Stockholm Junior Water Prize 2021

First Evidence of Microplastics in the Waters of the Upper Engadine in Switzerland

The objective of this study was to find out whether microplastic particles can be found at 8 locations in the Upper Engadine with different population densities, types of land use, and distances to the source of the river Inn at Lake Lunghin, a remote location in a major European watershed.

A wooden, low-cost, light, easily transportable self-constructed LADI-trawl was used for sampling. Plastic residues were detected in all locations, and the found particles were assigned to 22 different types of plastics, showing that seemingly remote regions and sparsely populated areas are affected by microplastic pollution. The findings of this research are of key importance for alpine regions, as evidence of plastic was found at over 2400 meters above sea level.

A research on the basic formula development for marine environmental friendly sunscreen based on edible ingredients

The synthetic chemical components test of sunscreen, such as benzophenone, are harmful to marine environments. It has been proven that plant oils (olive, jojoba, carrot seed, aloe, avocado, grapeseed and coconut) have the characteristics of ultraviolet absorption. The oils were mixed with the commonly used physical sunscreen materials (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide powder) to develop a self-made sunscreen. It has been proven that the sunscreen produced can achieve satisfying sun screening effect and can serve as substitute sunscreen formula of the current chemical-based sunscreen to reduce the chemical additive pollution of the marine ecosystems.

P.E.N.G.U.I.N.S.

Oil spills are environmental catastrophes – yet much of the danger comes from the less-famous emulsion that forms between spilled oil and seawater. I developed prototypes to educe overall emulsion stability by up to 25%..

The Effectiveness of Using Replacement Reactions of Carbonate Minerals in Removing Groundwater Pollutants

The aim of the research is removal of metals from contaminated groundwater via chemical reaction between the aquifer rocks and oxalic acid injected in the water. The research consisted of laboratory experiments demonstrating that the concentration of lead, zinc, nickel, barium in the water could be decreased. Further experiments are needed to better understand the appropriate conditions for the success of the method for various metals, and for conditions prevailing in groundwater.

Use of FCH Filters (Human Hair Filters) in fishing boats artisan for the capture of hydrocarbons present in bilge maneuvers.

Oil spills can cause serious damage to the resources of the fishing sector and the aquaculture through physical contamination, toxic effects on fish and shellfish populations and by interruption of business activities. In some cases, the application of effective protection measures and cleaning can prevent or minimize damage. As a result of this, ideas arise to seek possible solutions. This is how our research tries to contribute to the ecosystem, capturing the hydrocarbons present in the Coasts of Caldera, with the use of human hair filters (FCH) in artisanal fishing vessels.

‘Hydro-Filtricity’

The amalgamation of both hydro-electricity and microplastic filtration is an area that is currently unexplored. Our project provides a new alternative ultimately making sustainable energy even more environmentally friendly. Both concepts combined, meet several of the UN’s sustainable development goals. We have optimised our target market to appeal to both LIC’s (Lower income countries), where clean energy will elevate living conditions, and to the HIC’s (Higher income countries), who are the largest production point of microplastics. With minimal prevention of contamination of bodies of water for both locations from household wastewater, our product will tackle this due to its promise of clean energy in a world currently prioritising sustainable energy and the prevention of plastic pollution.

Magnetic Fluid Biochar, Eco-Friendly Novel from Sawdust for Wastewater Treatment

This innovation was developed to improve biochemical properties of biochar as adsorbent called Magnetic Fluid Biochar (MFB) for removal of heavy metal, microplastics and dyes from wastewater. MFB can absorb more than 83% of all types microplastics, 95% of all heavy metals and 90% of all dyes. The result of water treatment in natural water, found that MFB can absorb contaminants more than 90%, which the pH, TSS, TDS and turbidity had been improved up to Surface Water Quality Standards. Therefore, MFB is a high absorbent of contaminants from wastewater with low price 0.02 $/g/L of wastewater.  It is an eco-friendly absorbent due to the best synthesized method. It can be reused up to 22 times and recycled to supercapacitor.

Syzygium cumini SeedExtract-Mediated Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Particles for the Removal of Cadmium Ion in Wastewater

Water is an inevitable aspect of not only humans but all living beings. On the other hand, contamination of water results in many acute and chronic illnesses in humans, and environmental pollution. In this study, the iron oxide particles were synthesized in a simple aqueous-based technique using the seed extract of Syzygium cumini as the source of both reducing and capping agent. These particles show the magnetic character therefore, an external magnetic field was applied to separate the particle from the solution. The kinetic study showed that particles removed 92% of Cd ion in 30 minutes from wastewater. Moreover, this research revealed that the synthesized particles could be a very promising material to remove Cd ion from the wastewater.

Treatment of Metal Containing Wastewater using Eco-friendly Alginate: Selective Recovery of Metal ions

Heavy metal pollution from wastewater poses a significant health risk. Conventional methods of heavy metal removal from wastewater use a coagulant to attract metal ions into sludge. The treatment is long, costly and results in large water loss, and is harmful to the environment. In this study, a novel metal filtration system for wastewater using alginate, an algae-derived polysaccharide which forms a hydrogel with metal ions and traps them in place, is introduced. Using the motion of electrophoresis, the metal cations are moved through a compartmentalized alginate liquid filter and is separated based on their affinity toward alginate, making recycling more viable. The practicality of this method is that the resulting material is more eco-friendly and less water and metal are disposed.

“Use of ancestral Mazahua natural soaps for water sustainability”

Mazahuas are an indigenous group that lives in a small area in Central Mexico and have accumulated centennial knowledge on the use of plant substrates as cleansing agents. In this project, students interviewed the Mazahua community, documented the artisanal soap making process, and compiled a list of seven substrates, such as soda, sanacoche and wood ashes, used by the Mazahuas in the elaboration of traditional natural biodegradable soaps. Biodegradability and substrate performance as cleansing agents were assessed by performing phytochemical analysis, concluding that these soaps comply with their purpose as detergents while having a lower environmental impact. Preservation of the Mazahua culture can provide an alternative to the use of commercial detergents, one of the main sources of water pollution.

Smart Water Harvesting System For Agriculture

According to New Straits Times, about 100 farmers in Pinang Tunggal, Paya Keladi and Pantai Kamloon in Penang, are at risk of suffering major losses when there is inadequate water supply to irrigate paddy fields. My innovative plan is to harvest rain and runoff water by the usage of hi-tech solutions such as IoT to supply water in the underground storage automatically during drought. This idea does not only put an end to drought issues faced by the farmers but also increases the yield of food in my beloved country. It achieves 3 UN SDGs which are Goal2-Zero hunger, Goal13-Climate Action and Goal15-Life on land. I believe that my project will certainly create a better and greener future globally.

"Treating Waste Water for Re-usage"

Last year, 2019, Laos was hit by one of the worst droughts in a decade. We thought of researching for a solution to save water and an idea we came up with was reusing the water from our household and using it for different purposes. One challenge in achieving this goal was that the water coming out of our household had a bad smell and was discoloured. We found out that water can be treated with natural ingredients such as Alum, Hydrated-lime and Charcoal. These ingredients help make the water colour more clear and remove the unwanted smell. This project will contribute to reducing the wastage of water. This cost-effective project can be our key solution to several water problems.

Training for 20 low-income families from peripheral neighborhoods of the city of Cobija for the design and construction of greywater and rainwater purification modules, using Brazil nut and coconut shells

This project seeks to improve the health of 20 low-income families from peripheral neighborhoods of the city of Cobija who will have access to an alternative for self-management of greywater and rainwater. This project will ensure access to low-cost drinking water according to standards for water quality for human consumption in Bolivia. We seek to train 20 low-income families from peripheral neighborhoods of the city of Cobija for the design and construction of greywater and rainwater purification modules using Brazil nut and coconut shells. The material is easy to obtain since the nuts grow naturally in the Amazonian area of the department of Pando.

Microplastics pollution of water in Belarus: from the problem to the solution

Nowadays the microplastic pollution is becoming a macroproblem in the world scale but the responsibility is devoted to every country. What is about Belarus? In the results of the project it has been established that natural water ecosystems in our country are polluted by microplastics on the scale that it can be detected. The laboratory researches proved the toxical effect of microplastics on aquatic organisms. This result enriches the fundamental knowledge of the microplastics pollution. The creation of a special filter for collection of domestic microplastics in sinks and washing machines arose as a consequence of a huge research part of a project. The filters invented are easily used in household duties provided that owners have conscious approach.

Pollution-induced changes in enzyme activity in aquatic ecosystems

The project goal was improvement of the rivers’ environmental monitoring using changes in enzymes’ activity in the surface waters, bottom sediments and hydrophytes. Activity of the following hydrolase enzymes has been researched: urease and oxide reductase (nitrate reductase and polyphenol oxydase). Enzyme activity was measured by spectrophotometry methods. The level of enzyme activity increases with the concentrations of substances which form the enzyme-substrate complexes with these enzymes. This level can indicate the presence of certain substances in the water reservoir and provide a measure for their concentrations. Activity of polyphenol oxydase, nitrate reductase and urease increased when the surface runoff and household waste waters containing nitrates and phenols entered the water reservoir. This scientifically sound method is available for replication.

Using naturally derived poly glutamic acid in association with Moringa oleifera seeds as a coagulant for treating water

Bangladesh is currently undergoing some massive economic changes, and the river bodies are being affected by pollution. Unethical practices are not accounted and the rise in economic growth translates to more industries, which is good for the economy but bad for the water bodies.In the current system, in order to tackle such issues, people resort to many types of water purification measures. With about 63.37% of the total population living in rural areas and at a poverty rate of 24.3%, expensive purification means, like reverse osmosis, is not an option for them. We developed a method to carry out flocculation with Naturally produced poly-glutamic acid with Moringa olifera seeds, which are abundant in nature.

Bioflocculant pectin activity extracted from the orange peel (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) for wastewater treatment

The main flocculant agent used in the water and wastewater treatment process is the polyacrylamide, of which monomers are highly toxic. The purpose of this project is to solve this problem by evaluating the behavior of the bioflocculant pectin extracted from the orange peel. The pectin extraction was made by the citric acid and characterized the obtained material with the degree of esterification (DE) and galacturonic acid content (GAC) with neutralization volumetric method. Flocculation tests were made in synthetic residual water considering 3 values of initial pH: 3.3; 7.8 and 10.6. In pH 10.6, all the samples presented flocculation activities better than 90%, that is, is the most favorable to the pectin flocculation process.

Remote Sensing Applied to Precision Agriculture

We are Manuel Martínez, Joan Viñallonga and Marc Pérez, students from the technological field. Our research project is called Remote sensing applied to precision agriculture.

Our goal is to reduce the high water consumption in agriculture with new technologies. A multispectral camera coupled to a drone alongside an analysis of data obtained after multiple flights can help to reduce this consumption.

Besides, we have focused on helping small farmers in our area monitoring and controlling their crops to improve productivity and have a more efficient use of water.

In the long term, we would like to altruistically help farmers around the world since the agricultural sector is where more water is used and also wasted.

Biomimicry: Nature's blueprint

Biomimicry is an art that uses processes that are found in nature to solve human problems. Biomimicry can be used to clean water. During this research, the problem-driven approach is used. This approach starts with the essence of a problem and follows various research steps to find a solution. The filtration processes that were put in practice were filtration through sedimentation, soil and plants. These processes showed the most potential from processes that were researched. The filtered water was then tested on various components.
The conclusion was that the design for a water filtration system that is broadly applicable and provides safe drinking water needs to be based on the filtration processes in the kidneys, soil and plants.

AI FRESH STATION” – Platform for Growing ECO-GREEN

AI Fresh Station (AIFS) – is an artificial intelligence home kitchen appliance that grows organic food all year round. It can save water, help keep soil clean and eliminate waste and CO2 emissions. AIFS is equipped by computer vision + neural system that can detect different types of plants diseases. The station also has software for monitoring the status of cultivation and receipt’s date of the crop. AIFS is modular and has individual growth control, which makes it possible to receive the crop not all at the same time, but according to a schedule. AIFS saves water because it irrigates certain plants with certain doses, this also makes it possible for an individual approach to each plant.

Phytoplankton and Thiamine

Have you ever heard of thiamine deficiency? A high mortality among animals due to thiamine deficiency has recently been observed and the cause has been proposed to be phytoplankton. These are the main producers of thiamine out in open water and the share of thiamine auxotrophic phytoplankton, plankton who are unable to produce thiamine, is likely to affect the deficiency.

In this project it is examined how the concentration of phytoplankton in water from the Baltic Sea changes upon addition of thiamine. The results indicated a substantial share of thiamine auxotrophic phytoplankton when and where the samples were collected. With more knowledge about phytoplankton communities we would be able to improve the conditions for aquatic ecosystems.

A Novel Electrochemical Enhancement of Activated Carbon Fibre for the Purification of Contaminated Pharmaceutical Effluents

Adsorption by activated carbon is conventionally used for wastewater treatment but is inefficient for pharmaceutical wastewater purification. This study investigates a novel, low-cost electrochemical enhancement of activated carbon fibre (ACF). With 1.0V applied, ACF’s effectiveness in removing acetone, a common pollutant in pharmaceutical waste, was increased by 107%. Over three cycles of adsorption and regeneration, the original effectiveness of unenhanced ACF plunged by 39.2%, while that of electrochemically enhanced ACF remained over 90%, demonstrating its increased reusability. A self-constructed prototype integrated electro-sorption and regeneration into one central chamber, allowing wastewater to be continuously purified as part of a cyclic process.

CONTROLLED BREEDING AND SELECTION OF RESISTANT SPECIES Aegagropila linnaei and Taxiphyllum Barbieri FOR PREVENTING PETROLEUM BASED POLLUTION IN FRESH WATER RESOURCES

Our project consists of four processes:
1. Cultivating and the reproduction of these species in stable conditions,
2. Preparation of an experiment which consisted of adding 50 and 100 μl of diesel to 200 ml clean fresh water. And adapting them to a polluted enviroment,
3. Taking measurements of the colonies which have adapted to diesel,
4. Lastly, the selection of the strongest and best colony in the polluted environment.

Detecting the Toxin Production of the Microcystis species in Hungarian Lakes

Algal bloom causes several damages for lakes all around the word. The goal of this project was to develop an efficient way to follow the toxin production during algal blooming at an early stage.
The goal of the study was to create a biosensor which can detect the starting point of microcystin toxin production of blue-green algae namely the toxic Microcystis sp. population.
Microcystin is synthesized non-ribosomally by 10 genes. Four BioBricks were designed with the promoter of the genes, however instead of the genes green fluorescent protein (GFP) was used to predict the transcription of the genes responsible for microcystin synthesis. The students measured the fluorescence density emitted by the GFP when the toxin production had started.

A Hybrid Artificial Wetland System, for the Treatment of Domestic Wastewater in Rural Areas

Wastewater generation is a current environmental and public-health problem. In this project, the influence of the species Canna indica and Racinaea fraseri on the removal of contaminants present in domestic wastewater was studied, through artificial wetlands, using concrete filtering media. The methodology was based on an experimental model of a hybrid continuous system wetland, fed with wastewater with 2 individuals of Canna indica and two of Racinaea fraseri. The system was monitored using physical-chemical parameters: pH, chemical oxygen demand, phosphates, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrates, and total suspended solids. Simultaneously, the apical growth of the plant was monitored. The results demonstrated that plants capture nutrients from the water, therefore contributing to the elimination of contaminants (especially nutrients) in the wetland.

Natural Water Purifier with GSM Monitoring System

The use of chemicals in water treatment, which is a popular practice all over the world, contributes to climate change. For example, chlorine reacts to form tetra-halo-methane which are green house gases and carcinogenic. This project used common plants (Moringa olifera and Jatropha curcas), to treat various contaminated water and with GSM monitoring system we were able to evaluate the effectiveness of the pollution-control measures. With this technique, all the stations will operate in real time, and central station can access data from any of the above stations using GPRS/GSM or 3G cellular services. This work highlights the fact that our solution is in nature and this project if scaled-up, is capable of meeting the safe water needs of communities.

Controlling soil runoff and increasing food production by the functional water collection system using traditional Japanese soil solidification technology: “Ta-Ta-Ki”

In this research, by applying “Ta-Ta-Ki” soil, a traditional Japanese soil solidification technology, we developed a novel multifunctional water collection system to control soil runoff and increase food production with low environmental impact and low cost, and this system can be adapted to developing countries, especially in the arid and semi-arid areas.
(1) the water storage by collection and retention of rainwater during the rainy season; (2) the supply of trients to poor soil; and (3) the control of soil runoff caused by rainfall.
This inexpensive solidification technology with high operability can be an effective solution to environmental problems around the world, besides the areas with the demand for food production, as mentioned above.

CRACK for the FUTURE: The use of eggshell waste as a bio-adsorbant of phosphates for water and soil quality

This study looked at potential bio-waste adsorbents to decrease the phosphate run-off into natural waterways from agricultural fertilisers and animal manures.
Identifying eggshell waste as an effective adsorbent for phosphate, a mathematical model and website were developed for farmers to calculate cost savings and application rates of eggshell on their soils. This free and accessible tool will be available to help farmers counteract their environmental footprint.