|
|
Pathbreaking Methods for Improving Water Quality Give American Professor the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize |
|
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN, Mar. 22 -/E-Wire/--
Professor Perry L. McCarty from Stanford University,
|
California, a pioneer in the development of the understanding of biological and
|
chemical processes for the safe supply and treatment of water, was today named
|
the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize Laureate.
|
Professor McCarty’s work has led to more efficient biological treatment processes, in
|
particular anaerobic (oxygen-less) treatment systems for municipal and industrial
|
wastewaters, biological nutrient removal, and the development and use of biofilm reactors.
|
In its Citation, the Nominating Committee wrote:
|
Professor Perry L. McCarty is awarded the 2007 Stockholm Water Prize for pioneering work in
|
developing the scientific approach for the design and operation of water and wastewater
|
systems. He has established the role of fundamental microbiology and chemistry in the design
|
of bioreactors. Professor McCarty has defined the field of environmental biotechnology that is
|
the basis for small-scale and large-scale pollution control and safe drinking water systems.
|
The Stockholm Water Prize is a global award founded in 1990 and presented annually by the Stockholm
|
Water Foundation to an individual, organization or institution for outstanding water-related activities. The
|
activities can be within fields like education and awareness-raising, human and international relations,
|
research, water management and water-related aid. The Stockholm Water Prize Laureate receives USD
|
150,000 along with a glass sculpture, which will be presented August 16 during the 2007 World Water
|
Week in Stockholm. H.M. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden is the Patron of the Stockholm Water Prize.
|
Natural bacterial processes made operational in large-scale technologies
|
Being an environmental engineer, Professor McCarty has combined deep knowledge in physical, chemical,
|
biological and microbiological processes and transferred the results into outstanding technical
|
development widely used all over the world as the basis for design and operation of wastewater
|
treatment systems.
|
Professor McCarty’s other important contribution was the identity of mechanisms for
|
biodegradation and the fate of hazardous and anthropogenic trace chemicals as well as
|
appropriate engineering for water quality improvement of ground- and surface water and
|
soils.
|
All of his earlier research findings and theoretical developments have been incorporated into
|
these recent studies and culminated in his fundamental theory of water quality improvement
|
in surface and groundwater as well as biological treatment of polluted soils (bioremediation).
|
This is an enormous accomplishment and brings together a unified concept derived from
|
physical, chemical and biological phenomena into integrated management for water quality
|
improvement.
|
Purifying the invisible
|
Professor McCarty has furthermore tackled the important problem of organic compounds and
|
pollutants in wastewater and underground aquifer systems. His work has led to the
|
development and practical implementation of methods to treat toxic chemicals in
|
groundwater, especially chlorinated pollutants from industry.
|
A stunning scientific career
|
Professor McCarty has published over 300 papers in water science, environmental
|
engineering, and microbiology science journals with 50 papers just in the last 10 years. His
|
two textbooks on the chemistry, biology, and design of treatment systems for municipal and
|
industrial wastewater are daily used by engineers all over the world.
|
Professor McCarty has been an educator and researcher at Stanford since 1962. His ability to
|
attract and develop outstanding doctoral students at Stanford University is eminent. Professor
|
McCarty furthermore was for 14 years the director of the Environmental Protection Agencysponsored
|
Western Regional Hazardous Substances Research Center. He is also a member of
|
the National Academy of Engineering and an Honorary member of the American Water Works
|
Association and the Water Environment Federation, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the
|
American Academy of Microbiology.
|
The Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) is a policy institute that
|
contributes to international efforts to combat the world's escalating water crisis.
|
SIWI advocates future-oriented, knowledge-integrated water views in decision
|
making, nationally and internationally, that lead to sustainable use of the world’s
|
water resources and sustainable development of societies. Contact Info:
|
David J. Trouba
|
SIWI
|
Tel : +46 (0)8-522 139 89
|
E-mail : dave.trouba@siwi.org Website : the Stockholm International Water Institute
|
