ANZBP Webinar - Lunch and Learn

Join us online to hear from our presenters about quantifying microbial risks from the use of Sydney Water’s biosolids and biosolids application on manuka growth and soil chemistry.

This lunch and learn is free for ANZBP Partners - if you are unsure if your organisation is an ANZPB partner you can check here: https://www.biosolids.com.au/advisory-committee/partners/

February's lunch and Learn you will hear from the following presenters:

Dr Daniel Deere

Presentation: Modernising the assessment and management of microbial risks from biosolids - national perspectives and a Sydney Water case study

Co-authors: Dr Peter Cox, Dr Vicky Whiffin, Dr Kaye Power, Dr Peter Beatson, Dr Sudhi Payyappat, Dr Susan Petterson, Judith Winder, Guy Ohandja, Jenny Fisher, Dr Jennifer Lun and Prof Peter White.

This presentation will summarise work undertaken by a multi-discipline team from Sydney Water and other partners between 2013 and 2018. The work applied modern microbiological test methods to monitor microorganisms in biosolids from five representative wastewater treatment works, covering a range of biosolids types (e.g. primary and secondary; aerobic and anaerobic). Exposures to biosolids were estimated to enable the assessment of microbial risks to workplace health and safety and public health for commonly exposed persons. Groups considered included truck drivers, farm, mine and council workers, and members of the public influenced by consuming food crops, aerosols and runoff into drinking water. Recommended on site controls were proposed, where relevant, to mitigate risks to within benchmark levels. Priorities for further research and investigation were highlighted.

Dr Maria J Gutierrez Gines

Presentation: Effect Of Biosolids Application On Manuka Growth And Soil Chemistry

We aimed to determine the optimal rate and type of application of biosolids for growing Leptospermum scoparium (mānuka), an economically important plant in New Zealand. Two greenhouse experiments in pots and in rhizoboxes showed that amending low fertility soil with biosolids increased the growth of mānuka, with an optimal growth at 16 - 48 t/ha. Higher application rate (~140 t/ha) was detrimental for mānuka growth, and at ~280 t/ha plants died. The type of application did not affect the growth of mānuka either its nutrient status. However, heavy metals accumulated in the soil and foliage when biosolids were mixed in the soil.

Event Details

Future Lunch and Learn dates of this series:

For more information please contact: 
Sarah Ivanoff, Event Manager
Ph: 02 9467 8422 | E: sivanoff@awa.asn.au

Registration