Removal of Endocrine Disruptor Bisphenol A from Water

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound used primarily in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Thecompound has been confirmed as an endocrine disruptor chemical & is an environmental pollutant; ubiquitousacross aquatic environments.Whilst many health risks from acute or chronic exposure remain unknown, BPA has been shown to cause hormoneimbalances and reduce or prevent fertility in humans & several aquatic species. Recently, an EU ban on BPAbased thermal paper (used for printed cashiers' receipts) was announced and will be enforced from 2020. As BPA ison the candidate list for 'substances of very high concern', it is expected that further legislation limiting its use will beintroduced in the near future.Development of sustainable methods to control BPA concentrations, across aquatic environments, is important tomaintain the sustainability of eco-systems, and for control of water quality. This will continue to be important for theforeseeable future as BPA leeches out of waste in landfill (where ground water management is not tightly controlled)and from plastic pollution in oceans and freshwater.Current BPA removal processes are predominantly based on freshwater treatment and are very energy intensive,cost intensive, and/or demonstrate low removal efficiencies.This project aims to create a floating device which can remove BPA from water, at low energy cost, and without theneed for disruption to existing water processing infrastructure. Based on previous results, we believe it is possible todevelop, test, and optimise a sustainable BPA removal device within the scope of a PhD project. Within this project,there is also the possibility to adjust the process to remove toxic analogues of BPA - which are often used asreplacements in 'BPA free' plastics.Potential applications for this device include treatment of sea water in areas of concentrated plastic waste (such asocean gyres), at coastal waste water discharge points, and freshwa ter treatment in reservoirs.This research project relies on collaboration with Electronic and Electrical Engineering for device construction,Chemical Engineering for bio-degradation analysis, and works on different areas within Chemistry (electrochemistryand analytical methods). The work will fall into four key areas; electrochemical optimisation, development ofanalytical methods, processes for the degradation of polymerised BPA, and construction of an operational BPAremoval device.Electrochemical Process:This will involve testing the electrochemical conditions and electrode materials used in the removal process.Optimisation of the removal process will also be necessary for different sample conditions; BPA concentration,presence of radical scavengers, 'real water' samples, and samples from different environments.Analytical Methods:Analytical methods will be important for accurate quantification of BPA levels and removal efficiencies. Additionalmethods for analysis will be needed to determine by-product formation, for polymer characterization, and toxicity/estrogenic activity assessment. Significant analytical method development will be required to assess levels ofalternative pollutants.Degradation:Following removal of BPA by polymer formation, methods for degrading the polymer can be considered to regeneratethe electrode material. These methods could include UV treatment, electrochemical reductive desorption, orbiological degradation processes using bacterial colonies within microbial fuel cells.Device Construction:Removal of BPA from the environment will require functional floating devices which can carry out the electrochemicalprocess. Design, construction, testing, and optimisation of these devices will be part of the project once successfulremoval processes are established. The system will be designed to include a renewable power source, to increasethe sustainability and self-sufficiency of the process.