Projects / Programmes
Integrated approach to water pollution prevention
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2013
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.02.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Chemical engineering |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| 2.15.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Metrology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| P305 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Environmental chemistry |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.07 |
Engineering and Technology |
Environmental engineering
|
Biomarkers, biodegradation, bioremediation, clean technology, nutrients, toxic identification evaluation (TIE), ecotoxicology, receiving waters, pollution prevention, continuous reactor, fixed biomass, integrated evaluation of pollution, metrology in chemistry, wastewater, recycling, regeneration, sediments, discontinuous reactor, themrmophilic waste stabilization, aquatic organisms.
Researchers (28)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
New paradigm of sustainabe development stands for researchers new requests for developing of new processes and optimization of existent ones. This dictates directed and interdisciplinary linking of scientific enterprises capacities, exchange of experiences and connection with practical work. Prevention access at the environmental protection urgently demands harminized developing and implemented access all over the world. Linkage is needed also because of needs according to complete ascertaminment of circumstances and trends of the quality of components of the environment. We will use complex access for the research work, which will connect development of cleaner technologies for the filed of selected chemical-process industries (process optimization usage of raw material, water and energy, change of dangereus materials with environmental friendly materials, reduction of quantity and dangereus emmissions and wastes); choice indicators for comparative evaluation of alternative technologies of the same quality of products, and improvement of comuter methods for modelling and optimization of processes; integrated manipulation with wastewater and wastes, regenerative procedures pretreated high polluted process waters and wastewaters and recirculation of process waters and introduction of concept "zero waste". Research work on the filed of surface water will be directed to make general strategy for integrated evaluation and for management with pollution sources. Research will contain chemical and ecotoxicological characterization of pollution, field measurements, hydrological studies, and modelling of dilution and decomposition of pollution in the receiving water, evaluation of the impact to the environment and expected evaluation possible reduction measurements. Pollution loading from diffuse sources will be evaluated on the basis of data from the monitoring of surface water quality. At the TIE procedures in sediments fractional procedures for removing of potentional toxic substances will be used. Toxicity tests that show us the influences of present substances to organisms, should be sensitive enough that they perceive low concentrations toxic substances in the environment. We will assess changes in organisms as a consequence of exposure to sublethal concentrations of toxic substances on cell level.We will develop methods for determination of several enzimes activity. We will use organisms from different trophic levels of aquatic ecosystems (bacteria, algae, crayfish, fish), that are firquently esed in the ecotoxicology. Biodegradation of chemicals and wastewater will be determined by different laboratory methods dependant on physical chemical and other conditions. This will be the basis for the judgement of environmental impact assessment and monitorng of effects of different kinds of wastewater treatment. We will develop different measurement techniques for the detection of decomposition metabolites. Operation of wastewater treatment plants with fixed biomass will be optimized by technological patameters monitoring. We will study kinetics and the influence of hydrodynamic conditions on the material transport in biofilm in continuous and sequencing laboratory reactor. Mineralization of sludges from the biological treatment plants in anaerobic and aerobic reactor the main parameters will be accompanied, such as suspended solids, volatile suspended solids, COD, TOC, and qualitative and quantitative biogas production. With simulation of laboratory methods possibility of bioremediation of surface water, underground water and wastes pollution will be monitored. We will keep under review mechanisms of substances transformation with different measurement techniques and try to identify types and environmental properties of intermediates and end products. We will study factors that enable transfer laboratory data to real environment. For better quality of data the method for demonstration of traceability of results to SI units...
Significance for science
Interdisciplinary approach to the prevention of water pollution has contributed to the development of novel biological and catalytic processes, contemporary issues and methods of solving the following problems: reduction of emissions into the environment, optimization and development of new methods (chemical and biological) for the characterization of certain pollutants, the development of new technologies for wastewater treatment, transformation of organic waste substrates in renewable energy (biogas and syngas), monitoring of pollution effects in the aquatic environment, improvement of environmental pollution and the proper treatment of acquired data. Developed an integrated approach has helped to raise the quality of the environment at local and regional level, while the proposed solutions will provide the knowledge to tackle global environmental problems. Research findings were published in international scientific journals, patent literature and presented at scientific meetings.
Significance for the country
The research program "Integrated Approach to the Prevention of Water Pollution" has contributed to solving the problems relevant to the Republic of Slovenia: reduction of emissions into the environment, optimization and development of new technologies for wastewater treatment and waste sludge treatment, monitoring of pollution effects in the aquatic environment and the proper treatment of acquired data. The research results have contributed to the creation of the necessary skills for sustainable socioeconomic development of the Republic of Slovenia. In implementing the program, we primarily considered significant and the most abundant industrial and social problems in the area of water protection in the Republic of Slovenia, and the increase of the competitiveness of the Slovenian economy abroad. Sustainable water management is important for a good socioeconomic development. Pollution prevention is of the utmost importance in order to provide healthy environment and quality of life as well as welfare of ecosystem. Education of young research personnel, who have been and will continue to be trained in the future in the context of the research group, was also important. Created knowledge and human potential have been transferred to industrial partners and authorities. The acquired knowledge was presented at professional meetings and events popularizing science. In this way we have contributed to raising the technological level in the field of water treatment, waste management and raising awareness on environmental protection.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
