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Using Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater as a Context for Teaching Sustainable Development with USEPA P3 Support
Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition (2006, Chicago, IL)
  • Daniel B. Oerther, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Cinnamon Carlarne
  • Eric Maurer
  • Regina Lamendella
  • Sarah I. Pumphrey
Abstract

Phosphorus is an essential element required for agriculture. Current practices include "one-way" use of phosphorus: that is mining; production of fertilizer; land application; and ultimately loss to aquatic sediments. Once in the aquatic environment, phosphorus stimulates eutrophication resulting in the "death" of water bodies. With financial support from a People, Prosperity, and Planet program grant of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an interdisciplinary team of faculty at the University of Cincinnati used phosphorus recovery from sewage and re-utilization as a struvite fertilizer as the context for a year-long course of study integrating graduate and undergraduate students in Environmental Engineering and Science as well as Environmental Studies. This presentation will highlight the original course format, results of student assessment from the 2004-2005 academic year, modifications incorporated for the 2005-2006 academic year, and the subsequent findings of student perceptions and learning. The challenge of integrating across two colleges within a comprehensive university system will be discussed, and our approaches for meeting the learning needs and course expectations of a diverse student population will be included.

Meeting Name
113th Annual ASEE Conference and Exposition (2006: Jun. 18-21, Chicago, IL)
Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Sponsor(s)
Dassault Systemes; HP; Lockheed Martin; IBM; Microsoft
Keywords and Phrases
  • Aquatic environment,
  • Land application,
  • Phosphorus recovery,
  • Water bodies,
  • Environmental protection,
  • Eutrophication,
  • Metal recovery,
  • Phosphorus,
  • Sustainable development,
  • Teaching,
  • Wastewater
Document Type
Article - Conference proceedings
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2006 American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
6-1-2006
Publication Date
01 Jun 2006
Citation Information
Daniel B. Oerther, Cinnamon Carlarne, Eric Maurer, Regina Lamendella, et al.. "Using Phosphorus Recovery from Wastewater as a Context for Teaching Sustainable Development with USEPA P3 Support" Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition (2006, Chicago, IL) (2006) ISSN: 2153-5965
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/daniel_oerther/95/