Environmental Remediation
We use and discard a variety of toxic materials into the environment. Intensive food production is polluting our water bodies through the use of fertilizers, particularly, phosphates and nitrates. These provide nutrients for algal blooms and invasive aquatic plants, which interfere with the aquatic ecosystem. Small and Medium scale textile industries discharge their waste material with dyes into waterways, which conveniently remove them away to other locations. Toxic heavy metals leach from electronic waste from garbage dumped into waterways.
We are investigating the use of plants to remove such toxic waste (phyto-remediation) and the use of plant and mineral derived material as adsorbents to remove them through physical and chemical processes (biosorption). Potential aquatic plant species are being investigated to absorb textile dyes, which are difficult to biodegrade.
Biosorbents, prepared from dried biomass, are prepared from ferns and invasive plant species to adsorb dyes and heavy metals. Biochar derived from pyrolysis of agriculture and forestry by-products are investigated for their sorption behaviours and adsorption mechanisms. Our research also includes material synthesis using biological and mineral materials and their characterization to enhance uptake of hazardous pollutants.
Ongoing research projects:
Development of natural adsorbent for heavy metal and dye contaminated wastewater treatment.
Removal of nitrates and phosphates using chemically and physically modified silicate materials.
Use of biochar for textile dye removal.
Use of aquatic weeds for phyto-remediation of textile dyes.
We are investigating the use of plants to remove such toxic waste (phyto-remediation) and the use of plant and mineral derived material as adsorbents to remove them through physical and chemical processes (biosorption). Potential aquatic plant species are being investigated to absorb textile dyes, which are difficult to biodegrade.
Biosorbents, prepared from dried biomass, are prepared from ferns and invasive plant species to adsorb dyes and heavy metals. Biochar derived from pyrolysis of agriculture and forestry by-products are investigated for their sorption behaviours and adsorption mechanisms. Our research also includes material synthesis using biological and mineral materials and their characterization to enhance uptake of hazardous pollutants.
Ongoing research projects:
Development of natural adsorbent for heavy metal and dye contaminated wastewater treatment.
Removal of nitrates and phosphates using chemically and physically modified silicate materials.
Use of biochar for textile dye removal.
Use of aquatic weeds for phyto-remediation of textile dyes.