Degradation of emerging water contaminants using novel photocatalytic 3D-printed TiO2 nano-architectures: a case for algal toxins found in harmful algal blooms

污水处理厂的排放，加上城市发展、农业和工业活动的增加，以及大气沉积，在湖泊和流域中造成了多重压力。这些压力因素，特别是营养物质污染，已经导致加拿大有害藻类水华的增加。这些水华可能会产生藻类毒素，对人类健康和水生态系统产生严重影响。用于饮用水处理的传统膜系统容易受到污染，而且运行成本较高。含有藻类的水的氯化处理在破坏一些藻类毒素方面无效，而且这个过程会产生有毒的副产品。我们的建议通过使用最先进的3D打印纳米二氧化钛结构来解决这些问题，这些纳米结构具有强大的机械性能，可以集成到二氧化钛/紫外线反应器中处理藻类毒素。我们将阐明我们的3D打印二氧化钛结构和二氧化钛/紫外线反应器对各种化合物的光催化能力，包括新出现的污染物(藻毒素、药品和个人护理产品、激素和杀虫剂)及其在各种水源中的副产品。此外，这些反应堆将在装有掺有藻毒素的藻类生物量的容器中进行测试，以研究该反应器产生的降解效果。该项目属于环境和农业的战略目标领域，具体地说，是确保安全的社区水系统的研究课题。该项目将培训多达10名高素质的人员(HQP)，他们将从事水处理方面的相关挑战，他们将向公众和我们的合作伙伴传达他们的发现。拟议的3D打印二氧化钛纳米结构和二氧化钛/紫外线反应堆的开发代表着一种全面的解决方案，可以应对长期存在的藻华、藻毒素和有机污染物带来的挑战，这将使加拿大的企业、水资源保护组织和市政利益集团(即Structur3D Print、Grand River Protection Group、Simon Lake社区管理小组和滑铁卢地区)受益，同时应对保护加拿大淡水资源的当前和正在出现的挑战。

Discharges from wastewater treatment plants in addition to increased urban development, agricultural and industrial activities, and atmospheric deposition have created multiple stressors in lakes and watersheds. These stressors, specifically nutrient pollution, have caused an increase in harmful algal blooms in Canada. These blooms may produce algal toxins that have severe impact on human health and aquatic ecosystems. Conventional membrane systems utilized for drinking water treatment is prone to fouling and is hampered by high operating costs. Chlorination of water containing algae is ineffective in destroying some algal toxins and the process produces toxic byproducts. Our proposal addresses these issues by using state-of-the art 3D-printed TiO2 nano-architectures with robust mechanical properties that can be integrated into TiO2/UV reactors to treat algal toxins. We will elucidate the photocatalytic capacity of our 3D-printed TiO2 structures and TiO2/UV reactors against a variety of compounds, including emerging contaminants (algal toxins, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, hormones, and pesticides) as well as their byproducts within a variety of water sources. In addition, the reactors will be tested in containers containing algal biomass spiked with algal toxins in order to study the effects of degradation produced by the reactor. The project falls within the strategic target area of Environment and Agriculture, specifically, the research topic of Ensuring Secure Community Water Systems. The project will train up to ten highly qualified personnel (HQP) that will engage in relevant challenges in water treatment, and they will communicate their findings to the public and our partners. The proposed development of 3D-printed TiO2 nano-architectures and TiO2/UV reactors represents a comprehensive solution to longstanding challenges with algal blooms, algal toxins, and organic contaminants that will benefit Canadian businesses, water conservation groups, and municipal interests (i.e. Structur3D Printing, Grand River Conservation Group, Simon Lake Community Stewardship Group, and Region of Waterloo), while meeting current and emerging challenges to preserve freshwater sources in Canada.