While billions of people continue to struggle to find access to the right sewerage systems, scientists can have a revolutionary way to solve waste water problems.
In a study published in the Journal of Applied Phycology, a team of researchers investigated the potential use of high -quality algae ponds as a practical way for rural communities to treat and reuse waste water.
Typically, normal high -interest algae ponds that are used to treat water still contain a large number of small algae that can be difficult and expensive to remove.
The Flinders University team in Adelaide, Australia, experimented with the growth of larger algae that are easier to separate from the water. It also operated the ponds such as batch reactors, which treat water in cycles instead of continuously.
Felipe Sabatté, Ph.D. Candidate and co-author of the study, explained the breakthrough that the team discovered.
“Although high -interest algae ponds are an accepted method for waste water treatment, in particular for regional and rural communities, they use microalgae that are difficult to remove from the treated waste water, which leads to unacceptably high suspended solids in the dismissal,” Sabatté said.
“These larger filamentous algae offer the prospect of an easier separation of the treated waste water, which considerably improves the treated effluent quality.”
This resulted in a lower amount of solids and organic pollution in the treated water while about 75% of the ammonium was removed.
Sam Butterworth, Ph.D. Researcher and co-author of the research noted the great potential for the development of the team.
“Algae-bacterial grain formation is a positive way for biofilms to form dense, fast setling biomass and to improve the treated waste water quality,” said Butterworth.
“The use of microalgae in high -interest algae nigers is increasingly being seen as a better alternative to other waste water treatment systems, such as activated sludge.”
Although the algae -based water treatment system may still be a way of widespread access, the research can free up the way for the future development of technology.
According to the World Health Organization, more than three billion people still miss access to safe sanitary facilities.
Cecilia Scharp, director of water, sanitation and hygiene at UNICEF, emphasized the need for proactive solutions with regard to sanitary facilities.
“If children do not have access to safe water, sanitary facilities and hygiene, their health, education and futures are in danger,” Scharp said in a statement.
A lack of safe managed sanitary facilities can lead to serious health problems due to outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera. It can also cause malnutrition, youth reinforcement and increased child mortality.
In most cases, poor sanitary facilities have a major influence on impoverished communities. This can ultimately create unhealthy environments that are polluted by human waste.
“These inequalities are especially grim for girls, who often bear the burden of water collection and have extra barriers during menstruation,” Scharp added. “At the current pace, the promise of safe water and sanitary facilities for each child is sliding further from the reach – to remind us that we must act faster and brave to reach those who need it the most.”
By developing new methods to guarantee the right sanitary facilities, researchers may possibly improve the quality of life for billions of people worldwide.
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