Anna Luisa Beserra, a 21-year-old from the state of Bahia, became the first person in Brazil to win the United Nations award for Young Earth Champions on September 26th. Those between the ages of 18 and 30 who have started projects with environmental impact take part in the competition. Anna Luisa received an award because she developed equipment that purifies water using solar radiation.

The young Brazilian came up with the idea for the device, called Aqualuz, when she was 15. Anna Luisa has a degree in Biotechnology from the Federal University of Bahia. She developed the project with the help of other students.

Aqualuz is a sustainable low-cost alternative: it does not require electricity and uses ultraviolet rays and infrared light – which come from the sun – to purify water. The equipment can be installed in cisterns (reservoirs that store rain water) and lasts up to 20 years.

To work, the system uses an eco filter, made from sisal (a plant) that retains solid impurities. Afterwards, the water remains for about four hours in a stainless steel (that does not rust) box with a clear lid and capacity for 10 litres. This allows it to be exposed to solar radiation – which can eliminate microorganisms that cause disease. A light indicator shows when the water is ready to be consumed.

Aqualuz has already provided drinkable water to 265 people. “We expect it to impact more than one thousand people by the end of the year,” said its creator in her interview with JOCA. The award helped the project receive proposals to be used in other countries. Now, Anna Luisa is working to help introduce Aqualuz into Africa.

Questions
1) What does Aqualuz need to work?
a) Electricity
b) A battery
c) Solar radiation
d) Electricity combined with solar radiation

Correct answer: C

2) What other use does solar energy have?

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