Preparation and testing of a sawdust-based phosphate filtration matrix

High concentrations of phosphate in the waterways cause algae blooms which are detrimental to water quality and fish habitat. The research project conducted by the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Upper Thames River Conservation authority, is attempting to alleviate this problem by chemically altering sawdust so that it can act as a phosphate filter thus removing excess amounts of phosphate. This filtration system is being tested with phosphate-rich wastewater produced from manure at a truck wash operation in the Upper Thames river basin. The expected benefit of this research is the availability of simple and inexpensive phosphate filtration units for use by the agriculture and food industries.

Faculty Supervisor:

Bulent Mutus

Student:

Dominique Leckie

Partner:

Upper Thames River Conservation Authority

Discipline:

Biochemistry / Molecular biology

Sector:

Environmental industry

University:

Program: