Understanding the fate and transport of selected biomarkers in sewers. This project aims to improve estimates of population drug use and chemical exposure by systematically studying the fate of drugs, organic pollutants (e.g. pesticides) and human biomarkers in sewers. The project aims to combine advanced experimental sewer research facilities with an analytical set-up and modelling expertise to address critical gaps in our knowledge of the fate of chemicals in sewers. The information could be u ....Understanding the fate and transport of selected biomarkers in sewers. This project aims to improve estimates of population drug use and chemical exposure by systematically studying the fate of drugs, organic pollutants (e.g. pesticides) and human biomarkers in sewers. The project aims to combine advanced experimental sewer research facilities with an analytical set-up and modelling expertise to address critical gaps in our knowledge of the fate of chemicals in sewers. The information could be used to provide accurate, cost-effective and near real-time estimates of chemicals entering the sewer system which could allow us to better estimate changes in population drug use, chemical exposure and health status.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the nanostructure of atmospheric black carbon. Black carbon is the second most important greenhouse forcing agent after carbon dioxide. The global atmospheric effect of black carbon predicted by current climate models is thought to be underestimated by at least 50 per cent, primarily due to uncertainties over the nature of black carbon and the absence of benchmarks. This project aims to use a computational chemistry approach to develop an atomistic model for black carbon. Using these ....Unravelling the nanostructure of atmospheric black carbon. Black carbon is the second most important greenhouse forcing agent after carbon dioxide. The global atmospheric effect of black carbon predicted by current climate models is thought to be underestimated by at least 50 per cent, primarily due to uncertainties over the nature of black carbon and the absence of benchmarks. This project aims to use a computational chemistry approach to develop an atomistic model for black carbon. Using these models, the project will determine the relationship between nanostructure and properties such as optical absorption and melting point.Read moreRead less
Health and sustainability: Australia in a global context. Sustainable population health in Australia is threatened by emerging global and domestic forces, including rising costs of energy and food, linked with climate change and migration. Domestic factors include a growing, ageing population. Better understanding of these forces will enhance national capacity to respond and adapt to these risks.
The peopling of East Asia and Australasia. This project aims to recover DNA sequences from ancient human remains from Australia and Asia some dating back 45,000 years. The project will use this information to identify the geographic origin of these people and to determine their genetic histories.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100032
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$240,000.00
Summary
Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography ion trap mass spectrometer to develop new capabilities in environmental and human toxicology. This facility will be dedicated to developing methods and analyses of environmental contaminants and by-products that are currently not well understood. Having this analytical capability will underpin leading research in environmental toxicology and chemistry, and will help to minimise environmental and human exposure to harmful contaminants.
Immobilized biocatalysts on selected filter media to control odour emissions from wastewater treatment and composting facilities. Odour is one of the common problems faced by wastewater and solid waste industries as a result of public complaints about poor local air quality. Although odour removal technologies exist, they encounter a number of problems. The lack of harsh chemicals required for the proposed technology means there is no wastewater stream to treat. This will have an impact on the r ....Immobilized biocatalysts on selected filter media to control odour emissions from wastewater treatment and composting facilities. Odour is one of the common problems faced by wastewater and solid waste industries as a result of public complaints about poor local air quality. Although odour removal technologies exist, they encounter a number of problems. The lack of harsh chemicals required for the proposed technology means there is no wastewater stream to treat. This will have an impact on the reduction of chemicals disposed to the environment, preventing unnecessary contamination of land and water resources. The lower space requirement of the technology will free up land, formerly required for large biofilters, for other uses including civic amenities.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the synergistic effect of ocean acidification and pore water advection on carbonate sediment dissolution: a global sink for CO2? The purpose of this project is to investigate the role of ocean acidification and pore water advection on the release of calcium and alkalinity from carbonate sediments. The expected outcomes of this project is a better understanding of the role of carbonate sediments in buffering ocean acidification and the uptake of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Defining the impact of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on the sustainability of
Australia’s Native Marsupials. Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDs) from introduced plants, pesticides and wastewater are dramatically increasing in the Australian environment. EEDs have been shown to cause dramatic reproductive and developmental abnormalities in vertebrates ranging from fish to humans. This project plans to investigate the impact that these chemicals might have on marsupial devel ....Defining the impact of Environmental Endocrine Disruptors on the sustainability of
Australia’s Native Marsupials. Environmental endocrine disrupting chemicals (EEDs) from introduced plants, pesticides and wastewater are dramatically increasing in the Australian environment. EEDs have been shown to cause dramatic reproductive and developmental abnormalities in vertebrates ranging from fish to humans. This project plans to investigate the impact that these chemicals might have on marsupial development. Marsupials have a unique reproductive strategy and how this might affect their ability to respond to EEDs is unknown. This project aims to define the effects of three of the predominant EED risks for marsupials in the Australian environment; estradiol, genistein and atrazine.Read moreRead less
Resolving nitrogen and phosphorus transformations along subterranean estuary - sediment/water interface continuums in carbonate sands. Humans are modifying global nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles at an alarming rate. The release of N and P into the environment drives eutrophication, one of the greatest threats to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Globally, there is little effort being made to control increasing N and P emissions. The transport of contaminated groundwater is a major source of N ....Resolving nitrogen and phosphorus transformations along subterranean estuary - sediment/water interface continuums in carbonate sands. Humans are modifying global nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles at an alarming rate. The release of N and P into the environment drives eutrophication, one of the greatest threats to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Globally, there is little effort being made to control increasing N and P emissions. The transport of contaminated groundwater is a major source of N and P to the coastal zone and an overlooked driver of eutrophication. Yet, research into the processes that influence N and P transformation in groundwater are scarce, they neglect carbonate sand systems and have ignored the processes in key groundwater transition zones. This project will generate new knowledge that will help us understand the role that groundwater plays in coastal eutrophication.Read moreRead less
Modelling the dynamic and anisotropic permeability of coal under CO2 geo-sequestration conditions. CO2-sequestration enhanced coal gas recovery provides clean energy supply and greenhouse gas control. This project tackles the key issues in this field by developing novel models of gas flow in coal associated with the process. It underpins predictable, sustainable and economic recovery of coalbed methane and storage of carbon dioxide into coal.