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M. S. I. Masum, a master鈥檚 student in civil engineering, is exploring new ways to treat wastewater 鈥� research that may hold the potential to benefit rural communities across 麻豆无码版, which often lack water and sewer service. His research is part of a larger team effort within the College of Engineering (CoEng) to develop solutions for domestic gray water treatment in rural 麻豆无码版 as part of the , an initiative from the 麻豆无码版 Department of Environmental Conservation. 

Masum鈥檚 thesis project focuses on the biological treatment of gray water. Gray water is gently used household wastewater 鈥� 鈥渂asically the water we generate in our shower and in the kitchen sink basin,鈥� Masum explained. Though not as contaminated as wastewater from toilets, gray water still contains contaminants that must be removed before it can be reused. 

Originally from Bangladesh, Masum completed a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering at Bangladesh University of Technology and Engineering in 2022. After graduating, Masum began working closely with a local wastewater treatment plant. The experience left him with a desire to improve the system.

鈥淚 saw that in our country, the wastewater treatment plant is not well maintained, and regulations are not effectively enforced,鈥� said Masum. 鈥淚 wanted to work with advanced technologies to improve treatment systems in Bangladesh, helping protect the environment, support water conservation through wastewater reuse, and ensure better compliance with regulations.鈥�

After searching online for a graduate program that matched his goals, Masum came to UAA to study under Subhabrata Dev, Ph.D., assistant professor in CoEng鈥檚 Department of Civil Engineering, whose research interests include wastewater treatment.

Using biofilm to degrade contamination

Masum鈥檚 project involves using a biofilm reactor to remove contamination from gray water collected at residence halls on UAA鈥檚 Anchorage campus. 鈥淏iofilms are communities of microorganisms that attach to surface areas and work together to degrade contaminants,鈥� he said. 

The microbes that form the biofilm originate in a local wastewater treatment plant and are collected by Masum and his colleagues as a primary microbial source for the reactor. 鈥淭he primary microbial source was mixed with raw gray water to feed in the reactor and continuous external nutrition was supplied to support the growth as gray water typically lacks sufficient nutrients for microbial growth,鈥� said Masum.

Once the community of microbes is thriving, the biofilm is able to break down organic contaminants in gray water.

鈥淥nce a stable microbial community and biofilm are present, they start to biodegrade the pollutants present in the gray water. Even when the filter media reaches the end of its service life, the biofilm can continue to break down organic contaminants,鈥� explained Masum. 鈥淭his allows the system to remain effective and reduces the need for immediate replacement of the filter.鈥�

Masum plans to continue exploring ways to treat wastewater in rural 麻豆无码版 after completing his master鈥檚 program. 鈥淚 plan to explore the industry during my practical training to gain a better understanding of the challenges associated with wastewater treatment in cold climates and rural systems,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would like to visit rural areas in 麻豆无码版, as what I have learned from the literature has increased my interest in understanding real-world conditions firsthand.鈥�