MSc by Research:
Strand 1 Post-Graduate R & D Skills Programme:
Project Title: Comparison of two molecular and traditional tools to evaluate Fate Of Enteric Pathogens In Wastewater Treatment Plants In Co. Sligo.
Abstract
The disposal of communities’ wastewaters throughout Ireland remains problematic as inadequate infrastructure has failed to keep pace with housing developments, from major urban centres to rural communities and village developments. Public health issues, arising from disposal of untreated /inadequately treated sewage, have received increased attention following recent events in Co. Galway in relation to the outbreak of Cryptosporidiosis. Virtually no information exists on the pathogen loads discharged into the environment from the Wastewater Treatment (WWT) plants in Co. Sligo. In addition many of the WWT plants are old or overloaded and the effluents, having received inadequate treatment, are discharged into rivers, lakes, estuaries and onto beaches. Sludge disposal additionally generates its own list of environmental pollution issues.
This project aims to use modern molecular biology tools side by side with the use of the traditional bacterial indicators as a means of evaluating the extent of pathogen pollution arising from effluents discharged from a selection of WWT plants in operation in Sligo. The project will compare the effectiveness of two typical types of WWT plants in relation to pathogen removal. The use of molecular biology tools to monitor microbial pathogens in the environment will provide regulatory bodies with additional environmental information.
For further information please contact the project Supervisors: Dr. Michael Broaders and Dr. Michelle Connolly: Email: broaders.michael@nullitsligo.ie or Tel: 00353 71 9155254, connolly.michelle@nullitsligo.ie or Tel: 00353 71 9155484.