Abstract
The project “Cyanotoxins oxidation by atmospheric plasma, a green technology for water decontamination (PLASMADETOX)” proposes to develop a new powerful advanced oxidation process (AOP) activated by air atmospheric plasma to tackle and mitigate the global challenge of harmful cyanobacterial blooms and released cyanotoxins in surface water intended for human use (e.g. drinking, recreational). Air atmospheric plasma is weakly ionized air at room temperature and pressure containing, among others, free electrons, excited neutrals and ions, O atoms, ozone and OH radicals. When air plasma is in contact with water these reactive species diffuse into or react with water and activate very efficient AOPs leading to the degradation of organic contaminants present therein. Air plasma-based AOPs are green processes only needing electricity and no added chemicals, heat or cooling, pressure or vacuum, and are easily and quickly switched on and off. PLASMADETOX has the aim to test air plasma sources on spiked solutions containing cyanotoxins and toxic Cyanobacteria cultures and identify the best system and optimal experimental conditions for these targets. Next, research will proceed in parallel to characterize the mechanisms of toxins oxidation and Cyanobacteria inactivation induced by atmospheric plasma and to evaluate the treatment efficacy on Cyanobacteria-contaminated real water samples. The knowledge acquired could be exploited to design a scaled-up apparatus or a floating and moving platform to be proposed to companies dealing with potabilization or water decontamination of recreational ponds/lakes. Methodologies to carry out this research plan rely on the expertise in plasma chemistry, advanced mass spectrometry and Cyanobacteria isolation and cultivation of the research units. Expected results include the advancement of fundamental knowledge on novel plasma induced AOPs, on cyanotoxins degradation and underlying mechanisms and on Cyanobacteria inactivation; the achievement of sufficient know-how to arouse interest and engage potential stakeholders into the development of this approach into a technology; the establishment of a new network of researchers with complementary backgrounds which could usefully lead to continuing collaboration; the high level training of young researchers.
Project details
Unibo Team Leader: Marina Antonia Colangelo
Unibo involved Department/s:
Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali
Coordinator:
Università degli Studi di PADOVA(Italy)
Total Unibo Contribution: Euro (EUR) 65.000,00
Project Duration in months: 24
Start Date:
16/10/2023
End Date:
28/02/2026
