Articles tagged with Wastewater
A Duke University study found elevated levels of radioactivity, salts, and metals in river water and sediments after fracking wastewater discharge. Radioactivity levels were up to 200 times greater in sediment samples collected near the facility than upstream.
A new UN-backed study reveals that treated wastewater has 'massive potential resource' globally, but data on its usage is scarce. Only 55 countries out of 181 studied have information on wastewater generation, treatment, and reuse.
Large earthquakes from distant parts of the globe are triggering tremors around US waste-fluid injection wells, according to a new study. The phenomenon could indicate critically stressed faults that may soon host larger earthquakes.
Researchers found that papyrus sedge can absorb toxic matter from abattoir effluent, including nitrogen and phosphorus ions. The study suggests using constructed wetlands with papyrus as a final treatment step to reduce untreated effluent reaching Lake Victoria.
A new study links a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in central Oklahoma to wastewater injection, destroying homes and causing widespread damage. The researchers found that the pressure increase triggered by wastewater injection led to the largest earthquake ever recorded in Oklahoma.
A new membrane developed by researchers at Wits University can effectively separate waste from water, making it suitable for treating pollutants in various processes. The technology has the potential to filter pure water from wastewater produced during mining, oil and gas exploration, and nuclear activities.
A new dynamic mathematical model estimates variation in greenhouse gas emissions in response to changes in wastewater management systems. The study provides more accurate and detailed predictions than current steady-state models, with implications for industries seeking to reduce their carbon footprint.
The symposium aims to find solutions to the increasing gap between food production and water availability. Experts will discuss ways to optimize water use in crop production, protect freshwater resources, and reuse gray water to ensure both adequate food and abundant water supplies for future generations.
Hydraulically fractured natural gas wells in the Marcellus shale region produce about 35% as much wastewater per unit of gas recovered as conventional wells. The total amount of wastewater has increased by 570% since 2004, threatening to overwhelm the region's wastewater-disposal infrastructure capacity.
The new method reduces phosphorus levels by over 80% and saves energy and waste, producing significant cost savings for municipal wastewater treatment plants. Simultaneous precipitation eliminates the need for additional chemical treatments.
New water treatment firms are developing chemical treatments and evaporators to remove contaminants from fracking wastewater, which can then be reused. The cost of disposal is spurring oil and gas companies to adopt these technologies, limiting the amount of contaminated water that reaches people, plants, and animals.
The Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) has been awarded a US $5-million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop sustainable decentralized wastewater management systems. The five-year project aims to reinvent innovative, decentralized systems for treating human excreta and wastewater in developing countries.
A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently. Researchers have successfully used Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) as a feedstock for the bacteria, producing a reliable source of renewable energy.
A Spanish researcher proposes using urine as a CO2 absorbent, producing ammonium bicarbonate and calcium carbonate when combined with olive waste water. The mixture can absorb various grams of CO2 per liter and reduce emissions by 1% in a stable manner.
A team led by an MSU professor has created a cost-effective way to remove phosphorous from wastewater, reducing eutrophication and toxic algae growth. The new method uses nanoparticles composed of iron to efficiently absorb phosphorous, which can be recovered for fertilizer products.
The Advanced Denim process produces jeans using significantly less water, energy, and waste than traditional methods. This technology has the potential to save 2.5 billion gallons of water and eliminate 8.3 million cubic meters of wastewater annually.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a biotechnological route to remove and recycle phosphate from wastewater. The team has discovered a physiological 'shock' treatment that significantly increases microbial uptake of phosphorus and its accumulation inside cells.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new technology combining microbial fuel cells and reverse electrodialysis to produce electricity from wastewater. The system uses an ammonium bicarbonate salt solution, allowing for energy production anywhere, not just coastal areas.
A new building-integrated aquaculture (BIAq) model aims to improve fish farming operations by combining building design, fish ecology, and aquaculture engineering techniques. The model aims to provide an affordable, holistic, and sustainable approach to indoor fish production, reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
Researchers at Syracuse University developed statistical prediction models to help utilities assess risk and identify failing pipes. The models allow for proactive maintenance and reduced costly emergency repairs.
A new University of Minnesota study reveals that even treated municipal wastewater can contribute significantly to antibiotic-resistant bacteria in surface waters. Researchers found that quantities of these bacteria were typically 20-fold higher near the site where treated wastewater was released into Duluth-Superior Harbor.
Researchers found that wastewater recycling plants emit significantly more nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, due to dense populations of bacteria. Despite this, they argue that wastewater recycling remains an essential component of urban water resources.
A national database called WATERiD will provide accurate predictions of when underground water and wastewater pipes might fail. The database, launched on Sept. 1, aims to create a single point for utilities to access relevant information and accelerate decision-making.
DANA, a hybrid system developed by Aqwise and Westt B.V., treats industrial wastewater with lower costs and environmental footprint. The technology, facilitated by EUREKA's collaborative funding model, achieves significant financial savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
A team of researchers has found that residual distillation water from certain plant species can increase the yields and essential oil content of peppermint and spearmint crops. The study suggests using wastewater as a foliar spray can boost biomass production, with increased essential oil content observed in some cases.
Parasitic protozoons like Cryptosporidium and Giardia can survive water treatment systems, posing a significant risk to human and animal health. The study highlights the need for better preventive measures, including protecting water sources, monitoring water quality, and implementing control plans.
Researchers developed a planar microfluidic reactor that harnesses sunlight to break down contaminants in water using photocatalysis. The technology has shown dramatic improvements in efficiency, with plans to scale up the process for industrial water treatment applications.
Researchers in India have found that various kitchen waste water filtration systems can produce clean water suitable for agricultural or horticultural use. Ceramic microfiltration membrane systems with physicochemical treatments such as biotreatment and adsorption showed promising results, removing up to 98% of BOD and 99% of COD.
Researchers at UC discover that rabbit food can effectively reduce estrogen levels in wastewater, with a potential impact on the environment and wildlife. The study found that the rabbit food reduced estrogen hormone levels by more than 80%, making it a promising alternative for treatment.
The award recognizes the university's portable, scalable self-contained wastewater-treatment system that converts wastewater into effluent meeting EPA standards in under 24 hours. The technology has been adapted for potable water production with minor modifications.
Researchers detect five types of pharmaceuticals in Donana's waters, including anti-inflammatory drugs and hormones. The study suggests advanced technologies can remove these compounds from urban waste water.
Agricultural Research Service microbiologist Ilenys Pérez-Díaz and her colleagues discovered that certain Lactobacilli species can modify azo dyes into non-mutagenic substances. This finding has potential applications for wastewater treatment, making food-grade bacteria a promising option for cleaning up textile industry dye waste.
A study by University of Calgary researchers reveals a significant increase in female fish population and feminization of males in two Southern Alberta rivers. The presence of man-made and naturally occurring chemicals, such as synthetic estrogens and bisphenol A, is linked to the sex ratio imbalance.
A new demonstration facility for decentralized wastewater management has been opened in Jordan, developed by German-Jordanian researchers. The site aims to adapt decentralized wastewater treatment technologies to the arid local conditions and increase recycled wastewater volume by over fourfold by 2022.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities are a significant source of pharmaceuticals in surface waters, according to a USGS study. Outflow from wastewater treatment plants that receive pharmaceutical wastewater had concentrations 10-1000 times higher than those without.
A new database will gather information on technologies to assess and repair the condition of buried pipes, helping utility managers make informed decisions. The database aims to provide a single point of information for utilities to select effective and cost-effective rehabilitation technologies.
The US EPA has awarded nearly $2.5 million to 11 companies to support their work in eight key environmental areas. These companies will use the additional funds to commercialize technologies such as microbial fuel cells and chromium-free coatings.
A new water treatment system, developed by Penn State researchers, utilizes discarded materials and plant communities to remove pollutants from wastewater. The system has shown to be effective in reducing pollutants by over 90% within three days, making it a promising alternative for conserving global fresh water supplies.
Researchers have discovered that traces of medicines can be found in fish swimming in treated wastewater. Elevated levels of the hormone levonorgestrel were found in fish blood, leading to infertility. The study highlights the impact of synthetic hormones on fish reproduction and calls for more environmentally friendly alternatives.
The US Army has taken delivery of the first two units of a revolutionary waste-water treatment system developed by Sam Houston State University. The system uses proprietary bacteria to clean polluted water with high efficiency and can be deployed in remote areas with minimal infrastructure.
Researchers developed a revolutionary packaged wastewater treatment system using naturally occurring bacteria, leaving no toxic by-products and requiring minimal energy. The system has been deployed in Afghanistan and offers scalable solutions for large-scale and small-scale applications.
Researchers have successfully produced renewable hydrogen from wastewater using a microbial electrolysis system at a Napa Valley winery. The process uses bacteria to convert organic material into electrical current and then produces hydrogen gas, which can be used as a clean energy source.
Researchers have developed a process that cleans wastewater and generates electricity, also removing 90% of salt from brackish water or seawater. The system uses microbial desalination cells to convert wastewater into clean water producing electricity.
Researchers have mapped illicit drug use patterns in Oregon using municipal wastewater samples, providing a one-day snapshot of drug excretion. The study found higher levels of cocaine metabolites in urban areas and lower levels in rural areas, with methamphetamine present in all municipalities.
The study found that methamphetamine was present in all municipalities, while MDMA was at quantifiable levels in less than half of the communities. Urban areas had significantly higher index loads of cocaine metabolite BZE, while rural areas had lower levels or none detected.
Researchers have identified a microbe that can digest d-n-butyl phthalate, a common pollutant found in groundwater, river water, and soil. The microbe's ability to break down phthalates could be used to treat industrial wastewater and prevent environmental pollution.
Dr. Bruce Logan has developed energy-sustainable water infrastructure that can be used in both industrialized and developing nations. His microbial fuel cells produce clean water and energy, making it a game-changer for powering water infrastructure in developing countries.
A study by the University of Gothenburg found that pharmaceutical substances released into the environment can lead to resistant bacteria and harm local ecosystems. The research highlights the need for greater transparency in the production chain to ensure environmentally friendly manufacturing practices.
Researchers from Université de Montréal have detected chemotherapy products and hypertension/cholesterol medications in wastewater released into the St. Lawrence River. The study highlights a growing concern about pharmaceutical waste's impact on the environment, with minimal quantities of these substances present in treated water.
Researchers use stable isotope techniques to analyze clam shells, revealing wastewater inputs to estuaries and coastal food webs. The technique helps distinguish natural from human-driven influences on coastal ecosystems.
Using two million pounds of iron, researchers improved pollutant levels by 87%, removing BOD, nitrogen, phosphorus, and colors from industrial wastewater. The low-cost iron-based method has great potential for developing countries.
Researchers in Algeria have discovered that orange peel can effectively remove acidic dyes from industrial effluent, blocking sunlight and harming photosynthesizing plant species. The study found that absorption time depends on dye concentration and temperature, with strong dyes absorbed at up to 70 milligrams per gram of orange peel.
Using reclaimed wastewater for irrigation shows few detrimental effects on citrus trees, with improved appearance and fruit crop ratings. This sustainable practice reduces the need for groundwater withdrawal and minimizes environmental pollution.
Soil scientists have created a new mathematical model that can accurately calculate the quantities of nitrous oxide produced during wastewater treatment processes like anammox and denitrification. This breakthrough aims to improve wastewater treatment effectiveness and reduce N2O emissions, a key concern for climate protection.
Researchers have found high levels of methyl mercury in wastewater from dental clinics and offices, which can become a potent neurotoxin when exposed to sulfate-reducing bacteria. The study estimates that up to 11 pounds of methyl mercury could be entering the US public water supply each year.
Researchers have found that peanut husks can extract up to 95% of copper ions from waste water, while pine sawdust achieves only 44% extraction. The process works best at slightly acidic conditions, making it a promising solution for reducing toxic copper levels in natural resources
Perry L. McCarty's work in environmental biotechnology has led to the development of economical wastewater treatment processes, including anaerobic systems that utilize beneficial microbes. His research aims to protect ecological and drinking water resources by treating wastewater.
A new microbial fuel cell design by Washington University engineer Lars Angenent increases power output from 3 to 29 watts per cubic meter, enough to run a small light bulb. The system harnesses wastewater's organic matter to generate electricity, offering potential applications in the food and agricultural industries.
Separating urine from wastewater can significantly reduce energy consumption, decrease sewer stench, and protect pipes. By purifying 50% of urine, 25% less energy is needed for the entire purification system.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists has awarded the 2006 Leonard M. Rieser Fellowship to four students: Christopher Affolter, Kafui Gbewonyo, Andrew Leifer, and Lee Pearson. These recipients will work on various projects addressing global challenges such as biological weapons proliferation, wastewater irrigation for agriculture, scie...