Two of University of 蓝莓视频鈥檚 graduate students from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, both supervised by Water Institute member Monica Emelko, were recognized this summer by the for their research. Gemma Charlebois and Andrew Wong are the first and second place recipients, respectively, of the 2017 Academic Achievement Awards for best Master鈥檚 thesis.
The AWWA recognizes these theses on the basis of originality, practical application, value to the water supply field, potential value as a reference, and overall clarity.聽
Gemma Charlebois took first-place with her thesis titled, 鈥淢icrocystin and Microcystis Destruction by Ozone in Drinking Water Treatment: Constraints and Effects,鈥漺hich argues that advanced oxidation technologies such as ozonation 鈥 the best available technologies to treat the toxins associated with algal blooms 鈥 might not be as widely effective as we would hope, especially in watersheds where there are high levels of organic carbon. Working with the Region of 蓝莓视频 as well as University of 蓝莓视频 biologists Heather Roshon and Kirstin Muller, Gemma was able to culture toxin cyanobacteria in a Grand River Water matrix in the lab 鈥 something that is challenging to achieve 鈥 reliably and successfully. This allowed her to evaluate drinking water treatment technologies and identify potential risks associated with sub-optimal treatment conditions.聽
鈥溾 said Monica Emelko, professor of Environmental and Civil Engineering and Director of the Water Science, Technology Policy Group. 鈥The cross-campus partnerships that we have at the University of 蓝莓视频 that encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative research, played a key role in the success and rigor of Gemma鈥檚 research.鈥
Harmful algal blooms can cause a number of negative effects on people聽and on the environment. It鈥檚 a problem that is increasing globally as the production of toxins is linked with climate change. Some of the risks associated with harmful algal blooms include:
- 聽聽Severe impacts on human health
- Creating dead zones in the water
- Raising treatment costs for drinking water
- Damaging industries that depend on clean water
Second place winner, Andrew Wong鈥檚 thesis titled, 鈥淚nvestigating the Enhancement of Biological Filtration with Capping Material Designs and Nutrient Amendments,鈥 focuses on the technologies in water treatment plants, specifically on biological filtration, which can be used to remove natural organic matter (a precursor to disinfection by-products of health concern) from drinking water. In the last several years, there has been an interest in how to enhance this process to maximize biological activity. Andrew investigated the complexities of biological filtration process dynamics and strategies for process optimization, piloting his work at the聽. 聽
said professor Emelko. 鈥Working with insutry partners like the Region of 蓝莓视频 is critical to meaningfully tackling these challenges.鈥
This is the fourth and fifth time that Monica's group have won a thesis award at the AWWA. Monica's notes that all five of her students that have won this award, have all worked closely with the Region of 蓝莓视频 鈥 a symbol of the excellent partnership between the University and the Region.
鈥溾 said professor Emelko. 鈥It demonstrates the strength and importance of our partnerships both within and outside of the university. When you have applied and fundamental science working together, meaningful outcomes can happen for science and society."