Vertically Integrated Projects
Humans have polluted the entire planet with various chemicals resulting in adverse human and environmental health impacts. This research will develop biological technologies for removing contamination from the environment. We will work with nature to address our careless human legacy!
VIP ChallENG research goals
The goal of this project is to deliver a biological remediation option to clean up contaminant source areas in Homebush Bay adjacent to the Rhodes Peninsula to mitigate ongoing distribution of contaminants throughout Sydney Harbour.
Your research team will:
- Cultivate and characterise pollutant degrading bacterial cultures
- Produce a chemical amendment mixture to support bacterial activity
- Characterise harbour sediment properties
- Conduct laboratory trials of amendment delivery approaches
ChallENG Area
Research Areas
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
The story behind the project
In the 1960’s Sydney was home to a chemical manufacturing industry that produced Agent Orange as part of Australia’s contribution to the Vietnam war effort. Union Carbide operated on the Rhodes Peninsula adjacent to Homebush Bay. This industrial activity resulted in heavy contamination of the land and harbour sediments in the area. Dioxins are a highly toxic byproduct of Agent Orange production. Not only has this resulted in horrendous health impacts throughout Vietnam, it has ranked Sydney Harbour as one of the top three most dioxin contaminated harbours in the world. There is currently no economically viable remediation solution to deal with the contaminated Homebush Bay sediments. We are working with Transport for NSW and NSW EPA to solve the problem.
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Life on land:Ìý
- Join this team for
- Desired skills
- Industrial training
Credit
✔ 6 UoC per courseÌý
Professional Development
•ÌýÌý ÌýTeamwork
•ÌýÌý ÌýLeadership
•ÌýÌý ÌýDesign
•ÌýÌý ÌýCommunication
•ÌýÌý ÌýIntegrity
•ÌýÌý ÌýInnovation and excellence
•ÌýÌý ÌýDiversity
•ÌýÌý ÌýRespect
•ÌýÌý ÌýResilience
Industry Partners
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Bioreactor design
- Analytical chemistry
- Bioreactor construction
- Molecular biology
- Biochemistry
- Aquatic chemistry
- Process control
ConditionsÌýapply to receiveÌýNon-Traditional IndustrialÌýtraining for Vertically Integrated Projects. You will need to applyÌýviaÌýtheÌýÌýfor this Project before you commence so the days can count towards your Industrial Training (IT) program requirement (maximum 30 days). Being a member of a VIP team does not guarantee that you will receive a Non-Traditional IT placement and should not be the only motivating factor for joining a team.
Applications for ENG WIL IT are accepted during a student’sÌýfirst termÌýof enrolment in the VIP course. Students must complete a ChallENG Employer Evaluation form.ÌýDays will only be counted once the student has completed the VIP Course.ÌýÌýStudents must provide evidence of completion.Ìý
**Note – if students drop out of the course, no days will be counted.
Team Academic Leads
