DC10: Self-sustained constructed wetlands for the enhanced removal of pesticides in agriculture drainage (WP3)
Host institution: Aarhus University (Denmark)
Supervisor: Shubiao Wu (PhD promoter)
Objectives: To develop an economical, self-sustaining microbial fuel cell integrated constructed wetland system to enhance pesticide removal from drainage water by creating in-situ Fenton reactions from generated bioenergy.
DC10 will initially design and establish laboratory-scale self-sustained microbial fuel cell integrated constructed wetland systems using simulated drainage water. Furthermore, DC10 will compare various substrate types, such as biochar from different agricultural sources and surfaces modified with Fe, to evaluate their removal efficiency and bioelectricity production capacity. DC10 will also examine the influence of two distinct macrophytes, Iris pseudacorus, and Phragmites australis, on both pesticide removal efficiency and electricity generation. Additionally, DC10 will employ artificial intelligence-based simulations to test and enhance the reliability of the developed system for large-scale applications. A comprehensive evaluation of energy balance, cost-effectiveness, and lifecycle environmental impacts will be conducted. The process will involve iterative improvements to ensure the development of an economically efficient and sustainable system that aligns with the green transition in the agricultural landscape.
Expected results: Efficient, low-cost microbial fuel cell with enhanced bioelectricity generation (>40%) using sustainable electrode materials and their self-sustained integration with a constructed wetland system that can effectively remove pesticides from drainage water (>90%).
Planned secondments:
- UAVR (Sup.: H. Nadais): M15-18, 4 months: Fabrication of sustainable electrodes for efficient bioelectricity career generation using microbial fuel cells;
- Artelnics (Sup.: R. Lopez): M30-32; 3 months: Optimization of the self-sustained systems using artificial intelligence algorithm and software.
Enrolment in Doctoral degree: Graduate School in Technical Faculty, Aarhus University
Ideal candidate profile:
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate who has:
- A master in environmental science and engineering, analytical chemistry, electrochemistry or similar
- Collaborative skills
- A fondness of taking the initiative and the ambition to pursue a scientific career
- Documented experience in scientific writing and publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Interest in developing competitive national and international research applications
- Experience in planning and conducting laboratory and field work
Recruited candidate: Morish Azabo