Monitoring and detection of emerging contaminants and water quality

在这项ARTP备选方案1中，弗莱明学院的研究中心将开展应用研究项目，这些项目将导致开发、优化和利用监测或检测新出现的污染物、令人关注的污染物、微生物污染物和其他水质指标的技术。在水中发现的新污染物包括药品、天然和合成激素、个人护理产品和重金属。这些污染物尽管被发现是微量的，但对人类、水生生物和环境构成了风险。传统的废水处理技术不能充分去除废水中的这些化合物，使它们被释放回周围的环境中，在那里它们可以积累。过去几年，智能传感器和创新检测方法的进步使快速测试和检测微量污染物成为可能，最近的大流行增加了市场对这些类型技术的兴趣，为加拿大公司提供了一个巨大的机会。一旦检测到水质问题，公司和市政当局就能够实施高级处理和缓解措施。这一倡议的主题与弗莱明研究中心(水和废水技术促进中心、创新水产养殖生产中心和机电一体化和工业物联网促进中心)的现有优势直接一致，因为弗莱明已成为寻求使用或开发用于水和废水应用的先进监测和传感技术的公司的中心。弗莱明学院的研究团队将与技术开发人员合作，设计、开发、原型和试验先进的水监测和检测系统。研究人员还将与包括水产养殖部门在内的许多部门的终端用户合作，为其水质相关问题找到监测和检测解决方案。为了对行业合作伙伴产生最大影响，该倡议针对的是需要大约一年或更长时间才能完成的大型项目。这一倡议开展的重要应用研究成果将服务于加拿大各地的众多行业，从水产养殖到城市废水、农业、制药、机器人等。

In this ARTP Option 1 initiative, Fleming College's research centres will undertake applied research projects that will lead to the development, optimization, and utilization of technologies that monitor or detect emerging contaminants, contaminants of concern, microbial contaminants, and other water quality indicators. Emerging contaminants found in water include pharmaceuticals, natural and synthetic hormones, personal care products, and heavy metals. These contaminants, despite being found in trace amounts, pose a risk to humans, aquatic life, and the environment. Traditional wastewater treatment techniques do not adequately remove these compounds from wastewater, allowing them to be released back into the surrounding environs where they can accumulate. Advancements in smart sensors and innovative detection methods over the last few years have made rapid testing and detection of trace amounts of contaminants possible and the recent pandemic has increased the market interest for these types of technologies, providing a big opportunity for Canada's companies. Once water quality issues are detected, companies and municipalities are able to implement advanced treatment and mitigation measures. The theme of this initiative directly aligns with the existing strengths of Fleming's research centres (the Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies, Centre for Innovative Aquaculture Production, and Centre for Advancement in Mechatronics and Industrial Internet of Things), as Fleming has become a hub for companies looking to use or develop advanced monitoring and sensing technologies for water and wastewater applications. Fleming College's research teams will collaborate with technology developers to design, develop, prototype, and pilot advanced water monitoring and detection systems. Researchers will also work with end-users in numerous sectors, including the aquaculture sector, to find monitoring and detection solutions for their water quality related issues. To make the most impact on industry partners, the initiative is targeting large projects that will take about a year or more to complete. The results of the important applied research carried out in this initiative will serve numerous industries across Canada, from aquaculture, to municipal wastewater, agriculture, pharmaceutical production, robotics, and more.