Md Faiaz Arman Talukdar Tonmoy, BSc, MSc (Pursuing)

Area of Study / Keywords

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Plants

About

I am a Mechanical Engineer by training and an Environmental Engineer (going to be) by passion, with a career path that highlights on climate-focused research. My professional journey began after earning my Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, when I joined the water and wastewater treatment industry in Singapore. Over the next seven years, I worked extensively on municipal and industrial projects, developing expertise in project coordination, mechanical system design, plant operation and maintenance, and quality control. These years not only gave me strong technical capabilities but also deep insights into the critical role that reliable, efficient water infrastructure plays in public health and environmental protection.

In 2023, I moved to Canada to pursue a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta. My academic journey has been shaped by a desire to combine the precision of engineering with the sustainability goals of environmental science. This unique blend allows me to approach environmental problems with both a systems-level perspective and a detailed technical focus.

Beyond my research, I am deeply committed to teaching and mentoring the next generation of engineers. My work as a Teaching Assistant in core engineering courses has given me the opportunity to share knowledge, develop student problem-solving skills, and foster an environment of curiosity and applied learning.

I thrive in interdisciplinary and collaborative settings, and I believe in the power of data-driven decision-making to bring about meaningful change. My current research contributes directly to municipal climate action strategies, and I envision my future career at the intersection of sustainable infrastructure design, environmental policy, and process optimization—helping cities and industries move toward net-zero targets while maintaining operational excellence.

Outside of my academic and professional work, I bring an adaptive mindset, strong cross-cultural communication skills from working in international settings, and a deep motivation to contribute to projects that make a measurable difference in environmental performance.

Research

My graduate research investigates the quantification of three major greenhouse gases—methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)—from municipal wastewater treatment facilities in cold-climate regions, with a focus on the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Clover Bar Biosolids Lagoons in Edmonton, Alberta. The study examines emissions from a range of critical process units: Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) tanks; secondary clarifiers; biosolids lagoons; Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) ducts; Effluent Pumping Tunnel (EPT) ducts; and grit handling area ducts.

To capture emissions accurately, I employ the open flux chamber method for surface sources—operating with and without sweep gas depending on process conditions—and follow U.S. EPA Method 5 for velocity–concentration measurements from enclosed duct sources. I use high-precision LI-COR gas analyzers (LI-7810 for CH₄ and CO₂; LI-7820 for N₂O) for real-time measurement.

Through seasonal and diurnal field campaigns, I evaluate how environmental and operational factors influence emission patterns. The data are analyzed to calculate emission rates, identify emission drivers, and normalize results to parameters such as total nitrogen (TN) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). This research provides critical insights into the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment processes under cold-weather conditions and offers evidence-based recommendations for mitigation strategies.

Teaching

At the University of Alberta, I have served as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for multiple engineering courses, where my role has been to bridge the gap between instructors and students, ensuring that complex engineering concepts are communicated effectively and applied practically.

Teaching Assistant Experience

ENGG 130 – Engineering Mechanics

• Led laboratory sessions for a section of 180 students, preparing and delivering problem-solving hints and conceptual overviews before each session.

• Provided hands-on guidance during labs and worked closely with students to troubleshoot difficulties in applying engineering principles.

• Assisted in marking lab assignments, ensuring consistency and fairness in grading.

• Proctored the final examination alongside other TAs and course instructors.

CIV E 221 – Environmental Engineering Fundamentals

• Guided students in laboratory experiments focused on core environmental engineering principles.

• Marked lab reports for 173 students, providing constructive feedback to improve technical writing and data presentation.

• Offered support during Q&A sessions, clarifying concepts related to water quality, treatment processes, and environmental regulations.

CIV E 270 – Mechanics of Deformable Bodies

• Assisted students during office hours with assignments and coursework involving material behavior, stress–strain analysis, and structural mechanics.

• Reinforced theoretical concepts with practical examples and problem-solving techniques.

Through these roles, I have strengthened my skills in instructional communication, academic mentoring, time management, and academic assessment. My TA experience has also deepened my ability to translate complex technical material into clear, accessible explanations—a skill that is equally valuable in industry and academia.

2024-01-16 to 2025-12-31

My research focuses on the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)—from municipal wastewater treatment facilities in cold-climate regions, with a particular emphasis on the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Clover Bar Biosolids Lagoons in Edmonton, Alberta. I investigated emissions from key process units including Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) tanks, Secondary Clarifiers, Biosolids Lagoons, Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) ducts, Enhanced Primary Treatment (EPT) ducts, and Grit Removal & Screening Handling area ducts. I also sampled GHG emissions from the Sludge Fermenter during the winter season.

Using open flux chamber techniques for surface sources (with and without sweep gas) and EPA Method 5 velocity-concentration measurements for enclosed ducts, I measure gas concentrations with high-precision analyzers (LI-COR 7810 for CH₄ and CO₂; LI-COR 7820 for N₂O). Field campaigns are conducted across different seasons to capture both seasonal and diurnal variability, enabling the identification of factors influencing emission dynamics in cold-weather conditions.

The collected data are used to calculate emission rates, assess spatial and temporal variability. The outcomes contribute to a better understanding of the carbon footprint of wastewater treatment processes, support the development of targeted mitigation strategies, and provide valuable insights for policy-making and infrastructure optimization in the Canadian and global context of climate change mitigation.