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<h4 class="subtitle">We plan to add our bacteria either in the deep aeration tanks or the secondary sedimentation tanks. The disinfection tank will kill the bacteria used in previous tanks.<span class="subCred">Figure: Christine C.</span></h4> | <h4 class="subtitle">We plan to add our bacteria either in the deep aeration tanks or the secondary sedimentation tanks. The disinfection tank will kill the bacteria used in previous tanks.<span class="subCred">Figure: Christine C.</span></h4> | ||
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Revision as of 13:55, 30 October 2017
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![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/0/00/T--TAS_Taipei--Project_C.png)
Project
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/b/b0/T--TAS_Taipei--Exp_C.png)
Experiments
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/b/be/T--TAS_Taipei--Modeling_C.png)
Modeling
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/2/2e/T--TAS_Taipei--Prototype_C.png)
Prototype
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/4/42/T--TAS_Taipei--HP2_C.png)
Human Practices
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/b/b8/T--TAS_Taipei--Biosafety_C.png)
Safety
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/1/1a/T--TAS_Taipei--About_Us_C.png)
About Us
![](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/5/52/T--TAS_Taipei--Attributions_C.png)
Attributions
Project
Experiment
Modeling
Prototype
Human Practice
Safety
About Us
Attributions
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HP SILVER
Our project this year aims to remove nanoparticles (NPs) in wastewater systems. The increasing industrial and commercial use of NPs could become a health issue because the small size of NPs can negatively impact biological systems. We interviewed several NP experts, such as Dr. Gwo-Dong Roam and Dr. Eric Lee to gain their viewpoints on the impact of NPs in wastewater systems. Both of them agreed that NP waste is an issue that requires more attention and is difficult to control. We visited two wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) to study their current treatment and biosafety protocols as well as the design of the treatment plant. Aside from lab work, our team felt a responsibility to raise awareness on the potential health risks associated with the use of NPs. We held an interactive role playing bioethics panel where participants learned about different perspectives of producers and consumers of NPs. During a tour of Taipei and at our school’s spring fair we passed out fliers and asked people to take surveys to gain an understanding of public knowledge on NP usage. Lastly, we created and distributed a policy brief regarding how NPs are currently regulated. We also gave suggestions on how to improve how NPs are defined in current policy. The Minister of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency replied and said he would consider our policy brief in future regulations. Also, the news agencies The China Post and The News Lens International published articles about our brief to their millions of readers.
Dr. Gwo-Dong Roam
We interviewed Professor Roam of National Central University and former general director of the Environmental Analysis Labs (EAL) of the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency to learn more about the background and potential threat of NPs. Dr. Roam informed us that the most common NPs used in Taiwan include: TiO2, ZnO, Ag, Au, Fe, Carbon Nanotubes, Fullerenes, Clay, and Graphene. He also told us that the toxicity of a NP is directly related to its size, but there are currently no regulations or guidelines that specify the toxicity of different types and sizes of nanoparticle. With the increased use of NPs in society, Dr. Roam believes that more attention should be placed on waste management, risk assessment and regulations.
After our first visit to the Dihua WWTP, we learned that the sludge removed from wastewater is either 1) sent to landfills, 2) used as fertilizer, or 3) incinerated. We asked Dr. Roam if sludge containing aggregated NPs would still be harmful to the environment if disposed of using current methods. He said that all of these sludge disposal solutions are still harmful to the environment, but they are still better than letting NPs flow into bodies of water. He advised us to target removal of NPs in the wastewater treatment process before it is discharged. (Interviewed by Candice L. and Justin Y.)
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/0/0d/T--TAS_Taipei--Roam-min.jpg)
Professor Gwo-Dong Roam (left) of National Central University and former general director of the Environmental Analysis Labs (EAL) of Taiwan EPA.
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/4/46/T--TAS_Taipei--Roam_Info-min.jpg)
Materials that Dr. Roam provided the team with.
Dihua Wastewater Treatment Plant
In order to learn firsthand about the effect of NPs in WWTPs, we visited the Dihua WWTP (迪化污水處理廠). Here, we were given a tour around the plant, and were able to ask questions to the managers and people that work there. They confirmed that the current facilities are unable to remove NPs from wastewater mainly due to their small size. In addition to this information, they kindly provided us with samples of sludge, effluent water, and the polymers they add during wastewater processing. Throughout the year we visited and talked to the Dihua WWTP several times about where and how our project could be implemented in their current system. These conversations and visits played a huge role in shaping our construct design, prototype design, mathematical modeling and overall purpose for our project. (Whole team activity)
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/c/ce/T--TAS_Taipei--Dihua_Tank-min.jpg)
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/e/e1/T--TAS_Taipei--DihuaDiagram-new.jpg)
We plan to add our bacteria either in the deep aeration tanks or the secondary sedimentation tanks. The disinfection tank will kill the bacteria used in previous tanks.Figure: Christine C.
Boswell Wastewater Treatment Plant
Not all WWTPs are as large as the one in Taipei. One of our advisors (Jude Clapper) went to visit the Boswell WWTP in rural southwestern Pennsylvania. We learned that the same processes that occur in the Taipei Dihua WWTP also occur in the Boswell WWTP, but with different water flow rates and waste quantities. Because of the similarities in how both WWTPs process their wastewater, It inspired us to create our current prototype design that is a rotating polymeric bioreactor coated in biofilm. This prototype will be placed in the secondary sedimentation tank, where the majority of organic solids have been removed and only smaller particles exist. The Boswell WWTP also confirmed that since our project is bacteria-based, it will be killed by UV light and chlorine in the disinfection tank, similar to the Dihua WWTP, before the water turns into effluent and goes to the rivers and oceans.
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/2/2f/T--TAS_Taipei--BoswellDiagram-new.jpg)
We plan to add our bacteria either in the deep aeration tanks or the secondary sedimentation tanks. The disinfection tank will kill the bacteria used in previous tanks.Figure: Christine C.
THEPS Environmental Protection Engineering Company (中港環保工程股份有限公司)
We contacted the company that removes our NP waste because we wanted to know what happens when it leaves our lab. They directed us to National Cheng Kung university who actually treats the waste for them. The university uses chemicals and burning to aggregate NPs. Through literature research, we discovered that burning NPs is the most prevalent way for removal, however it is not 100% effective at removing all types of nanomaterials (Marr et. al. 2013). (Interviewed by Katherine H, Audrey T. and Christine C.)
Spring Fair -- Spreading Public Awareness of Nanoparticles
At our school’s annual spring fair, we manned a booth where people could create their own glitter slime by mixing polyvinyl alcohol and sodium borate solutions. The slime was meant to simulate the biofilm we use to trap NPs (in this demo, glitter) in WWTPs. We also showed a few SEM images of bacteria, as well as everyday products that contain NPs such as toothpaste and sunscreen. Everyone who came by our booth was encouraged to take our survey so we could record opinions on bioethics and concerns about NPs. (Whole team activity)
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/5/53/T--TAS_Taipei--Spring_Fair-min.jpg)
iGEM Slime booth at Spring Fair along with the iPad surveys set up next to the tables.
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/6/61/T--TAS_Taipei--Spring_Fair_Sage-min.jpg)
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/a/a4/T--TAS_Taipei--Spring_Fair_NP-min.jpg)
SEM images that show nanoparticles in daily products (ex: toothpaste and sunscreen)
Fundraising & Donation
We held multiple fundraising sales, selling small ice cream dots (resembling NPs!) and Oreo fudge during our lunch periods in school, and making “glitter slime” at our school’s annual spring fair (see Spring Fair in the Outreach section above). (Team activity)
In total, we raised over 500 USD, and donated the money to two organizations:
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/6/6a/T--TAS_Taipei--WaterIsLife.png)
WaterisLife is an organization that provides clean drinking water, as well as sanitation and hygiene education programs to schools and communities in need. We donated to this organization in hopes that more people will have access to clean water. Visit WaterisLife here.
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/9/96/T--TAS_Taipei--TEPU.gif)
Taiwan Environmental Protection Union (TEPU) is a local organization founded in 1987 to promote public awareness and participation to prevent pollution and damage to public resources. Visit TEPU here.
Public Outreach -- A Tour of Taipei
Some members of the iGEM team went to various popular sites in Taipei to pass out fliers and conduct surveys. We visited National Taiwan University, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Taipei 101. This helped us collect feedback from different age groups and backgrounds. This was a great and fun way to spread awareness of NP pollution! (Team members: Ashley L., Emily C., Florence L., Candice L., Yvonne W., Justin Y., Avery W., Christine C., Jesse K., and Laurent H.)
![test](https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2017/f/f9/T--TAS_Taipei--Survey_Trip_Gran-min.jpg)