Remediation of groundwater using permeable reactive barriers. Permeable reactive barriers are passive subsurface installations that remove contamination from groundwater as it flows through a reactive substrate. This project will develop new permeable reactive barriers that will benefit the nation by building skills and knowledge in an area of growth in Australian industry, namely the rehabilitation of industrial lands and the protection and remediation of Australia's critical groundwater source ....Remediation of groundwater using permeable reactive barriers. Permeable reactive barriers are passive subsurface installations that remove contamination from groundwater as it flows through a reactive substrate. This project will develop new permeable reactive barriers that will benefit the nation by building skills and knowledge in an area of growth in Australian industry, namely the rehabilitation of industrial lands and the protection and remediation of Australia's critical groundwater sources. The project is aimed at remediating an industrially contaminated site in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, thereby contributing to the environmental improvement of that region. The technology developed will have wide application to other sites, both nationally and internationally.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100030
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,103,883.00
Summary
Development of electrochemically activated sorbents for PFAS defluorination. This project aims to develop a new treatment technology to completely defluorinate per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to treat significant water quantities. The majority of existing water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS to the desired extent, are prohibitively expensive or are only useful for a very limited lifespan. This project is expected to develop a new treatment technology with the abi ....Development of electrochemically activated sorbents for PFAS defluorination. This project aims to develop a new treatment technology to completely defluorinate per- and poly-fluroalkyl substances (PFAS) and to treat significant water quantities. The majority of existing water treatment technologies are unable to remove PFAS to the desired extent, are prohibitively expensive or are only useful for a very limited lifespan. This project is expected to develop a new treatment technology with the ability to completely defluorinate PFAS, treat significant water quantities and help address many of the pressing concerns facing water treatment operators. This technology is also scalable, and can potentially be used to treat significant quantities of contaminated water.Read moreRead less
Investigation of chemical clogging in a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) installed for remediating groundwater from acid sulphate soils. Soil acidity is a major geo-environmental problem in coastal Australia, whereby acidified groundwater pollutes estuaries with catastrophic consequences on local aquaculture (e.g. fish, oyster and prawn farming) and agricultural industries. The project aims to optimise the design and performance of permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) utilising waste materials suc ....Investigation of chemical clogging in a permeable reactive barrier (PRB) installed for remediating groundwater from acid sulphate soils. Soil acidity is a major geo-environmental problem in coastal Australia, whereby acidified groundwater pollutes estuaries with catastrophic consequences on local aquaculture (e.g. fish, oyster and prawn farming) and agricultural industries. The project aims to optimise the design and performance of permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) utilising waste materials such as recycled concrete and oyster shells for neutralising groundwater acidity prior to discharge to waterways. The main research includes the study of potential clogging and fouling of these PRB materials due to chemical reactions and to develop a predictive tool for long-term PRB performance as a means of ground acidity alleviation.Read moreRead less
Decarbonising built environments with hempcrete and green wall technology. This project aims to develop an integrated prefabricated building panel solution combining green wall and hempcrete technology to address environmental problems associated with the usage of carbon intensive construction materials, dense urbanisation, climate change and biodiversity. Innovation in hempcrete technology consist in using low carbon options including alkali-activated binders and biomineralization technology, g ....Decarbonising built environments with hempcrete and green wall technology. This project aims to develop an integrated prefabricated building panel solution combining green wall and hempcrete technology to address environmental problems associated with the usage of carbon intensive construction materials, dense urbanisation, climate change and biodiversity. Innovation in hempcrete technology consist in using low carbon options including alkali-activated binders and biomineralization technology, glass waste replacing natural sand. Hempcrete green wall panels will be design to be carbon positive, improve the thermal performance of buildings, provide better acoustic insolation, reduce the risk of mould proliferation, control indoor humidity and air quality and improve indoor thermal comfort.
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Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354679
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
National Forum and Collaboration on the Investigation and Remediation of Problem Soils through Effective Ground Improvement Practices. The aim of this initiative is to develop a strategy for a high-quality research network on the Australian problematic soils and the appropriate remediation alternatives, including: lime treatment, use of geosynthetics, native vegetation and drainage. Another aim of this initiative is to bring together researchers and practitioners from all over Australia under a ....National Forum and Collaboration on the Investigation and Remediation of Problem Soils through Effective Ground Improvement Practices. The aim of this initiative is to develop a strategy for a high-quality research network on the Australian problematic soils and the appropriate remediation alternatives, including: lime treatment, use of geosynthetics, native vegetation and drainage. Another aim of this initiative is to bring together researchers and practitioners from all over Australia under a common forum in a workshop, to promote exchange of new ideas, disseminate research findings and innovative technologies, as well as to make an impact on practical issues facing the technologists today. An informative website will be created as a result of this initiative. A web-enabled report will also be produced to include peer-reviewed papers and relevant forum discussions.Read moreRead less
Optimal trade-offs for managing environmental water in inland wetlands. This project aims to optimise long-term water trade-offs in inland wetlands on managed catchments, without compromising their environmental value. These managed wetlands compete for water allocations with irrigation and other uses. Realistic predictions of wetland status will be achieved through the development and integration of an ecohydrological model and a water management decisions model. Application of the tools will i ....Optimal trade-offs for managing environmental water in inland wetlands. This project aims to optimise long-term water trade-offs in inland wetlands on managed catchments, without compromising their environmental value. These managed wetlands compete for water allocations with irrigation and other uses. Realistic predictions of wetland status will be achieved through the development and integration of an ecohydrological model and a water management decisions model. Application of the tools will improve existing decision support models to help analyse the effects of individual local management decisions on the long-term evolution of the system and the effects of changes in operation policies and climate over the long term. The project will provide critical new information for the improved prediction of wetlands evolution and as a consequence better management.Read moreRead less