Tech Student Honored For Cookeville Research

A Tennessee Tech Graduate Student honored nationally for her research into microplastics at the Cookeville Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Chemical Engineering Student Sahera Abumariam said her research studied the amount of microplastics in the water from four different sections of the plant. Abumariaum said she also examined how effective the plant’s different processes are at removing microplastics from water.

“The number of microplastics that leave the plant through the effluent, that’s the one that goes through (Pigeon Roost Creek), it’s very minimal compared to the amount of microplastics that go in the plant,” Abumariam said. “And the ones that are leaving through the sludge.”

Abumariam presented her research at the national meeting for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and won first place in the environmental division. Abumariam said the success was not only exciting, but also encouraged her to continue with her research and put even more effort into her work.

“It was also very nice to tell the people who have helped throughout the process like the Water Center, my advisors, and everybody who has supported me throughout the process,” Abumariam said. “It was really nice to be able to share that with them because it’s not, I don’t think it was only me, the one who won. It was all of them, like all of us together.”

Abumariam said she was encouraged to research into microplastics by her counselor after deciding she wanted to look into wastewater treatment. Abumariam said she has worked for environmental consulting companies involved with water and wastewater in Nashville and Honduras, her homeland.

“It’s pretty interesting, honestly,” Abumariam said. “And it’s kind of nice to know that I’m working toward something that might have an impact in the future. And it is having such a big impact to the environment right now because there’s microplastics everywhere. They’re contaminating everything basically.”

Abumariam said she got connected with the wastewater plant through a member of her research group. Abumariam said she thought it was appropriate for her research to look into the city she lives in.

“It’s kind of nice to know what’s in the water that we use, basically,” Abumariam said. “Like we personally use that water. And I feel like it’s a really good opportunity for me to indirectly connect with the Cookeville community.”

Abumariam said her research will help with future experiments she has planned on the subject in the near future.