Arash Zamyadi

  • Dr. Arash Zamyadi, International Water Association (IWA) Fellow, Assistant Professor, Polytechnique Montréal, University of Montreal, Canada and Academic Fellow, UNSW Water Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Australia

Dr Arash Zamyadi has international experience working with academics, government agencies, water utilities and industry partners on projects funded by Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), Water Research Foundation (WRF), Water Research Australia (WaterRA) and Australian Research Council (ARC). He has demonstrated capacity to primarily aim his research activities at evolution of water treatment challenges brought about by climate change, with specific experience in how climate change and harmful algal blooms (HABs) affect water treatment, removal of combined microbial/chemical contaminants and reuse opportunities. He has also broadened his research focus to the use of microalgae for “energy†and “food†production. He has published 2 book chapters, 35 refereed articles in top-tier research journals and presented at 72 conferences worldwide.

Abstract: Harmful Algal Blooms Risk Assessment and Implementation of Control Strategies for Safe Drinking Water Production and Reuse

A wide range of algal/cyanobacterial species and their harmful metabolites are increasingly detected in water bodies in North America, exacerbated by climate change and human activities. The resulting conditions and production of harmful compounds represent significant challenges to production of safe drinking water and reuse therefore their removal is a priority to ensure public safety. While current microscopic taxonomy identification methods provide valuable information about cell numbers, these methods are incapable of providing real-time information about the fate of cells during treatment. Hence this presentation will (1) provide an overview of latest developments to identify critical control points for breakthrough and accumulation of cells in water supply systems using a combination of taxonomy, real-time fluorescence measurement, cell integrity and next-generation sequencing methods, and (2) assess the impact of pre-treatment processes to prevent breakthrough incidents, and the benefits of these analysis for improved management purposes. A synergistic approach coupling new and traditional analytical methods will be presented for improved cyanobacteria/algae management within treatment and reuse plants.