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School of Engineering and Computing Sciences (ECS)

Environmental engineering

Environmental Engineering at Durham has a strong grounding in industrial ecology, forging links between science and engineering in the pursuit of problem solving and environmental sustainability. The research focuses on the passive treatment of contaminated waters and soils using ‘wastes' such as secondary aggregates in place of primary aggregates. The research is multi-disciplinary collaborating both with industry, regulatory authorities and science departments. The School works closely with many science departments both at Durham (Depts of Chemistry, Biology and Earth Sciences) and with other UK and international universities. Current projects include:

  • The ROBUST project.
  • EPSRC funded project (GR/S49155/01, £368K, 2007-10). "The use of manganese oxide ‘waste' as contaminated land remediation products". This project is run in collaboration with the Schools of Civil Engineering and Geosciences at Newcastle University (Drs Neil Gray and Russell Davenport), Oregon Health and Science University (Professor Brad Tebo) and the School of Earth Sciences (Dr Fred Worrall) at Durham University. This project employs an RA and a PhD student to investigate the feasibility of using mining and water industry ‘waste' to treat land which is contaminated with both metals and organic pollutants. It will also investigate the potential of the Mn oxides to enhance humification processes in soil and the effect of the addition of the oxides on soil health and function.
  • Two industrially funded PhDs (£96K total funding from BHP Billliton and Assmang Ltd plus £45K from EPSRC) looking at the potential of South African ‘waste' Mn oxides to oxidise specific contaminants. 2005-2011 (in conjunction with the University of Pretoria in South Africa)
  • Industrially sponsored EPSRC PhD studentship (£16K plus £60K, 2007-10) co-supervised with Dr Lawrence Bowden of Scott Wilson Consultants) investigating the use of high pH wastes to treat contaminated land.
  • Royal Society funded project (£14K, 2006-7) in conjunction with the University of Beira, Portugal (Dr Isolina Cabral), to investigate the role of microorganisms in the use of Mn oxides to treat specific contaminants.
  • Preliminary study (£10K, 2007-8) into the use of sustainable technologies in community lead contaminated land remediation in Easington, County Durham in conjunction with the Health Protection Authority (Dr Chris Johnson)

Ideas for PhD and MRes projects are in the list here.