Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
16
Nanotechnology for domestic
water purifi cation
S. K A R and P. K. T E WA R I, Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre, India
DOI
: 10.1533/9780857098832.3.364
Abstract
: Water, a nonsubstitutional natural resource, is best described
by Leonardo Da Vinci as 'the vehicle of nature' ('vetturale di natura').
This is the single most essential commodity responsible for the existence
and sustenance of life on the planet earth. It is not at all an exaggeration
to state that water is primarily responsible for the restoration of health,
environment and prosperiy of human civilization. Unfortunately, this
most precious natural resource is becoming increasingly scarce day by
day. Water scarcity is among the main problems facing many societies
around the world in the twenty-fi rst century. Water use has been growing
at more than twice the rate of population increase in the last century.
According to a report from the United Nations, by 2025, 1800 million
people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity,
and two-thirds of the world's population could be under stress
conditions. As emphasized in one of the UN's Millenium Development
Goals (MDGs), water scarcity calls for strengthened international
cooperation in the fi elds of technologies for enhanced water productivity.
Recent years have witnessed impressive breakthroughs towards
application of nanostructured materials such as carbon nanotubes
(CNTs), metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles, zeolites, and dendrimers in the
fi eld of water purifi cation. The present chapter aims to give an overview
of the developments in the application of nanotechnology in water
treatment, with a special emphasis on domestic water purifi cation. The
focus is oriented to the fact that the ultimate practical realization of
this new technology is based on the assessment of the risks as well as
benefi ts posed by nanostructured materials. The challenges involved in
producing a well-defi ned integrated nano-based water purifi cation device
are discussed.
Key words
: nanotechnology, domestic water purifi cation, nanomaterials,
nanotoxicity, carbon nanotube, dendrimers, water quality, nanoparticles.
16.1 Introduction
Water resources are becoming increasingly scarce worldwide. Global water
consumption is increasing at more than double the rate of the world's
population growth. Population growth, pollution and climate change, which
are all accelerating, are likely to combine to produce a drastic decline in
water supply in the coming decades. At present 1.1 billion people lack
364
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