The consequences of global warming, which are already visible in mountain environments such as the Alps, are having an impact on water availability. In this project I have developed a mapping tool to provide an overview of the water supply situation in mountain huts in Switzerland. This analysis concludes that the situation is not identical for all mountain huts. Indeed, each one is established in a unique environment and context. However, in the future, the issue of water supply will become central to every community on the planet, as global warming is a worldwide phenomenon. This study provides a local understanding of a global problem, focusing on its causes, issues and possible solutions. 

This project explores genetically modifying crops to be irrigated with seawater, conserving groundwater. It reviews scientific evidence on groundwater challenges, climate change impacts on agriculture, and the development of salt-tolerant plants (halophytes). The study discusses genetic modification methods, including Agrobacterium Tumefaciens and particle gun techniques for gene transfer. Legal and soil salinity considerations are examined, along with regulations and historical soil issues. Experiments include testing osmosis in cucumbers, irrigating Pilea plants with saltwater to challenge glycophytic tolerance, and confirming soil salt accumulation after irrigation. All which paves the way for there to be produced a salt water tolerant crop.

Degrading plastic releases microplastics into the environment, threatening soil and water ecosystems. Research has focused on how these contaminants impact plant growth. Pollutants also include antibiotics like SMX found in landfills and water sources. This study examines the effects of microplastics (PVC and PS) and the antibiotic SMX on plant growth, both individually and combined, using three plant species (Lepidium sativum, Sorghum saccharatum, and Sinapis alba) and the Phytotoxkit Microbiotest, which is advantageous for its speed, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. The study measured root and shoot lengths to assess contaminant impact.
Additionally, electrospinning is highlighted as a promising technique for addressing water pollution. Electrospun membranes, with their highly porous structure, effectively filter microplastics from water. Advances in this technology have incorporated inorganic nanoparticulates into fibrous polymer matrices, enhancing their efficiency in removing contaminants from wastewater. The study underscores electrospinning’s potential as a sustainable solution for reducing plastic pollution and other environmental hazards.

Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, the issue of surface water quality in Ukraine, which is potentially used to meet the drinking, household and other needs of the population, has become of vital importance. The project purpose is to set of studies for ecological assessment of the river water by the school chemical laboratory. The relevance of the project lies in the sharing of this experience for students’ scientific research activities or for use in STEM education. The proposed set of studies is very important in the context of martial law, as it allows for operational monitoring of surface water quality.

The project develops a low-cost aquatic rover: an autonomous vehicle for water to measure physical-chemical parameters in freshwater ecosystems, such as turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature, to identify environmental impacts. With two models available, the sensors collect water quality data and send it to a server, which is analyzed on a computer or cell phone. The main objective is to facilitate water monitoring, reduce the need for technicians, reduce exposure to contaminated areas, and increase efficiency in detecting contamination. After testing, the equipment proved to be effective in measuring data.

Water scarcity will become a serious problem due to climate change and population growth. In this research, we have introduced a water-saving mist cultivation system, comprising a sealed container and an ultrasonic mist generator. One of the features of this system is the intermittent supply of nutrient solution in mist form. We confirmed that optimization of water supply frequency enabled operation with about 70% less water, 65% less CO2 emission, and 84% less nutrients compared to conventional hydroponics without scarifying the yield of lettuce. In addition, we found that the sugar content in tomato could be increased by controlling the watering frequency and time.

Clean water is of vital importance. Micropollutants such as herbicides endanger the lives of non-targeted plants, mammals, humans, and aquatic life. This research addresses the removal of in water sustaining herbicide contaminants through the use of Biological Oxygen-Dosed Activated Carbon (BODAC), using a herbicide solution to, in turn, inquire the capabilities of sustainable and eco-friendly filtering method of BODAC and find a way of water detoxication.  

This project investigates the use of immobilized Chlorella vulgaris, encapsulated in agar-agar spheres, to bioremediate freshwater contaminated by industrial discharges. Utilizing a 2-liter bioreactor, significant results were achieved over six days, including a 96% reduction in chromium and a 90% reduction in copper concentrations. The process also showed substantial decreases in total nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, and phosphorus levels, proving its high effectiveness.

This technology offers practical advantages, including high contaminant removal efficiency, low cost, and ease of use in various environments. The research emphasizes supporting vulnerable communities dependent on water. In regions with limited access to advanced technologies, this cost-effective solution enables self-sufficiency and sustainability in water management. By leveraging locally available materials and accessible methodologies, it provides sustainable water treatment, fostering resilience and long-term environmental stewardship.

FLOODWISE is an innovative automated flood management system designed to mitigate flooding and repurpose water efficiently. The system integrates a flood indicator, a biofiltration setup, and an eco roof. These components work in synergy to convert floodwater and rainwater into usable water for non-potable purposes such as washing and flushing. By combining real-time flood monitoring with sustainable water treatment and storage solutions, FLOODWISE aims to enhance urban water resilience and promote eco-friendly water usage practices.

Though water-soluble cutting oil is an essential material for metal-cutting processes, its release into the water system prompts significant contaminations. Since the emulsion of water and oil cannot be completely separated, it is difficult to recycle and often designated as waste for incineration.

To solve this problem, I developed a more effective demulsifier using pine powder with a lignin content of more than 50%.

When pine powder and sulfuric acid were added to 5% water-soluble cutting oil, the emulsion removal effect was confirmed. At first, the process took 3 weeks at room temperature, but it was later reduced to 1 hour at 80℃. To identify the demulsifying component of pine powder, I conducted an experiment using pine extract, confirming that lignin is a demulsifying component.

Then, by comparing calcium lignosulfonate to sodium lignosulfonate, I confirmed that both substances had a high demulsifying effect, yet calcium lignosulfonate showed a greater demulsification performance. As such, I confirmed that treating 200 ml of water-soluble cutting oil emulsion with 0.016 g of calcium lignosulfonate and sulfuric acid (0.048 M) removes emulsion by nearly 100%.

Also, I used the activated carbons to completely eliminate the yellow colorings from the separated water layer. Lastly, I applied this demulsification method to the waste cutting fluids, and the separation of emulsion was successful, highlighting its potential application to real-life settings.

Moreover, I performed a bottle test using calcium lignosulfonate on the artificial emulsion made by combining crude oil and surfactant (Tween 20). The lignosulfonate showed a superior demulsifying effect compared to the control group, signifying that my demulsification method can be used not only for purifying water-soluble cutting oil but also as a demulsifier in various fields, including the crude oil industry.

Worldwide, agriculture accounts for 70% of all water consumption, and with the demand for water rising, there isn’t enough water for everything. The solution to this is irrigating with brackish water. However, brackish water increases the extent of salt-stressed soils and hurts plants. Salinity stress puts the world’s food security in danger. The microbiome in the rhizosphere plays a significant role in plant health and offers potential solutions for mitigating stress and improving crop yield. Unfortunately, these solutions require carbon additives, which makes them unsustainable. Using the rhizosphere of plants native to saline environments, I found plant growth-promoting bacteria that will sustain themselves while mitigating the salinity stress and improving crop yield irrigated with brackish water.