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CAPIM collaborates with government and industry on interdisciplinary pollution research that provides solutions for a healthier, safer and more sustainable future.
The Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management (CAPIM) is an interdisciplinary research centre based at the University of Melbourne. We collaborate with our partners to ensure both research excellence and real-world impact.
Our interdisciplinary research concentrates on the identification of pollution in the environment – in water, soil, air and waste – and impact assessments and management strategies for human health and ecological sustainability.
Our expertise includes:
- Traditional pollutants (e.g. metals, nitrogen and hydrocarbons);
- Emerging contaminants such as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microplastics; and
- Nonchemical pollutants, such as light and noise.
Our research provides evidence-based outcomes that are used by government, industry and the community to determine risks, make decisions and more safely manage polluted environments.
Our interdisciplinary team of researchers have expertise in:
- Human health and environmental risk assessment
- Chemical fate and behaviour
- (Eco)toxicology including humans, vertebrates, invertebrates, plants and microbes
- Exposure science
- Environmental and analytical chemistry
- Environmental forensics
- Modelling and pollutant transport
- Decision making and science communication
- Engineering and remediation
We deliver science for:
- Development and implementation of policy and regulation
- Regulatory decision making
- Contaminated site assessments and audits
- Pollution impact risk assessment and management
- Informing sustainable and safe practices
- Contaminated site clean-up and remediation
- Support for adoption of novel and innovative technologies and approaches
- Commercializing novel pollution technologies
- New patents
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CAPIM acknowledges the Traditional Owners as the original custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We acknowledge the historic dislocation and dispossession of their lands and celebrate the extraordinary resilience of the oldest living culture on the planet. We pay respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
Our People
Meet our interdisciplinary team representing a diverse range of research disciplines, industry and government perspectives.
Contact Us
Membership / Collaboration enquiries: contact the CAPIM Director
General enquiries: CAPIM-info@unimelb.edu.au
Centre for Anthropogenic Pollution Impact and Management
Biosciences 4, Royal Pde
School of Biosciences, the University of Melbourne
Parkville, Victoria 3052
Australia
CAPIM is an interdisciplinary research organisation. We collaborate with government and industry on interdisciplinary pollution that delivers research excellence and real-world impact for a healthier, safer and more sustainable future.
Collaborate with CAPIM to be part of:
- Driving the pollution agenda in Australia and globally.
- Research on emerging pollution issues, techniques and technologies at the forefront of pollution research.
- Access to cutting edge knowledge and technology.
Click below for information about collaboration opportunities for industry and government, as well as Honours, Masters, PhD and postdoctoral opportunities for students.
Opportunities for industry and government
Opportunities for students and postdoctoral fellows
CAPIM is an interdisciplinary research organisation. We collaborate with government and industry on pollution research and projects that provides solutions for a healthier, safer and more sustainable future.
Understanding the impacts and managing pollution is challenging. It requires expertise across multiple disciplines such as biology, chemistry and engineering, legal, economics and and social science which is often beyond the internal capacity of a individual organisation.
Government and industry need information and solutions they can rely on, that are evidence-based and work in the real-world.
Learn more about CAPIM research and projects, and our network of facilities.
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2021
Death, C., Bell, C., Champnessa, D., Milne, C., Reichman, S. and Hagen, T., 2021. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in livestock and game species: A review. Science of the Total Environment. 774: 144795, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144795
Moodie, D., Coggan, T., Berry, K., Kolobaric, A., Fernandes, M., Lee, E., Reichman, S., Nugegoda, D. and Clarke B.O. 2021. Legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in Australian biosolids. Chemosphere. 270: 129143, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.129143
De Silva, S. Ball, A.S., Indrapala, D.V., Reichman, S.M., 2021. Review of the interactions between vehicular emitted potentially toxic elements, roadside soils, and associated biota, Chemosphere, 263: 128135, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128135.
2020
Alcantara, H.J.P., Jativa, F., Doronila, .I., Anderson, C.W.N., Siegele, R., Spassov, T.G., Sanchez-Palacios, J.T., Boughton, B.A. and Kolev, S.D. 2020. Localization of mercury and gold in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). Environmental Science and Pollution Research 27(15): 18498–509, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-08285-3.
Askland, M., Clarke, B.O., Cheema, A.A., Mendez, A.,Gasco, G. and Paz-Ferreiro, J. 2020. Biochar sorption of PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS and PFHxA in two soils with contrasting texture. Chemosphere 249: 126072, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126072.
Bahrami, S., Yaftian, M.R., Najvak. P., Dolatyari, L., Shayani-Jam, H., and Kolev, S.D. 2020. PVDF-HFP based polymer inclusion membranes containing cyphos (R) IL 101 and aliquat (R) 336 for the removal of Cr(VI) from sulfate solutions. Separation and Purification Technology 250: 117251, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2020.117251.
Behroozi, A., Arora, M., Fletcher, T.D., and Western, A.W. 2020. Sorption and transport behavior of zinc in the soil: implications for stormwater management. Geoderma, 367: 114243, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2020.114243.
Carner, C.A., Crofts, C.F., Kolev, S.D., and Almeida, M.I.G.S. Green solvents for the fabrication of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs). Separation and Purification Technology 239: 116486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2019.116486.
de Silva, S., Huynh, T., Ball, A.S., Indrapala, D.V. and Reichman, S.M. 2020 Measuring soil metal bioavailability in roadside soils of different ages. Environments 7: 91, doi:10.3390/environments7100091. (https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3298/7/10/91, open access)
Durrant, J., Green, M.P. and Jones, T.M. Dim artificial light at night reduces the cellular immune response of the black field cricket, Teleogryllus commodus. Insect Science 27: 571–82. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7917.12665.
Govers, L.C., Harper, A.P., Finger, B.J., Mattiske, D.M., Pask, A.J. and Green, M.P. 2020. “Atrazine induces penis abnormalities including hypospadias in mice. Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease 11: 246–49, https://doi.org/10.1017/S2040174419000473.
Gu, Z., de Silva, S. and Reichman, S.M. 2020. Arsenic concentrations and dietary exposure in rice-based infant food in Australia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17: 415, doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17020415
Gupta, S., Schillaci, M., Walker, R., Smith, P.M.C., Watt, M. and Roessner, U. 2020. Alleviation of salinity stress in plants by endophytic plant-fungal symbiosis: current knowledge, perspectives and future directions. Plant and Soil, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-020-04618-w.
Hanada, T., Firmansyah, M.L., Yoshida, W., Kubota, F., Kolev, S.D. and Goto, M. 2020. Transport of rhodium(III) from chloride media across a polymer inclusion membrane containing an ionic liquid metal ion carrier. Acs Omega 5: 12989–12995, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.0c00867.
Hassell, K.L., Coggan, T.L., Cresswell, T., Kolobaric, A., Berry, K., Crosbie, N.D., Blackbeard, J., Pettigrove, V.J., and Clarke, B.O. 2020. Dietary optake and depuration kinetics of perfluorooctane sulfonate, perfluorooctanoic acid, and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (GenX) in a benthic fish.” Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 39: 595–603. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4640.
Homayoonzadeh, M., Moeini,P., Talebi, K., Roessner, U., and Hosseininaveh, V.. Antioxidant system status of cucumber plants under pesticides treatment. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 42: 161, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11738-020-03150-9.
Kuswandi, B., Nitti, F., Almeida, M.I.G.S., and Kolev, S.D. 2020. Water monitoring using polymer inclusion membranes: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters, 18: 129–50, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-019-00930-9.
Layton, C., Coleman, M.A., Marzinelli, E.M., Steinberg, P.D., Swearer, S.E., Verges, A., Wernberg, T. and Johnson, C.R. 2020. Kelp forest restoration in Australia. Frontiers in Marine Science, 7: 74, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2020.00074.
Martelli, F., Zhongyuan, Z., Wang, J., Wong, C.-O., Karagas, N.E., Roessner, U., Rupasinghe, T. View Venkatachalam, K., Perry, T., Bellen, H.J., and Batterham, P. 2020. Low doses of the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid induce ROS triggering neurological and metabolic impairments in Drosophila.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 117: 25840–25450, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2011828117.
McGrath, T.J., Kolobaric, A., Lee, E., and Clarke, B.O. 2020. Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in Western Australian biosolids and implications for land application. Chemosphere, 260: 127601, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127601.
Netherway, P., Gascó, G., Méndez, A., Surapaneni, A., Reichman, S., Shah, K., Paz-Ferreiro, J. 2020. Using phosphorus-rich biochars to remediate lead-contaminated soil: Influence on soil enzymes and extractable P. Agronomy 10: 454, doi.org/10.3390/agronomy10040454.
Okada, E., Allinson, M., Barral, M.P., Clarke, B., and Allinson, G. 2020. “Glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) are commonly found in urban streams and wetlands of Melbourne, Australia.” Water Research, 168: 115139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115139.
Pozo, K., Urbin, W., Gómez, V., Torres, M., Nuñez, D., Přibylová, P., Audy, O., Clarke, B., Arias, A., Tombesi, N., Guidah, Y., Klánováa, K., 2020 Persistent organic pollutants sorbed in plastic resin pellet – ‘nurdles’ from coastal areas of central Chile. Marine Pollution Bulletin 151: 110786, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110786.
Ribas, T.C.F., Croft, C.F., Almeida, M.I.G.S., Mesquita, R.B.R., Kolev, S.D., and Rangel, A.O.S.S. 2020. Use of a polymer inclusion membrane and a chelating resin for the flow-based sequential determination of copper(II) and zinc(II) in natural waters and soil leachates. Molecules 25: 5062, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215062.
Sarabia, L.D., Boughton, B.A., Rupasinghe, T., Callahan, D.L., Hill, C.B., and Roessner, U. 2020. “Comparative spatial lipidomics analysis reveals cellular lipid remodelling in different developmental zones of barley roots in response to salinity.” Plant Cell and Environment 43: 327–43, https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13653.
Seraj, M.F., Rahman, T., Lawrie, A.C., and Reichman, S.M. 2020. Assessing the plant growth promoting and arsenic tolerance potential of Bradyrhizobium japonicum CB1809. Environmental Management 66: 930–939, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-020-01351-z.
Steinemann, A., Nematollahi, N., Rismanchi, B., Goodman, N., and Spas D. Kolev, S.D. 2020. Pandemic products and volatile chemical emissions.” Air Quality Atmosphere and Health, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00912-9.
Steinemann, A., Nematollahi, N., Weinberg, J.L., Flattery, J., Goodman, N., and Kolev, S.D. 2020. Volatile chemical emissions from car air fresheners.” Air Quality Atmosphere and Health, 13: 1329–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-020-00886-8.
Wei, Z., Gao, B., Cheng, K.Y., Kaksonen, A.H., Kolev, S.D., Wong, J.W.C., and Cui, J. 2020. “Exploring the use of Dicranopteris pedata ash as a rare earth fertilizer to Ipomoea aquatica Forsskal. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 400:123207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123207.
Yu, D., Boughton, B.A., Hill, C.B., Feussner, I., Roessner, U., and Rupasinghe. T.W.T. 2020. Insights into oxidized lipid modification in barley roots as an adaptation mechanism to salinity stress. Frontiers in Plant Science 11: 1, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2020.00001.
Zhang, Y., Chen, C.-X., Feng, H.-P., Wang, X.-J., Roessner, U., Walker, R., Cheng, Z.-Y., An, Y.-Q., Binghai Du, B., and Bai, J.-G. 2020. Transcriptome profiling combined with activities of antioxidant and soil enzymes reveals an ability of Pseudomonas Sp. CFA to mitigate p-hydroxybenzoic and ferulic acid stresses in cucumber.” Frontiers in Microbiology 11: 522986, https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.522986.
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Webinar [recording]: DNA metabarcoding for assessing biodiversity.
A HydroTerra webinar in collaboration with The University of Melbourne and CAPIM. Globally, invertebrate biodiversity is on the decline for a number of reasons. Monitoring invertebrate species, which is crucial for understanding and conserving the population, can be made far easier using DNA methods, such as DNA barcoding and metabarcoding. These methods allow for the rapid and cost-effective identification of species …
2 March, 2023 DNA, invertebra... -
Let’s Talk Pollution #1- pollution as the 3rd global catastrophe
The inaugural Let’s Talk Pollution event focused on the United Nations declaration of pollution as the third global catastrophe (along with climate change and biodiversity loss). An interdisciplinary panel explored what this means for Australia, and how we prioritise and manage pollution. The panel comprised: Professor Mark Taylor (Victoria's Chief Environmental Scientist | EPA Victoria) Jacqueline Frizenschaf (General Manager Research Services …
16 February, 2023 lets talk pollu... -
Webinar [recording]: Why we need to pay more attention to microplastics in soil.
A HydroTerra webinar in collaboration with The University of Melbourne & CAPIM. We have all heard about the vast environmental impacts of plastic pollution around the globe, particularly in the oceans, yet very few people are aware that our terrestrial environments receive more plastic than our oceans! The impacts of microplastics on soil ecosystems and the human food chain is largely unknown. Scary! In …
2 February, 2023 News and events -
Winners announced !
CAPIM recently held a photo competition, calling on novice and junior photographers to share their lens on pollution. The judging panel were impressed with the caliber and diversity of entries. The winners share $600 prize money. Thank you to everyone that entered the competition. Winners: Novice Category Click on a photo to view the gallery | captions | photographer credits. Winners: 1st place: Jennifer Williams 2nd …
16 December, 2022 News and events -
ADE Consulting Group joins CAPIM
ADE Consulting Group joins CAPIM! ADE Consulting Group (ADE) has over 26 years’ experience providing a wide range of environmental services across Australia. Their team of scientists, consultants, and engineers specialise in environmental services including waste assessment and management, contaminated land investigation and remediation, and environmental compliance monitoring. The ADE team bring leading national expertise and technical capability in assessing and …
16 December, 2022 News and events -
Congratulations
CAPIM Member Dr Xia (Emma) Liang has recently been awarded the 2022 International Fertilizer Association Emerging Scholar Award, announced at the IFA Strategic Forum held in Washington, D.C. Dr Liang was one of two winners of the 2022 Emerging Scholar Awards, recognising outstanding research. Her research focuses on sustainable reactive nitrogen management by examining the many factors involved, including agricultural production, …
16 December, 2022 News and events -
Reflections from ALGA symposium
CAPIM recently partnered with the Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA) to host the Groundwater Fate & Transport Symposium at the University of Melbourne. This symposium offered the latest thinking, developments, and applications for improving performance of contaminant behaviour in the environment. Presentations ranged from innovative ideas on displaying and communicating data to theories, techniques and programs to assess and model …
16 December, 2022 News and events -
Spotlight: CAPIM students
Zhuyun Gu is a PhD student with a focus on land contamination, soil chemistry, and risk assessment. Her project involves investigating the behaviour of platinum group elements (PGE) in soil and their translocation, bioavailability, and toxicity to plants. The aim is to model the interaction between anthropogenic PGE and soil and plants and provide critical information for evaluating the risk …
16 December, 2022 News and events -
Showcasing pollution research
Click on the links below to see highlights of recent published pollution research at the University of Melbourne: Hydrological and water quality performance of Waste Tire Permeable Pavements: Field monitoring and numerical analysis. Speciation of inorganic arsenic in aqueous samples using a novel hydride generation microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) Comparative assessment of the characteristics and Cr(VI) removal activity of …
16 December, 2022 News and events -
PhD Opportunity: Improved decision making for fluoride removal from groundwater in Indian communities
Interested in #India #watermanagement and doing a #phd? Check out this fully funded joint PhD opportunity with University of Melbourne and The University of Manchester working with experts in their field Meenakshi Arora, Suzie Reichman and Laura Richards to develop user-friendly and cost-effective strategies for fluoride remediation. Minimum 12 month residency at The University of Manchester. Funding includes living allowance, health insurance and mobility funding. Click here for more information
14 October, 2022 Job opportuniti... -
CAPIM Photography Competition – enter now !!
Capture your view of pollution … anything from air, soil or water pollution through to human health and ecosystem impacts. What’s your lens on pollution? Who can enter? Professional, novice and junior photographers Max. 3 photo entries per person | Entry is free! How to enter? Use the QR code or click here to enter and upload your photo(s). Photos can be taken on any device. Prizes Prizes awarded for …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
CAPIM Pollution Research Showcase
In May 2022, CAPIM held its inaugural Pollution Research Showcase bringing together 80 industry, government, and universities representatives. The event opened with a plenary address from EPA Victoria’s Chief Scientist, Mark Taylor, followed by a showcase of CAPIM research initiatives: • DNA approaches for assessing macroinvertebrate biodiversity • Melbourne TrACEES Platform – analytical capabilities to support studies in environment and pollution • Atmospheric …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
Impacts of endocrine disrupting chemicals on human health
The research team at the Pask Lab, University of Melbourne are examining how the environment impacts on human reproductive health. Collaborating with CAPIM has increased the research team’s exposure to potential industry and government partners, particularly through events such as the recent CAPIM Research Showcase. Working with CAPIM has also provided opportunity to connect with researchers in the field, access to …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
AirLab
AirLab an urban atmospheric monitoring device, developed by University of Melbourne. AirLab is situated on top of one of the tallest buildings at the University of Melbourne and hosts a suite of remote sensing atmospheric instruments that records real-time atmospheric observations that feed into a long-term monitoring database. AirLab has been developed in collaboration with CSIRO, EPA, Queensland University of Technology …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
CAPIM alumni spotlight – Maita Subba
Maita is a recent CAPIM graduate, now employed as a Permissioning Officer at EPA Victoria. Maita recently completed a PhD in freshwater ecology undertaking lab and field experiments using a local freshwater snail Potamopyrgus antipodarum to test sensitivity to common contaminants found in waterways and the long-term effects of contaminant concentrations on the snail. Maita’s work also looked at the …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
CAPIM alumni spotlight – Bin Ju Nan
Bin recently completed a PhD in Environmental Science and Management with CAPIM, The University of Melbourne. His research focused on the Australian glass shrimp Paratya australiensis as a biomonitoring tool for microplastics pollution in freshwater waterbodies. This is the first time a freshwater crustacean has been used as a bioindicator to assess microplastic pollution globally, with Bin one of the …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
Collaborating with CAPIM as a student researcher
Jordan McCarthy is a final year PhD student. His project is part of a joint grant with researchers at the Australian Antarctic Division, RMIT University, and Western Sydney University investigating the impacts of soil pollution on new species of terrestrial Antarctic rotifers and tardigrades not previously used in lab studies. The research includes developing culturing techniques, recording their life history …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
Showcasing pollution research
Click on the links below to learn more about pollution research at the University of Melbourne covering the effect of light on the willie wagtail; the effects of prolonged exposure the herbicide atrazine on fertility; and DNA barcoding for mites. Research Paper Click here to learn about the effect of natural and artificial light at night on nocturnal song in the diurnal …
14 July, 2022 News and events -
Toronto and Melbourne Research Training Group PhD project
CAPIM is participating in the Toronto and Melbourne Research Training Group set up between the University of Melbourne, Australia, and the University of Toronto, Canada. The group comprises researchers and jointly awarded PhD candidates from both universities. As part of the initiative, CAPIM Director Assoc. Prof. Suzie Reichman and Assoc. Prof. Myrna Simpson from the University of Toronto have established a fully funded …
6 December, 2021 Projects, News ... -
Employment pathways for CAPIM graduates
CAPIM graduate Victoria Mentor's connection to industry partners through her Masters research has resulted in full time employment with BlueSphere Environmental. Victoria recently finished her Master of Science (BioSciences) at CAPIM. Her research focused on understanding the effects of microplastics and co-pollutants on the swimming behaviour of the marine amphipod Allorchestes compressa, supervised by Dr Allyson O’Brien, Dr Bradley Clarke and …
6 December, 2021 News and events -
$176K grant for new scientific equipment
CAPIM was recently granted $176K from the Faculty of Science Investment Fund to purchase scientific equipment that extends and expands our field and laboratory analytical capabilities. The new equipment will be used to grow priority areas of pollution research within CAPIM, and expand opportunities for industry, government and competitive funding. The equipment includes: A portable XRF to enable rapid, on site …
6 December, 2021 News and events -
CAPIM alumni wins Young Scientist Research Prize
CAPIM alumni Sarah McDonald recently won the Royal Society of Victoria Young Scientist Research Prize 2021 for her PhD research PhD research looking at the impact of pulsed stormwater runoff on Victorian aquatic organisms. Sarah is a recently submitted PhD student at The University of Melbourne, RMIT University and Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). Her most recent project investigated …
11 November, 2021 News and events -
Primary + STEM website launch
Primary+STEM is an Australian resource to help teachers and parents to engage primary school aged students in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths). The website has been developed by Assoc. Prof Therese Kean (Swinburne University) and Dr Tanya Linden (University of Melbourne). One of the important resources of the Primary+STEM website is a collection of inspirational short stories about and …
11 November, 2021 News and events -
Showcasing environmental research at EnviroTech
On November 25, CAPIM and environmental researchers at the University of Melbourne participated in ‘EnviroTech’. Five research teams pitched their projects to a group of invite-only investors (including venture capital firms, private equity firms and seed funders) as well as industry and government leaders. Investors were given the opportunity to hear about innovative projects that are investment-ready or near investment …
11 November, 2021 News and events