Articles tagged with "water-treatment"
New pine bark filter removes over 90% of drug traces from wastewater
Researchers at the University of Oulu in Finland have developed an innovative, low-cost water treatment method using iron-modified pine bark to remove pharmaceutical residues from wastewater. This sustainable purification medium leverages pine bark’s natural polyphenolic compounds, enhanced with magnetite (iron oxide), to effectively capture a wide range of drugs—including antibiotics like trimethoprim and antidepressants such as venlafaxine—with removal rates exceeding 90%. The magnetic properties of the modified bark allow easy separation from water after treatment, offering a practical and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods like activated carbon and ozonation, which are energy-intensive and costly. The research team tested the material over four months at a wastewater treatment plant, targeting post-treatment water where drug residues, though low, still pose ecological risks. Their findings demonstrated near-complete elimination of certain pharmaceuticals, while advanced cobalt-magnetite composites showed potential for breaking down more resilient antibiotics like levofloxacin. This approach aligns with circular economy principles by utilizing abundant forestry by
materialswater-treatmentpharmaceutical-removalpine-bark-filtersustainable-technologyenvironmental-protectionwastewater-purificationThe Complex Process Of An Urban Water Supply System - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica provides an insightful overview of the complex urban water supply system in southeastern Florida, highlighting the multi-step treatment processes that ensure clean and safe drinking water for the local population. The water supply originates from two aquifers: a shallow one about 100 feet deep treated through an 8 million gallon-per-day lime process involving pH adjustment, coagulation, filtration, and chloramine disinfection; and a deeper aquifer approximately 1,350 feet deep treated by two reverse osmosis facilities processing 11.15 and 22.5 million gallons per day respectively. The reverse osmosis process includes chemical pretreatment, filtration, high-pressure membrane separation, degasification, pH adjustment, and final disinfection with fluoride added before distribution. The article also details the types of contaminants targeted by the treatment system, including microbiological agents (viruses, bacteria), inorganic substances (salts, metals), pesticides, organic chemicals, and radioactive materials, all of which can originate from
energywater-treatmentreverse-osmosiswater-purificationenvironmental-technologyclean-waterwater-supply-systemsNorway: World’s first subsea desalination plant set to launch in 2026
Norwegian startup Flocean plans to launch the world’s first commercial-scale subsea desalination plant in 2026 at Mongstad, Norway. By situating the facility 300–600 meters below the ocean surface, the technology leverages natural ocean pressure to drive reverse osmosis desalination, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 30-50% compared to traditional land-based plants. The initial plant, Flocean One, will produce 1,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily, with a modular design allowing rapid scaling up to 50,000 cubic meters per day, potentially serving around 37,500 people each. This subsea approach also lowers capital costs by 7-8 times per unit capacity, requires 95% less coastal land, and minimizes environmental impacts such as toxic brine discharge near sensitive habitats. Flocean’s innovation addresses the global freshwater crisis, where half the world’s population faces severe shortages and demand is expected to outpace supply by 40% by
energydesalinationsubsea-technologywater-treatmentrenewable-energyenvironmental-sustainabilityhydrostatic-pressureNew material removes forever chemicals from water in seconds
Researchers have developed a novel nitrate-intercalated layered double hydroxide material capable of removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), specifically perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), from water in seconds. PFAS, often called "forever chemicals," are highly persistent environmental contaminants found in many consumer products and industrial applications, leading to widespread contamination of water sources and posing significant health risks. Existing treatments like activated carbon are slow, have limited capacity, and generate secondary waste, prompting the need for faster, scalable, and more efficient removal technologies. The newly engineered CuAl layered double hydroxide material exhibits a high capture capacity of 1,702 mg per gram, ranking it among the most effective PFAS adsorbents reported to date. Its layered structure allows rapid ion exchange between weakly bonded nitrate ions and PFOA molecules under neutral water conditions, enabling quick removal without chemical pretreatment. The material demonstrated consistent performance in continuous filtration setups and natural water samples
materialswater-treatmentPFAS-removalenvironmental-technologylayered-double-hydroxidecontamination-cleanupsustainable-materialsMine waste turned into water treatment chemical removing 99% toxins
Scientists from Heriot-Watt University and the University of South Africa have developed an innovative method to convert acid mine drainage (AMD)—a highly toxic, acidic, and metal-laden wastewater from mining—into ferric chloride, a valuable chemical used for water purification. AMD, a major environmental problem especially in South Africa where nearly 400 million liters are discharged daily, contaminates water sources and damages infrastructure. The researchers extracted ferric iron from AMD using magnesium oxide nanoparticles and converted it into ferric chloride, which in lab tests removed over 99% of pollutants such as aluminum, iron, and chromium from river water, meeting drinking water standards. This breakthrough offers a sustainable, low-energy solution that transforms a hazardous waste product into a resource, supporting circular economy principles and providing economic opportunities for mining regions. The team plans to pilot the technology in South African communities facing water scarcity, with hopes of scaling it industrially to address legacy mining pollution globally. Experts highlight the potential of this approach to mitigate water scarcity
materialswater-treatmentmining-wasteenvironmental-technologycircular-economypollution-remediationsustainable-materialsWe Can Get Rid of Carcinogens and Forever Chemicals in Drinking Water. Will We Do It?
The article discusses a new study revealing that technologies installed to remove PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), commonly known as forever chemicals, from drinking water also effectively reduce other harmful contaminants, including disinfection byproducts linked to cancer. PFAS are a large group of persistent chemicals that do not degrade in the environment and have been associated with various health issues such as cancers, hormonal disorders, and developmental delays. The US Geological Survey estimates that 45 percent of US tap water may contain at least one PFAS chemical. While routine water disinfection using chlorine removes pathogens, it cannot eliminate PFAS or heavy metals and can create harmful byproducts like trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids, which pose cancer risks. The study, conducted by researchers from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), analyzed data from 19 water systems that installed PFAS filtration technologies between 2018 and 2022. Results showed significant reductions in disinfection byproducts: trihalomethanes
energywater-filtrationenvironmental-technologychemical-safetypollution-controlwater-treatmentPFAS-removalUndersea Desalination Pods To Solve Water And Energy Woes
The article discusses an innovative solution to the high energy demands of seawater desalination, a process increasingly critical due to climate change and population growth. California startup OceanWell has developed undersea desalination "pods" that leverage the natural pressure found at depths of around 400 meters to reduce energy consumption by approximately 40%. Unlike conventional onshore desalination plants, which require significant energy to pressurize seawater for reverse osmosis, these pods operate underwater, using ambient ocean pressure to drive the process. This approach also offers logistical advantages, such as avoiding the crowded coastal zones where traditional plants face regulatory and environmental hurdles, exemplified by the decades-long, ultimately canceled Huntington Beach onshore project. OceanWell’s pods also address environmental concerns by enabling more effective diffusion of brine waste in the ocean, reducing the need for costly protective measures. The company has progressed from initial development to testing a single pod in an onshore reservoir designed to minimize ecological impacts. Supported by multiple California water districts and with interest
energydesalinationocean-technologywater-treatmentrenewable-energyenvironmental-technologysustainable-infrastructureWorld’s first sun-powered thermal desalination tech extracts lithium
Researchers at the Australian National University (ANU) have developed an innovative sun-powered thermal desalination technology that significantly enhances lithium extraction from brine while offering a greener alternative to traditional methods. Building on their 2024 thermodiffusive desalination (TDD) technique—which keeps water in liquid form throughout the process—the team introduced a liquid Burgers cascade (LBC) system. This design improves performance by employing flow control, optimized heat distribution via U-shaped conductive boundaries, partial thermal insulation, and precise recovery tuning. These enhancements led to a nearly 40-fold increase in water recovery and energy efficiency compared to earlier single-channel setups, demonstrating reliable operation with real seawater from Australia’s coast. The LBC system’s membrane-free, all-liquid approach addresses key challenges in desalination and brine mining, such as high energy consumption, corrosion, and environmental impact. It enables efficient treatment of high-salinity brines common in desalination and oil and gas industries without using harmful chemicals. The researchers
energythermal-desalinationlithium-extractionbrine-miningrenewable-energywater-treatmentenergy-efficiencyVeolia Opens One of the Largest PFAS Treatment Plants in the U.S., Delivering High-Quality Drinking Water to Over 100,000 Delaware Residents - CleanTechnica
Veolia has inaugurated one of the largest PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) treatment plants in the United States, located at the Stanton Water Treatment Plant in Wilmington, Delaware. This $35 million facility is the largest of its kind in the Northeast and is designed to remove regulated PFAS compounds from up to 30 million gallons of drinking water daily, serving over 100,000 residents. The plant fully complies with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s PFAS regulations and sets a global benchmark for cost-effective, large-scale PFAS water treatment. It features 42 large vessels filled with granular activated carbon to adsorb contaminants, and includes an on-site laboratory for ongoing testing and innovation in filtration methods. This project is part of Veolia’s broader BeyondPFAS initiative, which aims to develop over 100 PFAS treatment sites across the U.S., potentially securing safe drinking water for nearly 2 million people. The Stanton plant took three years to design and build, with
energywater-treatmentPFAS-removalenvironmental-protectionsustainable-technologywater-purificationactivated-carbon-filtrationOkra and fenugreek extracts remove 90% of microplastics from water
Researchers at Tarleton State University, led by Rajani Srinivasan, have discovered that extracts from okra and fenugreek plants can remove up to 90% of microplastics from water, outperforming synthetic chemicals currently used in wastewater treatment. The team developed a simple method by soaking okra pods and fenugreek seeds to produce powders rich in natural polysaccharides, which effectively trap microplastic particles. Fenugreek powder removed 93% of microplastics within an hour, okra removed 67%, and a blend of both achieved 70% removal in just 30 minutes. This plant-based approach offers a low-cost, biodegradable alternative that avoids the harmful residues associated with synthetic polymers like polyacrylamide. Testing in real-world water samples from oceans, groundwater, and freshwater around Texas showed varying but consistently high removal efficiencies: okra was most effective in ocean water (about 80%), fenugreek excelled in groundwater (80-90%), and the blend
materialsmicroplasticswater-treatmentnatural-polymersenvironmental-technologybiodegradable-materialspollution-control