Arsenic speciation in Cleveland Bay, and controls on its uptake in commercial crab species. Marine organisms from the Great Barrier Reef exhibit elevated arsenic concentrations. It is not known if arsenic constitutes a human health risk since its chemical form has not been determined. The factors which control arsenic uptake in the GBR environment are unknown, making it difficult to predict how changes in water quality (such as phosphate which is chemically similar to arsenic) may alter arsenic ....Arsenic speciation in Cleveland Bay, and controls on its uptake in commercial crab species. Marine organisms from the Great Barrier Reef exhibit elevated arsenic concentrations. It is not known if arsenic constitutes a human health risk since its chemical form has not been determined. The factors which control arsenic uptake in the GBR environment are unknown, making it difficult to predict how changes in water quality (such as phosphate which is chemically similar to arsenic) may alter arsenic concentrations in these organisms. This project will determine the chemical form of arsenic in biota, sediment and water, and will test the hypothesis that the elevated arsenic levels reflect the low phosphate concentrations in the water.Read moreRead less
Single walled carbon nanotubes of one stereochemistry - material for the oncoming carbon age. Carbon nanotubes are finding application in nanotechnology. However currently they are prepared as a mixture of zig-zag, chiral and armchair isomers. Their properties could be improved if they could be prepared with one stereochemistry. The approach here is to use a nanocrystallisation and thermal maturation process involving stereo controlling additives. The new carbons are expected to have outstandin ....Single walled carbon nanotubes of one stereochemistry - material for the oncoming carbon age. Carbon nanotubes are finding application in nanotechnology. However currently they are prepared as a mixture of zig-zag, chiral and armchair isomers. Their properties could be improved if they could be prepared with one stereochemistry. The approach here is to use a nanocrystallisation and thermal maturation process involving stereo controlling additives. The new carbons are expected to have outstanding flexibility and strength and novel thermal and electrical properties. The new products could give Australia a lead in new battery, hydrogen storage, flat screen technology and nanoelectronics.Read moreRead less
Treating wastewater for potable reuse: removal of chemicals of concern using advanced oxidation processes. The project promotes Australia as a leader in water reuse technology and is of benefit to reuse schemes globally. Several major reuse schemes are planned for Australia and it is well recognised that robust science is needed for public confidence. Community perception is a serious barrier to potable reuse and the results from this project will provide essential and independent information fo ....Treating wastewater for potable reuse: removal of chemicals of concern using advanced oxidation processes. The project promotes Australia as a leader in water reuse technology and is of benefit to reuse schemes globally. Several major reuse schemes are planned for Australia and it is well recognised that robust science is needed for public confidence. Community perception is a serious barrier to potable reuse and the results from this project will provide essential and independent information for informed decision making. The oxidation processes proposed will improve the quality of both recycled water and waste brine, providing environmental and economic benefit. This is particularly significant for regional Australia, where there is substantial demand for both water reuse and cost-effective waste disposal in the absence of ocean discharge.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100381
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$444,000.00
Summary
Facilitating detection of new psychoactive substances in wastewater. This project aims to develop and apply novel analytical methods for detecting new psychoactive substances (NPS) in wastewater. NPS are a dynamic, complex addition to the illicit drug market, and a persistent analytical challenge for wastewater analysis. This project expects to fill the current knowledge gap in detection and identification of these substances in wastewater. This will provide substantial benefits both to Australi ....Facilitating detection of new psychoactive substances in wastewater. This project aims to develop and apply novel analytical methods for detecting new psychoactive substances (NPS) in wastewater. NPS are a dynamic, complex addition to the illicit drug market, and a persistent analytical challenge for wastewater analysis. This project expects to fill the current knowledge gap in detection and identification of these substances in wastewater. This will provide substantial benefits both to Australia and internationally by aiding development of early warning drug monitoring systems, providing the rapid deployment of interventions to reduce drug-related harm in the local community, while facilitating law and government agencies to better direct resources.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0239647
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,000.00
Summary
Infrared chemical imaging and high temperature emission spectroscopy facility. Infrared spectroscopic imaging uses infrared radiation to analyse the chemical properties of microscopic samples in a fast and powerful manner. The images produced provide information about the different molecular chemistry at each pixel in the image. This is one of the latest and perhaps most important developments in vibrational spectroscopy, with wide applications in materials science, forensic science and the biol ....Infrared chemical imaging and high temperature emission spectroscopy facility. Infrared spectroscopic imaging uses infrared radiation to analyse the chemical properties of microscopic samples in a fast and powerful manner. The images produced provide information about the different molecular chemistry at each pixel in the image. This is one of the latest and perhaps most important developments in vibrational spectroscopy, with wide applications in materials science, forensic science and the biological sciences. It is an exceptional tool for the analysis of heterogeneous solids, whether these be seized drug samples, cancer cells, fibres left at a crime scene, layers of paint from a car or a Monet painting, or polymer blends.Read moreRead less
Understanding wastewater treatment technologies for alternative water use: transformation of inorganic and organic nitrogen. This project will identify sustainable treatment processes for nitrogen and pathogen removal in rural wastewater treatment systems. The outcomes will provide water utilities and regulators with practical recommendations for minimising chemical and microbial risks of alternative uses of treated wastewater, and improve rural long-term water security.
Novel Technology for Improving Disinfection Outcomes in Regional and Remote Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Climate shifts have led to water supply shortages in many areas of Australia, both in rural and remote regions and in cities. To ease water shortages, transportation of water over long distances is becoming increasingly necessary. A major impediment to transfer of water through long mains is management of the disinfectant: most disinfectants decay too rapidly, leaving consumers at ris ....Novel Technology for Improving Disinfection Outcomes in Regional and Remote Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Climate shifts have led to water supply shortages in many areas of Australia, both in rural and remote regions and in cities. To ease water shortages, transportation of water over long distances is becoming increasingly necessary. A major impediment to transfer of water through long mains is management of the disinfectant: most disinfectants decay too rapidly, leaving consumers at risk of pathogen exposure. Chloramination, the most viable disinfection technology for this purpose, suffers from a process called nitrification which accelerates disinfectant decay. In this project, we are developing an innovative, patented process to prevent nitrification, which will allow safe and effective disinfection of water supplies in long pipelines.Read moreRead less
Development and Use of Ionic Liquids in Metal Recovery from Ores, Concentrates and Mattes. Ionic liquids, which are liquid over a wide temperature range and can dissolve a wide range of solutes to high concentrations, promise new and yet unexplored approaches in processing ores. We aim to prepare ionic liquids and apply these to increase the intensity of copper and gold sulfide processing, and to explore more efficient separation of platinum group metals from mattes. New oxidative leaching techn ....Development and Use of Ionic Liquids in Metal Recovery from Ores, Concentrates and Mattes. Ionic liquids, which are liquid over a wide temperature range and can dissolve a wide range of solutes to high concentrations, promise new and yet unexplored approaches in processing ores. We aim to prepare ionic liquids and apply these to increase the intensity of copper and gold sulfide processing, and to explore more efficient separation of platinum group metals from mattes. New oxidative leaching techniques will be developed to diminish ore passivation and enhance recovery; high current electrowinning of copper in ionic liquids will be probed. Evolving technology should yield economic and environmental benefits for a nationally important industry.Read moreRead less
Reactions of Coordinated Dinitrogen. The program will develop novel metal-based catalysts and reagents that will transform nitrogen gas into ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds (nitrogen fixation). This fundamental chemical transformation underpins major chemical industries and this new approach using organometallic catalysts will significantly improve the efficiency of ammonia production and reduce the energy and harsh reaction conditions currently required. This program will desi ....Reactions of Coordinated Dinitrogen. The program will develop novel metal-based catalysts and reagents that will transform nitrogen gas into ammonia and other nitrogen-containing compounds (nitrogen fixation). This fundamental chemical transformation underpins major chemical industries and this new approach using organometallic catalysts will significantly improve the efficiency of ammonia production and reduce the energy and harsh reaction conditions currently required. This program will design catalysts with multiple complementary metal centres tailored to bind and activate nitrogen gas to facilitate its reaction with hydrogen or other reagents.Read moreRead less
The role of bush fires in the formation and fate of dioxin like chemicals in Australia. A global (POPs) treaty signed by more than 100 nations targets the reduction and elimination of dioxins, which are persistent, bioaccumlative and highly toxic to humans. Bushfires have been suggested as the major source of dioxins in Australia. Experimental data indicate bushfires may not represent the actual sources of dioxin. Our aim is to experimentally establish the levels of dioxins formed and re-emi ....The role of bush fires in the formation and fate of dioxin like chemicals in Australia. A global (POPs) treaty signed by more than 100 nations targets the reduction and elimination of dioxins, which are persistent, bioaccumlative and highly toxic to humans. Bushfires have been suggested as the major source of dioxins in Australia. Experimental data indicate bushfires may not represent the actual sources of dioxin. Our aim is to experimentally establish the levels of dioxins formed and re-emitted from bushfires in Australia. The results will assist to make informed decisions that lead to effective action for reducing dioxin contamination in Australia, fulfilling the treaty requirements and protecting the population and environment.
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