Water Purification, a volume in the Nanotechnology in the Food Industry series, provides an in-depth review of the current technologies and emerging application of nanotechnology in drinking water purification, also presenting an overview of the common drinking water contaminants, such as heavy metals, organics, microorganisms, pharmaceuticals, and their occurrences in drinking water sources. As the global water crisis has motivated the industry to look for alternative water supplies, nanotechnology presents significant potential for utilizing previously unacceptable water sources. This books explores the practical methodologies for transforming water using nanotechnologies, and is a comprehensive reference to a wide audience of food science research professionals, professors, and students who are doing research in this field. - Includes the most up-to-date information on nanotechnology applications and research methods for water purification and treatment - Presents applications of nanotechnology and engineered nanomaterials in drinking water purification to improve efficiency and reduce cost - Provides water purification research methods that are important to water quality, including precipitation, adsorption, membrane separation, and ion exchange - Covers the potential risks of nanotechnology, such as the toxicological effects of engineered nanomaterials in water and how to minimize risks based on research studies

One of the major challenges for many Mediterranean and other countries is finding viable solutions to tackle water shortage. Some of the major water quality constraints derive from the high salinity of groundwater and from pollution sources such as: untreated domestic sewage, fertilizers and pesticides from irrigation drainage, industrial effluents, and solid waste disposal. Wastewater treatment processes involving physico-chemical and biological treatment, chemical oxidation, membrane technologies, along with methods of solids concentration and disposal are of special relevance in dealing with these problems. This volume contains selected lectures presented at the NATO ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE held in Oviedo (November 15-21, 2009) and sponsored by the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme. They cover a variety of topics from wastewater treatment methods to cleaner production strategies, as a careful management of water resources is the basis for sustainable development and to avoid potential security threats. The reader will benefit from a general view of some of the operations involved in wastewater treatment and solid concentration and disposal methods. A proper water reuse and recycling, together with efficient solid disposal, would contribute to a better use of the resources and a sustainable economic growth, particularly in many arid lands of the world.

Water covers 70% of the Earth, but only 3% of it is drinkable, and most of this water (2%) is not accessible because it is locked in ice caps, glaciers, or the soil. Globally, 2.7 billion people experience water scarcity for at least one month of the year, while around 1.1 billion people lack access to water. In this book, scientists and entrepreneurs from the five continents present their ultimate expertise to address the crisis. The book comprises twelve chapters that present case studies from different parts of the world and industrial products for water purification, desalination, and energy production.

The book addresses the entire water cycle. The focus is on new technologies/processes (especially in high performance biological treatment), energy recovery, water recycling and reuse. Recommendations with regard to the right technologies/processes for specific situations are provided and a wide range of case studies, especially in emerging markets. In addition, the most modern water terminology with more positive connotations is used. This is especially important in the field of direct and indirect potable reuse (DPR and IPR respectively).