An Investigation Into The Importance Of Potable Water As A Source Of Melioidosis In Northern Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$362,036.00
Summary
Melioidosis is a potentially fatal infection that occurs throughout the Top End. Infection usually sets in after exposure to contaminated soil or surface water. A recent outbreak of melioidosis in which three of seven cases died was traced to the community's drinking water supply. Subsequent improvements to the community's drinking water treatment appear to have brought the outbreak under control. However, the ability of the bacteria responsible for this infection to survive within the body for ....Melioidosis is a potentially fatal infection that occurs throughout the Top End. Infection usually sets in after exposure to contaminated soil or surface water. A recent outbreak of melioidosis in which three of seven cases died was traced to the community's drinking water supply. Subsequent improvements to the community's drinking water treatment appear to have brought the outbreak under control. However, the ability of the bacteria responsible for this infection to survive within the body for many years before causing late onset infection means that further cases may be recorded in the affected community for years to come. This project aims to assess whether the drinking water supply to other rural communities presents a risk of melioidosis throughout the Top End. Drinking water supplies will be tested for the presence of the bacteria that cause melioidosis. Genetic fingerprinting will be used to compare each strain isolated from water specimens with strains obtained from infections previously diagnosed in hospitals throughout the Top End. This will involve the combined efforts of researchers in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Comparison of these results with standard measures of drinking water quality will enable the research team to work out whether any routinely performed tests can be used as a guide to melioidosis risk. The team will also examine whether any geographical features such as deep water supply or the type of vegetation present can be used to assess melioidosis risk. A clearer picture of melioidosis risk will make it easier to target the delivery of preventive methods such as chlorination or alternatives to specific water supplies. Preliminary studies in Western Australia suggest that primary prevention of melioidosis may be possible. We need to see how widely those findings apply. It is hoped that this work will lead to a significant reduction in the risk of contracting this disease throughout the endemic region.Read moreRead less
Advancing water pollution emissions modelling in cities of the future. Advancing water pollution emissions modelling in cities of the future. This project aims to advance stormwater pollution modelling and enhance its link with urban development. Management of stormwater pollution by industry often results in inadequate strategies and, crucially, sub-optimal financial investments. Since this is unlikely to improve in light of urban growth and climate change, addressing decade-old pollution model ....Advancing water pollution emissions modelling in cities of the future. Advancing water pollution emissions modelling in cities of the future. This project aims to advance stormwater pollution modelling and enhance its link with urban development. Management of stormwater pollution by industry often results in inadequate strategies and, crucially, sub-optimal financial investments. Since this is unlikely to improve in light of urban growth and climate change, addressing decade-old pollution modelling knowledge gaps and the lack of a multidisciplinary approach to stormwater pollution management is urgent. The anticipated outcome is a modelling tool which industry can use to manage stormwater pollution in changing cities through smarter and economic technology and policy.Read moreRead less
SCRC: PhD: Reducing The Taint In Barramundi Farmed In Recirculating Freshwater Systems
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Summary
Inconsistent quality of farmed barramundi (pond or recirculation system) in the marketplace has been identified by ABFA as a major issue causing buyer resistance and negative market impacts. This is limiting realisation of full revenue return for farmed barramundi. The inconsistency in quality is mainly associated with the presence of ‘earthy’ or ’muddy’ taints derived from planktonic and benthic algae (particularly cyanobacteria), fungi and actinomycetes which are known to p ....Inconsistent quality of farmed barramundi (pond or recirculation system) in the marketplace has been identified by ABFA as a major issue causing buyer resistance and negative market impacts. This is limiting realisation of full revenue return for farmed barramundi. The inconsistency in quality is mainly associated with the presence of ‘earthy’ or ’muddy’ taints derived from planktonic and benthic algae (particularly cyanobacteria), fungi and actinomycetes which are known to produce geosmin (GSM) and 2-methyl isoborneol (MIB). These compounds impart muddy, earthy, musty odour, detectable by the human palate when present at extremely low concentrations in water and fish, and not favoured by consumers (Percival et al., 2008). This project aims to develop an algae-taint production model for recirculation systems. This innovative approach will provide clear and measurable direction for reducing taint compound levels through provision of a practical management tool. Its use will significantly improve knowledge of the balance between water quality, algicide use and purging time and conditions, and taint variability.Read moreRead less
SOLUTIONS For Present And Future Emerging Pollutants In Land And Water Resources Management
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$259,784.00
Summary
The European Union project SOLUTIONS will develop a novel conceptual framework to prioritise chemical contaminants for ecological and human health risk assessment of water resources and fish for human consumption. The Australian partner will implement health-relevant bioanalytical endpoints to inform cumulative risk assessment. The developed concepts and tools will be validated using European river case studies, with the knowledge generated to be transferred to the Australian context.
Improving Access To Safe Water Using Riverbank Filtration Technology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,056,616.00
Summary
Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death and disease globally, most often due to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. River water is a common water source in India, but water quality is often compromised by contamination. Riverbank Filtration technology (RBF) uses natural treatment processes to improve water quality. This project will investigate the effect of improving water quality via installation of RBF systems on diarrhoea incidence in six rural Indian communities.
Investigating The Incremental Health Benefits Of Improving Water Quantity Versus Improving Water Quality Using Riverbank Filtration Technology (RBF) In Six Rural Communities In India
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Diarrhoea is a leading cause of death and disease globally, largely attributable to unsafe water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene. River water is a common water source in India, but water quality is often compromised by contamination. Riverbank Filtration technology (RBF) is an inexpensive means to improve water quality. This project will investigate the health benefits of improving water quantity versus improving water quality using RBF technology in six rural Indian communities.
Prospective Study Of Birth Defects From Fetotoxic Agents In The Public Water Supply
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$732,036.00
Summary
Recent research in Australia & internationally shows that birth defects are more common in areas where mothers are exposed to poor quality drinking water, particularly when treatment chemicals known as trihalomethanes (THMs) are present. We will determine the risk that high THM levels pose to unborn babies by accurately measuring individual exposures to THMs & correlating these with adverse birth outcomes. The study will be in Perth where THM levels are very high in a number of suburbs.
Water Abstraction Impacts On Flow Dependent Fisheries Species Of The Northern Territory, Australia - A Synthesis Of Current Knowledge And Future Research Needs
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$101,740.68
Summary
The tropical waters of northern Australia contain unique and diverse aquatic species that are adapted to the seasonally variable climate. Many species rely on seasonal river flows to move, forage, reproduce and fulfil critical life history stages, particularly in ephemeral rivers which become disconnected in the dry season. River flows and harvest are known to influence both freshwater and marine fish and fisheries. However, river flows have been modified in several tropical catchments by water ....The tropical waters of northern Australia contain unique and diverse aquatic species that are adapted to the seasonally variable climate. Many species rely on seasonal river flows to move, forage, reproduce and fulfil critical life history stages, particularly in ephemeral rivers which become disconnected in the dry season. River flows and harvest are known to influence both freshwater and marine fish and fisheries. However, river flows have been modified in several tropical catchments by water abstraction and development of water storage infrastructure for agriculture and drinking water. Additionally, there is increasing pressure to develop new water resource infrastructure in northern Australia. A large and disparate body of literature exists that has documented the relationships between tropical fish species and the seasonal variations in river flow. Production of several commercially, recreationally, and traditionally important tropical aquatic species is linked to flow, suggesting that these may be at risk from the multiple pressures of water abstraction and harvesting, warranting the need for a synthesis of current knowledge on water abstraction impacts and identification of knowledge gaps for targeted future research.
We will address this priority task through the delivery of a stakeholder targeted synthesis of current knowledge on the impacts of water abstraction on tropical aquatic species by a team of recognised experts who have worked extensively on the flow dependence of tropical aquatic species in northern Australia. Through this synthesis, we aim to increase stakeholder understanding of water abstraction impacts on aquatic species.
Objectives: 1. Determine key directives for the synthesis during initial meeting in Darwin with the NT government research advisory committee 2. Review and synthesise relevant grey and published literature 3. Identify potential risks of surface water abstraction on priority fish species and identify critical knowledge gaps and future research needs 4. Share the outcomes with project stakeholders and provide research advice Read moreRead less
2010 FRDC Visiting Expert Bursaries - Australian Prawn Farmers Association (APFA): Water Quality Experts
Funder
Fisheries Research and Development Corporation
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
As the seafood sustainability debate in Australia moves forward, the dialog is increasingly not just between industry and government, but also with a range of marine conservation-focused NGOs. Industry needs positive dialog with these groups to build up trust and ultimately cooperation on sustainability issues.
Fishers have often been blamed for much that is wrong with the marine environment. However fishers understand that fishing and conservation are natural bedfellows as their liv ....As the seafood sustainability debate in Australia moves forward, the dialog is increasingly not just between industry and government, but also with a range of marine conservation-focused NGOs. Industry needs positive dialog with these groups to build up trust and ultimately cooperation on sustainability issues.
Fishers have often been blamed for much that is wrong with the marine environment. However fishers understand that fishing and conservation are natural bedfellows as their livelihood depends on sustaining the ocean ecosystem and the resources within.
The seafood industry therefore needs to highlight the long-term benefit of balancing the need for conservation against the need for food and other services. In the UK there is a broad seafood industry perspective that fishers must be recognised as an essential part of building a sustainable future for the marine environment.
Phil, has been working in this field for the UK seafood industry for the past 20 years. Initially engaging with environmentalists when the rest of the industry thought it was 'crazy' to do so. He successfully managed to bridge the gap between conservationists, industry and government and for the last 10 years has run the UK's sustainable fishing advisory group, which brings together industry, conservationists and government membership.
It is felt that the seafood industry would greatly benefit and gain positive outcomes from the experience Phil has gained over the last 20 years. This is an opportunity to improve the communication, respect and cooperation between industry and conservationists that is so sorely needed. Objectives: 1. Disseminate to key industry and government stakeholders international advancements in water quality treatment technology as it relates to the prawn and barramundi farming industries. Read moreRead less