Lillian Dailey– Undergraduate – Geography
Impacts of Micro-Plastic Pollution to the Water Quality of European River systems and the Characteristics of Effective Mitigation Solutions
Plastic accumulation and waste is a global pollution problem that circulates through freshwater riverways, streams, and natural fluvial vectors that eventually contaminate marine environments. Overall plastic pollution has mainly been macro-sized and visible to the naked eye, but beginning from the 1960s micro- and nano- sized plastics account for 50 to 90% of all marine litter, and 90% of that originates from land sources. International countries including Asia, Europe, and North America report different size classes of plastics in research studies found in their surface waters and sediments. This project examines the impacts of microplastic pollution on the water quality of European rivers and considers the characteristics of solutions that are effective in mitigating contamination. These consumer-based solutions have been assessed for economic impacts, feasibility, and unintended further pollution by using reusable kitchenware, reusable water bottles, and refill shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Rosey Downey – Undergraduate – Geography
The Changes Made in India to Combat the Water Quality Impacts of the Textile Industry
Textile manufacturing is a globally significant economic sector. India, the world’s third biggest textile exporter, supplies European and North American customers with inexpensive textiles as well as provides employment to 45 million people domestically. The bleaching, dyeing, printing, and final stages, also known as wet processing, involved in textile manufacturing rely on access to top-quality water. These processes produce a sizable amount of wastewater that contains sodium, chloride, sulphate, high TDS, and carcinogenic dye additives. This wastewater gets reintroduced into the environment, causing considerable damage. As a result, surrounding water accessibility is influenced. Several policy and technological changes have been initiated in India to combat the effects the textile dyeing industry has on water. The recycling of processed wastewater and the zero liquid discharge approach prove to operate practically and be economically achievable. The zero liquid discharge (ZLD) procedure improves the treatment and recycling of wastewater while also lessening the need for water. The implementation of these two concepts will help treat and sustain the water quality in India. This project examines the changes instituted in India to combat the impacts of the textile dyeing industry on water.
Valérie Pihen- Graduate - Water Science
Analysis of Phenols Degradation Potential by Ligninolytic Yeasts
Phenols are organic compounds that cause adverse effects on human health and ecology, which is of concern as they are increasingly detected in water effluents, mainly due to industrial discharges. Although technologies have been developed to degrade these compounds, the most efficient ones are unfortunately the most expensive and they are not environmentally friendly. We propose the use of ligninolytic yeasts, since they produce enzymes that are involved in the oxidation of phenolic compounds. The objective of this research is to analyze the degradation potential of Phenol, Pentachlorophenol, p-Nitrophenol and Nonylphenol by the ligninolytic yeasts Cryptococcus albidus (JS-B1, JS-B3), Candida guilliermondii (JS-B2) and Candida tropicalis (JS-B4, JS-B5), individually and their mixtures for their application in wastewater treatment plants. To this end, the yeast growth, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of each contaminant was measured. The capacity to use phenols as the sole carbon source was confirmed and the most effective combination of yeasts with the phenols mixtures was determined according to their growth. All yeast strains grew on concentrations of 1100 to 1200 mg/L of Phenol, more than 3250 mg/L of Nonylphenol, 200 mg/L of p-Nitrophenol and 50 mg/L Pentachlorophenol. The combination of all yeasts showed higher growth in presence of the four phenols. Therefore, the proposed ligninolytic yeasts have the potential to be used to degrade phenols in industrial wastewater.
Lauren Pavillionis – Undergraduate- Environmental Science
Deteriorating Water Quality in Canterbury, New Zealand: Causes, Impacts and Mitigation
Agricultural production in the Canterbury region of New Zealand is on the rise, leading to an increased use of local water resources. This paper examines the results that practices pertaining to pastures have contributed to the steady decline of water quality in Canterbury. Increased nutrient concentrations and temperatures as well as higher levels of dissolved solids from increased sediment loads are all trends emerging in water areas downstream of pastoral agriculture. The consequence of these changing factors is that the water quality standards are not being met by more than half of lowland and downstream water bodies in the Canterbury region. Groundwater, the primary source of water for the Canterbury area, is also impacted by pastoral and agricultural practices as contamination via pollution is a major threat. Proposed solutions to mitigate further water quality decline include introducing riparian restoration on lowland streams, employing the use of collaborative governance between farmers and policy makers, and utilizing designated government offices and programs to help navigate water resource management.
Ciara Scalia-Hirschman- Undergraduate - Environmental Science
Contaminants Of Emerging Concern (CECs) In Surface Water in Luxembourg: Sources and Impacts
Luxembourg is a small European country that is mostly rural. Rural residents are more likely than urban residents to rely on untreated domestic wells, and not all public water systems have appropriate filtration. Anthropogenic activity in the area releases pharmaceuticals, herbicides, and their transformation products (TPs) into the aquatic environment on a regular basis. These chemicals commonly come from municipal and agricultural wastewater. Pollutants enter Luxembourg's ecosystem through subsurface flow, wash-off, and erosion due to poor wastewater and water quality management. These contaminants have a harmful impact on wildlife, the environment, and people's health and behavior. The consequences of them in the water could be immediate or long-term. In this study, I investigate contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in surface water in Luxembourg to identify main sources and the ramifications of these pollutants.