Industrial pollutants, agricultural runoff, and other contaminants all contribute to the challenge of keeping water clean. Many of these substances are difficult to remove, and they move through waterways faster than traditional treatment systems were designed to handle.
At the University of Miami, Virender Sharma, professor of practice in chemical, environmental, and materials engineering, is studying reactions that could make the water treatment process more effective and affordable.
His recent research shows that some of the key reactions used to remove pollutants may behave differently in real-world water than in laboratory conditions. Most natural waters contain bicarbonate, a form of inorganic carbon like baking soda. Sharma's work shows that bicarbonate can transform how iron interacts with oxygen and other oxidants, creating reactive molecules that scientists have historically overlooked. These molecules may offer new ways to break down contaminants under the neutral pH conditions found in most water systems.
One promising pathway involves a powerful iron-based compound called ferrate, which Sharma is studying for its ability to break down contaminants without harsh chemicals or high energy use. His team has found that ferrate becomes even more effective in bicarbonate-rich water, suggesting a route for next-generation treatment technologies — ones that could deliver cleaner water using simpler, more sustainable chemistry.
To expand his research, Sharma recently traveled to Ariel University in Israel, where he is collaborating with chemist Dan Meyerstein, the university's founding president. Together, they are using advanced instruments at Ariel University's Radiation Research Center to explore how various iron-based species and naturally occurring ions can drive pollutant removal without the need for extreme acidity or additional metals.
Their partnership has already produced several publications in leading journals, helping broaden the scientific community's understanding of how iron and carbon chemistry can be used to improve modern water treatment.
Sharma's expanding body of work recently earned international recognition. In November, he was elected to the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, one of Europe's most respected scholarly organizations. He will be formally inaugurated as a member during the academy's plenary session in March 2026.
