Environmental biotechnology

Human activities cause the entry of a wide range of substances to the aquatic environment. These substances often represent a hazard to the environment as well as human health. At TZW we work intensively on the microbiological degradation processes that contribute substantially to the reduction of these types of pollutants in an environmental friendly, cost effective and sustainable manner. Another focus is on combining technical and biological methods to eliminate especially persistent substances in waste water, surface water and groundwater. In addition to these aspects, our risk assessment activities also include evaluating microbial contamination in environmental samples using micro and molecular biological detection methods, for instance for antibiotic-resistant, hygienically relevant and pathogenic microorganisms.

Microbiological pollutant degradation

TZW establishes innovative concepts in the field of microbiological degradation of contaminated groundwater to develop novel, simple, and economic methods with long-lasting efficiency to eliminate pollutants in groundwater.

Combination of technical and biological methods

Biological decomposition processes are often unusable or inadequate for persistent and/or toxic substances. By using technical methods such as cavitation, electrochemistry, ISCO or ozonation, substances can be subjected to microbial decomposition. Combining this with subsequent biological degradation makes it possible to develop cost-effective and sustainable concepts to effectively eliminate persistent substances.

Biomonitoring and efficacy tests

To detect and evaluate the activity of microorganisms in environmental samples, TZW develops micro- and molecular biological detection methods, for example, of antibiotic-resistant, hygienically relevant and pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, we use efficacy tests to monitor, assess and evaluate the risk of processes running in the aquatic environment, which are used and further developed as tools for a variety of investigations.

Water quality

In many places the quality of the water – whether surface water or groundwater – is at risk or may already be impacted by increasing contamination, extreme weather, accidents and changes in use. The identification and assessment of this contamination is often made more difficult due to a lack of suitable methods or because those that are used are too time consuming or lack sensitivity. Relevant research activities for TZW, therefore, are the establishment, further development, optimisation and validation of micro and molecular biological methods that can help monitor and improve water quality.