Browsing by Author "Le Corre Pidou, Kristell"

Now showing 1 - 12 of 12
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    Assessing environmental drivers of fluoride mobilization in groundwater under increased loading of dissolved organic matter from managed aquifer recharge (MAR) Item
    (Cranfield University, 2022-12-01 15:51) Parker, Alison; Campo Moreno, Pablo; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell
    Geogenic fluoride contamination of groundwater is common in many semi-arid regions, and the impact of managed aquifer recharge (MAR) on increased mobilization of fluoride to the water in these regions is a concern. This work used saturated column experiments to explore the aqueous and mineralogical environmental drivers of fluoride mobilization and how they interact with increased loading of dissolved organic matter (DOM) from infiltrated runoff collected by MAR structures. Groundwater alkalinity was identified as the dominating driver of fluoride mobilization, resulting in increased dissolution of fluorite under all mineral matrix compositions. The influx of a 20 mg/L load of DOM somewhat reduced the mobilization of fluoride from the solid matrix under alkaline conditions, but otherwise did not influence fluorite dissolution compared to unloaded conditions. Environmental drivers were therefore identified as important predictors of fluoride mobilization at groundwater extraction sites, whereas the additional load of DOM to the groundwater resulting from MAR structures does not appear to increase fluoride concentration in the groundwater.
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    Assessment of activated sludge, membrane bioreactors and vertical flow wetlands for upgrading sewage treatment works
    (Taylor & Francis, 2016-11-29) Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Dotro, Gabriela; Jefferson, Bruce
    This paper demonstrates that utilising a vertical flow (VF) wetland after a conventional activated sludge (CAS) delivers equivalent or better effluent quality to a membrane bioreactor (MBR) based on a side-by-side pilot trial. The CAS was operated under the solids retention times (SRT) of 6, 12, and 20 days, with the effluent from each pilot plant fed onto a soil aquifer treatment column to better understand their water reuse application potential. Results showed an upgraded CAS + VF system could deliver effluents with median values of 34 mgO2.L–1, 7 mg.L–1 and 1.9 mg.L–1 for organics, solids and ammonia nitrogen, respectively, which were statistically similar to those from the MBR. Water reuse standards were achieved by the upgraded system for most parameters, with the exception of total coliform removal. The upgraded system delivered superior metal removal when compared to the CAS. An economic analysis showed upgrading a CAS with a VF wetland was more favourable than investing in an MBR system for example works of 5000 and 50,000 population equivalents if the VF system was operated at hydraulic loading rates of 0.03 m.d–1 and 0.08 m.d–1, respectively. This was delivered for a tenth of the carbon footprint of the MBR treatment.
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    Common or independent? The debate over regulations and standards for water reuse in Europe
    (Elsevier, 2016-02-10) Fawell, John; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Jeffrey, Paul
    Although unplanned water reuse has been practised across Europe for decades, multiple stresses on water supply and demand over recent years have led to the development of many planned reuse schemes. Despite this development, the legislative and regulatory regimes required to underpin a growing water reuse sector have arguably failed to emerge. The reasons for this and the cases for and against pan-European water reuse regulations are explored and debated. The conclusions highlight several challenges for politicians and policy makers if appropriate regulatory systems and water quality standards are to be provided which support the embryonic European water reuse sector.
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    Data for the paper "What is the impact of personal care products selection on grey water characteristics and reuse?"
    (Cranfield University, 2020-05-27 19:59) Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Jeffrey, Paul; Jefferson, Bruce; Pidou, Marc
    This unique study explores the question as to whether consumers’ product selection could affect the treatability and reuse of bathroom greywater. Fifty five personal care and household products (PCHP) were analysed for their effects on a range of water quality parameters including their aquatic and soil toxicity using Microtox® and MicroRespTM. Data used in the manuscript are compiled in the attached data file. Material and methods used to generate the data can be found in the manuscript
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    Data related to "Membrane-assisted reactive crystallisation for the recovery of dissolved phosphorus in vivianite form from liquid effluents"
    (Cranfield University, 2023-08-31 14:38) McAdam, Ewan; Chen, Lo-I; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell
    Data supporting article titled "Membrane-assisted reactive crystallisation for the recovery of dissolved phosphorus in vivianite form from liquid effluents"
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    Engineering biology applications for environmental solutions: potential and challenges
    (Springer Nature, 2025-04) Lea-Smith, David J.; Hassard, Francis; Coulon, Frederic; Partridge, Natalie; Horsfall, Louise; Parker, Kyle D. J.; Smith, Robert D. J.; McCarthy, Ronan R.; McKew, Boyd A.; Gutierrez, Tony; Kumar, Vinod; Dotro, Gabriella; Yang, Zhugen; Curtis, Thomas P.; Golyshin, Peter; Heaven, Sonia; Jefferson, Bruce; Jeffrey, Paul; Jones, Davey L.; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Liu, Yongqiang; Lyu, Tao; Smith, Cindy; Yakunin, Alexander; Zhang, Yue; Krasnogor, Natalio
    Engineering biology applies synthetic biology to address global environmental challenges like bioremediation, biosequestration, pollutant monitoring, and resource recovery. This perspective outlines innovations in engineering biology, its integration with other technologies (e.g., nanotechnology, IoT, AI), and commercial ventures leveraging these advancements. We also discuss commercialisation and scaling challenges, biosafety and biosecurity considerations including biocontainment strategies, social and political dimensions, and governance issues that must be addressed for successful real-world implementation. Finally, we highlight future perspectives and propose strategies to overcome existing hurdles, aiming to accelerate the adoption of engineering biology for environmental solutions.
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    Estimation of Groundwater Recharge in Semi-Arid Regions under Variable Land Use and Rainfall Conditions.
    (Cranfield University, 2020-09-17 16:47) Yadav, Basant; Parker, Alison; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Campo Moreno, Pablo
    Soil water balance analysis and recharge estimation for a semi-arid region of Lapodiya watershed in 2019-20.
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    Estimation of groundwater recharge in semiarid regions under variable land use and rainfall conditions: a case study of Rajasthan, India
    (PLOS (Public Library of Science), 2023-03-22) Yadav, Basant; Parker, Alison; Sharma, Anupma; Sharma, Rakesh; Krishan, Gopal; Kumar, Suraj; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Campo Moreno, Pablo
    In the semiarid regions of India, the annual rainfall is very low (~650 mm) and erratic; hence groundwater recharge is vital to support crops, especially in the winter season. For groundwater budgeting it is essential to consider how groundwater recharge is affected by both land-use and rainfall distribution. This study used a soil water balance approach, considering hydrological, meteorological, hydrogeological and crop information to understand the recharge process in semiarid regions. The approach was used at a sub-watershed scale where farmers grow rainfed and irrigated crops. Delayed recharge response on the water table was considered to estimate actual recharge, which closely matches the observed water levels in the field. The recharge estimated in rainfed agricultural lands, rainfed-irrigated agricultural lands, and barren lands was 29%, 17%, and 31% of the total inflow.
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    Impact of pre-treatment technologies on soil aquifer treatment
    (IWA Publishing, 2016-02-10) Besançon, A.; Pidou, Marc; Jeffrey, Paul; Jefferson, Bruce; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell
    This study investigates the impact of pre-treatment options on the performances of soil columns simulating soil aquifer treatment (SAT). For this purpose a conventional activated sludge (CAS) process, a membrane bioreactor (MBR) and vertical flow reed beds were used as single units or in combination before SAT. The influent and effluent from each treatment train were monitored over three successive 6-month periods, corresponding to changes in the operational conditions of the MBR and CAS units from 6 days' sludge retention time (SRT) to 12 and 20 days. All the columns acted as efficient polishing steps for solids and bacteria. The column receiving effluent from the CAS system running at 6 days' SRT also presented high total nitrogen and total phosphorus removals, but this column was also associated with the lowest infiltration rates over that period. While the quality of the effluent from the column following the CAS process increased over 18 months of operation, the effluent quality of the columns receiving MBR effluent degraded. No correlations were found between variations in SRT of the MBR and CAS processes and the columns' performances. Overall, all columns, except the one receiving CAS effluent, underwent a reduction in infiltration rate over 18 months.
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    Membrane-assisted reactive crystallisation for the recovery of dissolved phosphorus in vivianite form from liquid effluents
    (Elsevier, 2023-08-21) Jiménez-Robles, R.; Martínez-Soria, V.; Izquierdo Sanchis, M.; Chen, Lo-I; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; McAdam, Ewan
    Novel membrane crystallisation processes resolve the mixing challenge on conventional crystallisers, by providing fixed interfacial area over which supersaturation is controlled for nucleation. Moreover, the membrane surface is thought to reduce interfacial energy and encourage micromixing. In this regard, a novel membraneassisted reactive crystallisation (MARC) process was used in this work for the dissolved phosphorous recovery in form of vivianite crystals from a phosphate-rich solution by means of the dosing of iron (II). To characterise the role of the boundary layer in controlling nucleation, a batch lab-scale system was used for the crystallization tests, and different hydraulic conditions (Reynolds ranging from 105 to 395) and polymeric membranes were tested. The crystallisation process was influenced by the hydraulic conditions, in which a low liquid velocity led to a lower induction time and vivianite supersaturation, and therefore, higher nucleation rates. Membrane properties were characterised to establish their role in the modification of the critical free energy requirement for nucleation, and for the promotion of micromixing, as possible factors that can be used to modify nucleation kinetics. As result, the bulk induction time tended to decrease with the increase in membrane hydrophobicity, roughness, pore size and porosity. Spherical vivianite nanoparticles were always synthesised with a mean size around 35 nm and a narrow distribution independently of the hydraulic conditions and membrane used. Finally, the crystallisation kinetic conformed to a diffusion-dependent nucleation mechanism, in which higher residence times for mixing increased the ion collision probability for nucleation. Importantly, this study demonstrated that MARC is an attractive prospect for nutrient recovery from wastewaters where crystal nucleation can be easily controlled by setting the operational conditions and membrane properties, eliciting considerable process intensification over existing conventional crystalliser.
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    The multiple uses of water derived from managed aquifer recharge systems in Kenya and India
    (IWA, 2022-01-19) Parker, Alison H.; Nyangoka, Justus; Rodrigues, Inês; Yadav, B.; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Campo Moreno, Pablo; Quinn, Ruth
    ‘Multiple-use services’ (MUS) takes into account the fact that households use water for both domestic and for productive uses. This paper is the first to determine how managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems are a form of MUS. Two cases were studied in India and in Kenya. In the Kenyan case, sand dams are the form of MAR, and in India check dams and infiltration ponds of various scales are used. Through observations, interviews, and water quality data, it is possible to describe how the communities access the water from these infrastructures in multiple ways for different uses, according to their water needs and the characteristics of the different access points. MAR involves harvesting rainwater and retaining run-off water into the dry season thus increasing the amount of available water and enabling diversification of water uses. It should therefore be considered as an option by water managers aiming to develop water resources meeting both the domestic and productive needs of communities.
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    Scaling-up engineering biology for enhanced environmental solutions
    (American Chemical Society, 2024-06-01) Hassard, Francis; Curtis, Thomas P.; Dotro, Gabriela C.; Golyshin, Peter; Gutierrez, Tony; Heaven, Sonia; Horsfall, Louise; Jefferson, Bruce; Jones, Davey L.; Krasnogor, Natalio; Kumar, Vinod; Lea-Smith, David J.; Le Corre Pidou, Kristell; Liu, Yongqiang; Lyu, Tao; McCarthy, Ronan R.; McKew, Boyd; Smith, Cindy; Yakunin, Alexander; Yang, Zhugen; Zhang, Yue; Coulon, Frederic
    Synthetic biology (SynBio) offers transformative solutions for addressing environmental challenges by engineering organisms capable of degrading pollutants, enhancing carbon sequestration, and valorizing waste (Figure 1). These innovations hold the potential to revolutionize bioremediation strategies, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable environmental management.