I have a simple question: What do you know about the clean-up crew? What kind of clean-up? Of course, I am not talking about house-keeping…
I am talking about this clean-up crew!
They are known as Anammox bacteria. What makes them so special? They can degrade pollutants and break down ammonium to harmless nitrogen gas. They are used in the treatment of wastewater.
These were the superheroes I worked with during my secondment at the University of Tartu, Estonia. I worked alongside my colleague from the NEUTEN project, Patricia (DC6), who welcomed, guided and mentored me throughout my research stay. The secondment was focused on the treatment of pharmaceutical-contaminated wastewater with Anaerobic Moving Bed Biofilm reactors (AnMBBR). It was indeed fulfilling to acquire interdisciplinary skills in wastewater treatment and see firsthand how microorganisms are utilized to improve water quality.
Beyond the science, the new environment introduced me to Estonian culture, music, food and I finally understood the meaning of “potato hair”. Making new connections, watching the FIFA World Cup games with strangers, visiting nearby cities, sunbathing at the “beach” and attending cultural festivities were enriching and made my stay memorable.
Looking back, this secondment showed the importance of international collaboration and knowledge exchange while expanding my perspective of the world around me. I returned with new skills, friends, and eco-friendly ways to be delulu (The Tartu riverbank is referred to as a “Beach”). Indeed, delulu is the new solulu!
Estonia Secondment Rating: 10/10
