A wastewater study conducted in Australia during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown found that cannabis use surged, while methamphetamine (ice) use plummeted. The research, led by the University of South Australia, analyzed wastewater samples from 20 treatment plants across the country and showed a significant increase in cannabis use nationwide.
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 multidisciplinary team of scientists developed a method to dispose wastewater safely, reducing the danger of triggering earthquakes. The approach was tested in Italy's largest onshore oil field and found to be sustainable.
Researchers develop open-source molecular detection method to track B.1.1.7 (Alpha) variant in wastewater, providing actionable community-level information for health authorities. The breakthrough expands utility of wastewater surveillance beyond SARS-CoV-2 testing.
A new study in mSystems finds human waste contaminating urban lakes, rivers, and surface water in Bangladesh is driving the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The research highlights the importance of improving access to clean water, sanitation, and sewerage infrastructure to reduce antimicrobial resistance.
A new study concludes that wastewater disposal has not significantly altered the orientation of stress in the Earth's crust in southern Kansas. The researchers analyzed shear wave splitting data and found no evidence for a significant rotation in the fast direction, contradicting previous estimates.
Researchers are investigating social factors that protect or increase Indigenous peoples' vulnerability to COVID-19 and VOCs. Eight projects, funded by CoVaRR-Net, aim to create a Canadian Wastewater Surveillance Database to track variant spread and vaccine effectiveness.
A recent study by Portland State University researchers detected low levels of pharmaceuticals and personal care product chemicals in oysters along the Oregon and Washington coast. The concentrations were higher near wastewater sites, indicating a need to address the sources of these pollutants.
The Agriculture Sector Technology Roadmap addresses treating and reusing water in agricultural applications, such as irrigation and meat processing. The roadmap identifies various areas of opportunity for using non-traditional water, including recycling drainage from crop fields.
Scientists at UChicago and Argonne National Laboratory are developing AI-assisted systems to recover energy, nutrients, and freshwater from municipal wastewater. The goal is to reduce energy consumption and become energy positive at a national scale, benefiting underserved communities in Chicago's South Side and the Great Lakes region.
A new study by University of Virginia Health System finds that COVID-19 wastewater testing can detect even small numbers of asymptomatic cases with high sensitivity. The research offers guidance on the most effective methods to perform testing to detect COVID-19 in wastewater, including protocols for sampling and analysis.
A study analyzing industrial and geologic data reveals that seismic activity surged due to wastewater injection stresses between 1993-2020. Variations in seismic activity across the basin may help explain why earthquakes occur in some areas but not others.
Researchers found that shallow wastewater injection is linked to widespread deep earthquake activity in the Delaware Basin. The study used data analytics and computer modeling to mimic fluid extraction from shale reservoirs and identified a causal link between deep stress increases and shallow fluid injection. This finding has signific...
Scientists developed zinc-modified aluminum oxide membranes for heavy metal removal, achieving high efficiency rates. The membranes showed antifouling properties and were reusable up to three cycles.
Researchers at UofL's Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute aim to estimate how many people in a neighborhood are infected with COVID-19 by analyzing wastewater samples.
Researchers at Ohio State University found COVID-19 virus genetic material persists in dust for up to a month, suggesting it could be used to monitor outbreaks. The study suggests dust monitoring could offer an alternative method to wastewater testing, particularly in high-risk communities.
A study led by Rice University's Lauren Stadler and the City of Houston Health Department compared five processes used to concentrate samples and find COVID-19 in wastewater from six Houston plants. The process called 'electronegative filtration with bead beating' proved most sensitive and cost-effective.
Researchers have developed a dual-functioning catalyst that breaks down common drugs in wastewater while efficiently converting water into hydrogen for fuel. The catalyst, composed of cobalt oxide and titanium dioxide with platinum nanoparticles, showed promise in degrading antibiotics and producing substantial amounts of hydrogen.
A new study found that sea-level rise is causing wastewater to flood into coastal waters in urban Honolulu, leading to negative impacts on water quality and ecological health. The study used chemical tracers to detect groundwater discharge and wastewater, revealing that both are occurring today due to tidal influences.
A public-private partnership in Monterey/Salinas has developed a novel water recycling program using urban stormwater runoff, irrigation drainage, food processing water, and traditional municipal wastewater. The recycled water supplies one-third of all drinking water on the Monterey Peninsula while providing irrigation water for high-v...
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.