified molybdenum disulphide, offering a game-changer for the water filtration sector.
A comprehensive study found synthetic cathinones and N-ethylpentylone in Australian wastewater, with users attracted to novel effects and potential risks of paranoia, hallucinations, and panic attacks
Researchers at UToledo developed a new method to characterize fracking wastewater, revealing the presence of toxic chemicals like atrazine, 1,4-dioxane, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The study aims to improve disposal and purification practices for produced water, which can contaminate drinking water sources.
A recent review paper highlights the potential of using wastewater to monitor COVID-19, detecting low levels of virus particles and asymptomatic cases. The method offers several advantages over clinical testing, but challenges include a lack of standardized protocols and knowledge on viral decay in water environments.
Researchers at Rice University developed a plan to recycle wastewater, reducing the need for surface water by 28%. The 'direct potable reuse' method could also improve water quality and travel times, providing a more efficient and sustainable water supply system.
Researchers at University of Illinois develop six approaches to treat hydrothermal liquefaction aqueous phase, including separation of chemicals and bioelectrochemical systems. These methods aim to valorize the wastewater byproduct, highlighting potential for sustainable oil production.
Researchers found higher levels of pharmaceutical industry-related substances in wastewater from a manufacturing site compared to domestic wastewater treatment plants. The team detected 25 compounds, including antidepressants and opioids, in treated water samples from both facilities, with peak levels in the industrial wastewater sample.
A recent study found that 91% of stream samples contained artificial sweeteners, tracing 13% of septic wastewater to groundwater, underscoring the need for further testing to detect pathogens and pharmaceuticals
A new study reveals that municipal wastewater could provide up to 158 million households with electricity, irrigate 31 million hectares of farmland, and offset 13.4% of global fertilizer demand. Wastewater production is projected to increase by 24% by 2030 and 51% by 2050.
Researchers at Imperial College London and the University of Toronto have developed a sponge that captures and removes oil microdroplets from wastewater, improving upon previous concepts. The new sponge works faster and over a wider pH range than its predecessor, making it suitable for industrial wastewater applications.
A study by Southern Methodist University geophysicists has found evidence of a leak in a West Texas wastewater disposal well between 2007 and 2011. The leak could have contaminated the Rustler Aquifer, used for irrigation and livestock but not drinking water.
A team of researchers created a model to predict induced earthquake activity from wastewater injection, accounting for various variables such as subsurface hydrology parameters and regional stress on faults. The model can help oil operators restrict injection control and prevent large earthquakes in Oklahoma.
A Colorado State University study found that crops irrigated with oil and gas wastewater have weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to bacterial and fungal pathogens. The study's authors suggest assessing plant immune response impacts before reusing treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation.
Researchers have created tiny, self-propelled robots that can remove radioactive uranium from wastewater. The microrobots use a rod-shaped material called ZIF-8 and propel themselves using hydrogen peroxide fuel, successfully removing 96% of the uranium in an hour.
A study using wastewater analysis found that individuals with higher socioeconomic status had higher levels of vitamin B, caffeine, and certain pharmaceuticals. Conversely, lower socioeconomic status was associated with increased use of antidepressants, opioids, and antibiotics.
Researchers Fay Hannon and Gianluigi Ciovati design low-energy, compact accelerators to clean wastewater. The technology has the potential to replace existing methods, which can be chemically and energetically intensive. The accelerators may also be used to treat tar sands, hydraulic fracturing fluids, and other industrial byproducts.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to predict seismic activity from wastewater disposal, which can help the energy industry manage injection-caused earthquakes and reduce risks. The team's physics-based framework successfully reproduces the distribution of actual earthquakes by frequency, magnitude, and time.
Scientists from SMU, UT Austin and Stanford University found that the majority of faults underlying the Fort Worth Basin are sensitive to forces that could cause them to slip. The new study provides fundamental information regarding earthquake hazard to the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
A comprehensive map of over 250 faults has identified the Fort Worth Basin as highly susceptible to seismic activity, with many small faults potentially capable of triggering earthquakes. The study recommends increased regulation and monitoring of wastewater injection to minimize the risk of induced seismicity.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a link between oilfield wastewater disposal and increased high-magnitude earthquakes. The study found that the percentage of high-magnitude earthquakes increases with depth, suggesting that stronger earthquakes may occur years after injection rates decline or stop.
A new study published in Addiction journal found that cannabis use increased by 9% per quarter and shifted from the illicit market to the legal one since retail sales began in 2014. The research team analyzed wastewater samples from two treatment plants in Western Washington, estimating the size of the legal marketplace.
A comprehensive catalog of earthquake sequences in the Fort Worth Basin reveals a decrease in seismicity rates since 2014, corresponding to reduced wastewater injection. New faults have become active, and seismicity continues at greater distances from injection wells over time.
Researchers at Tel Hai College and MIGAL Institute in Israel have developed a method to make phosphorus fertilizer from dairy wastewater and aluminum water treatment residue. This innovative approach has the potential to recycle the element without lowering crop yields, reducing the reliance on non-renewable resources.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a process to isolate hydrogen from industrial wastewater using sunlight and bacteria. This technique doubles the currently accepted rate for scalable technologies that produce hydrogen by splitting water.
Researchers have identified over 600 small earthquakes between magnitude 2.0 and 3.8 in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas, linked to fracking operations. The study reveals that the depth of the well is a significant factor in predicting likelihood of seismicity.
A new study by Desert Research Institute researchers found that a common species of freshwater green algae can remove certain endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) from treated wastewater. The algae showed significant removal rates for three EDCs, including triclosan, in ultrafiltration water.
Two moderate-sized earthquakes in Sichuan Province caused extensive damage and injury, likely triggered by nearby fracking operations. The earthquakes coincided with injection activities at fracking well pads, suggesting a link between the two.
An international study found that wastewater treatment plants in seven European countries have varying levels of antibiotic resistance, with southern Europe showing higher rates. The study suggests that modern treatment plants are effective in removing resistant bacteria, but older or poorly managed plants may contribute to the problem.
Researchers at Tallinn University of Technology developed a method to remove antibiotic residues from wastewater using metal-doped organic aerogels. The most effective material was found to be nickel-doped aerogel, which showed excellent adsorbent properties and photocatalytic degradation capabilities.
A low-cost, non-enzymatic phenol sensor has been developed using a Ni/MWCNT electrode material, exhibiting high sensitivity, good selectivity, and stability. The sensor's potential application lies in detecting phenol in discharged wastewater, where it can provide real-time monitoring and fast response.
Researchers at RCSI are developing six prototypes to remove Contaminants of Emerging Concerns from drinking water and wastewater in rural India. The project aims to provide clean drinking water to 2.1 billion people without access to safe sources.
The journal publishes its first articles on technology, machine learning, waste water treatment, and remote sensing, addressing advances in these areas. All articles will be free to access during the first two years of publication.
A new study finds that the depth of wastewater disposal in US oil sites significantly contributes to induced seismicity. In Oklahoma, deeper disposal into the basement rock increases seismicity due to higher cumulative volume and injection rates.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh's Swanson School of Engineering have developed a new method to treat hydrofracturing wastewater by leveraging waste heat from drilling sites. The membrane distillation technology reduces the need for fresh water and produces high-quality water suitable for agriculture, industry, and other uses.
Freshwater mussels filter water and record chemical composition in their shells, revealing elevated strontium levels downstream of fracking wastewater disposal sites. The long-term effects of fracking on sediments and aquatic life are still being uncovered.
A new study reveals that urban farmers in African cities are unknowingly spreading disease by irrigating vegetables with wastewater rich in virulent human pathogens. The risk of spreading bacteria and antimicrobial resistance among humans and animals is high, posing a significant health threat to millions of people.
Researchers developed a model to forecast man-made earthquake activity in Oklahoma and Kansas, incorporating earthquake physics and wastewater injection data. The model predicts a 32% probability of potentially damaging earthquakes in 2018, decreasing to 19% by 2020.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have characterized the phenomenon of radium transfer in hydraulic fracturing, a widely-used method for extracting oil and gas. The study found that radium present in the Marcellus Shale is leached into saline water, becoming increasingly enriched as wastewater travels through the fracture network.
University at Buffalo scientists discovered that the chemical methylene blue, commonly found in textile mill wastewater, is good at tasks associated with energy storage. The compound can capture, store and release electrons, making it a viable material for liquid batteries.