About the project
Emerging micropollutants, including pharmaceutical residues, personal care products, and industrial chemicals, contaminate global water sources and pose health risks. This project will identify key microorganisms capable of breaking down toxic, persistent organic compounds and develop an effective biofilm with specialized strains to enhance micropollutant removal in bioreactors.
Emerging micropollutants, encompassing a spectrum from pharmaceutical residues and personal care products to industrial chemicals, have been found in water sources worldwide. Exposure to these contaminants has been linked to adverse health effects, including endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, and potential carcinogenicity. Furthermore, the environmental impact is evident in the disruption of aquatic ecosystems, with implications for biodiversity and overall ecosystem health.
As these pollutants persist and accumulate, addressing the multifaceted challenges they present has become imperative to safeguard both human well-being and the integrity of our natural environment. Currently, no water or wastewater treatment plants are designed to target micropollutants, resulting in the presence of persistent micropollutants in drinking water and treated effluent. Therefore, removing micropollutants from water is imperative along with the expected more stringent regulations on micropollutants.
Employing biofilm with assembled specialised strains for (co)biodegradation of specific types of micropollutants emerges as a promising and environmentally sustainable approach, which offers a targeted and natural solution, aligning with the principles of green chemistry.
In this project, you will investigate the key microorganisms enabling the breakdown of toxic and recalcitrant organic compounds and develop an effective biofilm with specialized strains embedded or assembled to enhance biological removal of micropollutants. When necessary, it is also expected that physical or chemical treatment could be integrated to further improve the removal efficiency of micropollutants.
