Performance Evaluation of AiDx assist in the diagnosis of Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) in field settings: A field study conducted by the INSPiRED NWO Project - Dec.2021

Unravelling the hydrolytic activity of sludge degrading aquatic worms

The overall objective of this thesis was to investigate ways to improve the extent and rate of waste activated sludge (WAS) hydrolysis by researching the WAS degrading activities and mechanisms of the aquatic worm Tubifex tubifex (T. tubifex) as a starting point. The WAS degrading aquatic worms were taken as a model “biochemical reactor” of...

Conservation Implications of Sabellaria spinulosa Reef Patches in a Dynamic Sandy-Bottom Environment

Biogenic reefs form biodiversity hotspots and are key components of marine ecosystems, making them priority habitats for nature conservation. However, the conservation status of biogenic reefs generally depends on their size and stability. Dynamic, patchy reefs may therefore be excluded from protection. Here, we studied epibenthos and...

Novel approaches of flocculant application in sewage treatment

Organic flocculants are typically only applied in the sludge line and sometimes in quaternary treatment of conventional sewage treatment plants (STPs) that aim for enhanced nutrient removal. However, with the ongoing societal changes directing towards a higher degree of circularity of resources and a higher degree of wastewater treatment demands...

Bio-Engineering for Sediment Management And Removal of Turbidity Technologies: BESMART Technologies

At Deltares in the Netherlands, a research team is developing a portfolio of technologies dedicated to the management of the finest and most challenging fraction of soft sediments. These technologies may unambiguously be called nature based because they make use of natural processes to enhance dewatering and strengthening, induce flocculation...

The biodegradability of aquatic worm predated waste activated sludge: A sequential aerobic and anaerobic treatment approach

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of waste activated sludge (WAS) predation by the aquatic worm Tubifex tubifex (T. tubifex) on the overall biodegradability of WAS. The initial WAS biodegradability potential was determined in 80 days sequential batch-fed anaerobic and aerobic treatment combinations. These treatment...

The New Newsroom

The news has always been a public program. Before the printing press was invented, word of mouth was the primary source of news, gathered and distributed through pubs, inns and markets. The invention of the printing press brought an autonomy in news production, technology made the news more coherent, content controlled and regulated, ensuring...

Elucidating the microbial community associated with the protein preference of sludge-degrading worms

Sludge predation by aquatic worms results in an increased sludge reduction rate, which is mainly due to the specific removal of a protein fraction from the sludge. As microorganisms play an essential role in sludge hydrolysis a better understanding of the microbial community involved in the worm predation process will provide more insight...

Unravelling the protein preference of aquatic worms during waste activated sludge degradation

Worm predation (WP) by Tubifex tubifex was investigated using waste activated sludge (WAS) as the substrate. In order to better understand the sludge degradation mechanisms during WP, the activity of five common hydrolytic enzymes was determined and compared among the initial feed activated sludge, endogenous respirated sludge and worm...

Worm predation on excess activated sludge: Solids reduction capabilities and biochemical changes

Aerobic, anaerobic and worm predated sequential batch digestion experiments were performed on waste activated sludge in order to compare the mechanisms and performances of these three digestion processes. The Tubifex Tubifex specie was chosen to simulate the worm predation process.

Physical and biochemical changes in sludge upon Tubifex tubifex predation

Worm predation (WP) on activated sludge leads to increased sludge degradation rates, irrespective of the type of worm used or reactor conditions employed. However, the cause of the increased sludge degradation rates remains unknown. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the physical and biochemical aspects of predated sludge,...

A Vermicomposter for Urban Kitchens

High moisture content of kitchen waste makes it unsustainable for it to be transported and incinerated. In comparison, composting at home is a much more sustainable option, upcycling waste into rich compost odourlessly. However, it is inaccessible for apartment dwellers in urban areas in the Netherlands due to space limitations. Vermicomposting...

The Homecomposter

For the urban dwellers who are unfamiliar with vermicomposting and who are dissatisfied with the current sustainable waste solutions our product is a composting solution that provides a simple, charming and appealing product unlike any other vermicompost or urban waste processing system. To achieve this we have assembled the proper worms, a...

A design of a mobile bio processor which harnesses black soldier flies and tiger worms to process human feces

This report guided reader though the research the leads to development of a mobile bioprocessing installation for human feces. It starts off with literature research on the why and how a bio processing can aid in improving sanitation for people in developing countries and solve both the health and environmental issues that are a consequence of...

Sulfide-Oxidizing Bacteria in the Burrowing Echinoid, Echinocardium-Cordatum (Echinodermata)