

Micropollutants in sewage treatment plant processes, rivers, streams and drinking water resources are of top priority for the water industry and require the continuous development of new analytical procedures. Only once these substances can be reliably determined at a suitable sensitivity level, is it possible to investigate their behaviour in the water cycle and in the treatment of drinking water, and to make a qualified risk assessment. Biotic and abiotic processes in aquatic systems and in technical water treatment can metabolise substances, which means we also need to research the clarification of these transformation products. For this we are using the latest high-resolution mass spectrometry processes. A new research area is the presence of microplastics in the aquatic environment. We have awarded this topic a special research priority.
Development of new analytical procedures
The availability of reliable and efficient methods of analysis is a basic requirement for implementing meaningful scientific testing programmes and for a qualified risk assessment. Developing these methods using the latest high performance analytical techniques such as tandem mass spectrometry is one of our core competencies.
Environmental behaviour of substances
Nature based water treatment needs to be the aim of all parties involved in water supply. For example, in order to assess the efficiency of soil passage for the micropollutant residue, we use theoretical and experimental approaches to determine reliable estimations on the environmental behaviour of the respective substance and targeted recommended actions.
Substance behaviour in technical treatment
Water supply companies must be well equipped for all eventualities. Testing on how to remove possible problem substances using technical treatment methods such as ozonation, activated carbon and membrane filtration is therefore part of our research.
Transformation products
Substances do not disappear – they transform. Using methods such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, we identify in detail which transformation products are produced in a chemical or biological process.
Microplastics
The presence of microplastics in the aquatic environment has attracted widespread public interest. At present, there are only a few reliable studies available. For this reason, we aim to close knowledge gaps and are concerned with issues of representative sampling and sample preparation, further development of analytical techniques and investigating the presence of microplastics in drinking and surface water.
Projects
As part of MiTri, reliable data on the occurrence of microplastics in the drinking water supply - especially in drinking water distribution networks -…
Read moreThe project combines water analysis with data science and creates an innovative tool for water utilities through the advancement of the "K2I trace…
Read moreFor many substances detected in water resources there is no conclusive assessment of their intrinsic degradability. In cooperation with the German…
Read moreGreen roofs in cities can contribute to improving the urban climate. The necessary policy instruments are being developed for their implementation and…
Read moreExperimental investigation of selected organophosphonates to gain a comprehensive understanding of their environmental behaviour and to obtain a solid…
Read moreIn some cases, substances for which there are no established limit or guideline values are found in drinking water at very low concentrations. The…
Read moreTZW Publication Series Volume 84: Minimierungsstrategie für den PSM-Metaboliten-Eintrag ins Grundwasser [Strategy to minimise PSM metabolites entering groundwater]
TZW Publication Series Volume 78: Verhalten von Phosphonaten als Antiscalants bei der Membranfiltration [Behaviour of phosphonates as antiscalants in membrane filtration]
TZW Publication Series Volume 62: Elimination anthropogener organischer Spurenstoffe im Zuge der Grundwasseranreicherung [Elimination of anthropogenic organic micropollutants during groundwater enrichment]
TZW Publication Series Volume 59: Bewertung von Transformationsprodukten bei der Trinkwasseraufbereitung [Assessment of transformation products in drinking water treatment]
Volumes from the TZW publication series can be purchased here.
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