Towards a smart & integral treatment of natural radioactivity
in water provision services
LIFE ALCHEMIA addresses one of the current challenges of water for human consumption such as the presence of natural radioactivity. There is a considerable lack of knowledge by the actors involved and it can be stated that, despite the current legislation (Directive 2013/51/Euratom), radioactivity is not systematically monitored at European level. Indeed, this is an environmental problem that cannot be solved at source, as it is generated by the groundwater dilution of minerals rich in radioactive isotopes, mainly from uranium (U), radium (Ra) and thorium (Th) series. Therefore, new systems able to provide sustainable removal of radioactivity from a cost-effectiveness point of view are needed. Reverse osmosis (RO) is the most commonly treatment used for this application; however carbon footprint of this process is very high and generates large volumes of water rejection with radioactivity that needs further treatment. LIFE ALCHEMIA offers a breakthrough in this problem from two angles. First, with the use of removal systems based on bed filters, which will reduce up to five times the cost of the water purification. Moreover, the whole life cycle of the radioactivity will be considered, including the management of the waste generated.
Objectives
To demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of bed filters that will be optimized to remove radioactivity from water and to minimize the generation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) exceeding the exemption level …
Expected results
In quantitative terms, LIFE ALCHEMIA will lead to the following results: 4 filter-based pilot plants will provide removal rates of gross alpha and beta activity up to 90%, and reductions in the concentrations of specific radionuclides (U and Ra) between 75% and 90% …
Improving drinking water quality
Building a sustainable futureProject news
Latest activity in LIFE ALCHEMIA
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On-line seminar “Natural radioactivity in water for human consumption”
Next 17th June the on-line seminar Natural radioactivity in water for human consumption will be held within the frame of the European Project LIFE ALCHEMIA. The seminar will be organized by the...
Fourth monitoring meeting of the LIFE ALCHEMIA project
The fourth monitoring meeting of the LIFE ALCHEMIA project was held last Wednesday, 24th March. All the project partners and the NEEMO-IDOM monitor (Borja Domínguez) met virtually (via TEAMS). At...
LIFE ALCHEMIA in the activities scheduled for the “11F International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021” of the University of Almería
Last 5th March 2021, a scientific dissemination activity was carried out within the activities scheduled for the “11F International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2021” at the University of...
European Night of Researchers 2020
One more year LIFE ALCHEMIA participated in the European Night of Researchs 2020, which was held on November 27th. On this occasion and due to the current Covid-19 pandemic situation, the event was...
LIFE ALCHEMIA has participated in the IX Research in Experimental Sciences Symposium
LIFE ALCHEMIA has participated in the IX Research in Experimental Sciences Symposium held on 13th November online. This event was organized by the University of Almería. The aim of this symposium is...
The pilot plant in Viimsi (Estonia) is back on start-up
After a few months of inactivity at the Viimsi pilot plant (Estonia), since the operation of the pilot plant had to be stopped due to the situation caused by the Covid-19, at the end of May it was...
Environmental awareness
Some project figures
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%
NORM reduction genetared during the elimination of radioactivity
%
Cost reduction in water treatment
%
Alpha and beta radioactivity reduction in pilot plants
%
Environmental impact reduction
Participate with LIFE ALCHEMIA
Project evaluation online questionnaire and quick questionnaire about drinking water treatment plants (DWTP)
DWTP Database
Get access to our database of drinking water treatment plants (DWTP) that treat water with natural radioactivity in Europe