Micropollutants
- Monitoring of micropollutantsMicropollutants are trace-level contaminants found in water, soil, and air, including heavy metals, radionuclides, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and personal care products. Despite their low concentrations, they can pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity.
Monitoring micropollutants is crucial for understanding their sources, behavior in the environment, and long-term impacts, ultimately guiding effective mitigation and policy strategies. - Environmental assessmentIn addition to monitoring micropollutants, our team conducts human health risk assessments to evaluate the potential impacts of environmental contamination in water, soil, and air on exposed populations. By integrating exposure pathways and toxicological data, we quantify both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks associated with these pollutants. We also perform life cycle assessments (LCA) of industrial facilities, particularly water and wastewater treatment plants, to identify their environmental footprints and assess their contributions to micropollutant release. This combined approach supports informed decision-making for pollution control, sustainable design, and public health protection.Read more
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Major Environmental Contaminants
Massive industries and households discharge wastewaters with complex persistent compounds, where they resist natural degradation, accumulating in water, soil, and living organisms—posing risks like toxicity, ecosystem damage, and threats to human health, including cancer and antibiotic resistance.
- AntibioticsMedicines used to treat infections often end up in rivers and lakes through wastewater. This can lead to antibiotic resistance, where bacteria become stronger and harder to kill, making infections more dangerous.
- Heavy MetalsToxic metals like mercury and lead accumulate in water sources. Catalytic processes can transform them into less toxic or insoluble forms for safer removal.
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)Synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothes, and firefighting foams. They don’t break down easily and stay in water, soil, and even human bodies for years, and posing health risks.
- MicroplasticsTiny plastic particles from broken-down waste, cosmetics, and synthetic clothes. They pollute oceans and rivers, harming marine life and possibly entering our food and water.
Micropollutants Team Members
all questions and inquiries to alisher.alibekov@nu.edu.kz
- Inzhumarzhan Shakhmaral4th Year BEng Student in Chemical and Materials Eng., NU
- 2nd Year PhD Student in Civil and Environmental Engineering, NU
Lab Captain & Micropollutants Team Leader
- Eldar Almagambetov2nd Year BEng Student in Civil and Environmental Eng., NU
Recent Publications of Micropollutants Team
all questions related to publications and collaborations to woojin.lee@nu.edu.kz
Microplastic (MP); Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP); Environmental impact
Life cycle assessment (LCA); MP removal
Life cycle assessment (LCA); MP removal
Microplastic removal; Urban wastewater treatment plant; Seasonal variation; Polymer types; Central Asia; READ ARTICLE
To join Micropollutants Team,
send us your CV and a brief letter of intent
