James Hutton Institute
James Hutton Institute is a research center that is part of the pulse of the water sector. Here we bring together everything it publishes on Smart Water Magazine: its news, its blogs and the events it takes part in.
Dr Miriam Glendell appointed as Director of the Centre of Expertise for Waters
The James Hutton Institute is delighted to announce that Dr Miriam Glendell has been appointed as the new Director of the Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW). An environmental scientist with more than a decade of experience working with water, Dr Glendell will take over from Dr Rachel Helliwell as CREW leader at the beginning […]
Scientists warn of groundwater decline in Malawi
An article published in the Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies has shown how Malawi's water storage has been changing over time. Malawi is heavily dependent on groundwater, that is water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock, with over 80% of the population relying on it to meet their daily […]
Researchers identify key indicators for assessing quality of green and blue spaces
Researchers at The James Hutton Institute, a world-leading scientific research institute at the forefront of transformative science for the sustainable management of land, crops and natural resources, have identified a set of indicators for assessing the quality of green and blue spaces – helping understand how they can be used to tackle the challenges posed […]
Researchers to harness the power of fungi for water filters
A groundbreaking project exploring the power of fungi to combat agricultural pollution is making significant strides, with researchers looking to begin live field trials later this year. The initiative, titled Farming Futures – fungi for nutrient recovery, brings together expertise from the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, Harper Adams University, Rhizocore Technologies, and The James Hutton Institute […]
Study reveals 1,450% surge in soil microplastics after 4 years of sewage sludge use
A new study by The James Hutton Institute has revealed an increase of up to 1,450% in the level of microplastics found within soil samples after just four years of sewage sludge application. The study, which was carried out in collaboration with Robert Gordon University (RGU), also found that the number of microplastics in the soil […]
Major concerns for water quality in Malawi
New research carried out by the James Hutton Institute in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, alongside partners in the Government of Malawi, has highlighted major concerns for the quality of water in Malawi, as well as in other countries facing similar changes in population and heavy reliance on pit-latrines. Pit-latrines are the most common […]
Hidden threats to soil revealed in sewage sludge research
Latest research from The James Hutton Institute suggests that hidden threats from the agricultural use of contaminated sewage sludge could be contributing to already diminished poor soil health. Treated sewage sludge products (or biosolids) are the byproducts of wastewater treatment and are commonly used in agriculture as a cost-effective source of nutrients and organic matter. […]
Key Scottish sectors warned of doubling of drought events by 2050
Key Scottish industries are being encouraged to do more to adapt to climate change after researchers found that the number of water scarcity events in Scotland could double by 2050. The research, led by The James Hutton Institute, focused on how climate change is impacting water availability for the farming and whisky sectors, which could […]
Textiles and food packaging biggest source of PFAS in Yangtze River
The first study of toxic “forever chemicals” along the full length of Asia’s longest river, the Yangtze, has found 13 different types of PFAS, nearly half of them coming from textile treatments and food packaging. The study, led by a specialist in emerging contaminants at The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, tested sediments at 38 […]