Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
reactive metal composites in bioretention systems. Osorb is a patented, chemically inert,
silica-based material that physically absorbs a wide range of organic pollutants from water
(Burkett and Edmiston, 2005; Edmiston and Underwood, 2009; Edmiston, 2010). Osorb has
the signiicant ability to absorb organic contaminants because the swelling ability of the
material allows for an unmatched absorption capacity when compared with current alter-
nate absorbents. Osorb-metal composites combine two advanced remediation materials:
(i) a high-capacity organosilica sorbent, Osorb, and (ii) embedded reactive metals. The cap-
tured pollutants by Osorb, such as petroleum hydrocarbons, nitrate, biocides, endocrine-
like volatiles, and chlorinated organic compounds including herbicides, will be further
transformed and detoxiied by reactive metals via various chemical reactions including
hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, and dehalogenation (Edmiston et al., 2011). Breakdown
products can be biologically mineralized in bioretention systems.
This work is part of a broader project on the development of new bioretention ilter
media that can be used to remediate various organic pollutants in addition to removal of
nutrients by adding Osorb-metal composites in bioretention systems. The objective of the
work presented here was to determine the remediative effectiveness of various Osorb-
metal composites to remove a wide range of runoff pollutants. We tested ive different
Osorb-metal composites as an amendment to two common soil bioretention base media:
(i) sand and (ii) sand-soil-compost mix among two different bioretention design conigu-
rations—(i) internal water saturated design and (ii) water unsaturated design.
This chapter is divided into two distinct sections. We will irst examine the business
case and market that make nanoglass materials useful in stormwater remediation. Later,
we will discuss in a limited fashion the science of the Osorb nanoglass materials.
33.2 Key Market Drivers
There are three key drivers of the water-energy nexus as it affects global stormwater
usage. They are as follows.
First, in 2010, 97% of the drinking water tested by the United Nations during the World
Water Survey tested positive for volatile organic compounds associated with cancer, infer-
tility, transgendering, birth defects, and numerous other health concerns. In advanced and
developing nations, the problem was generally more pronounced than in underdeveloped
nations. Many of these compounds, including estradiol, antidepressants, and polyaro-
matic hydrocarbons, increase in number and concentration in the most heavily developed
nations. There are a number of technologies that are moderately effective in removing
these compounds; however, they require energy-intensive inputs and often high degrees
of consumables. Advanced materials capable of removing these compounds from water
are in demand.
Second, today, 14% of the electricity generated globally is used to move and manage
water and about one-third is used for each of three types of water: agricultural, indus-
trial, and human direct usage. Water is second only to industrial systems in this regard
and globally consumes far more energy than lighting. Many nations have created goals
to speciically address reducing the electrical costs of water. Global irms, including IBM,
GE, Siemens, and CH2M Hill, have created complete business units to capture what
McKinsey projects to be a $3T global investment in water electrical infrastructure devel-
opment by 2050.
