Microbial Desalination Cells
Desalination is the removal of salt from seawater to provide freshwater especially in developing countries. Currently, MFCs (Microbial Fuel Cells) have generated electricity from biomass using bacteria. These microbes cause an electric current where electrons flow from the anode to the cathode where the reduction of oxygen occurs. A revolutionary new method called MDCs (Microbial Desalination Cells) could potentially desalinate water and produce energy depending on the design or set up of the cell. This process is similar to water electrodialysis but uses bacteria as the source of energy rather than an external source.
If the set up of the MDC is altered to desalinate water, then the highest amount of soil will desalinate water the most efficiently, because it will contain the highest amount of microorganisms. This method can be a cost-effective way to desalinating seawater in third world countries. It is beneficial because its energy comes from renewable resources which will not require any external sources.
Methods and Procedures
The MDC consists of the same design as an MFC but modified to contain the desalination chamber in the middle compartment. The saline water will be placed between the anion (AEM) and ion exchange membrane (CEM). The AEM will be placed next to the anode, the first chamber, while the CEM will be placed next to the cathode, the third chamber. Microbes in the soil will be placed in the anaerobic anode chamber which will be sealed to allow no oxygen to get into the chamber. This bacteria will grow using organic matter called acetate which will cause an electric current and release protons into the water. Protons cannot move to the cathode because only negative...
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...nity of the three chambers, I will use the salinity meter. I will take salinity readings twice a day for 14 days.
Safety Concerns
I will wear safety goggles when dealing with the microorganisms in the soil and drilling holes in the containers. I will be sure to clean up any spills with care using paper towels. I will disinfect any work areas before and after using them using disinfectants.
Before touching the soil, I will be sure to wash my hands. I will be sure to not eat or drink anywhere near the storage areas where the microorganisms will be.
Analysis
To analyze my data, I will graph it on a scatter plot to compare the salinity after each alteration of the design. Since the results will be qualitative, no statistical analyses will be needed. I will also make observations and monitor the set up by recording it in my notebook or taking pictures.
First, 100 mL of regular deionized water was measured using a 100 mL graduated cylinder. This water was then poured into the styrofoam cup that will be used to gather the hot water later. The water level was then marked using a pen on the inside of the cup. The water was then dumped out, and the cup was dried. Next, 100 mL of regular deionized water was measured using a 100 mL graduated cylinder, and the fish tank thermometer was placed in the water. Once the temperature was stabilizing in the graduated cylinder, the marked styrofoam cup was filled to the mark with hot water. Quickly, the temperature of the regular water was recorded immediately before it was poured into the styrofoam cup. The regular/hot water was mixed for a couple seconds, and the fish tank thermometer was then submerged into the water. After approximately 30 seconds, the temperature of the mixture leveled out, and was recorded. This was repeated three
Methodology: The experimenter used two ten gallon tanks. One tank will be used for the controlled group and the other tank will be used for the experimental group. Each tank will have two pounds of sand spread among the bottom of the tank along with rocks and artificial habitats to add nitrogen to the tanks. To add optimal living conditions for the oceanic life water filtration systems, temperature regulator, circulation systems, and a light to mimic the sun’s rays were added to each tank. At all times both tanks had a temperature of 75 degrees F. This experiment was done over a three month period. The first month was to allow the nitrogen cycle to occur. This allows the fish to be exposed to the water without having stress reactions due to unhealthy living conditions due to the nitrogen. Once the first month was complete six fish was added to both tanks. Two tangs, two damsels, and two clownfish. At first both tanks had a pH level of 8.2, ideal living conditions. After one week the experimental group was exposed to a pH level of 8.6. After two weeks it was raised to 9. Two weeks later it was raised to 9.3. The final raise was done two weeks after making the pH level 9.5. The final week of the experiment the pH lev...
More than 375,000 nail technicians face possible health hazards everyday (“Health Hazards”). Today’s salons are investing in the latest products. Sanitation is the most important in any salon to prevent disease or injury to cosmetologists and for clients. The ingredients in these hair products are becoming stronger for some clients to handle. Cosmetologists need to understand how to keep ourselves and our clients safe. Tools, implements, and cleaning furniture is the most important. Customers are always going to be coming in and out of the salon. Cosmetologist will not always know who the person is in the salon. Wash and sanitize your hands before and after a client. Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) will also help prevent disease (Frangie). To prevent disease and bacteria, cosmetologists need to sanitize the tools and furniture before and after they give a service to a client.
The experiment is aimed at giving a better understatement of osmosis process and the different conditions in which osmosis occurs.
Desalination plants overall could be a huge benefit to society for its high quality of water and intuitive water treatment techniques, however the big environmental impacts and high costs to produce water at a desalination plant makes it unfavorable to most communities especially the poorer communities. Although costs for the production and upkeep for a desalination plant has been going down while the technology of it rises, the only true benefit for having a desalination plant would only come into affect when it is near a body of ocean, such as Tampa Bay Water. All in all desalination plants could soon be the face of future water treatment plants and water sources, but for the present time it is still only a niche water source.
To avoid contamination as best as possible, if washing hands according to SOP1 is not possible, wearing gloves and spraying with 70% ethanol is also acceptable for the procedure. Furthermore, not touching the ends of the needle and filter are absolutely essential in avoiding contamination thus applying them to the syringe whilst the ends are still in their sterile packaging will aid the prevention of contamination. When not in use placing the syringe on its plunger creates a smaller surface area for the contaminants to attach to as well. Loosening the lids of the broth tubes before placing in the Biohazard cabinet ensures easier removal when required thus less exposure time of the opened end to the environment allowing contaminants in.
...y, and it is important that care is taken to ensure bodily fluids, blood, excretions, etc. are not brought into contact with skin, mucous membranes, clothing, and the treatment area4. Additionally, all reusable equipment should be sterilized before reuse1,4.
Water desalination is the process of removing salts and minerals from water that has a high concentration of salt dissolved in it, and can therefore not be consumed as drinking water. Desalination of saline water can be achieved by a technique known as reverse osmosis. In osmosis the net movement of solvent molecules occurs from an area of low solute concentration to a more concentrated one through a semi-permeable membrane to balance the concentration of solute on either side of the membrane. However, in reverse osmosis the net flow of solvent is in the opposite direction this can be achieved by applying an external pressure that is great enough to stop osmosis from occurring, this is known as the osmotic pressure. If a pressure greater than
The experiment measured the survival rate, the growth rate, and the size of the brine shrimp at the time harvested in various environments. To obtain these measurements, three environments were created: sea water, brackish water, and freshwater. For this experiment the scientists used 5 liter plastic buckets. Every two days, half of the water from each bucket was discarded and new water, of each respective salinity, was added into each bucket...
• Washing hands after touching blood, body fluids, or other contaminated items, even when gloves are worn.
I have learned and will practice that is very critical to know what hand washing technique and disinfection must be used before, during and after performance of every procedures, whether routine or surgical with specific routine and steps. I learned that CDC guidelines are implemented to control infection in medical and dental settings to prevent cross-contamination and are to be followed at any
With the growing population water and energy have become two of the most important resources on the earth. Both water shortages and energy crises are big concern around the world. It is reported that more than 1.2 billion people in the world lack access to clean and safe drinking water which is about the population of India. Although most of the planet is surrounded by oceans i.e. about 71%, only approximately 2.5% is freshwater, much of which is not available to us.
A microbial fuel cell (MFC) or biological fuel cell is a bio-electrochemical system that drives a current by using bacteria, and mimicking bacterial interactions found in nature. (2)
People from many developing countries are suffering from the scarcity of clean water, while the rest of the country simply take for granted. Habitants of rural poor communities such as Sub-Saharan Africa, are living in a water stressed environment. Residents of these communities have to walk miles at time just to gather water from streams and ponds, even though the water source may contain water-borne disease that can make them very sick. In the rural places that don’t have access to safe clean water, it is very difficult to prevent the spread of viruses. The consumption of contaminated water can be dangerous for health reasons and several people have passed away from these water-borne diseases. Some of these diseases include Cholera, Typhoid, Dysentery, Giardiasis, and Malaria. These unfortunate diseases are currently the cause of numerous deaths, especially in small children. The availability of clean water can prevent many problems in low income communities. The available resources for clean water are very rare, so these water sources need to pass through a process of water sanitation in order to just be sustainable to drink, “The world’s surface is made up of approximately 80% water, which is an indestructible substance. Of this water approximately 97% is salt water, 2% frozen in glaciers, and only 1% is available for drinking water supply using traditional treatment methods” (Thornton). Therefore, properly treated or disinfected
This paper is about water purification. Water that is safe to drink is called potable water. Our freshwater is definitely not evenly put out throughout the world (www.science.howstuffworks.com). More than half of the world’s water supply is contained in just nine different countries: United States, Colombia, Canada, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, China, India, Russia, and Indonesia (science.howstuffworks.com). The Middle Eastern countries use the least amount of water per person because there are very few natural and reliable sources of fresh and clean water. Right now more than a billion people (about 17% of the world’s population) don’t have access to clean water (www.science.howstuffworks.com).