Articles tagged with Wastewater
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.
The study reveals that wastewater treatment plants emit an overlooked source of carbon dioxide, which could increase global greenhouse gas emissions by 12-23 percent. Treating wastewater sludge with on-site carbon sequestration and renewable energy could help reduce fossil carbon emissions from these plants.
A new Duke University study reveals that most fracking wastewater comes from naturally occurring brines, not man-made chemicals, accounting for over 92% of the flowback and produced water. While these brines carry risks, they also have potential beneficial re-uses, particularly in areas with scarce freshwater.
A new study reveals that household wastewater can release disease-causing pathogens into the air during irrigation, contaminating crops. On moderately windy days, up to 89% of these pathogens were released within half an hour of soil irrigation.
Researchers have created a cost-effective method for producing lithium-ion battery electrodes using brewery wastewater, reducing costs for beer makers and providing a renewable fuel source. The unique partnership between breweries and batteries could lead to significant waste reduction and energy savings.
Researchers at UC Riverside developed an economic model that shows how flexible treatment processes can create a water supply that is affordable and benefits crops. The model demonstrates the potential of blending wastewater to produce irrigation water suitable for various crops, reducing fertilizer costs and increasing affordability.
A recent University of Kansas study found that environmental regulations can increase firms' profits when implemented in the right balance. When wastewater discharge limits were stringent and inspections were frequent, profits declined as expected, but under conditions where one was stronger than the other, profits improved. This sugge...
McMaster engineers are working with Aevitas to create cost-effective and faster treatment solutions for biocides in industrial wastewater. The partnership aims to reduce biocide usage and protect the environment, with a goal of improving treated wastewater quality.
A recent study reveals that pharmaceuticals in surface water can originate from various sources beyond just treated wastewater. Researchers found metformin, nicotine, and other compounds in streams across the Southeastern US, suggesting urban run-off and groundwater movement may also contribute to their presence.
Simulated testing reveals that hydraulic fracturing additives degrade over time, but some persist in soil and may affect crops. Researchers emphasize the need for further testing to understand spills' environmental impacts.
Earthquakes triggered by human activity have been widespread throughout Texas since the 1920s, according to a new review of evidence. Oil and gas operations are the primary cause, but specific techniques have varied over time.
A trio of new age-dating methods developed at Duke University can determine the age of oil and gas wastewater spills and identify their origins based on radium isotope variations. The methods verify that radium's decay products, including thorium and lead isotopes, can be used to detect the age and source of spills.
A Duke University study found high levels of contaminants in brine-laden wastewater from fracking spills, exceeding federal drinking water guidelines. Soil samples contained higher levels of radioactivity downstream from spill sites, suggesting radium builds up in the environment.
A new study found that consuming produce grown in treated wastewater-irrigated soil leads to higher levels of carbamazepine excretion. The researchers discovered that the production and consumption of such veggies pose a potential risk for consumers, despite the low quantities involved.
A comprehensive analysis suggests that a series of Texas earthquakes, including a 4.8 magnitude event in 2012, could be caused by wastewater injection. However, the study emphasizes the need for high-quality subsurface data to confirm this finding.
Researchers from the University of Missouri found high levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals in surface water near a hydraulic fracturing wastewater disposal facility in West Virginia. The study's results suggest potential negative health effects on aquatic organisms, other animals, and humans due to increased EDC activity.
A survey of a major oil and gas-producing region in Western Canada suggests that hydraulic fracturing may be linked to induced earthquakes. The study found that significant percentage of events are caused by the fracturing process itself, not just wastewater injection.
A new report published in Seismological Research Letters suggests a link between hydraulic fracturing and induced earthquakes in Western Canada. Researchers found that thousands of hydraulic fracturing wells are being drilled every year, increasing the likelihood of earthquake activity.
A study by Alison Franklin and her team at Pennsylvania State University found that treated wastewater from pharmaceutical and personal care products shows scant presence in wheat crops irrigated with the effluent. The researchers discovered that most compounds were present on the outer surfaces of plants, but only trace amounts were d...
A new study by Stanford researchers suggests that earthquakes triggered by human activity follow several indicative patterns that could help scientists distinguish them from naturally occurring temblors. The likelihood of large-magnitude manmade, or "induced," earthquakes increases over time, independent of the previous seismicity rate.
A Dartmouth study reveals that hydraulic fracturing can generate highly saline and toxic metal-rich wastewater due to chemical reactions between injected freshwater and the fractured shale. The research suggests that water-rock interactions play a major role in producing hazardous waste, posing a risk to drinking water supplies.
A new sensor developed by UCL scientists can detect and identify five commonly used explosives in solution within 10 seconds. The sensor uses fluorescent technology to create unique 'fingerprints' for each compound, allowing for multiple explosives to be detected with a single test.
Most drug residues discharged to wastewater originate from private households, according to a study by Leuphana University. The researchers found that health care facilities, such as hospitals and psychiatric clinics, emit significantly lower levels of contaminants, highlighting the need for stricter regulations on medication disposal.
Researchers found high concentrations of endocrine-disrupting compounds in fish caught near wastewater treatment plants in the Basque Country, posing a risk to human health. The study suggests that improved treatment technologies are needed to mitigate this issue.
A new Duke University study finds that energy companies used nearly 250 billion gallons of water for US fracking between 2005 and 2014, while generating about 210 billion gallons of wastewater. The study's findings highlight the need for better treatment and disposal methods for chemical-laden flowback water and brine-laden wastewater.
A new study found that virtually all the water entering the Wabash River in Indiana is withdrawn and returned, highlighting a pressing need for improved understanding of water use. The research suggests that reusing wastewater for irrigation may be detrimental to rivers.
A new strain of yeast has been discovered that can effectively remove toxic substances from wastewater. Yarrowia lipolytica Y-3492 was found to be highly active against nitro compounds, including those used in explosives and certain medications.
CU-Boulder researchers have developed a novel wastewater treatment process called Microbial Electrolytic Carbon Capture (MECC) that captures greenhouse gases and produces renewable energy. The process uses electrochemical reactions to absorb CO2 from wastewater, producing stable mineral carbonates and bicarbonates.
A new study finds that wastewater injection rate is the strongest trigger for induced quakes, with high-rate wells nearly twice as likely to cause earthquakes. The research analyzed public data on operational wells across the US and discovered a strong correlation between injection rate and induced seismicity.
Scientists found that Oklahoma's rising number of earthquakes coincided with increased disposal of salty wastewater into the Arbuckle formation. The primary source of quake-triggering wastewater is brackish water generated from oil and gas extraction, not hydraulic fracturing flowback water.
Researchers have developed TAML activators that effectively break down harmful chemicals in water, reducing the risk of fish feminization and other adverse effects. The catalysts were tested on water samples from municipal wastewater plants and found to be at least as effective as ozone treatment systems.
Induced earthquakes, caused by injecting fluids into the earth, are increasingly felt in the US. Research reveals that most of these earthquakes stem from oil and gas wastewater disposal, not hydraulic fracturing. Experts recommend proactive approaches to mitigate seismic risks.
Researchers developed a combination approach to recover phosphorus from wastewater using mathematical modeling. The method achieved approximately 90% removal of phosphorus, generating $150,000 in annual revenue for WWTPs with limited budgets. This sustainable approach reduces mining demand and improves surface water health.
A SMU-led seismology team reveals that high volumes of wastewater injection combined with saltwater extraction from natural gas wells is the most likely cause of earthquakes occurring near Azle, Texas. The study used a sophisticated 3D model to assess fluid pressure changes in the affected area.
Scientists report preliminary studies suggesting chlorine treatment in wastewater plants may create new, stronger antibiotics. This could contribute to growing antibiotic resistance problem and harm aquatic life.
A recent spill of 3 million gallons of fracking wastewater in North Dakota has raised concerns about the potential harm it could cause to human health and the environment. Scientists are using advanced analytical techniques to study the composition of fracking fluids and wastewater, which may break down differently in the environment.
Engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder have invented a microbe-powered battery that can remove salts and organic contaminants from oil and gas wastewater simultaneously, producing additional energy.
Researchers at Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona have developed a technology to recover energy from wastewater using MEC, producing hydrogen with high efficiency and low voltage. The system demonstrated excellent results in hydrogen production and energy recovery, opening up potential for industrial-scale development.
The draft U-M report examines seven chapters of policy options for hydraulic fracturing in Michigan, including public participation, water resources, and chemical use. The report presents information on likely strengths and outcomes to support informed decision-making.
A recent study found that earthquake activity near injection wells in the Williston Basin is scarce compared to Texas, where similar activities have been linked to increased seismicity. The study's authors attribute this difference to regional variations in geology and injection practices.
Research suggests that spraying treated wastewater on land can diminish water pollution by filtering out endocrine-disrupting compounds, which can harm fish populations. Soils with more organic carbon accumulate higher levels of these compounds, but some break down instead.
Duke University scientists have discovered high levels of ammonium and iodide in oil and gas wastewater, exceeding EPA water-quality thresholds. These contaminants can harm aquatic life and promote toxic byproducts in drinking water when mixed with chlorine.
A recent study published in HortScience suggests that nitrogen from reclaimed water can support optimal turfgrass growth. The researchers found that turfgrass responded positively to higher concentrations of nitrogen in the irrigation water, but the concentration needed was at least 5 mg·L−1.
Researchers at University of Pittsburgh have contributed three studies to a special issue of the journal Energy Technology, focusing on smart wells, wastewater management, and information gaps related to shale gas drilling. The research aims to improve extraction through wireless communication and safely reuse drilling wastewater.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring a new method to treat high-saline water from hydrofracturing and other processes by utilizing waste heat from thermoelectric plants. The goal is to develop a cost-effective technology that can recover clean water and reduce waste disposal costs.
Scientists developed new geochemical tracers to detect hydraulic fracturing flowback fluids in the environment. The tracers can track the presence of frac fluids and distinguish them from wastewater coming from other sources.