GAPS
Research Projects
GAPS
Closing Gaps of Knowledge with respect to Advanced Chemical Oxidation Processes for the removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Program at a glance
Funding Agencies | Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation (DESMI 2009-2010) | |
Program Period | 2013-2015 | |
Project Acronym | GAPS | |
Project Code | ΚΟΥΛΤΟΥΡΑ/ΒΕΝΣ/0412/24 | |
Project Title | Closing Gaps of Knowledge with Respect to Advanced Chemical Oxidation Processes for the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern | |
Project Coordinator | Prof. Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Nireas – International Water Research Center, University of Cyprus, Cyprus | |
Total Budget | 50,000 € | |
Budget for Nireas-IWRC | 50,000 € | |
Program Overview
GAPS was a research project following the ‘2011 Nikos Symeonides Research Award’ to Dr. Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Director of Nireas-IWRC, by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation on 3 October 2012, in recognition of her outstanding research achievements and for the project ‘Development and application of innovative advanced chemical oxidation processes for the removal of xenobiotic compounds from sewage and assessment of their biological potency’. The award, the highest national distinction granted to a researcher in Cyprus, is a point of reference for Nireas-IWRC, its staff and its research work.
GAPS was an innovative project which aimed at providing answers to specific gaps of knowledge with relation to (i) the dissolved organic matter (DOM) present in aqueous matrices, (ii) the capacity of solar Fenton oxidation in removing antibiotics and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, (iii) the efficiency of UV light-activated persulphate oxidation for the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from aqueous matrices and (iv) the efficiency of ozonation for the removal of PPCPs from aqueous matrices.
Project Objectives
The main scientific and technological objectives of project were to:
- understand the role of natural organic matter during the application of advanced oxidation treatment of aqueous matrices (by identifying what exactly is contained within the effluent organic matter, identifying the analytical methods that lead to the determination of its constituents and understanding the potential interferences of these compounds during the application of AOPs).
- assess the potential of persulphates to provide sulphate radicals and the efficiency of UV light-activated oxidation for the removal of PPCPs from aqueous matrices.
- evaluate the capacity of solar Fenton oxidation for the antibiotic resistance removal and disinfection potential of urban wastewater.
- assess the removal of PPCPs from aqueous matrices and investigate the main parameters affecting the formation of bromate ions during ozonation.
Journal publications
- Michael-Kordatou, I., Iacovou, M., Frontistis, Z., Hapeshi, E., Dionysiou, D.D., Fatta-Kassinos, D., ″Erythromycin oxidation and ERY-resistant E. coli inactivation in urban wastewater by sulfate radical-based oxidation process under UV-C irradiation″, Water Research, 2015, 85, 346-358.
- Michael-Kordatou, I., Michael, C., Duan, X., He, X., Dionysiou, D.D., Mills, M.A., Fatta-Kassinos, D. "Dissolved effluent organic matter: Characteristics and potential implications in wastewater treatment and reuse applications", Water Research 2015, 77, 213-248.