Overview
Topic status: We're looking for students to study this topic.
This project will study the seasonal dissemination of fungal and bacterial bioaerosols (airborne biological particles) from a large-scale industrial composting and biosolids facility surrounding the Swanbank power station. Bioaerosols may be generated and disseminated from a number of industrial processes. Of particular concern are those associated with waste treatment processes such as sewage treatment, as well as associated solids drying and composting. As urban development in the Ipswich area expands, concerns have arisen regarding the potential for dissemination of bioaerosols from proximal large-scale industrial composting and biosolids facility surrounding the Swanbank power station. In conjunction with QLD-Environmental Protection Agency-Air Science, we will undertake a seasonal study of dissemination of selected indicator fungi and bacteria from this site. This will provide baseline data for EPA health risk assessment and critical information regarding the most suitable microbial indicator(s) for future such assessments.
Aims
- Determine overall generation and linear dispersion of selected indicator bioaerosols and seasonal variation from a large-scale composting/biosolids facility.
- Determine optimal bioaerosols indicator microorganism(s) for use in monitoring of Australian industrial composting and/or biosolids treatment facilities.
Three sampling events will be carried-out: initial ranging/scoping concentrations of bioaerosols using an agar-impact bioaerosol sampler. This will be followed by a multi-site sampling over one-two days in each of two seasons (Oct-May, June-Sept) using all glass liquid-impingers. These are designed to examine dispersion during periods of substantially different wind directions and humidities. Sampling will take place increasing distances from three operations such that temporally-variable generation of bioaerosols from operations are also detected. Physical parameters (relative humidity, temperature, wind-speed and direction, GIS-coordinates) will be measured concurrently. Microorganisms will be enumerated using standard microbiological culturing techniques for total heterotrophic bacteria, Aspergillus spp., total coliforms, and thermoactinomycetes. Aspergillus spp. will be analysed for toxin production using the fluorescence/colour change with NH3OH-exposure. Results will be reported to EPA and mapped for their use in generating a dispersion model. Results will additionally be used to determine optimal indicator(s) for use in future monitoring of industrial composting and biosolids treatment facilities, risk assessment(s) and promulgation of bioaerosol guidelines.
References
- ASTM. 1993. Standard practice for sampling airborne microorganisms at municipal solid-waste processing facilities. Designation E884-82. In: American Society for Testing and Materials Standards on Materials and Environmental Microbiology, 2nd Ed. pp. 42-45.
- Poulsen et al. 1995. Sorting and recycling of domestic waste. Review of occupational health problems and their possible causes. Sci Tot Environ 168:33-56.
- Study level
- Honours
- Supervisors
- QUT
- Organisational unit
Science and Engineering Faculty
- Research area
- Contact
- Please contact the supervisor.
Dr James Smith
Professor Zoran Ristovski
