Designing A Cost-Effective, Environmentally-Friendly, And Sustainable Water Treatment System

Author(s)

Mohammad Arammash

School Name

Spring Valley High School

Grade Level

11th Grade

Presentation Topic

Environmental Science

Presentation Type

Non-Mentored

Oral Presentation Award

3rd Place

Abstract

Recent statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO) state that every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness and that 200 million hours are spent each day globally collecting water, providing a need for effective, sustainable, and efficient water treatment systems. The objective of this study was to design a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and sustainable water treatment system to be used in developing countries. It was hypothesized that a sustainable and efficient water treatment system could be developed using clay, bamboo, and eggshells. The antibacterial properties of ground-up bamboo leaves were evaluated. Next, the adsorptive properties of bamboo leaves were evaluated against lead. The adsorption tests were conducted over the course of 60 minutes in which samples were collected every 5 minutes, had their pH measured, and final concentration of heavy metal determined. After noticing no change in concentration over time the powder was tested over 15 minutes along with a composite of bamboo and eggshells against chromium and cadmium. The ratio of bamboo leaves to eggshells was 1:1. Finally, the samples were then utilized in designing a sustainable-water treatment system made from clay and bamboo shoots. The water treatment system was tested against water contaminated by chromium, cadmium, lead, and bacteria derived from sewage water. Results showed that the bamboo did possess antibacterial as well as adsorptive properties and the capacity to be used in sustainable water treatment systems.

Start Date

4-11-2015 1:45 PM

End Date

4-11-2015 2:00 PM

COinS
 
Apr 11th, 1:45 PM Apr 11th, 2:00 PM

Designing A Cost-Effective, Environmentally-Friendly, And Sustainable Water Treatment System

Recent statistics released by the World Health Organization (WHO) state that every 21 seconds, a child dies from a water-related illness and that 200 million hours are spent each day globally collecting water, providing a need for effective, sustainable, and efficient water treatment systems. The objective of this study was to design a cost-effective, environmentally-friendly, and sustainable water treatment system to be used in developing countries. It was hypothesized that a sustainable and efficient water treatment system could be developed using clay, bamboo, and eggshells. The antibacterial properties of ground-up bamboo leaves were evaluated. Next, the adsorptive properties of bamboo leaves were evaluated against lead. The adsorption tests were conducted over the course of 60 minutes in which samples were collected every 5 minutes, had their pH measured, and final concentration of heavy metal determined. After noticing no change in concentration over time the powder was tested over 15 minutes along with a composite of bamboo and eggshells against chromium and cadmium. The ratio of bamboo leaves to eggshells was 1:1. Finally, the samples were then utilized in designing a sustainable-water treatment system made from clay and bamboo shoots. The water treatment system was tested against water contaminated by chromium, cadmium, lead, and bacteria derived from sewage water. Results showed that the bamboo did possess antibacterial as well as adsorptive properties and the capacity to be used in sustainable water treatment systems.