2017 Urban Research Awards: Protecting our Urban Water Sources

Protecting our Urban Water Sources: Developing a Solar Energy-Activated Reduction Catalyst

Chemistry Associate Professor Linda Doerrer with Ph.D. candidate Jessica Elinburg recently developed a pre-catalyst that uses solar energy to reduce nitrate in water. Pollution of urban water sources with excess nitrate presents a significant problem for cities and city residents. Nitrate-enriched rivers, lakes, and ponds fertilize the rapid growth of cyanobacteria, leading to harmful algal blooms and ultimately, biological dead zones. Nitrate contamination can also render drinking water supplies unpotable, cutting off public access to clean water. Doerrer and Elinburg’s research has found that previous methods of nitrate depletion are environmentally disruptive and wasteful. This research aims to create a more sustainable method of nitrate removal.

In their IOC-sponsored research, they seek to adapt their system for use in urban water with the objective of preventing harmful algal blooms. They also hope to use their invention to create available clean water sources for urban residents in an affordable, environmentally-friendly way. They will attach their agent to locations along the Charles River, analyze it’s rate of nitrate reduction, and then compare that data with groundwater samples.

Doerrer and Elinburg plan on collaborating and sharing their findings with municipal entities that work with urban water including the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, the

Massachusetts Clean Energy Center the Water Innovation Network for Sustainable Small Systems), the Southeast New England Coastal Watershed Restoration Program (MA and RI program administered by the EPA) as well as the Cape Cod Commission (under the MA Regional Planning and Development Authority).

View more projects funded through our Early Stage Urban Research Awards