Producing clean, safe water is becoming increasingly difficult. Water sources themselves can be contaminated, but in addition, some purification methods can result in the unintentional formation of harmful by-products. And not all treatments are created equal in their ability to remove contaminants or contaminants. Below are some recent articles published in ACS journals that provide insight into how water treatment methods work and the quality of the resulting water. Reporters can request free access to these papers by emailing [email protected].
“Drivers of Cytotoxicity of Disinfection Byproducts in US Drinking Water: Should Other DBPs Be Considered for Regulation?”
environmental science and technology
December 15, 2021
In this article, the researchers examined both traditional and advanced disinfection methods in the United States and tested the quality of their drinking water. Wastewater treatment plants with advanced removal technologies such as activated carbon formed fewer types and lower levels of harmful disinfection by-products (known as DBPs) in their water. Because of the prevalence and cytotoxicity of haloacetonitriles and iodoacetic acids in some of the treated waters, researchers recommend considering these two groups when drafting future water quality regulations.
“Complete system for producing clean water from a contaminated body of water through a handcrafted flower-like light absorber”
ACS Omega
December 9, 2021
As a step toward low-cost water purification technology, the researchers crocheted coated black yarn into a flower-like pattern. If the flower was placed in dirty or salty water, the water would soak up the yarn. Sunlight evaporated the water leaving the impurities in the yarn and a clean vapor condensed and collected. People in rural areas could easily make this material to desalinate or purify polluted water, the researchers say.
“Data analysis determines co-occurrence of odorants in raw water and evaluates strategies for removal from drinking water treatments”
environmental science and technology
December 2, 2021
Sometimes drinking water smells putrid or “fallen off” even after treatment. In this unique study, the researchers identified the most important odorants in raw water. They also report that wastewater treatment plants that use a combination of ozonation and activated carbon remove more of the odorants responsible for the odor compared to a traditional process. However, both methods produced some odorants that were not originally present in the water.
“Self-powered water flow-triggered piezocatalytic generation of reactive oxygen species for water purification in simulated water drainage”
ACS ES&T Engineering
November 23, 2021
Here the researchers gained energy from the movement of water to break down chemical pollutants. As microscopic layers of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) swirled in a spiral tube filled with dirty water, the MoS2 particles generated electrical charges. The charges reacted with water, creating reactive oxygen species that decomposed pollutant compounds, including benzotriazole and antibiotics. Researchers say these self-powered catalysts are a “green” source of energy for water purification.
The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a non-profit organization established by the US Congress. ACS’ mission is to advance the broader chemical company and its practitioners for the good of the earth and all of her people. The Society is a global leader in promoting excellence in science education and providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its diverse research solutions, peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences, eBooks and weekly news publication Chemical & Engineering News. ACS journals are among the most cited, trusted, and widely read in the scholarly literature; However, ACS itself does not conduct any chemical research. As a leader in scientific information solutions, its CAS division works with global innovators to accelerate breakthroughs by curating, connecting and analyzing the world’s scientific knowledge. ACS principal offices are in Washington, DC and Columbus, Ohio.
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