Pollution and Emerging Contaminants
Pollution and emerging contaminants are increasingly urgent research areas, with toxic substances like pesticides, microplastics, e-waste and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) spreading globally and infiltrating our daily lives. EI researchers are studying contaminant pathways, assessing their environmental, health and community impacts, and developing strategies to monitor, mitigate and prevent pollution and its detrimental effects through supply chain redesign, changing consumption patterns and advanced technologies.
Research Leads
Initiative Lead: Professor Volker Hessel
Deputy Leads: Professor Bronwyn Gillanders & Dr Cameron Shearer
Projects
Perfluoroalkyl Substance (PFAS) and Microplastics Capability Statement
The recent PFAS and Microplastics Capability Statement identifies developing and innovative solutions to address PFAS and microplastic pollution. Led by Dr Cameron Shearer, the team working with Membrane Systems Australia (Enviropacific) and PhD candidate Mahmoud Adel Hamza, has patented and demonstrated a light-activated PFAS degradation technology that breaks down PFAS into harmless compounds. Complementary work by Dr Patrick Reis-Santos, Dr Nina Wootton, and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders focuses on detecting PFAS and microplastics in marine environments, while Assoc. Prof. Tak Kee’s group advances photocatalytic methods to degrade plastics, turning waste into valuable industrial building blocks.
Learn more:
PFAS Breakthrough: Say Goodbye to the "Forever Chemical"
New National Data Offers Insight into PFAS Levels in Australians