New Project To Help Tackle Water Pollution

Introduction

The University of Portsmouth is collaborating on an engineering project aimed at developing new technologies to monitor pollution in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs more effectively. The project, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), has been granted £360,000 to design, build, and test devices that can significantly improve our ability to measure water pollutants. This funding is part of a £12 million investment by NERC and Defra into 13 projects across the UK, focusing on assessing the state of waterways, habitats, soil, and air. The projects will utilize advancements in UK science to deliver new sensing systems and monitoring approaches, with a particular emphasis on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Focus Areas

The project will primarily focus on the following areas:

• Biodiversity and invasive species
• Water quality
• Soil health
• Greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane

Research Project: Next Generation Passive Sampling for Monitoring Organic Contaminants in Water

The research project aims to create a new sampling platform, called Next Generation Passive Sampling for Monitoring Organic Contaminants in Water, which will enhance our understanding of organic chemicals’ inputs into surface waters such as rivers and estuaries. This platform will build upon the existing Chemcatcher passive sampling device, originally co-developed by the University of Portsmouth.

Professor Gary Fones’ Perspective

“This is a crucial step forward in the use of passive sampling for detecting inputs of contaminants into our rivers and estuaries. The data from the River Test will be invaluable in ascertaining the type and concentrations of pollutants our fragile chalk streams are currently enduring.”

– Professor Gary Fones, Professor of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry

Portsmouth Researchers’ Role

Under the leadership of Professor Gary Fones, Portsmouth researchers will conduct sampling on the River Test and Langstone Harbour to generate data for software and database development. Two products will be developed as part of this project: a new Chemcatcher deployment system and a database with a digital interface.

Professor Fones stated, “This is a crucial step forward in the use of passive sampling for detecting inputs of contaminants into our rivers and estuaries. The data from the River Test will be invaluable in ascertaining the type and concentrations of pollutants our fragile chalk streams are currently enduring. The new platform will enable passive samplers to be deployed over a longer time period, saving money and time. The database and digital interface will aid end-users in accessing crucial data needed to understand the impact of these chemicals on the aquatic environment.”

Comment from Dr Iain Williams

Dr Iain Williams, Director of Strategic Partnerships for NERC, commented on the UK awards, stating, “This investment by NERC and Defra will help to deliver a step-change in environmental monitoring, modeling, and analysis. It supports our ambition to help businesses grow through the development and commercialization of new products, processes, and services, supported by an outstanding research and innovation ecosystem.”

Conclusion

The University of Portsmouth’s involvement in this engineering project signifies a significant advancement in monitoring water pollution. By developing new technologies and sampling platforms, the project aims to enhance our understanding of organic contaminants in water and their impact on the environment. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributes to the broader goal of ensuring clean water and responsible consumption and production.

References

1. NERC and Defra Investment in Monitoring of Natural Environment
2. Monitoring Aquatic Pollution – University of Portsmouth