A global forum on chemical contamination has had its largest conference yet, showing the scope of innovative solutions out there to remediate the environment. Professor Ravi Naidu, Managing Director of the Cooperative Research Centre for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE), told the CleanUp 2019 global forum that collaboration is key to cleaning up the environment. Read More
The first Australia-wide historical land-use database for assessing site contamination has been developed from open-source and licensed historical artefacts. The new mapping system gives decision makers access to accurate data that allows them to efficiently assess the risk of potentially contaminated sites. Read More
Researchers from CRC CARE have developed a new method to detect microplastics in the ground using infrared light and powerful visualisation software. Read More
Australian researchers have developed and patented an invention that prevents the spread of PFAS and other pollutants from contaminated concrete. Fire-fighting foams have contaminated concrete and soils at fire-training and commercial sites across Australia and worldwide. Many such foams contain PFAS chemicals, which can enter ecosystems and move through food chains, accumulating in animal and human bodies. Read More
Soil pollution it is a major part of a wider problem that far exceeds the impact of climate change and must be taken far more seriously by the private and public sectors globally, according to one of the world’s foremost contamination scientists. Professor Ravi Naidu issued the challenge as part of his opening keynote address on Clean soils: humanity’s next great challenge at World Soil Day 2018 celebrations at the Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute event in Seoul. Read More
Newcastle is making a major contribution to Australia’s soil research efforts, with two soil-related Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) headquartered at the University of Newcastle. The CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CRC CARE) addresses environmental contamination of all kinds, with a strong focus on soil pollution, and the CRC for High Performance Soils (Soil CRC) aims to improve the productivity of Australia’s agricultural land. Read More
Scientists involved in an 18-year project to remediate acid sulphate soils at a north Queensland site have pulled off a major accomplishment, turning the once badly acidified land into a place where mangroves, native birds and other wildlife have now returned. Read More
