Radiotracing
ANSTO's Institute for Environmental Research uses radiotracer techniques to validate mathematical models of sediment and contaminant transport in the coastal zone and thereby contribute to sustainable development. ANSTO is using radiotracers to study the fate and behaviour of contaminants and particulates in rivers, estuaries and coasts. The transport of contaminants associated with particulates is a key to understanding the health and environmental impacts of effluent release, but it is rather difficult to study in the field. The overall goal of the research is to extend environmental fluid dynamic models of contaminant transport and to evaluate the models using radiotracer techniques.
The tracer group has been involved in studies of the behaviour of sewage particles off Burwood Beach, NSW and from the Sydney ocean outfalls in collaborative programs with UNSW Water Research Laboratory supported by the Hunter Water Corporation and the NSW EPA. ANSTO has also completed a number of commercial projects including the post commissioning trials of offshore sewage outfalls in Hong Kong and at Malabar and North Head near Sydney.