Radboud University
Radboud University is a university 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.
Methane emissions from drinking water purification can be reduced by 50%, researcher says
It is becoming increasingly difficult to produce sufficient drinking water, and this process also releases large amounts of the harmful greenhouse gas methane. For his Ph.D. thesis, microbiologist Alje Boersma researched how we can purify drinking water more efficiently and found ways to reduce methane emissions by 50%. He will defend his research at Radboud University […]
Discharged wastewater linked to fivefold methane emissions in rivers, study finds
A stretch of river into which treated wastewater has been discharged emits five times more methane than a stretch of river without that wastewater. This is according to research by Ida Peterse and Lisanne Hendriks of Radboud University. For the study, microbiologist Peterse and ecologist Hendriks measured methane emissions at different points of the Linge […]
With the right plants, wetlands can recover, says researcher
Wetlands, such as bogs and marshes, have largely disappeared in the Netherlands. With humidification and the growth of the right plants, wetlands can be restored. This is evident from research by Renske Vroom, who will receive her doctorate on this subject at Radboud University on September 13. Wetlands are places where land and water come […]
New model uses fewer measurements to determine level of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater
It is becoming increasingly obvious that pharmaceutical residues in wastewater are damaging to the environment, making it imperative that wastewater is tested for such residues. However, wastewater measurements are expensive and time-consuming. A new model developed by Radboud University-affiliated environmental scientist Caterina Zillien can be used to determine the amount of pharmaceutical residues in wastewater—and […]
‘Carbon vault’ peat suffers from drought
Peatlands are affected more by drought than expected. This is concerning, as these ecosystems are an important ally in the fight against climate change. Following long periods of drought, peat is able to absorb little to no extra carbon (CO2). Increasing biodiversity also does little to make peat more drought-resilient. These are the conclusions drawn […]
Methane emissions from Dutch canals underestimated, researcher finds
Researchers have so far underestimated methane emissions from canals in five major Dutch cities. That is the conclusion of microbiologist Koen Pelsma, who will defend his PhD thesis on this topic at Radboud University on 13 December. In calculations of methane emissions from water, far too little is known about emissions from urban waters such […]
Submerged plants reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shallow lakes and ditches
Shallow lakes and ditches emit less greenhouse gases if rooted submerged plants are predominant instead of free-floating plants or algae. There are several reasons why Dutch water managers should encourage more submerged plants in Dutch waterways, researchers argue. But these plants will have a better chance of survival if fewer fertilisers are leached into Dutch […]
Reduction of methane emissions from lakes possible with new approach
Lakes and other freshwater systems emit large quantities of methane, which is the second most important greenhouse gas worldwide after CO2. Dredging and the use of Phoslock (a phosphate-binding clay particle) can reduce these lake emissions by over 50%. This is the conclusion of a study by Radboud University researchers, published in Science of The Total Environment.
Land-building marsh plants are champions of CO2 capture
It is well known that CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels underlie the havoc being wrought by climate change. Stemming further emissions through innovations in sustainable energy production is certainly part of the solutions. However, slowing global warming also hinges upon our ability to capture and retain CO2 from the atmosphere. In a study published today in […]