Articles tagged with Wastewater
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a model to identify cities that can benefit from re-circulating human-waste-derived nutrients into farm fields. This approach could promote agricultural sustainability and economic independence in developing countries.
A new study found that water use for hydraulic fracturing in the US has been increasing at individual facilities, with some regions seeing a 770% rise. This trend may impact future global oil and gas development due to increased water requirements.
A Duke University study found that fracking's water use increased by up to 770% and wastewater volumes by up to 1440% between 2011 and 2016. If trends continue, the water footprint could grow 50-fold by 2030, raising concerns about its sustainability.
Researchers from Kanazawa University developed a method for rapid, high-precision on-site analysis of precious metals in wastewaters. The technique combines Liquid-electrode plasma-optical emission spectrometry (LEP-OES) with solid-phase extraction (SPE), achieving over 95% recovery of gold, palladium, and platinum.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki have developed a new method to purify nuclear waste water using electrospun sodium titanate, which speeds up the process and reduces radioactive waste. The method is based on selective ion exchange and has been shown to work like commercially produced materials.
Researchers found that exposure to fracking chemicals and wastewater at diluted concentrations spurred fat cell development, with effects seen even when samples were diluted 1,000-fold. The study used laboratory models and observed significant increases in fat cell proliferation and lipid accumulation.
A new material called C18-Mica-4 has been shown to eliminate up to 100% of organic pollutants in water, including industrial and personal care products. The study found significant correlations between pollutant properties and adsorption rates.
Research found that oil and gas wastewater used as a dust suppressant on unpaved roads contains harmful pollutants, including salt, radioactivity, and toxic metals. These substances can be detrimental to human health and aquatic life, potentially contaminating nearby bodies of water.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers found that oil and gas wastewater can be effective at suppressing dust, but it also carries high salt, organic, and radioactivity concentrations. The team recommends using alternative materials or treatment to remove contaminants before using the wastewater.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a low-cost membrane that can switch between oil-removal and water-removal modes using a single electrical charge. The membrane achieved near-perfect separation of light and heavy oils from water, with an 98% purity rate.
Research at Oregon State University found that silver nanoparticles can inhibit beneficial bacteria in wastewater treatment plants, leading to excessive nutrient levels and eutrophication. The study suggests that short-term exposure studies may underestimate the potential toxicity of long-term, low-concentration exposure situations.
Researchers have identified dichloramine as the compound responsible for forming a potent carcinogen called N-nitrosodimethyalmine, or NDMA, in recycled water. The study found that minimizing dichloramine concentrations can reduce NDMA formation.
Researchers create a new 'green' material made from solid wastes and natural polymers to adsorb pollutants in wastewater and air. The hybrid material outperforms activated carbon with 94% efficiency and lower embodied energy.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have developed a method to reuse plastic waste to remove carcinogenic synthetic dyes from wastewater. The process involves transforming polystyrene into a material that can support nanoparticles, which are then used to break down harmful dyes.
A study published in Appetite found that people prefer the taste of ID-treated wastewater to traditional tap water. The researchers also discovered that women are more likely to prefer bottled water than men and that marketing efforts should focus on similarities between ID and bottled water.
A new report by the Seismological Society of America concludes that wastewater created during oil and gas production is the probable cause for a surge in earthquakes in southern Kansas. Between 2012 and 2016, six magnitude 4 or greater earthquakes occurred in the study area, with decreases in seismicity corresponding to decreases in di...
Researchers found that estrogens from treated wastewater persist in vernal pools for weeks, transforming into more potent compounds and impacting sensitive aquatic habitats. The study suggests inadequate water treatment practices may be contributing to this issue.
A new study by the University of Bristol found that Oklahoma's seismicity is strongly linked to fluid injection depth. The team used a powerful computer model to examine the connections between injection volume, depth, and location, as well as geological features.
A new study suggests that wastewater injection depth is a critical factor in inducing earthquakes. Simulations using an advanced computer model reveal that limiting depth to 500 meters above the basement can reduce seismic energy release by a factor of 2.8.
Researchers found that artificial sweeteners in wastewater can indicate contamination of groundwater with septic system pollutants. The study suggests regular inspection and maintenance of septic systems and well water testing are necessary to ensure safe drinking water.
A new Duke University study finds that radioactivity in sediments at three disposal sites is 650 times higher than normal, with conventional oil and gas wastewater contributing to the contamination. The study confirms that radionuclide accumulation occurs after 2011, when authorities limited fracking wastewater disposal.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers found that efforts to curb earthquakes triggered by oilfield wastewater injections are not targeting the most dangerous tremblers. To mitigate large magnitude earthquakes, a larger reduction in injection volumes is needed, according to the study.
Detergent chemistry significantly impacts the removal of silver nanoparticles from laundry wastewater, with ion-exchange technology recovering up to 99% of the metal. The study's findings could help improve wastewater treatment and reduce aquatic harm.
Recent North Texas earthquakes occurred on faults inactive for at least 300 million years, supporting the assertion they were induced by human activity. The study discriminates between natural and induced seismicity using classical structural geology analysis techniques.
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%.
A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that over 30% of rural groundwater wells contained artificial sweeteners, indicating contamination from local septic systems. This suggests that human wastewater is affecting shallow groundwater in the area, posing a health risk to aquatic organisms.
Researchers have discovered a novel way to detoxify salty wastewater using bacteria that can generate electricity, producing hydrogen gas. The bacteria, found in deep-water brine pools, thrive in extreme conditions and have the potential to convert waste products into valuable chemical products.
A University of Colorado Boulder study found more than 1,800 earthquakes in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico between 2008 and 2010 were likely caused by fluids pumped deep underground during oil and gas wastewater disposal. Elevated pore pressures in the basement rock underlie the Raton Basin's oldest stratified layers.
Researchers have developed an environmentally friendly process to transform olive mill wastewater into sustainable products. The process involves embedding the wastewater in cypress sawdust, rapidly drying it, and then subjecting it to pyrolysis to produce bio-oil and charcoal pellets.
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.
The ITERAMS project targets significantly reducing water consumption by circulating process waters and reducing tailings waste through valorisation of the mineral matrix. The project aims to maintain Europe at the forefront in efficient water circulation and sustainable tailings utilization.
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 new analysis published in Science Advances found that the probability of moderate earthquakes in Oklahoma is two times higher than initially predicted, contradicting earlier predictions of reduced seismic activity. Moderate earthquakes continue to pose a significant hazard in central and western Oklahoma.
Scientists have found that human-induced and natural earthquakes in the central US share similar ground motions, allowing existing prediction frameworks to be applied to both types. This simplifies hazard assessment and could lead to improved building design and infrastructure resilience.
Researchers found high concentrations of contaminants, including endocrine disrupting chemicals and carcinogens, in sediments and pore water. The discharge of oil and gas wastewater impacted water quality on a larger scale than previously thought, with contamination detected as far away as 12 miles downstream from treatment plants.
A University of Oklahoma study reveals the complex relationship between wastewater injection and seismicity in Oklahoma. The research found that foreshocks correlated with wastewater injection rates and stress interactions between earthquakes, ultimately leading to the September 3, 2016, 5.8 magnitude earthquake near Pawnee, Oklahoma.
Researchers found that treated fracking wastewater contaminated a Pennsylvania watershed with radioactive material, salts, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The study suggests tighter regulations could protect the environment and human health.
Researchers found that wastewater-exposed rainbow darters had increased metabolic rates, suggesting they were under stress from environmental conditions. The presence of pathogenic bacteria in these fish was also linked to human infections such as food poisoning.
A new study reveals that 65% of global irrigated areas are impacted by urban wastewater flows, with 29.3 million hectares in countries with limited treatment exposing widespread consumer and farmer health risks. The findings call for urgent investments in improved sanitation to mitigate public health threats.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a novel electrode material that uses bacteria to clean pollutants from wastewater. The bacteria grow on the surface of the nanofibers, producing electricity and breaking down contaminants, making it a promising technology for improving wastewater treatment.
Researchers at Empa investigate microfiber release from polyester textiles during washing, finding constant fiber quantity regardless of temperature or wash cycle duration. The study reveals a lack of effect from washing agents and detergents on microfiber release.
Dr. Satinder Kaur Brar's groundbreaking research has led to the development of a new hybrid technology that can effectively remove emerging trace contaminants from drinking water and wastewater using green chemistry principles. The technology, which combines different treatment technologies with enzymes, has been recognized for its pot...
Geologists used radioactive elements trapped in calcite crystals to create a 'clock' that measured the age of each event, revealing 13 distinct seismic events over 400,000 years. The study sheds light on the mechanics of earthquakes in intraplate faults and their relationship with human activities.
A new report suggests that changes in wastewater injection rates in disposal wells may have led to the Pawnee earthquake, the largest recorded in Oklahoma since the 1950s. The quake was triggered by wastewater produced by oil and gas drilling injected back into the ground.
Researchers study Oklahoma's earthquakes to understand human-induced seismicity and its link to wastewater injection from oil and gas production. New seismic stations deployed across the state provide better insight into fore-and aftershocks and earthquake sequences.
Researchers are developing methods to predict and mitigate fracking-induced earthquakes in Canada and the US. Experts are working to identify factors that affect the likelihood of damaging ground motion from these earthquakes.
NYU Assistant Professor Miguel Modestino has developed a method to create nylon-like textiles while capturing carbon dioxide from the environment. The process uses photovoltaic arrays, water, and plant waste to produce hexanediamine, one of the precursors to nylon.
The study found that Chilean aquacultures release large quantities of readily biodegradable compounds into rivers, altering the ecosystem and depleting oxygen levels. The waste water also contains disinfectants and antibiotics, further harming aquatic life.
The 2017 seismic hazard model forecasts lower damaging ground shaking levels in the central and eastern U.S., but Oklahoma and southern Kansas still face a significant risk of induced earthquake damage. For over 3 million people, the chance of damage is similar to natural earthquakes in high-hazard areas of California.
A new software tool calculates the probability of triggering manmade earthquakes from wastewater injection and oil gas production activities. The Fault Slip Potential (FSP) tool identifies at-risk faults, allowing energy companies and regulators to avoid them and implement enhanced monitoring efforts.
A Rutgers-led study found that oil and gas wastewater spills altered the diversity, numbers, and functions of microbes in West Virginia stream water and sediments. The changes indicated shifts in respiration and nutrient cycling, as well as signs of stress, but did not reveal hot spots of high antibiotic resistance.
Scientists at the University of Rochester have created a new microbial fuel cell using a paper electrode coated with carbon paste, which outperforms traditional materials in terms of efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The innovation has significant implications for wastewater treatment and energy production.
A recent study by Michigan State University finds that US households may struggle to afford water services due to rising rates and aging infrastructure, impacting 11.9% of households currently and potentially tripling to 35.6% in five years.
A new study found that sweet potato peptide, produced from the water wasted during processing, helps reduce body weight and fat levels in mice fed high-fat diets. The peptide activates appetite suppression and controls lipid metabolism, suggesting a potential slimming effect.
The rate of manmade, induced earthquakes in Oklahoma is expected to decline due to reduced wastewater injection, according to Stanford scientists. The probability of damaging earthquakes will remain elevated for several years.
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has been awarded a grant to turn their energy-producing waste water treatment technology into a startup company. The technology uses bacteria to clean environment-polluting waste water while generating electricity, offering a sustainable source of energy.
Researchers developed guidelines for fluidized bed reactors to tailor filter design to local conditions, preventing phosphorus deposits and algal blooms. The study's findings could lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits.
Hawai'i researchers found that high levels of nutrients in coastal groundwater correlate with reduced reef health and increased algae blooms. This study identifies Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility as a major source of pollution, threatening nearshore ecosystems.
Stanford scientists created detailed stress maps to understand earthquake triggers in Texas and Oklahoma, identifying problematic faults and ideal orientations for earthquakes. The maps help predict seismic activity resulting from fluid injection, enabling companies and regulators to avoid these faults and prevent induced earthquakes.