Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a novel method to extract essential nutrients, specifically phosphate and ammonium, from wastewater using advanced membranes embedded with inorganic particles. This innovative approach reframes wastewater as a valuable resource rather than a waste product, contributing to a circular economy and potentially alleviating nutrient shortages that threaten global food supplies. The solution, led by Ph.D. candidate Sara Abu-Obaid, aims to recover these nutrients efficiently and reuse them in agricultural fertilizer production.
Traditional wastewater treatment processes often treat phosphate and ammonium as waste, while Abu-Obaid’s method captures 100% of phosphate and removes 84% of ammonium from synthetic wastewater under dynamic conditions. The membranes utilize particles made of akaganeite and zeolite 13X, which provide a dual benefit: they adsorb nutrients and can be regenerated for reuse. This technology not only addresses nutrient recovery but also aims to prevent negative environmental impacts such as eutrophication. While promising, further research is needed to scale this technology effectively and ensure its long-term sustainability in wastewater management. Abu-Obaid emphasizes the importance of being proactive in establishing sustainable nutrient sources before shortages become critical.
