In the heart of Morocco, researchers are brewing up a storm in the water treatment industry, and it’s not just about making water clean—it’s about making it commercially viable and sustainable. Hanane El Mrabet, a researcher from the Laboratory of Biology and Health at Ibn Tofail University in Kenitra, Morocco, has been leading a study that could revolutionize how we think about treating brackish groundwater. The findings, published in the journal ‘Desalination and Water Treatment’ (which translates to ‘Desalination and Water Treatment’ in English), offer a glimpse into a future where water treatment is not just about purity, but also about profitability.
El Mrabet and her team have been exploring the use of membrane filtration as a post-treatment for biological denitrification, a process that removes nitrates from water. But here’s where it gets interesting: they’re using sugarcane as a carbon source for the denitrification process. Yes, you read that right—sugarcane. This isn’t just about finding a new use for an old crop; it’s about creating a sustainable, cost-effective solution for water treatment.
The study combines sugarcane-based heterotrophic denitrification with a post-treatment system using conventional pretreatment and membrane filtration. The team tested various configurations, including microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF), to see which would give them the best results. And the results are impressive. “We found that sugarcane-based heterotrophic denitrification effectively removes 98% of nitrates,” El Mrabet explains. But the real magic happens in the post-treatment phase.
The different post-treatment configurations showed varying degrees of success in removing turbidity and bacteria. The most cost-effective option, conventional pretreatment plus microfiltration (CP + MF), removed approximately 94% of turbidity and 99% of bacteria, at a treatment cost of just 0.17$ per cubic meter. But if you’re willing to spend a bit more, the conventional pretreatment plus ultrafiltration (CP + UF) and conventional pretreatment plus microfiltration plus ultrafiltration (CP + MF + UF) configurations offer even better water quality, with around 99% turbidity removal and complete bacterial elimination.
So, what does this mean for the energy sector? Well, for starters, it means that there’s a sustainable, cost-effective way to treat brackish groundwater, which could be a game-changer for industries that rely on water for their operations. It also means that there’s a potential new market for sugarcane, which could boost the agricultural sector. But perhaps the most exciting implication is that this research could pave the way for more innovative, sustainable solutions in the water treatment industry.
El Mrabet’s study is a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research. By combining biology, chemistry, and engineering, she and her team have created a solution that’s not only effective but also economically viable. And as the world grapples with water scarcity and sustainability issues, this kind of innovation is exactly what we need.
The study recommends using either MF or UF independently in scenarios where cost-efficiency is a critical consideration, whereas the CP + MF + UF option would only increase investment and operational costs. But the real takeaway is that this research is just the beginning. As El Mrabet puts it, “This is not just about treating water; it’s about creating a sustainable future.” And with findings like these, that future is looking brighter by the day.
As the water, sanitation, and drainage industry continues to evolve, research like El Mrabet’s will be crucial in shaping its future. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, she and her team are not just treating water—they’re changing the game. And as the world watches, one thing is clear: the future of water treatment is looking sweet—and sustainable.
