Centre for Plant & Water Science - Central Queensland University

13.01.2015 Views
Centre for Plant & Water Science 2008 Annual Report Section H REPORTS COMPARISON OF PHYTOCAPPING WITH COMPACTED CLAY CAPPING SUMMARY Field trials were established at Townsville (Fig 1), Lismore, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with the view to testing the effectiveness of phytocapping technique to minimise percolation of water into buried waste in various agroclimatic regions of Australia. All trials except the one at Lismore consist of both phytocap (soil cover and perennial vegetation) and clay cap (compacted clay and grasses). The comparative trials have been established in 10 m x 20 m plots, each with or without lining (HPDE). The trials are being monitored for runoff, drainage, soil moisture content and methane emission. Although it is too early to conclude, monitoring to date has shed some light on establishment techniques and monitoring procedures. For example, the experience suggests that the top soil used in phytocapping must be tested for weed seeds to prevent the weeds competing with the established species. Furthermore, weed control needs careful attention so as to prevent damage to trees. Many difficulties were encountered in logging the data and transmitting these to the base station in Melbourne. Various means of overcoming technical difficulties have been identified and the types of instruments that produce consistent results in the field (e.g. soil moisture sensors, tipping buckets, etc.) have been noted. The trials will be monitored for a further 24 months to delineate the effectiveness of phytocapping in minimising percolation of water into buried waste. Fig 1. Plant growth in the phytocapped trial at Townsville (upper) early establishment in 2008; and (lower) well established in 2009 PROJECT STAFF Dr Sam Yuen (UMelb) A/P Nanjappa Ashwath (CQU) A/P Hossein Ghadiri (GUni) A/P Margaret Greenway (GUni) A/P Mark Jaksa (UAdel) Prof Peter Newman (Curtin U) Dr Gareth Swarbrick (UNSW) Dr Andy Fourie (UWA) Co-investigators: Dr Grant Zhu (UMelb), Ms Melissa Salt (UAdel), Mr Hooman Maneshi (GUni), Mr Jianlei Sun (UMelb) plus industry partners & consultants FUNDING ARC Linkage, WMAA ($3.1 m) INCOME $0 27

Centre for Plant & Water Science 2008 Annual Report THE MYCOLOGY OF THE ROCKHAMPTON TREATED WATER SUPPLY SUMMARY A qualitative and quantitative study of the mycobiological population of all parts of the water supply system was conducted over 18 months and has now been completed. This study involved the collection and analysis of water samples monthly from nine mains stand pipes, six storage reservoirs, and four sites within the Glenmore Treatment Plant. Eleven physico/chemical parameters were also collected each month using a YSI multiparameter water meter. Samples were processed by membrane filtration followed by plating of the filter membranes on culture medium and subsequent enumeration and identification of resulting microfungal colonies. Sixty three genera were identified. Treated water on exit from the treatment plant was effectively devoid of microfungal contaminants but microfungi were isolated from all other parts of the system. Those reservoirs which are secondarily chlorinated on a regular and automatic basis yielded the lowest microfungal counts. Multivariate statistical analysis will now be carried out to determine any relationships between the microfungal population and the physico/chemical data collected. The sources of microfungal contamination are currently being investigated. Possible sources of microfungal propagules include airborne ingress to the pulse-filled reservoirs, and sporulating fungal biofilm growing on the internal walls of reservoirs and pipes and in the sediments accumulated in reservoirs and pipe dead ends. Coupons of glass, PVC and concrete have been immersed in two reservoirs to study the formation of fungal biofilm. Examination of surface deposits by micro-filtration and culture, fluorescent staining, and microscopic examination using light, scanning electron, and fluorescent microscopy techniques are being used. Preliminary results indicate that there is no sporulating microfungal biofilm within the system or on the coupons. This work is continuing. The possibility that microfungal spores survive the treatment plant processes, but in a damaged state, and are subsequently capable of resuscitation is being investigated by subjecting chlorinated fungal cultures to antioxidants known to protect spores of some species. Preliminary results indicate that resuscitation does not occur. Future work will include an examination of the role of coagulation/flocculation and sand filtration at the treatment plant. Preliminary tests have shown that polyaluminium hydroxide flocs are very efficient at entrapping microorganisms. Fig. 1. Mains sampling standpipe Fig. 2. Fluorescent micrograph of floc Fig. 3. Coupons ready for immersion showing entrapped microrganisms PROJECT STAFF Principal Investigator: Noel Sammon Co-Principal Investigator: A/Prof. K. Harrower Others: A/Prof. L. Fabbro & Prof. R. Reed FUNDING Fitzroy River Water & CQUniversity INCOME $8,879 28

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