A water filter cartridge includes a sediment filter, a carbon filter, and a core having a tubular body with openings that allow water to flow through the core. The core defines an open central area, and the core supports the sediment filter and the carbon filter. A nanofiltration unit is arranged within the open central area of the core. The nanofiltration unit includes a tubular filter element defining a central volume, and a plurality of filaments arranged within the central volume.

A method for water treatment, wherein the water for treatment is conducted by a conveying device from an inlet to an outlet via multiple treatment stages, wherein at least one of the treatment stages is an oxidation stage in which foreign matter situated in the water is oxidized by an oxidant which is added to the water in or upstream of the oxidation stage, and at least one of the treatment stages to which the water is fed after the processing by the at least one oxidation stage is a separation stage in which foreign matter situated in the water after processing in the at least one oxidation stage is precipitated and separated off by addition of at least one separating agent, in particular of a flocculant and/or of activated carbon.

This disclosure provides a method and a kit for pesticide detection. By expressing acetylcholinesterases on cell surface, rapid pesticide screening, identification and quantification of pesticides or insecticides may be achieved.

A storm water runoff and erosion control device includes a rigid frame covered by a layer of mesh material. The frame defines an interior space that is filled with filtration material. The device may be configured as a wattle having an elongated frame with a triangular cross-section. The wattle may be extended along the contour of a hill to reduce erosion, or it may be placed at the entrance to a drainage inlet to slow the velocity of, and filter sediment and contaminants from, water entering the inlet. Alternatively, the device may be a compact filter that is a cube, cylinder, sphere, or other suitable geometry. A plurality of these compact filters may be placed in the basin of a storm water drain, and piled sufficiently high to cover the outlet from the basin. Thus, all the water in the basin must pass through the compact filters before exiting.

Iron electrocoagulation (Fe-EC) reactors for removing contaminants from water comprising an assembly of spiral-wound or folded iron-containing anode and cathode plates separated with perforated insulating spacers, or an oxidant to accelerate oxidation of Fe(II) ions released from the anode to obtain Fe(III) ions, and/or to oxidize the contaminant.

Crystalline α-Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles prepared by ultrasonic treatment of a solution of an iron (III)-containing precursor and an extract from the seeds of a plant in the family Linaceae. The crystalline α-Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles have a spherical morphology with a diameter of 100 nm to 300 nm, a mean surface area of 240 to 260 m.sup.2/g, and a type-II nitrogen adsorption-desorption BET isotherm with a H3 hysteresis loop. The crystalline α-Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles have a band gap of 2.10 to 2.16 eV and a mean pore size of 7.25 to 9.25 nm. A method for the photocatalytic decomposition of organic pollutants using the crystalline α-Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles. An antibacterial composition containing the crystalline α-Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles.

A method for selectively removing micro-contaminants from sludge, the method includes a) providing sludge contaminated with micro-contaminants, and b) subjecting the sludge to a primary treatment step, thereby producing a first stream of primary sludge comprising a first part of micro-contaminants and a second stream of remaining sludge comprising a second part of micro-contaminants, c) subjecting the second stream of remaining sludge to a secondary treatment step, thereby producing biological sludge, wherein the first stream of primary sludge and the biological sludge are further subjected to separate treatment steps whose effects are coupled, so as to divert, capture and destroy the first part of micro-contaminants in the primary treatment step.

A piezoelectric and piezocata lytic composite material comprising M0S.sub.2 nanoflowers embedded within a body of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is provided along with layers, coatings, and sheets comprising such a material. Also disclosed are methods of using such material for generating piezoelectricity and for piezocata lytic removal of contaminants from an aqueous environment. A method of forming such material is also described.

Bioreactors and associated methods are provided herein including bioreactors capable of treating water contaminated with 1,4-dioxane. In certain embodiments, a bioreactor is disclosed and may include an adsorbent layer with a biofilm capable of metabolizing 1,4-dioxane and a screen disposed downstream of the adsorbent layer configured to retain detached biofilm.

In an embodiment, a circuit includes: a transformer defining an inductive footprint within a first layer; a grounded shield bounded by the inductive footprint within a second layer separate from the first layer; and a circuit component bounded by the inductive footprint within a third layer separate from the second layer, wherein: the circuit component is coupled with the transformer through the second layer, and the third layer is separated from the first layer by the second layer.