Further information
UWA aims to provide a laboratory facility in which undergraduate, postgraduates, researchers and commercial clients have access to pertinent equipment, support and information, to acquire a greater understanding of the chemical, biological and physical dynamics of aquatic environments.
Background
In 1992 UWA's Department of Environmental Engineering received $289,000 from the Department of Employment, Education and Training through the National Priority Reserve Fund.
The main objective of the proposal was to initiate a field and laboratory course as part of the development of an innovative teaching program in the environmental engineering degree course.
The aim of this program was to involve students in gathering field data, gaining experience with field instrumentation, carrying out chemical and biological laboratory analyses, analysing and modelling the measured data, and addressing management and social aspects related to the study site.
A water quality laboratory was constructed as part of the DEET funding.
Current research and projects
The following academics lead research projects and teams consisting of researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students in the areas of:
- Prof Anya Waite – Biological Oceanography
- Prof Anas Ghadouani – Aquatic Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics
- W/Prof Carolyn Oldham – Contaminant Dynamics
Course project work related to water quality that has been carried out by environmental engineering fourth-year students since 1993 has been driven mostly by immediate and future problems encountered by the water industry such as:
- field studies and management recommendations to ensure ecological sustainability of local wetlands
- field examples of eutrophication and algal blooms
- monitoring plankton dynamics including a range of analysis such as chlorophyll fluorescence, flow cytometry, underwater video profiles, carbon radioisotope uptake and the like
- modelling water quality in lakes, reservoirs and harbours
- wastewater treatment processes
- monitoring nutrients in areas of groundwater, coastal, industrial or urban contamination.
University information
CRICOS Code: 00126G
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Last updated:
Wednesday, 13 February, 2013 8:36 AM
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