UAV-based remote monitoring of catchment suface pollutants
We conducted the first proof-of-concept experiments to detect and quantify pollutants accumulated on and washed off from urban impervious surfaces using multispectral and hyperspectral sensing. This seminal work lays the groundwork for UAV-based deployment of non-contact remote sensing for catchment-scale stormwater pollution monitoring, effectively eliminating the need for physical sampling.
Collaborators: Prof David McCarthy (University of Guelph), Prof Ana Deletic (QUT), Prof Felipe Gonzalez (QUT) and Dr Dmitry Bratanov (QUT)
Biofiltration systems for sewer overflow management (led by QUT)
Can combined sewer overflows (CSO) be effectively managed using conventional stormwater biofilters? Or do we need more advanced systems incorporating enhanced control and monitoring technologies, and novel processes like Simultaneous Nitrification, Anammox, and Denitrification (SNAD)? And what additional outcomes could be achieved with such advanced systems? These are the questions we address in this industry-oriented project, which integrates laboratory experiments, pilot-scale field trials, and full-scale (5,000 m²) biofilter installations.
Team: Associate Prof Prasanna Egodawatta (QUT), Prof Ana Deletic (QUT), Assistant Prof Buddhi Wijesiri (Tsinghua SIGS), Dr Luke Shi (QUT), Ashish Srivastava (PhD scholar, QUT) and Tuhin Kamilya (PhD scholar, QUT)
Industry Partners: Queensland Urban Utilities, Australia