Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

This proposal requests funds to purchase an ion chromatography (IC) system to support research designed to develop biological systems for the treatment of industrial water and wastewater. The requested equipment is critical for the two key research priorities of the Biological Solutions Laboratory (BSL): waste-to-energy systems for agricultural wastes, and removing arsenic from mine drainage water. *The aim of our research on waste-to-energy systems is to develop a waste treatment system that costs less than typical aerobic treatment systems, while producing energy and treating waste as efficiently as existing systems. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are a promising area of research that have not been consistently applied to agricultural settings. MFCs work best in wastes with high organic strength similar to the wastes from the BC agricultural industry. The development of this technology can take waste that would be buried or landfilled and treat it while providing electricity to the user. Agricultural waste will change from being a burden to a benefit to society. *The BSL is also developing a passive treatment system that removes arsenic from mine drainage. An anaerobic biological system has been developed that produces sulfide which precipitates arsenic from the water trapping it in the organic matrix. This process will save the mining industry millions of dollars in treatment costs while maintaining excellent protection of the environment. Furthermore, it is a viable treatment option for mine closure. *A properly functioning IC is necessary for both of these research programs. The IC requested in the proposal is required to measure residual small organic acids such as acetate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, and tartrate in MFCs treating winery wastewater. The buildup pf these small acids can upset the pH or have a direct toxic effect on the cultures and so their measurement is a must for experiments that examine the effects of operating parameters on bioreactor performance. It is also required to measure the presence of the inorganic ions, chloride, nitrate, sulphate, and arsenate in the mine drainage water so we can perform mass balances on the ions and their conversion products. Thermo Fisher has stopped supporting the instrument and parts are very hard to acquire. The instrument is experiencing a significant amount of down time which is having a very negative affect on student training and research output.*