Guyane

Synthetically engineered materials for the sorptive removal of metal species from industrial effluent and ground water sites in Canada and Guyana

Le sommaire ci-dessous est présenté dans la langue de la demande soumis par les demandeurs du concours SCR-CALA.

Guyana meaning, “Land of Many Waters” is rich in hydrologic resources. The environment and environmental policy are discussed in the Guyana National Development Strategy, Chapters 5 and 18 respectively. Environmental pollution is a serious problem for developing Guyana. Environmental contamination is a priority problem needs to be dealt with to ensure sustainable development. Research resources are very limited at the University of Guyana. The complementary research expertise of the co-applicants (Tewari/Wilson) will result in the development of interdisciplinary research that addresses an emerging issue (i.e. Global Water Security). The occurrence of metal ion contaminants addresses fundamental issues relating to food production, human health, and sustainable development. At the present, the emergence of “cancer belts” in China and Bangladesh are symptomatic of the build-up of metal ion contaminants in the environment are evidenced by the quality of water and food supplies. The proposed R&D efforts described herein will contribute solutions for such problems and contribute to policy development to ensure stability of safe water and food supplies in each partner country. Presently Omai Gold Mines – Guyana is undertaken by Canadian company for the gold exploration. Cyanide is produced in the extraction process of Gold. Similarly toxic metal species are produced by Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) Demerara Distillery Limited (DDL), Banks DIH Limited, Omai Gold Mines, Bauxite Industry (Linmine), and other local industries in Guyana. These toxic substances need to be removed from industrial effluent before dumping them into the rivers or oceans. Otherwise these toxic substances cause direct damage to aquatic life and indirectly to human beings. In many cases, the recapture of such by-products can result in further economic development, according to the principles of green chemistry.