The Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and
Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) was proud to host the
Contamination CleanUp 07 Conference held in
Adelaide from June 24th - 28th 2007.
Every one of the world’s 6.2 billion people is exposed to
contamination from past industrial practices, in the soil and water
where they live or the air they breathe, even in the most remote
regions. The risk to human and environmental health is rising, and
there is evidence this cocktail of pollutants is a contributor to
the global epidemic of cancers, lung and other degenerative
diseases.
With millions of contaminated sites, spread across every nation
and city on earth, humanity is facing an acute environmental
challenge. This challenge is to develop innovative and
cost-effective solutions to decontaminate polluted environments, to
make them safe for human habitation and consumption, and to protect
the function of the ecosystems which support life.
Leading scientists, industrialists and regulators from around
the world gathered in Adelaide in June 2007 to explore emerging
issues related to the assessment and remediation of contaminated
sites, to speed up technology transfer and exchange information on
innovative developments in fundamental and applied environmental
research.
Summary
The CleanUp Conference 07 brought together more than 400 leading
scientists, industrialists and regulators from around Australia,
and the world, to explore emerging issues related to the assessment
and remediation of contaminated sites, to speed up technology
transfer and exchange information on innovative developments in
fundamental and applied environmental research.
Three very successful and well attended workshops were held on
the Sunday, covering the areas of Ecological Risk Assessment; Human
Health Risk Assessment; and Groundwater: Site Characterisation and
Remediation. The workshops provided state of the art knowledge to
attendees, and were presented by National and International
experts, in the discipline area. These courses targeted scientists,
research students, regulators, auditors, consultants and
individuals responsible for contamination assessment and
management.
The official opening of the conference was performed by the Hon.
Steph Key, representing the Premier of South Australia, followed by
the Opening Plenary Address by Professor Malcolm Sumner from the
University of Georgia.
Over the duration of the Conference, delegates from more than 30
countries were in attendance to listen to more than 90
presentations relating to contamination assessment and
remediation.
The highlight of the conference was the launch of the Australasian
Remediation Industry Cluster (ARIC) by Senator the Hon. Nick
Minchin. Senator Minchin noted that ARIC is dedicated to bringing
the best new technology and advice in this field, from science to
industry and from company to company, and promoting the sharing of
information about market and technology opportunities. ARIC will be
a forum for private and public sector organisations to tackle
issues that block efficient and effective remediation of
contamination of water, land and air.
The Conference, and ARIC launch, were also supported by EcoForum,
which convened an Industry Summit. The Summit was the first event
of its kind to be held in Australia. It was an opportunity for
industry, regulators, scientists and members of community
organisations to discuss the challenges and opportunities presented
by environmental contamination and consider the issues that
influence and shape the way the contamination remediation sector
operates.
Throughout that conference, delegates had the opportunity to engage
with key organisations represented at the conference through their
exhibition booths. The presence of organisations with the capacity
to deliver solutions to the contamination prevention, assessment
and remediation sector was well received, and their contribution
was very welcome.
On the final evening of the Conference more than 170 delegates
enjoyed the Gala Dinner at the Hilton Adelaide hotel. Those who
attended were treated to an array of entertainment and
performances. It was also a chance for CRC CARE to thank many of
the keynote presenters for their valued contribution to the
event.
Those that were able to stay an extra day on the Thursday attended
a Technical Tour of three Adelaide sites including ITP, Department
of Defence Edinburgh and Bolivar Wastewater plant. The tour
included a lunch in the Barossa Valley Vineyard Jacob's Creek, to
close off a very enjoyable conference.
Planning has already commenced for the 2009 CleanUp Conference, and
we hope to make to the 2009 event even more successful.
Program
The Contaminated Site Remediation Conference covered the themes
listed below.
There was a particular emphasis on current environmental issues
facing the Asia-Pacific region.
- Contaminant Dynamics and Lifecycle Assessment
- Contaminant Bioavailability
- Regional perspectives including case studies of environmental
and human health impacts
- Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment
- Natural attenuation of contaminants
- Principles and application of risk-based land management
- Industrial contamination issues (Defence, mining, manufacturing
and processing activities)
- Site characterisation
- Current and emerging remediation technologies for air, soil and
groundwater
- Emerging contaminants
- Waste recycling and reuse - waste to valuable resource
- Social, legal and regulatory aspects of site contamination
