Tag: Wastewater

After investing 1.5 million Swedish Crowns, the new Cary 620 FTIR microscope coupled with Cary 660 IR spectroscopes and FTIR microscopy is finally installed and ready for operation for analyses of microplastics in Department of Energy and Technology. Using the Focal plane array detector and the FTIR spectrophotometer, the instrument will be used to implement chemical imaging to identify, quantify and determine the particle size of micro plastics and other substances.  The instrument is homed by Environmental technology group under the responsibility of Sahar Dalahmeh.

FORMAS has granted 3 mkr to implement multi-actor engagement and particpatory design approach to understand how socio-technical factors affect the development of biochar-based systems as an alternative for onsite wastewater treatment in Sweden. Based on the participatory design criteria, laboratory and demonstration biochar-based treatment systems will be implemented. The technical performance and maintenance and operation requirements will be evaluated with the relevant stakeholders. Sustainability of biochar solution will be assessed in a multi-criteria sustainability assessment, including social, economic and environmental impacts. The project is lead by Sahar Dalahmeh from the environmental technology group.

With a total fund of 8 million Swedish crown, Sahar Dalahmeh her collaborators will evaluate contribution of stormwater from roads in polluting the environment with microplastics and will investigate how to integrate green infrastructure into pollutant removal, by assessing the potential, efficiency and design of road-side filters (bark and biochar) for removing MP from stormwater, to function as planting sites and to retain water. The project comprises four work tasks: 1) To assess the composition, particle size and quantities of MP in stormwater from different urban sources; 2) to assess and compare the efficiency and potential of road-side filters made of biochar or bark filters in removing MP and in acting as green beds, and compare them with soil beds; 3) to develop a conceptual design for road-side green filters for MP removal; and 4) to assess their environmental sustainability in terms of e.g. climate change and water quality impacts. The project will be implemented within four years in collaboration with researchers from Aalborg University in Denmark and Malmö University

In collaboration Othman Masahgbeh (RSS- Jordan) and other researchers in Lincoln University, Sahar Dalahmeh from our group has published an article “Removal of Selected Pharmaceuticals and Personal Products in Wastewater Treatment Plant in Jordan” in the journal, Water.

The authors concluded that the highest average concentrations of personal care products (PPCPs) which were detected in treated wastewater were for carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, caffeine, and cotinine. This study clearly showed that incomplete removal and/or degradation of PPCPs takes place in As-Samra WWTP, the biggest and most advances WWTP in the country. Less effort has been made to minimize the levels of PPCPs contaminants at their sources, especially at home, pharmacies, and hospitals. Therefore, there is a need in Jordan to raise public awareness about the impact of these contaminants on water and the food cycle. This awareness will help the local authorities to implement any future policies that cover pharmaceutical waste management and handling at home, pharmacies, and hospitals.

The following special issue which Sahar Dalahmeh from our research group is guest editing will be published in Applied Sciences, is now open to receive submissions of full research articles and comprehensive review papers for peer-review and possible publication. We invite prospective authors to submit innovative and high-quality papers with original perspectives on any of the PIC-related topics.