Scientific seminar

On 19 November, we hosted a seminar exploring one of the most pressing environmental issues of our time: water pollution. The event brought together specialists, researchers, students and industry representatives to share knowledge and discuss innovative solutions for sustainable water management.

Why Polluted Water Matters

Polluted water is a global environmental and public health issue that affects millions of people and ecosystems worldwide. Contaminants such as chemicals, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals and pathogens enter water systems through industrial and domestic wastewater, agricultural runoff and inadequate waste management.

The consequences are profound: damage to aquatic ecosystems, reduced biodiversity and disrupted biological balance, direct health risks and limited access to clean drinking water, higher treatment costs for municipalities, economic loss in sectors such as agriculture and tourism.

Thankfully, modern purification methods offer realistic solutions. Technologies such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis, UV disinfection, ozonation and bioreactors remove contaminants and support water reuse — an increasingly essential approach to sustainable resource management.

Seminar highlights

The seminar had a four-part structure combining expert presentations, student contributions, technology demonstrations and a symbolic closing activity.

I. Expert Presentations and Discussions

Participants heard three in-depth talks covering scientific, environmental and technological perspectives:

‘Assessment of the quality of surface and groundwater in the Plovdiv region based on chemical indicators’ by Ivaylo Iliev, Basin Directorate – Plovdiv

‘Sustainability, health and social aspects of water quality and water spaces’ by Associate Professor Dr Angel Dzhambov, Medical University of Plovdiv

‘Valorisation of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) side streams for production of recycled fertilisers’ by Dr Fulvio Di Lorenzo, FHNW Switzerland

These sessions explored the sources of water pollution and their impact on ecosystems and human health, as well as innovative approaches to wastewater valorisation.

II. Student Presentations

Students from the Agricultural University of Plovdiv presented their findings on topics such as main sources and causes of water pollution, water pollution in Plovdiv and protection measures, pollution threats to aquatic life, biodiversity impacts and conservation strategies, water resource management and national water quality.

Following their presentations, participants received certificates acknowledging their successful contributions.

III. Technological Demonstration

Soflab presented a live demonstration in our chemical laboratory, showcasing ICP-OES analytical equipment used for precise water quality analysis — an essential tool in modern environmental monitoring.

IV. Tree-Planting Ceremony

The event concluded with a tree-planting ceremony, during which participants planted a red-leaved plum tree on the university grounds.

Prof. Dr Violina Rizova (née Angelova) dedicated the tree with the following message:

This is the Tree of New Beginnings, of vitality and sustainable growth. Its distinctive red leaves remind us to have the courage to stand out, to innovate and to pursue a more beautiful, sustainable environment. Just as this tree will grow and enrich its surroundings, our centre will develop ideas, technologies and partnerships to support a sustainable future. Let the planting of this tree be our shared symbol of caring for nature, managing our resources responsibly and having confidence in the meaning of it all.

Seminar objectives and outlook

Our seminar aimed to raise public awareness of sustainable water resource management; present innovative monitoring and purification technologies; facilitate knowledge exchange between experts, students and industry; encourage the development of young scientists.

The event successfully created a meaningful platform for dialogue, learning and collaboration, thereby reinforcing our commitment to supporting clean water initiatives and environmental innovation.