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🌍 Thesis Collection

Within the PoVE Water project, we bring together the knowledge and perspectives of students and researchers from across the globe. Our thesis collection reflects this diversity, showcasing work developed in different countries and contexts, all connected by a shared commitment to water sustainability.

These theses not only highlight innovative approaches and solutions but also illustrate the richness that comes from international collaboration. By sharing them here, we aim to inspire new ideas, foster knowledge exchange, and strengthen the global community working towards a more sustainable water future.

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Malta

📘 University of Malta – Water-Related Theses (2024)


1. Thyl Krijthe (2024)

  • Title: Modelling groundwater behaviour in the Rabat-Dingli perched aquifer through monitoring discharge at the Wied il-Bużbież spring

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science (Hons)

  • Summary: This study employed a multi-disciplinary approach to model groundwater recharge dynamics in the Rabat-Dingli Perched Aquifer, focusing on the Wied il-Bużbież Spring. The research integrated geological, hydrological, and meteorological data, complemented by extensive fieldwork and advanced numerical modeling using MODFLOW-2005. The findings highlighted the significant impact of precipitation patterns and land cover changes on groundwater recharge rates.

  • Access: Restricted access; request a copy via the University of Malta repository.

  • Link: L-Università ta' MaltaL-Università ta' Malta+2L-Università ta' Malta+2L-Università ta' Malta+2


2. Jacques-Yves Caruana (2024)

  • Title: Data-driven decision making to improve operational efficiencies in leakage control operations

  • Degree: Executive Master of Business Administration

  • Summary: This research explored the potential of data-driven decision-making and machine learning to enhance leakage control operations within the Water Services Corporation (WSC) in Malta. By integrating advanced analytics and machine learning techniques, the study aimed to optimize the identification, prioritization, and management of leaks, contributing to more effective operational practices.

  • Access: Available for download.

  • Link: L-Università ta' MaltaL-Università ta' Malta


3. Mark Dingli (2024)

  • Title: Predictive modelling of sea debris around Maltese coastal waters

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (Hons)

  • Summary: This study developed a system to predict dispersion patterns of sea surface debris around Malta’s coast. The research integrated machine learning models, such as LSTM and GRU, with a Lagrangian model to visualize the movement of surface debris, offering insights into future dispersion patterns and informing marine conservation strategies.

  • Access: Restricted access; request a copy via the University of Malta repository.

  • Link: L-Università ta' MaltaL-Università ta' Malta+2L-Università ta' Malta+2ResearchGate+2

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🔍 Availability and Access

  • University of Malta Repository (OAR@UM): The University of Malta maintains an institutional repository where theses and dissertations are archived. Some documents may have restricted access and require a formal request to access the full text. L-Università ta' Malta

  • MCAST Theses: Information on MCAST theses is limited, and I did not find publicly available records of water-related PhD theses from MCAST between 2023 and now.
     

Baltics

1. Microalgal Technology for Municipal Wastewater PostTreatment

  •  Author: Aigars Lavrinovičs

  • Defended: 13 March 2023

  • Focus: Enhanced phosphorus removal from municipal wastewater using Po-starved microalgae, continuous photobioreactor optimization. ortus.rtu.lv+10ortus.rtu.lv+10rtu.lv+10

  • Access: Metadata available (including DOI 10.7250/9789934228643); full-text may be accessed via RTU’s Scientific Library or the repository.


2. Integration of Microalgae Cultivation Technology in Biogas Plants

  •  Author: Baiba Ieviņa

  • Defended: 20 June 2024

  • Focus: Pilotscale system integrating digestate and flue gas as nutrient source to cultivate microalgae for biogas production—circular economy model. ortus.rtu.lv+3ortus.rtu.lv+3ortus.rtu.lv+3

  • Access: Metadata available (DOI 10.7250/9789934370670); full thesis (236 pages) accessible via RTU repository/Open Science links.

  • Although no directly water-themed PhD theses from RTU for 2023–2025 beyond Ieviņa's were identified, water quality and treatment research remains vibrant at RTU, particularly in the Institute of Water Systems and Biotechnology—for example, public lectures and innovations in water monitoring and purification systems Riga Technical University.


For earlier years:

South Africa

1. The effect of plant water potentialbased deficit irrigation thresholds on grapevine physiological and reproductive responses

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2. A sectoral model for estimating residential water use in…

  • Author: AO Oyerinde (PhD, 2023)

  • Summary: Develops a model to forecast residential water demand—addresses scarce data challenges.

  • Download PDF Scholar Archive

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3. Sensitivity of apple rootstocks to water stress

  • Author: L Muchena (PhD Agric, 2023)

  • Summary: Examines how rootstocks react to water stress—critical for horticultural water management.

  • Download PDF Scholar Archive+1Scholar Archive+1​

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4. Impact of Trace Metals (Cu, Cd, Zn) on Phytoplankton in…

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5. Characterising southern ocean phytoplankton community…

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6. Hydraulic impacts and management of intermittent water…

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🔍 Notable Master's Thesis (for context):

Central Europe

“Assessment of water quality development in selected watercourses in the catchment area of the Švihov reservoir on the Želivka River” — but this was actually a bachelor’s thesis, not a master’s (Ing.), and the full PDF is restricted to institutional staff (not publicly downloadable)

Western Europe

List of Scientific publications: Scientific publications - Wetsus

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Ongoing PhD Projects at Wetsus (2023–2025)
These positions are currently being recruited or underway and represent cutting-edge water technology research areas, but do not yet correspond to completed PhD theses:

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  • 2023.15 – Biological Activated Carbon (BAC) Filters:                                                                                     Engineering BAC filters for micropollutant removal in tertiary wastewater treatment Wetsus PhD positions+3Wetsus PhD positions+3Wetsus PhD positions+3

  • 2024.01 – Greywater Treatment Using Nanofiltration:                                                                                      Integrated systems for reusable water production from greywater Wetsus PhD positions

 

2025 Projects:

  1. 2025.02 – Synergetic Recovery of N and P from wastewater via regenerative adsorption (Biophree® technology) Academic Positions+9Wetsus PhD positions+9Wetsus PhD positions+9

  2. 2025.04 – Sludge Dewatering Optimization through predictive modeling, lab vs full-scale comparison Wetsus PhD positions

  3. 2025.05 – AIEnhanced Urban Water Quality Monitoring using sensor fusion and virtual sensing tools Wetsus PhD positions+2Wetsus PhD positions+2Wetsus PhD positions+2

  4. ​ 2025.06 – AIDriven Wastewater Process Automation with real-time sensing and online control Wetsus PhD positions+8Wetsus PhD positions+8Wetsus PhD positions+8​​

  5. 2025.07 – Modelling Coagulation/Flocculation in complex water matrices via kinetic and data-driven methods Wetsus PhD positions+1Wetsus PhD positions+1

Academic articles produced within our consortium: 

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