"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Month: June 2025
Permafrost
06/30/25
“What happens when soil is frozen for more than two years?”
Soil’s temperature depends on the air’s temperature. When soil is frozen for two or more years, it develops into Permafrost. Permafrost upholds tundra ecosystems, and is prone to physical collapse upon melting. Permafrost is commonly found in far northern latitudes and the Tibetan Plateau.
Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids
06/29/25
“How can we represent the total mass of suspended solids in the aeration tank of an activated sludge process?”
Activated sludge treatment plants are one of the most widely used treatment systems in the world. These systems use suspended microorganisms in sludge to “eat” the organic matter present in the influent water. The total mass of suspended solids per volume in the influent-sludge mixture is quantified as Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids. Measuring the amount of mixed liquor suspended solids is useful for designing targets for treatment systems.
Image credit: https://www.ebsbiowizard.com/
Subglacial Lakes
06/28/25
“How are there lakes below glaciers?”
It’s easy to assume that glaciers are made up entirely of ice with no liquid water. However, geothermal heating from underneath and high pressure can create Subglacial Lakes. Subglacial lakes hold a large portion of the Earth’s freshwater resources and have fascinating extremophilic microbial ecosystems.
Image credit: https://i.cdn.newsbytesapp.com/
Fecal Sludge
06/27/25
“What exactly is fecal sludge?”
People all over the world use non-sewer systems to dispose of fecal matter. This fecal matter will collect over time with other waste material and accumulate into Fecal Sludge. Fecal sludge needs proper maintenance to prevent public health issues.
Siltation
06/26/25
“What happens when too much silt or clay reaches the bottom of a river?”
Rivers run best when there’s a fine balance of water and soil on their river bed. When too much silt or clay fills up the river bed, it can clog the river and hurt the existing ecosystem. This Siltation process is can heavily damage rivers of all kinds, and water body managers need to keep track of these developments.
Thalwegs
06/23/25
“What are the deepest parts of rivers?”
Rivers are dynamic pieces of geography. They curve and meander while transporting water and sediment. The depths of rivers will also vary. If you were to trace a path following the deepest parts of rivers, you would get what scientists call a Thalweg. Thalwegs are often used to mark the river border between countries or other governing bodies.
Image credit: https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/
Wastewater Lift Station Maintenance
06/20/25
“How can we perform maintenance on wastewater lift stations?”
Wastewater lift stations are vital for many sewer systems. But these will wear out over time, like everything in this world. Operators can perform Wastewater Lift Station Maintenance by repairing grease motors, installing backup generators, fixing pipes, performing general inspections, and more.
Image credit: https://www.waterandwastewater.com/
Wastewater Lift Stations
06/19/25
“Why might we need to lift wastewater?”
It’s easy to move wastewater by channeling it from a higher elevation to a lower elevation. But sometimes wastewater is too low for gravity transport. Infrastructure operators can address this issue by utilizing Wastewater Lift Stations that pump wastewater upwards. This pushes wastewater to a higher elevation to allow for movement again.
Image credit: http://www.pumpsandsystems.com
Salt Marsh Migration
06/18/25
“Why do salt marshes migrate upland?”
Salt marshes border coastal waters. When sea levels rise, more upland areas will become inundated with saltwater. This will increase soil salinity, killing off non-adapted plants and creating conditions for salt marshes to move in. This Salt Marsh Migration can completely upend traditional ecosystems.
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