Eskandar Poorasgari

Project Summary: Recently, about 200 cattle were found dead on a pasture in Saskatchewan due to concentrated salt ions. The salinization of freshwater resources around the world has amplified, which eventually leads to unpredictable water salinity hazards. The wide dispersion of concentrated salt ions, often derived from non-point sources, makes the problem difficult to control, and it is uneconomical to develop solutions using conventional, sophisticated desalination plants. I am currently developing cost-effective, on-site water desalination technology adapted for livestock operations. The new clean technology is non-energy intensive because it leverages natural mineralization in desalination minerals we developed, which fix sulfate and sodium. This approach will be expanded for the removal of excess nutrients, algae, and microbial. This research is interdisciplinary with Drs Wonjae Chang (PI), Terry Fonstad, Herbert Lardner, Gregory Penner, Lee Wilson, and Darren Korber.

Internal Mentor: Dr. Wonjae Chang, Dr. Terry Fonstad, Dr. Lee Wilson, Dr. Herbert Lardner, and Dr. Darren Korber 

External Mentors: Krista Stevenson, Environmental Programs Lead - Applied Process Research, Sarnia Technology Applications & Research, Imperial Oil Limited; Linda Eastcott, Technical Advisor, Environmental & Property Solutions, Imperial Oil Limited; Marianne Possberg, Beef Production Specialist, Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association