Research priorities
- Environmental analysis
- Target und non Target Screening
- Monitoring strategies
- Organic micropollutants
- Studies on the occurrence, fate and effects of environmentally relevant chemicals
- Biological in vitro test systems for the determination of the hormonal activity of environmental samples;
E-Screen-Assay - Biological degradation and assessment of pollutants, chemicals, organic solids and polymers in water and soil
- Determination of the biological degradation of substances
- New technologies for water treatment, (membranes, biodegradable polymers)
Current Research Projects
Development of an innovative biological simple process for nitrate elimination in aquaculture with fatty acids as carbon source for water saving in Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS)
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) have a significantly lower water requirement compared to conventional continuous flow systems. The higher the water quality requirements and the limits for discharge to be complied with, the more likely it is to require nitrate removal with a denitrification unit. With such a system, the water requirement compared to a conventional RAS (only with nitrification reactor) can be reduced to less than 10%. In addition, the denitrification of the pH remains largely constant and the application of chemicals can be avoided. Each water saving also reduces the energy required for heating the natural water to operating temperature. The aim of the project is to develop a simple denitrification process in which complex carrier materials provide the user with an esy-to-use and cost-effective technique, since no complicated dosing controls are required.
- Financing Institution:
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Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
- Contact:
- Project partner:
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MaxFlow Membran Filtration GmbH
Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Abteilung Fischkrankheiten und Fischhaltung der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
AQUA SCHWARZ GmbH
Fischzucht Rhönforelle GmbH & Co. KG - Duration:
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10/2016 -08/2018
Development of an environmentally friendly technology in aquaculture for the extraction of nitrogen and microparticles in recirculation systems
With this project, a biological high-performance process for nitrate removal, combined with a membrane technology is explored in practical application. As in the two preceding projects, a continuous cleaning of the membranes to prevent biofouling with floating cleaning bodies, moving in the water stream. After the basic suitability of the membrane denitrification reactor for operation on a semi-technical scale could be proven in phase 2, the operation in recirculated aquaculture systems (RAS) at two different locations under practical conditions is now being investigated.Integration of this system into a RAS would result in high savings of water and energy and improve life conditions for fish. The well-being of the fishes is an important part of this project concept. Measurements of skin and water samples, e.g. cortisol, as stress parameter, will be performed by colleagues from the Hannover Veterinarian University. They should indicate how the fishes react on the improved environmental conditions.
- Financing Institution:
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Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
- Contact:
- Project partner:
-
MaxFlow Membran Filtration GmbH
Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Abteilung Fischkrankheiten und Fischhaltung der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
AQUA SCHWARZ GmbH
Fischzucht Rhönforelle GmbH & Co. KG - Duration:
-
10/2016 - 08/2018
Project cooperation with departments of the ISWA
- Project cooperation with ALR
- Project cooperation with AWT
- Project cooperation with SE
- Project cooperation with WGW
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- DMDTC: Determination of biodegradability and nitrification inhibition by dimethyldithiocarbamate (DMDTC) as well as possible influencing factors on these processes in real systems
- SURUMER: Sustainable Rubber Cultivation in the Mekong Region: Development of an integrative land use concept in the Chinese province Yunnan. Sub-project 3: Development and implementation of a strategic water management system for a rubber dominated catchment area
Completed research projects
Project description: Joint Research Project: MOTREM (pdf/29KB)
| Financing Institution: | Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) |
| Contact: | Herr Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger (ISWA), Herr Dr. Bertram Kuch, Frau Eleni Laski, M.Sc. |
| Project partner: | Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Coord.) University of Helsinki Università di Torino Aqualia Gestion Integral del Agua S.A. Bruker Española, S.A. |
| Duration: | 09/2014 -12/2017 |
The emission of nitrous oxide (N2O) from sewage treatment plants has recently received more attention since it has been known that this greenhouse gas is also produced under aerobic conditions in the aeration tank. N2O can therefore occur during both nitrification and denitrification. In particular, the factors oxygen concentration and carbon source are relevant here. As part of the project, a model was developed (by the project partners) to map the processes in the production of nitrous oxide and ultimately to use for process control. For this purpose, the ISWA generated data and batch experiments in the laboratory, as well as semi-technical and large-scale experiments. Conclusions concerning the influence of the carbon source (in denitrification) as well as the influence of the oxygen concentration could be drawn. These results have been applied for the creation of models and the implementation in process control mechanisms by the project partners
Project description: NoNitriNox (pdf/185KB)
| Financing Institution: | Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) |
| Contact: | Frau Dr. Angela Boley |
| Project partner: | ifak e.V. Institut für Automation und Kommunikation e.V. Magdeburg Weber-Ingenieure GmbH Stadtentwässerung Pforzheim Abwasserverband Steinlach-Wiesaz |
| Duration: | 06/2013 -05/2016 |
| Financing Institutionr: | Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Land Baden-Württemberg |
| Contact: | Prof. Dr. Rita Triebskorn, Universität Tübingen Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger Dr. rer. nat. Bertram Kuch Dipl.-Ing. Claudia Lange |
| Project partner: | Universität Tübingen; Universität Frankfurt; Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT); Masaryk Universität, RECETOX, Brno; Institut für Seenforschung Langenargen (ISF); Institut Mediterraneen de Biodiversite et d‘Ecologie marine et continentale (imbe), Avignon; DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser, Karlsruhe (DVGW-TZW); Dr.Ing. Jedele und Partner GmbH; Ökonsult Gbr; Biologiebüro Weyhmüller (BBW); Gewässerökologisches Labor Starzach (GÖL); HYDRA-Institut Konstanz; Steineis-Donau-Zentrum; Stadt Ravensburg; Erichskirch; Tettnang; Gemeinde Merklingen; Regierungspräsidium Tübingen; AZV Mariatal; AV Unteres Schussental |
| Duration: | 01/2012 - 12/2014 |
| Financing Institution: | Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU) |
| Contact: | Dr. Angela Boley |
| Project partner: | MaxFlow Membran Filtration GmbH, Zentrum für Infektionsmedizin, Abteilung Fischkrankheiten und Fischhaltung der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover |
| Duration: | 06/2012 - 03/2014 |
| Financing Institution: | Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe - Bereich Wassertechnologie und Entsorgung i. A. d. Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) |
| Contact: | Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger Dr. Angela Boley Dr.-Ing. Martin Kieninger Dr.-Ing. Wolf-Rüdiger Müller |
| Project partner: | Forschungszentrum (Research Center) Karlsruhe (FZKA) Technologie Zentrum Wasser, Karlsruhe (TZW) Universität Karlsruhe, Engler-Bunte-Institut, Bereich Wasserchemie (EBI) Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) Firma Nordic Water GmbH Firma Formtechnik in Südbaden GmbH & Co. KG Kooperation mit Tsinghua University, Institute for Nuclear Energy Technology Beijing |
| Duration: | 10/2006 - 03/2010 |
Aim of the project is to determine the potential of biorest from biogas plants as fertilizers in organic farming. The focus is is thereby put on organic pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Bacillus cereus (B. cereus). For this during one year on a monthly basis samples of a norwegian biogas plant are taken and analysed. The biogas residue is afterwards composted and the compost is sampled likewise. For the determination of the bio-availability plants and compost worm samples are analyzed, in addition the survival of the found bacteria in grain and milk products is observed.
In this joint project the ISWA is responsible for the analysis of the organic pollutants.
| Financing Institution: | Research Council of Norway, P.O. Box 2700 St. Hanhaugen, 0131 Oslo |
| Contact: | Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger Dr.-Chem. Jessica Stäb |
| Project partner: | Bioforsk (Norwegen), Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), University of Helsinki (Finnland) |
| Duration: | 01/2008 - 12/2010 |
| Financing Institution: | Landesanstalt für Umwelt, Messungen und Naturschutz Baden-Württemberg (LUBW) |
| Contact: | Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger Dr.-Ing. Jörg A. Pfeiffer |
| Project partner: | Dr. Heinz Gerd Schröder, Institut für Seenforschung des Landes Baden-Württemberg, Langenargen Wasserwirtschaftsamt Kempten Vorarlberger Institut für Umwelt und Lebensmittelsicherheit Amt für Umwelt der Kantone St. Gallen und Thurgau Amt für Gesundheits- und Verbraucherschutz der Kantons St. Gallen |
| Duration: | 01/2008 - 10/2009 |
Numerous investigations prove the occurrence of organic pollutants in sewage sludge. Therefore the agricultural use of sewage sludge is controversially discussed. For the final assessment of possible risks connected to the agricultural use of compost and digestate the current knowledge is not sufficient.
In this monitoring study the output material of 16 composting plants in Baden-Wuerttemberg was analysed for various organic trace pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polybrominated flame retardants and nonylphenols, which are a class of endocrine disrupting compounds. The concentrations of PAH were in the range of 1200 - 3500 μg/kg d.w., PCB were found in concentrations between 20 and 35 μg/kg d.w.. For both classes of substances as a tendency lower concentrations were found in green compost. Seasonal variations were observed for PAH, nonylphenols and DDE, a stable degradation product of DDT.
| Financing Institution: | Land Baden-Württemberg, Programm Lebensgrundlage Umwelt und ihre Sicherung (BWPLUS) |
| Contact: | Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Jörg W. Metzger Dr. rer. nat. Bertram Kuch Dipl.-Chem. Silke Rupp |
| Project partner: | Lehrstuhl für Abfallwirtschaft und Abluft, ISWA, Uni-Stuttgart - Prof. Kranert / Dr. Klaus Fischer |
| Duration: | 10/2005 - 09/2006 |
Contact
Bertram Kuch
Dr. rer. nat.Leader of "Hydrobiology and Analysis of Organic Trace Compounds" (BiOS), takes over the official business of the chair by proxy since 01.04.2020