NobleAI’s Post

There is a lot of anticipation around the increase in AI utilization within water and wastewater treatment operations. Will we see a higher demand of AI to increase operations efficiency in the 2024? #water #wastewater #AI #optimization

Policy brief: Leveraging solution-oriented assessments for the Science-Policy Panel These are our recommendations 1. The Science Policy Panel could consider solution-oriented assessments (SOAs) as a means to include analyses of possible solutions to chemicals-related problems. Typically, such problems are “wicked problems”, which means that they have no single solution, but require a variety of societal responses. 2. SOAs could include multiple solution pathways that also analyze regionally-attuned and realistic options for implementation. 3. Analyses of solution pathways could include targets that could be met along the various pathways presented. 4. SOAs must consider multiple sectors in order to achieve “buyin” and cooperation while ensuring that the solutions explored maximize human and ecosystem health protection and prevention. 5. Inputs to SOAs should come from multi- and interdisciplinary science and Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge to develop a range of options informed by lived experiences. For detailed background information, please refer to our working document: Schäfer, M. (2024) Solution-­oriented assessment: A literature review and conclusions for the SPP on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution Prevention. https://lnkd.in/dGUWJ59D The policy brief can be found here: https://lnkd.in/dRkFxp6M

"Small, rural drinking water treatment (DWT) plants typically use only chlorine to implement the disinfection process. For these plants, free chlorine residual (FCR) serves as a key performance measure for disinfection. The FCR is stated as the concentration of free chlorine remaining in the water, after the chlorine has oxidized the target contaminants. In practice, the FCR is determined by plant operators based on their experience. Specifically, operators choose a dose of chlorine to achieve a satisfactory FCR concentration, but often have to make an estimate of the chlorine requirements. The challenge of determining an accurate FCR has led to the use of advanced FCR prediction techniques. In particular, machine learning (ML) algorithms have proven effective in achieving this goal. By identifying correlations among numerous variables in complex systems, successful ML implementation could accurately predict FCR, even from cost-effective, low-tech monitoring data." #ml #watertreatmentsystems

A quick and easy way to screen for PFAS in your water? The next step in the innovation curve pertaining to PFAS is nearly complete. Thanks to Eliot Cooper for posting this over in the Emerging Contaminants group. #cleanwater #forpeopleforplant

In exciting water innovation news: The resilient and revolutionary water flea shows promise in treating and removing “forever chemicals” from water. Researchers from the University of Birmingham have discovered some dormant populations of water fleas can survive amid polluted environments and remove contaminants, including PFOs, heavy meats, and arsenic from water. "The water flea's remarkable ability to remain dormant for centuries allows scientists to revive dormant populations that endured varying historical pollution pressures. Leveraging this trait, researchers sourced strains with diverse tolerances to chemical pollutants, incorporating them into the technology," notes Senior Author and Professor Luisa Orsini. Such a ground-breaking discovery could relieve water-stressed areas and provide a more cost-efficient means of treating water worldwide. This article discusses this crustacean's exciting and innovative application in water tech via The Cool Down here:

Many of us who are aware about #LCA or #EIA process would probably agree with me that conducting #LifeLCA is very complex study. The most challenging part is to creating right #scope while collecting the relevant #datasets. Sharing one interesting paper here, where author conducted a #LifeLCA on 49 years old Gentleman. Maximum shares contributed - - #Transport under #POCP impacts. - #EnergyandWater under #GWP impacts. - #Food under #EP impacts. Interestingly, many #softwares are now providing us daily #carbonfootprint (mostly self declared).But along with that can we track other relevant #categories and get some #alternative solutions? I am searching few more papers on this topic. If you have any new one please share. 🙂 #sustainabledevelopment #sustainabilty #lca #lifelca #energy #water

Yesterday's "The Daily" Podcast by the New York Times highlighted a recent environmental win by the Biden Administration - the first-ever limits on forever chemicals in drinking water. However, the hosts also delved into the fact that water providers and utility groups will bear the burden of enforcing these regulations, ultimately costing the end user. While this is a step in the right direction, it is important to focus on eliminating these toxic PFAS chemicals at the starting point. Science-based AI can help companies achieve this goal. Let's prioritize the use of AI to eliminate forever chemicals in product formulation. #pfas #foreverchemicals #AI #NYT #ScienceBasedAI

We have uploaded some invaluable material to the portable and fixed VOC detector pages on our website, excerpts follow below and in successive posts. What is a VOC? "Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a wide range of naturally and synthetically occurring chemicals that are found almost everywhere on earth. They are described as volatile because they evaporate at standard temperature and pressure, releasing molecules into the atmosphere. VOCs are also extremely useful as they form the building blocks of many synthetic materials (plastics, rubbers, glues, paints, etc.), and are used to create pharmaceuticals and are a great fuel for transport and heating." ION Science White Paper, HSE Impacts of VOCs. https://lnkd.in/dUGYiQEw

A global study highlighted the widespread contamination of water by PFAS (“forever chemicals”) across various regions, including areas without obvious sources of contamination. About 31% of tested groundwater and 16% of surface water samples contained harmful levels of PFAS, with the highest concentrations found near airports and military bases. At J-WAFS, numerous projects are actively seeking solutions to mitigate PFAS contamination and its impacts on public health and the environment. For example, research led by J-WAFS PI Ariel Furst is developing point-of-use methods for degrading PFAS. The proposed technology utilizes low-energy, scaffolded enzyme materials to move beyond simple capture, aiming to degrade the hazardous pollutants. Read the full New York Times article about the study here: https://lnkd.in/eVpZ8Hii Learn more about Furst’s research here: https://lnkd.in/gwSAfSGP

I recently learned about ZeroPM, a research consortium aiming to prevent, prioritize, and remove persistence and mobile (PM) substances in the environment. PM substances include PFAS, and are of particular environmental and health concern, because they a.) don't break down in the environment and b.) continue to cycle and move in the environment, with compounding potential for negative health impacts over time. This effort embodies the urgent need to limit PM substances entering the environment while investigating nuances associated with regrettable substitutions, consumer choices, chemical groupings, and regulations. Kudos to the EU all the researchers involved! They also have a podcast for you commuters out there. Check them out: