The Trace Organics Program incorporates the analytical determination, fate and removal of organic constituents in water.
Current and recent projects have focussed on some high-profile organic contaminants including pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and natural organic matter (NOM). Investigations of these chemicals have been undertaken for environmental waters, drinking waters, municipal wastewaters, as well as industrial processing waters and effluents.
A particular strength is the range of analytical capabilities. CWWT staff are proficient in the use of a diverse range of analytical instrumentation and methodologies. Examples include gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS and GC-MS/MS), high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS and HPLC-MS/MS), fluorescence excitation emission matrix (EEM) analysis, a multitude of UV-Vis Spectroscopy applications and most traditional water and wastewater analytical techniques. A close working relationship with the UNSW Biomedical Mass Spectroscopy Facility (BMSF) has significantly expanded the range of analytical equipment that may be utilised for CWWT research and consultancy projects.
Recent projects have investigated the removal of trace organics during conventional (primary and secondary) municipal sewage treatment, as well as a wide range of advanced treatment processes. Treatment processes of interest include membrane-based treatment (microfiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis), advanced oxidation (incorporating UV, ozone, peroxide and nano zero valent iron), and advanced biological treatment processes (membrane bioreactors and biologically activated carbon).
Water reuse and recycling are particular interests with numerous current projects relating to the treatment and beneficial reuse of municipal wastewaters. Members of the Trace Organics Program have been closely involved with the development of both Australian and European water recycling guidelines particularly focusing on risk assessment techniques for trace organic chemicals.
A number of risk assessments have recently been conducted for Sydney Water Corporation. One of these was a human health risk assessment for their ‘Replacement Flows’ water recycling proposal and another for the risks associated with beneficial reuse of biosolids.
The Trace Organics Program is closely involved with the newly established 'pilot hall' at UNSW. This facility houses fully operating bench-scale units of a number of wastewater treatment operations. Current active units include membrane bioreactors and activated sludge reactors. These units are being used to assess the effect of various parameters on the behaviour and removal of key contaminants.
The Trace Organics Program also incorporates research into modelling techniques for the description and prediction of chemical fate. Established modelling techniques have been used for a variety of chemicals (including PhACs and EDCs) for the prediction of their fate during sewage treatment and environmental exposure.
