Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated c ....Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated compounds, will inform handling of contaminated sites and lead to development of cost effective and sustainable remediation technologies. Read moreRead less
In situ remediation in mine site rehabilitation. In situ remediation in mine site rehabilitation. By enhancing and guiding abiotic and biotic processes of soil development, this project aims to accelerate the in situ remediation of bauxite residue (alumina refining tailings). Over 7 gigatonnes of tailings are produced globally every year, comprising complex mineral assemblages at extremes of pH and salinity with minimal biological activity. This project will build detailed knowledge on the chemi ....In situ remediation in mine site rehabilitation. In situ remediation in mine site rehabilitation. By enhancing and guiding abiotic and biotic processes of soil development, this project aims to accelerate the in situ remediation of bauxite residue (alumina refining tailings). Over 7 gigatonnes of tailings are produced globally every year, comprising complex mineral assemblages at extremes of pH and salinity with minimal biological activity. This project will build detailed knowledge on the chemical, physical, and biological properties of bauxite residue and apply this to develop field-scale in situ remediation strategies. This research will also advance understanding of soil development and primary succession of microbial communities in extreme, anthropogenic environments such as those presented by tailings.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL200100133
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,358,494.00
Summary
Activating blue carbon for coastal restoration. Coastal blue carbon describes the carbon stored in soils and biomass of coastal wetlands which has an important function in regulating greenhouse gases. They also provide coastal protection, habitat for biodiversity, fisheries and amelioration of land-based pollution. Coastal wetlands have been degraded globally, reducing their capacity to store carbon and to support coastal communities and their economies. This Fellowship aims to assess how restor ....Activating blue carbon for coastal restoration. Coastal blue carbon describes the carbon stored in soils and biomass of coastal wetlands which has an important function in regulating greenhouse gases. They also provide coastal protection, habitat for biodiversity, fisheries and amelioration of land-based pollution. Coastal wetlands have been degraded globally, reducing their capacity to store carbon and to support coastal communities and their economies. This Fellowship aims to assess how restoration of coastal wetlands influences carbon storage and greenhouse gas fluxes, develop new methodologies and to generate new research capacity to inform coastal wetland management globally. The proposed research is expected to enhance coastal sustainability to the benefit of coastal communities.Read moreRead less
Accelerated tailings remediation with plant and microbial biotechnologies. The Australian alumina industry produces 32 million tonnes of bauxite residue (alumina refining tailings) each year, most of which is stored in perpetuity in landfill-type tailings storage facilities. The high pH, high salinity, lack of plant nutrients, and poor physical properties of bauxite residue are major barriers to safe storage and successful closure of tailings storage facilities. Existing remediation approaches a ....Accelerated tailings remediation with plant and microbial biotechnologies. The Australian alumina industry produces 32 million tonnes of bauxite residue (alumina refining tailings) each year, most of which is stored in perpetuity in landfill-type tailings storage facilities. The high pH, high salinity, lack of plant nutrients, and poor physical properties of bauxite residue are major barriers to safe storage and successful closure of tailings storage facilities. Existing remediation approaches are expensive, slow, and often ineffective. We will deliver new microbial- and plant-driven biotechnologies for rapid, cost-effective remediation of bauxite residue. This will enable safe, sustainable closure of storage facilities, and safeguard the strong contribution of this $15 billion industry to Australia's economy. Read moreRead less
Optimising seed sourcing for effective ecological restoration. This project aims to address the sourcing of native seed for ecological restoration under global change. The great demand for native seed to deliver ecological restoration provides a clear need and responsibility to use this seed as efficiently as possible. This project expects to develop detailed new knowledge that links plant and environmental genomics, plant physiology, seed and soil biology in embedded experiments at post-mining ....Optimising seed sourcing for effective ecological restoration. This project aims to address the sourcing of native seed for ecological restoration under global change. The great demand for native seed to deliver ecological restoration provides a clear need and responsibility to use this seed as efficiently as possible. This project expects to develop detailed new knowledge that links plant and environmental genomics, plant physiology, seed and soil biology in embedded experiments at post-mining rehabilitation sites. Expected outcomes include clear industry guidelines that refine seed sourcing strategies for ecological restoration for current and future climates. This should provide significant benefits for improved ecological restoration outcomes when using native seed today and into the future.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100016
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$880,187.00
Summary
A skid-based transportable plant for PFAS contaminated site remediation. This project aims to develop a self contained skid-based transportable process for onsite destruction of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) toxins at contaminated sites. The new technologies developed will span a range of application areas, although remediation of sites contaminated with PFAS by ongoing or legacy use of fire-fighting foams is a key target for this project. The process is expected to enable remediati ....A skid-based transportable plant for PFAS contaminated site remediation. This project aims to develop a self contained skid-based transportable process for onsite destruction of per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) toxins at contaminated sites. The new technologies developed will span a range of application areas, although remediation of sites contaminated with PFAS by ongoing or legacy use of fire-fighting foams is a key target for this project. The process is expected to enable remediation of these sites by completely converting all toxins into safe products such as carbon dioxide and harmless salts. This project will deliver significant benefits, as the process is easily scalable and is intended to form the basis of a new or expanded remediation industry in Australia, resulting in manufacturing growth, job opportunities and significant impacts in terms of environmental safety and quality.Read moreRead less
Establishing genetic guidelines for the effective ecological restoration of seagrass meadows. Industry and coastal development in Australia are of national importance for economic growth and prosperity, but they threaten benthic habitats, like seagrasses. Loss of seagrass meadows without mitigation results in greater coastal impacts from damaging storms and waves and a reduction in the health and productivity of marine environments globally. Thus the ecological restoration of seagrass meadows is ....Establishing genetic guidelines for the effective ecological restoration of seagrass meadows. Industry and coastal development in Australia are of national importance for economic growth and prosperity, but they threaten benthic habitats, like seagrasses. Loss of seagrass meadows without mitigation results in greater coastal impacts from damaging storms and waves and a reduction in the health and productivity of marine environments globally. Thus the ecological restoration of seagrass meadows is an urgent national priority action that involves industry, government and the community. Through the detailed assessment of population genetic variation and key population processes in seagrasses, this project will establish genetic guidelines for a more effective seagrass restoration industry.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100822
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$383,887.00
Summary
Haloalkaliphilic sulphur oxidising bacteria in dealkalising bauxite residue. This project aims to establish breakthrough technology for neutralising bauxite refinery wastes by creating new knowledge about the taxonomic composition and molecular metabolism of sulphur oxidising bacteria capable of oxidising low-cost element sulphur in extremely haloalkaline niches. The findings will be translated into field feasible ecological engineering technology in partnership with industry partners. This DECR ....Haloalkaliphilic sulphur oxidising bacteria in dealkalising bauxite residue. This project aims to establish breakthrough technology for neutralising bauxite refinery wastes by creating new knowledge about the taxonomic composition and molecular metabolism of sulphur oxidising bacteria capable of oxidising low-cost element sulphur in extremely haloalkaline niches. The findings will be translated into field feasible ecological engineering technology in partnership with industry partners. This DECRA project will also contribute to the net zero waste strategy in Australia and could significantly contribute to global problems of mining waste, carbon emission, and soil depletion if implemented. The commercialisation of the technology package will increase economic advantages and employment in Australia.Read moreRead less
Designing effective fish-friendly waterway culverts: integration of hydrodynamics and swimming performance. Man-made in-stream structures (for example, dams and road crossings) have contributed to major declines in native fish numbers, with more than 6,000 barriers to fish migration occurring in New South Wales alone. Recognising this, Fisheries New South Wales led the development of national guidelines for the design and construction of fish friendly road crossings. Unfortunately, these guideli ....Designing effective fish-friendly waterway culverts: integration of hydrodynamics and swimming performance. Man-made in-stream structures (for example, dams and road crossings) have contributed to major declines in native fish numbers, with more than 6,000 barriers to fish migration occurring in New South Wales alone. Recognising this, Fisheries New South Wales led the development of national guidelines for the design and construction of fish friendly road crossings. Unfortunately, these guidelines have little empirical backing. This project will integrate data on the swimming ability of Australian fish species with culvert hydrodynamic modelling to better understand fish requirements in and around road crossings. These data will strengthen national design guidelines and provide the tools engineers and planners need to balance fish migration with effective water management.Read moreRead less
Future proofing and restoring Australia’s tropical seagrasses . This project aims to develop and apply a comprehensive framework for restoration of Australian tropical seagrasses using innovative approaches and partnerships. The project expects to provide coastal managers with tools to mitigate and restore seagrass to minimise effects of climate and development related loss, protecting ecosystem services measured in hundreds of millions of dollars. Expected outcomes include new techniques for tr ....Future proofing and restoring Australia’s tropical seagrasses . This project aims to develop and apply a comprehensive framework for restoration of Australian tropical seagrasses using innovative approaches and partnerships. The project expects to provide coastal managers with tools to mitigate and restore seagrass to minimise effects of climate and development related loss, protecting ecosystem services measured in hundreds of millions of dollars. Expected outcomes include new techniques for tropical seagrass restoration, a blueprint for seagrass friendly marine infrastructure, and restoration decision tools applied at local and regional scales. This will provide significant benefits by protecting seagrass ecosystem services and place Australia at the forefront of global seagrass restoration efforts.
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