Department Environmental Chemistry
Urban Areas
One of the main focal areas of the Environmental Chemistry department is the study of the input and fate of organic pollutants that reach the environment from point or diffuse sources. We research exposure in natural (surface and ground waters) as well as in engineered systems (wastewater, drinking water, sewage sludge) and carry out process-oriented field studies.
The emphasis is on substance fluxes and the fate of human pharmaceuticals, biocides and other industrial chemicals found in municipal wastewater treatment plants, as well as from other point sources such as industry, businesses and hospitals. We also study the fate of pollutants in groundwater recharge and river bank filtration for the purposes of drinking water production.
The aim of this work is to gain a better understanding of how different substances reach the environment from engineered systems. Based on this research, we work together with engineers to develop effective measures and new technologies for reducing substance inputs.
