ATWARM · Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management

Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management

ATWARM (Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management), Marie Curie Initial Training Network No. 238273, www.atwarm.com Project Coordinator: Dr Wilson McGarel, w.mcgarel@qub.ac.uk The QUESTOR Centre, Queen’s University Belfast Scientific Coordinator: Prof Mike Larkin, m.larkin@qub.ac.uk School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast Summary of project objectives The ATWARM ITN established a European multi-site network of 14 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) and 2 Experienced Researchers (ERs) at seven host organisations: Queen’s University Belfast (UK), Dublin City University (IE), University of Duisburg-Essen (DE), Cranfield University (UK), IWW Water Centre (DE), Northern Ireland Water (UK) and T.E. Laboratories Ltd (IE). The fundamental objective of the ATWARM ITN was to provide the ESRs and ERs with greatly enhanced scientific and technical knowledge combined with multidisciplinary and business skills that would enable them to contribute to the security of water quality and quantity within the EU. Key scientific objectives of the ITN included the development of: • Novel technologies to improve the efficiency and sustainability of water and wastewater treatment processes, including nutrient recovery. • Technologies that produce a paradigm shift from energy intensive wastewater treatment processes to processes that produce energy. • Technologies that allow the accurate measurement of emissions from water and wastewater treatment plants and establish the carbon footprint of technology options. • Novel technologies for the detection and remediation of pollutants using a new generation of analysis and remote sensing technologies. Work performed within the project ITN TRAINING ACTIVITIES Each fellow was encouraged to undertake the maximum level of training for career development, and each developed a Personal Development Plan, updated every 6 months. Network training included 3 summer schools, secondments to another ATWARM host and an international conference. The summer schools and secondments afforded Fellows the opportunity to network and work with private sector companies and policy makers, as well as academic researchers. This interaction with the private sector was as essential part of the training offered through ATWARM. Local complementary training was also available to each fellow as required. MAIN SCIENTIFIC RESULTS ACHIEVED The ATWARM research programme was delivered through 16 specific but inter-related projects. Results included: • A novel method of water treatment based on an underwater electrical discharge phenomenon, which opens opportunities of chemical-free tertiary treatment. • A sustainable water purification technique using sunlight and a TiO2 nanocomposite material. • Increased phosphate removal from a defined wastewater medium using defined bacterial isolates under environmental stress. • The selection of microalgae autochthon strains for improved nutrient (N, P) removal from wastewater and growth of the microalgae as a potential feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion biogas plants. • The application of fluorescence spectroscopy for cost effective detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sewer biofilms. • The potential of algae to simultaneously contribute to water purification and energy production. • Pilot plant trials for energy reduction in wastewater treatment by increasing methane production and reducing sludge formation in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) system. • Recommendations for accounting for carbon emissions, cost benefit analysis on embedded carbon, and delivery of systems for data collection, delivering options for cost savings through increasing resource and energy efficiency. • GC coupled to DMS (differential mobility spectrometer) was developed for rapid, cost-effective field tests for gasoline contaminated groundwater. The time required for measuring the contaminated groundwater is less than 2 minutes and gives results comparable to conventional lab-based instruments. • Rapid methods based on DNA and RNA analyses to assess the biodegradation potential in a diesel contaminated site; functional gene probes were developed and tested in contaminated sites. • A fast cost-effective and precise analytical method for the detection of TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons) at improved detection limits in the range C9-C40 applicable for waste, surface, drinking and seawater. • Cost effective methods to produce iron and aluminium oxide- and oxyhydroxide- based sorbents for removing arsenic from groundwater. • A faecal matter sensor for freshwater and marine environments developed and deployed under real environmental conditions for rapid detection of faecal contamination in recreational waters. • A methodology to characterise sewage and manure inputs to surface waters for rapid detection of sources of pollution. • A tool for prompt in-situ water analysis using actuated sensors. This now patented point-of-use system has a number of advantages, including de-centralised in-situ testing , low cost and rapid real time monitoring capabilities. DISSEMINATION ATWARM Fellows presented their research at international conferences, workshops, seminars and meetings. The group also delivered an outreach programme, publishing articles in newspapers, trade magazines, internal publications and through the ATWARM blog and partner websites. Copies of posters, scientific papers and other dissemination material is available on the ATWARM website. The ATWARM ITN also held a three-day International Conference in Dublin, where the Fellows had the opportunity to disseminate their results to a wider research and industrial audience. . Fellows also presented their findings to the QUESTOR member companies every 6 months, thus increasing private sector interest and involvement. DELIVERABLES AND MILESTONES All deliverables and milestones of the project were successfully completed. Final Results and Their Potential Impact and Use The outcomes of the project are highly relevant to all EU citizens, benefitting society, the environment, the water industry and other sectors. The ATWARM network was committed to pursuing technology transfer and commercial opportunities arising from the research - all projects were assessed for exploitation potential in the market-place. Already a number of potential products and services are being developed and there will be opportunity for companies to exploit these in partnership with the research teams involved.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union