Micropollutants

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.