Scholarship of Engagement at CSU-Pueblo – Graduate Research Project in Chemistry Partners with City of Pueblo Wastewater Department
The Colorado Campus Compact recently awarded a $750 Scholarship of Engagement mini-grant to CSU-Pueblo, to support a graduate research project titled, “The Influence of High Molecular Weight Polymers in Biosolids on the Presence and Fate of Anthropogenic Organic Compounds and Nutrients.” CSU-Pueblo’s College of Science and Mathematics matched $250 to support this community-based research project. Matthew Dunbar, a Master’s of Science candidate in Chemistry at CSU-Pueblo, will spearhead the project under the direction of Dr. Chad Kinney, Associate Professor of Chemistry.
Throughout the country, treated sewage sludge (otherwise known as biosolids) is reused as a source of nutrients to support sustainable agricultural practices. Before application on agricultural lands, biosolids are usually treated with synthetic polymers to promote dewatering and separation of solids and liquids during wastewater treatment, which reduces the transportation weight of the biosolids. However, “high molecular weight” (HMW) polymers are often used without consideration for their impact on plant nutrient availability or the possible effects on the presence and fate of organic contaminants in biosolids. Thus, this research will examine the effects of synthetic polymers on the dewatering and treatment process of biosolids.
In partnership with the City of Pueblo Wastewater Department, this community-based project has the potential to contribute to the current state of knowledge, as well as management practices associated with nutrient availability in the agricultural reuse of biosolids.