Wastewater’s greenhouse gas emission estimations improved

Concordia University has announced the development of a new model that will help researchers better estimate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in wastewater resulting from pulp and paper manufacturing.

Greenhouse gas emission estimates have previously been limited by the mathematical models used to predict them. The new dynamic method developed by Concordia University researchers will allow scientists to better estimate the emission content of gases both by giving an overall prediction of emission levels and by predicting the variation in emissions as a response to changes in the wastewater management system.

Dynamic modeling will help researchers better understand the behavior of treatment plants in order to develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency.

Image: Discharge from an Iowa wastewater treatment plant (Credit: USGS)