Environmental Solutions
Research and Development
Analytical projects
Molecular toolbox for monitoring biofilms to optimise assets and operating regimes
This project aims to firstly establish the bacterial and viral make-up of distribution water biofilms of both drinking and recycled water reticulation systems as well as use other techniques on full-scale samples including protein assessment, heterotrophic plate count culturing, Live/Dead fluorescent staining, and fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH).
Project Manager: Zoe Moore
Characterisation of Water Matrices
This project will characterise the microbiological composition of the source and process waters relevant to ActewAGL - http://www.actewagl.com.au/ water supply at the Mt Stromlo water treatment plant. Source and final waters for the North Canberra Water Reuse Scheme (NCWRS) will also be characterised. This will enable potential risks to the supply systems to be evaluated.
Project Manager: Zoe Moore
Development of microbial source tracking methods and applications
The project reviews available methods for source tracking faecal contamination in catchments and will trial a new method using QPCR of Bacteroides bacteria.
LC-MS-MS for analysis of trace organics & herbicides
LC MS will be used to analyse many of the semi volatile analytes, EDCs and pesticides, giving much lower detection limits and better verification.
Tracking virus loads through a treatment plant
The evaluation of the different stages of sewage treatment and their efficacy in virus removal using QPCR and phage spiking assays.
Bioassays for Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals
A collaborative project with National Water Commission - http://www.nwc.gov.au/ funding. This projects examines the applicability of various bioassays for the detection of endocrine disrupting chemicals in water and wastewater samples.
Biofiltration for the removal of EDCs and pharmaceutical compounds
A collaborative project with AusIndustry - http://www.ausindustry.gov.au/. This project evaluates the efficacy of biofiltration to remove recalcitrant and problem chemicals such as endocrine disrupting chemicals and NDMA from wastewater effluents.