A "GLOCAL" PROBLEM
Over 1.1 billion people worldwide do not have direct access to a drinkable water source, and thus, the quality of the lives of these 1.1 billion people are greatly affected. Leading Cause of Shortage: HEAVY METALS
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THE DANGERS OF HEAVY METALS
If consumed in excess, water polluted by heavy metal ions has extremely detrimental effects to one’s health.
Case Example: Nickel
Case Example: Nickel
- Ni(II) is commonly found in high concentrations of wastewater
- Excess consumption targets respiratory, digestive, and excretory systems:
- Acute diarrhea
- Intense nausea
- Excessive vomiting
The Effects of ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS
There are many various effects if one drinks VOCs contaminated water continuously as there are many organic contaminants such as tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene. High concentrations of these VOCs were even found in the Jericho community, which is a huge problem that needs to be fixed.
Some effects of drinking water are central nervous depression, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and cancer.n, and -Hodgkin's lymphomaNon-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Some effects of drinking water are central nervous depression, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and cancer.n, and -Hodgkin's lymphomaNon-Hodgkin's lymphoma
CURRENT METHODS
Although many methods have been developed to combat watercontamination, most of them are ineffective, inefficient, costly, and not at all sustainable.
Some methods, and their downfalls, are shown below:
Some methods, and their downfalls, are shown below:
TECHNIQUE |
DESCRIPTION |
DOWNFALLS |
Biological Treatment |
Uses algae, fungi, bacteria, and other organisms to biosorb contaminants |
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Ion Exchange |
Removes water contaminants by exchanging with less objectionable substances |
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Filtration |
Separates solid contaminants from fluids with a porous filter |
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Reverse Osmosis |
Uses high pressure to force contaminated water through a porous membrane |
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As can be seen, there is a great need for methods that iare
effective, efficient, inexpensive, and eco-friendly.
LUCKILY, THERE MIGHT BE SOME:
effective, efficient, inexpensive, and eco-friendly.
LUCKILY, THERE MIGHT BE SOME: