Technologies for Treatment of Emerging Contaminants. 3 credits, 3 contact hours

Catalog description

The growing presence of 'emerging contaminants' (ECs) is a significant concern because these synthetic and naturally occurring chemicals often go unmonitored, yet they enter the environment and negatively impact both environmental and human health. Some examples of ECs include PFAS, 1,4-dioxane, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and many others, which are found in various water sources and food chains. Unfortunately, traditional water and wastewater treatment processes do not effectively remove them, and thus advanced and novel technologies have been developed over recent decades to address these contaminants. This course will introduce students to the theoretical concepts and design of such novel systems for treating ECs. These lectures will be supplemented with peer-reviewed articles, technical reports, and case studies. Required background: undergraduate and/or graduate courses in environmental microbiology, water chemistry, water quality and treatment, or permission of instructor.