Real-time monitoring method for disinfection of conventional drinking water treatment processes on small islands

Description of the internship

In small islands in the border region, such as the municipality of Mytilene (Greece), there is a lack of technical staff and the necessary knowledge to carry out effective drinking water treatment. Chlorination is necessary to prevent waterborne disease outbreaks; however, excessive chlorination is wasteful, produces harmful disinfection by-products, exacerbates corrosion, and leads to deterioration of aesthetic qualities, resulting in consumer complaints. Residual chlorine must be continuously monitored to avoid under or over-chlorination. Factors such as pH, temperature, and fouling, which also influence the disinfecting power of residual chlorine, must also be considered.

Recently, sensors have been installed in Mytilene to monitor residual chlorine in real-time. The objective of this internship is the processing of data from the “residual chlorine” sensors, analysis of the city’s drinking water network, and the development of an algorithm that will enable the use of sensors as a real-time monitoring method.

Required qualites and skills

  • Thorough knowledge of programming
  • Understanding of water quality chemistry is essential

Duration of internship: 3 months
Location: Mytilene, Lesvos, Greece
Accomodation provided: No, but the student can also apply for an Erasmus+ mobility grant and thus cover part of the accomodation costs.
Meals provided: No, but access to the university restaurant, which offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at a total cost of 3 euros.

Section(s) concerned : CGC, SIE, SV

Description of the organization

The University of the Aegean (UAegean) was founded on six different islands in the Aegean Sea and comprises 18 departments (https://www1.aegean.gr/aegean2/index.html).
The Department of Marine Sciences (DMS) supports academic activities in the fields of Earth system science, oceanography, and marine biosciences. Ourania Tzoraki is a member of the Laboratory of Coastal Morphodynamics Management and Marine Geology of the DMS, which focuses on the study of the river basin and coastal zone, with primary objectives in undergraduate and graduate student education/training in fundamental and applied research. The main research areas are river hydrology, water safety, the impacts of climate change on water resources, and river restoration. The nature of the river basin and coastal processes requires interdisciplinary approaches and cooperation with other academic staff members of the DMS and the Department of Geography, as well as scientists from academic institutions in Greece and abroad.

Name: University of the Aegan
Contact person: Ourania Tzoraki, [email protected]