Helmholtz Association

Efficiently Purifying Sewage

Sauberes Wasser ist knapp im Norden der Mongolei, der Junge muss deshalb zu einem Wasserkiosk laufen. Foto: UFZ/L. Horlemann
Clean water is scarce in northern Mongolia, therefore the boy has to walk to a water kiosk. Photo: UFZ/L. Horlemann

Climate change and population growth lead to an overexploitation of water resources in many regions of the world. UFZ scientists collaborate with colleagues from the TU Dresden and partners from science, the economy and politics within the “International Water Research Alliance Saxony” (IWAS) in order to analyse the regionally specific problems in five hydrologically sensitive regions of the earth. They develop feasible solutions with partners on site, which can also be transferred to comparable regions.

Hence scientists around Professor Dr. Dietrich Borchardt work on concepts for an efficient, decentralised treatment of sewage and sludge in the IWAS model region in northern Mongolia. “Sewage can be reused for the irrigation of fields, if they are free of certain microorganisms”, explains Borchardt.

For the purpose of testing sewage for bacteria, the IWAS scientists developed a simple procedure based on so-called aptamers functioning as sensor molecules reliably detecting certain bacteria. “We now try to develop the matching aptamer sensors for common bacterial pathogens”, says Borchardt. So far, these pathogenes can be detected only under the microscope after a complex sampling. Whereas a simple test procedure could reveal with minimal effort whether sewage can be used already for certain applications. In addition, the UFZ experts further developed a procedure to treat sludge from the liquid waste processing systems. The so-called HTC procedure hydrothermally processes and carbonises the sludge and thus returns it to the cycle as a recyclable material, explains Borchardt. The processed sludge releases nutrients and improves the soil structure so the ground can store more water. “These concepts can be transferred, for example, also to certain regions in the south of Europe, which also suffer from increasing water shortage”, explains Elisabeth Krüger from the UFZ, who coordinates IWAS.

Insights into research: Earth and Environment

To the Arctic and Back Again: Research from Aerospace

Icy frost, massive pack ice and powerful cyclones between polar night and all-day light: The Arctic makes it hard for science to unlock its secrets. For over 25 years now, the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) in Bremerhaven explores the Arctic and Antarctic also from out of the air. In the past year, the German polar aeroplane POLAR 5 departed for a very special Arctic  measurement flight.

To 'To the Arctic and Back Again: Research from Aerospace'

Insights into research: Earth and Environment

The Sea Walnut on a Campaign of Conquest

Glassy and ethereally delicate – Mnemiopsis leidyi, or more popularly the warty comb jelly or sea walnut, looks harmless. Yet appearances are deceiving: At the beginning of the 1980s, the comb jellyfish travelled from the American West Coast as far as to the Black and Caspian Sea in the ballast water tanks of ships. Four years ago, it was also discovered in the Baltic and North Sea.

To 'The Sea Walnut on a Campaign of Conquest'

Insights into research: Earth and Environment

Small Parts, Major Effect

Today, weather forecasts are based on well-developed computer models, yet which still do not take into account many important processes within the atmosphere – for instance, floating particles such as dust, pollen or chemical compounds. Such so-called aerosols not only reduce visibility but influence also the temperature distribution across various altrimetric levels; they can react with one another and as condensation nuclei can cause the formation of clouds and precipitation.

To 'Small Parts, Strong Effects'

Insights into research: Earth and Environment

Regional Climate Atlas of Germany

The Regional Climate Atlas of Germany shows how climate change could affect the various regions in Germany during the next few decades by 2100 and was developed by the four Regional Climate Offices of the Helmholtz Association emulating the model of the North-German Climate Atlas.

To 'Regional Climate Atlas of Germany'

Insights into research: Earth and Environment

Greenhouse Gases Bubbling up from Inside the Earth

When Eskimos in Canada light gases, which have accumulated underneath the ice, and have a barbecue on the flame or when the ocean bed resembles an orange peel and features pockmarks of up to several hundred metres in diameter, the same phenomenon makes an appearance: In those regions, methane from the earth’s interior escapes to the surface. Some lakes in Canada bubble so intensively then, they seem to be boiling.

To 'Greenhouse Gases Bubbling up from Inside the Earth'

12.06.2013

Contact

Dr. Cathrin Brüchmann

Research Field Earth and Environment

Helmholtz Association

Phone: +49 30 206329-45
cathrin.bruechmann (at) helmholtz.de

Communications and Media

Helmholtz Association

Phone: +49 30 206329-57
presse (at) helmholtz.de