Application of nano-sized zero valent iron particles to agrochemicals degradation through Fenton's reagent oxidation. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been successfully used for the degradation of a wide range of contaminant organics in groundwaters in recent years. The rates of degradation however are relatively slow and render the process unsuitable for situations where there are limits on the time available for reaction. An innovative approach is to couple the dissolution of ZVI with hydrogen perox ....Application of nano-sized zero valent iron particles to agrochemicals degradation through Fenton's reagent oxidation. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) has been successfully used for the degradation of a wide range of contaminant organics in groundwaters in recent years. The rates of degradation however are relatively slow and render the process unsuitable for situations where there are limits on the time available for reaction. An innovative approach is to couple the dissolution of ZVI with hydrogen peroxide addition thereby generating hydroxyl radicals as a result of Fenton's reagent reactions. The efficacy of using this innovative ZVI/H2O2 process to degrade herbicides and pesticides of concern to Australian agriculture is investigated at laboratory and field scale in this project.Read moreRead less
Photodegradation of Oestrogenic Pollutants in the aquatic environment. Recent media attention has highlighted the problem of oestrogenic pollutants in the aquatic environment. This research proposes to investigate Photocatalysis of oestrogens in water using the magnetic titanium dioxide particles developed at the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The natural oestrogens 17b-oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol and the synthetic oestrogen 17a- ....Photodegradation of Oestrogenic Pollutants in the aquatic environment. Recent media attention has highlighted the problem of oestrogenic pollutants in the aquatic environment. This research proposes to investigate Photocatalysis of oestrogens in water using the magnetic titanium dioxide particles developed at the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The natural oestrogens 17b-oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol and the synthetic oestrogen 17a-ethynyl oestradiol (the main constituent of the contraceptive pill) will be investigated in the photocatalytic system. Degradation will be monitored using various analytical techniques. Other commercial catalysts will also be investigated and compared with the magnetic catalyst and previous catalysts tested.Read moreRead less
Determining the Toxicity of Sedimentary Organic Contaminants in the Marine Environment and its implications for Australia. Australia, like many countries, has adopted sediment quality guidelines, which govern construction, waste disposal, dredging, protection of living resources and remediation in coastal regions. Recent studies by the current applicants indicate that these guidelines overestimate sediment toxicity, which may result in unnecessary, costly environmental investigations and possibl ....Determining the Toxicity of Sedimentary Organic Contaminants in the Marine Environment and its implications for Australia. Australia, like many countries, has adopted sediment quality guidelines, which govern construction, waste disposal, dredging, protection of living resources and remediation in coastal regions. Recent studies by the current applicants indicate that these guidelines overestimate sediment toxicity, which may result in unnecessary, costly environmental investigations and possibly needless, very expensive remediation. Although contaminants are in extremely high concentrations in many Australian coastal areas, they may not be available (bioavailable) to benthic animals. A new technique is proposed to determine contaminant bioavalibility and improve the predictability of these guidelines and ensure the ecological sustainable development of coastal environments.Read moreRead less