Hippocrates, the daddy of drugs, as soon as mentioned that the dose makes the poison. The identical logic applies to know-how: its impression is dependent upon how we use it. Antibiotics save lives, however fossil fuels injury our lungs; sterile packaging retains meals secure, but plastics pollute our ecosystems. Thankfully, science and know-how additionally provide options to scale back or forestall air pollution altogether. On this article, we take a more in-depth have a look at eight of probably the most promising improvements we’ve come throughout lately.
Tackling air air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions
As we’ve seen, fossil fuels are a significant contributor to respiratory illness in city areas, to not point out greenhouse fuel emissions and world warming. Whereas the long-term reply lies in switching to renewables and adopting new consumption habits, there are additionally methods to mitigate current injury.
1. Carbon sequestration techniques
The easiest way to deal with CO₂ is to forestall its launch—however as soon as it’s within the ambiance, we want methods to take away it. Carbon sequestration techniques, like these being examined in Iceland, are one such resolution. One other includes putting in specialised filters in industrial chimneys. The captured CO₂ can then be repurposed as a uncooked materials.
2. Photocatalytic paints
Can structure assist clear the air? Because of photocatalytic paints containing compounds like titanium dioxide, the reply is sure. These coatings break down pollution akin to atmospheric CO₂, providing a glimpse of buildings that actively purify the air round them.
3. CO₂-absorbing concrete
Buildings don’t solely have the potential to purify the air via sensible coatings—they will additionally profit from a brand new era of environmentally pleasant concrete. This materials is able to capturing carbon dioxide and even repairing its personal cracks and fissures within the course of. We discover this growth in additional element on this article.
4. 3D-printed air high quality sensors
Earlier than fixing an issue, it’s important to diagnose it accurately. That is the place low-cost, versatile sensors come into play—units that may be put in anyplace in a metropolis. That’s the concept behind the air high quality monitoring techniques we just lately coated. These sensors are produced utilizing 3D printing know-how and programmed with open-source software program, permitting anybody to put in a monitoring machine on their balcony or in a public house.
Improvements to combat soil air pollution
Cleansing up contaminated soil or detecting excessive air pollution ranges early to keep away from well being dangers are two complementary approaches to addressing land air pollution. In keeping with EU figures, some 2.8 million websites throughout the continent are affected.
5. Fungi that clear up soil hydrocarbons
Typically it’s not essential to depend on nanorobotics or different superior applied sciences. Nature itself can present allies within the combat in opposition to environmental degradation. One such instance is using fungi, in a way often known as mycoremediation, which has been efficiently examined to scale back contamination from hydrocarbons and different poisonous substances in polluted industrial soils.
6. Forestall contamination of agricultural land
One of many main issues dealing with agricultural land and groundwater sources is nitrate air pollution. This results in a course of often known as eutrophication—the overgrowth of microalgae that depletes oxygen within the water, turning it right into a dying lure for aquatic life. Nevertheless, a new era of sensors is being developed to assist farmers apply nitrogen fertilisers extra effectively, calculating the precise dosage required by every crop and thus stopping extra runoff.
Improvements for clear water and defending oceans
Chemical substances akin to PFAs and microplastics are a few of the most urgent threats to the well being of water ecosystems—whether or not oceans, rivers or underground aquifers. A variety of technological approaches is now being used to fight water air pollution, from stopping contaminants at supply to direct intervention in affected areas.
7. Utilizing micro organism to purify water extra effectively
Correctly treating wastewater earlier than it’s discharged into the atmosphere is a crucial step in direction of a sustainable water cycle. One instance is the Life CELSIUS undertaking, which makes use of micro organism to purify water via anaerobic processes that don’t require exterior power sources. This method is especially efficient at eliminating nitrogen compounds and natural matter in areas with heat climates.
8. A family water recycling system
Water purification doesn’t all the time require large-scale infrastructure. It is usually attainable to deal with water at residence, permitting it to be reused for irrigation and different non-potable makes use of. That’s the idea behind Hydraloop, an progressive and compact system able to reusing as much as 85% of family water. It combines a number of superior methods, together with sedimentation, cardio bioreactors and ultraviolet disinfection.
If you need to study extra about different technological improvements that assist scale back environmental air pollution, in addition to new purposes of renewable power, we advocate subscribing to our e-newsletter utilizing the shape on the backside of this web page.
