Internal wave energetics, mixing and transport in lakes. The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of the physical processes controlling water quality in lakes. Water supplies world-wide are under increasing pressure from development, usually resulting in decreasing water quality. The biology and chemistry in lakes is controlled primarily by physical processes, and so understanding these processes is crucial to managing water quality in lakes and reservoirs. The outcomes of this p ....Internal wave energetics, mixing and transport in lakes. The aim of this project is to increase our understanding of the physical processes controlling water quality in lakes. Water supplies world-wide are under increasing pressure from development, usually resulting in decreasing water quality. The biology and chemistry in lakes is controlled primarily by physical processes, and so understanding these processes is crucial to managing water quality in lakes and reservoirs. The outcomes of this project will be improved tools for the management of these water resources, as all the research findings will be incorporated into already existing numerical models for lake management.Read moreRead less
Laboratory and Field Testing of a Leak Detection Technique Using Fluid Transients. A major problem in fluid pipelines and pipe networks is undetected leakage. This research collaboration will develop new approaches that will enable systematic leak detection using advanced numerical modelling and inverse techniques with the ultimate goal of implementing these leak detection methods in practice. In addition to the numerical model development, an extensive series of laboratory experiments will be u ....Laboratory and Field Testing of a Leak Detection Technique Using Fluid Transients. A major problem in fluid pipelines and pipe networks is undetected leakage. This research collaboration will develop new approaches that will enable systematic leak detection using advanced numerical modelling and inverse techniques with the ultimate goal of implementing these leak detection methods in practice. In addition to the numerical model development, an extensive series of laboratory experiments will be undertaken by researchers from both universities using the laboratory facilities in Adelaide to verify and extend the new approaches. The researchers will conduct similar experiments under field conditions on much larger pipe systems in Toronto and generally in Canada.Read moreRead less
Frequency Domain Micro-Reflection Processing for Pipe Condition Assessment. Over the coming years many millions of dollars will be spent on upgrading deteriorated pipeline infrastructure that is part of water distribution systems all over Australia. Determining the condition of buried pipes is very difficult and expensive. This research will solve that problem. We will develop powerful numerical methods for non-invasive pipe condition assessment. Small controlled transients will be input by a ....Frequency Domain Micro-Reflection Processing for Pipe Condition Assessment. Over the coming years many millions of dollars will be spent on upgrading deteriorated pipeline infrastructure that is part of water distribution systems all over Australia. Determining the condition of buried pipes is very difficult and expensive. This research will solve that problem. We will develop powerful numerical methods for non-invasive pipe condition assessment. Small controlled transients will be input by a specially designed signal generation device that can determine the condition of the inside of the pipe. These new techniques will be cost-effective, accurate and able to cover very long distances of pipe. Water authorities will then be able to quickly decide which sections of pipe require further investigation.Read moreRead less
Micro-reflections for pipe condition assessment in water networks. Maintaining highly reliable water supply pipeline infrastructure for cities, towns and in rural Australia is extremely important. Our research will develop new non-invasive condition assessment techniques. Transient events will be used to create pressure waves that travel up and down a pipe. Sophisticated analysis of the micro-reflections in the measured pressure traces will be the heart of the new techniques. Water utility manag ....Micro-reflections for pipe condition assessment in water networks. Maintaining highly reliable water supply pipeline infrastructure for cities, towns and in rural Australia is extremely important. Our research will develop new non-invasive condition assessment techniques. Transient events will be used to create pressure waves that travel up and down a pipe. Sophisticated analysis of the micro-reflections in the measured pressure traces will be the heart of the new techniques. Water utility managers will be able to make a detailed assessment of the interior pipe wall to determine if significant corrosion or deterioration of the cement mortar lining has occurred. Rehabilitation strategies can then be determined. These new techniques will replace camera inspections that are extremely invasive and expensive.Read moreRead less
A new approach to systematic blockage detection and mapping in water distribution systems. Techniques to non-destructively probe and map features are common in medicine (MRI, Ultrasound, X-rays) and in other areas such as geophysics. No analogous techniques exist for water distribution systems that are an integral part of society's infrastructure. The location and mapping of blockages using pressure pulses is the focus of this research and our industry partner wants to be the first to develop ....A new approach to systematic blockage detection and mapping in water distribution systems. Techniques to non-destructively probe and map features are common in medicine (MRI, Ultrasound, X-rays) and in other areas such as geophysics. No analogous techniques exist for water distribution systems that are an integral part of society's infrastructure. The location and mapping of blockages using pressure pulses is the focus of this research and our industry partner wants to be the first to develop this technology. Experimental verification of the technique will be carried out in laboratory and field tests. The new methodology will have a significant economic impact with major savings of operation and maintenance costs for water networks worldwide.Read moreRead less
Fate of engineered nanoparticles: Challenges in informing human and ecological health risk assessments. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have generated significant public and scientific excitement due to their unique properties. This has led to their application in a wide variety of industries (for example, in composite materials and drug delivery). However, there is concern that some ENPs can have detrimental environmental impacts. This project aims to quantify, for the first time, the fate of E ....Fate of engineered nanoparticles: Challenges in informing human and ecological health risk assessments. Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have generated significant public and scientific excitement due to their unique properties. This has led to their application in a wide variety of industries (for example, in composite materials and drug delivery). However, there is concern that some ENPs can have detrimental environmental impacts. This project aims to quantify, for the first time, the fate of ENPs that have leached out of commercial products in groundwater systems. This information is expected to assist regulators in developing appropriate legislation to balance the tremendous benefits and potential risks of nanotechnology.Read moreRead less
Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. This project aims to assess the risk of low rates of mixing in sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs, using environmental monitoring and numerical modelling. Emerging evidence suggests sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs could transition to low mixing states with increasing age and projected changes in global climate. While th ....Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. Assessing risk of oligomictic conditions in sub-tropical water supply lakes. This project aims to assess the risk of low rates of mixing in sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs, using environmental monitoring and numerical modelling. Emerging evidence suggests sub-tropical drinking water supply reservoirs could transition to low mixing states with increasing age and projected changes in global climate. While this risk is poorly understood, it could significantly affect the long-term reliability of water supply and potable water treatment costs. Addressing this knowledge gap is expected to develop effective management responses to ensure the long term sustainable use of these water resources.Read moreRead less
Interdisciplinary greenhouse gas assessment - nitrous oxide emissions from marine wastewater disposal. Data generated during this research will resolve ongoing uncertainties surrounding a blind spot in national greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement policy and methodology. Current national and international GHG emission estimates are unable to account for N2O emissions resulting from the downstream disposal phase of the wastewater management cycle, and as a result, actual GHG emissions may be far greate ....Interdisciplinary greenhouse gas assessment - nitrous oxide emissions from marine wastewater disposal. Data generated during this research will resolve ongoing uncertainties surrounding a blind spot in national greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement policy and methodology. Current national and international GHG emission estimates are unable to account for N2O emissions resulting from the downstream disposal phase of the wastewater management cycle, and as a result, actual GHG emissions may be far greater than currently estimated. This research will provide primary data on the magnitude of downstream N2O emissions coming from the near-shore marine disposal of primary-level municipal wastewater in Australia. Results from this research will help quantify the carbon footprint associated with marine disposal of poorly treated effluents worldwide.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140100524
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Interactions between plants and faecal pathogens in urban water treatment: significance of soil microbes, plant debris, root exudates and rhizosphere. It is important to treat pathogens in stormwater and wastewater before release into downstream recreational waters or harvesting. Using plants in water treatment improves the removal of pollutants of concern to human and ecosystem health. However, the exact mechanisms which generate this improvement remain unknown, and this is especially true for ....Interactions between plants and faecal pathogens in urban water treatment: significance of soil microbes, plant debris, root exudates and rhizosphere. It is important to treat pathogens in stormwater and wastewater before release into downstream recreational waters or harvesting. Using plants in water treatment improves the removal of pollutants of concern to human and ecosystem health. However, the exact mechanisms which generate this improvement remain unknown, and this is especially true for faecal pathogen removal. This project will enhance our understanding of the interactive role that roots, their exudates, plant debris and soil microbes play in faecal pathogen removal in urban water treatment systems. Through this understanding, this project will lead to optimised low-energy, low-tech and low-maintenance treatment systems.Read moreRead less
Design Rationale for Gated Canal Estates. This project will provide new knowledge on how to design gated canal estates to maximise their water quality and avoid events leading to the development of poor, and even harmful, water quality. It will document this new knowledge as Engineering Design Guidelines, which can be implemented to minimise adverse water quality impacts. A User Manual will also be developed to document the application of water quality decision support systems for use in designi ....Design Rationale for Gated Canal Estates. This project will provide new knowledge on how to design gated canal estates to maximise their water quality and avoid events leading to the development of poor, and even harmful, water quality. It will document this new knowledge as Engineering Design Guidelines, which can be implemented to minimise adverse water quality impacts. A User Manual will also be developed to document the application of water quality decision support systems for use in designing canal estates. This project will foster technology transfer from the research environment to the private and public sectors, also enabling a student to complete a PhD program.Read moreRead less