This project is focused on educating the public on the natural processes that reduce the nutrients flowing into our water bodies through low cost, but high impact efforts. The Living Machine will mirror an environment that occurs seasonally in Vermont and will create a tangible model for removal of phosphorus from the already treated wastewater effluent from treatment plants.
The Living Machine will serve as our physical representation of life-scale models. It will provide the class with something interactive, so that they may gain a better understanding of the functions of a Living Machine. Currently, most of our class does not know what a Living Machine is, the model along with the GIS map with help the class expand their knowledge on the matter and help us demonstrate where and why living machines are used.
Scope:
This research originally began in the Summer of 2015, during Maria Trejo’s 6-week research project. The purpose at the time was to create a small scale Living Machine that would treat wastewater effluent. Thus, the machine would act as a polishing step rather than a full-treatment process. Its ultimate goal was to help reduce the phosphorus levels that remained in the effluent water even after being treated. Elizabeth addressed phosphorus through her study of this nutrient in groundwater and its effects on the hydrogeological components of the area it affects. Logan is an environmentally conscientious engineering student who will use his skills with GIS to make the project more outreaching and in-depth.The goal of the group is to focus on the different remediation process to reduce phosphorus in our local water bodies through the use of natural systems and tangible projects.
Timeline:
Week 1: Create the web page and discuss the scope of the project. Post three different posts on the technologies to take out phosphorus from wastewater through chemical, biological, and physical means or personal blog posts. Look at the newly dropped of plants and prepare to create the living machine.
Week 2:Begin working on the creation of the Living Machine and set up the tanks and run distilled water through it. Logan will begin to work on his GIS aspect of the project while being briefed on Maria and Elizabeth’s model.
Week 3: Fine-tune the website and focus our efforts on finalizing all of the technical and computerized aspects of our project and the Living Machine.
Week 4: Create and Complete our powerpoint presentation for class in the coming week and relate it back to the community service learning and outreach that will stem from the project. Also, work on the group lab report and finalize the Living Machine running system. Help Logan to finish and relate his piece of the project to the finalized Living Machine.
Living Machines for a Growing World 