Associate Professor Brett Turner
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Engineering
- Email:brett.turner@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4921 6138
Career Summary
Biography
Research expertise consists of laboratory and field work in the area of Environmental Engineering with a specific focus on groundwater, geochemistry and water pollution. Research into new technologies to remediate inorganic contamination (heavy metals, fluorides, cyanides etc) of aqueous media and the development of geochemical models to aid in design and implementation of the new remedial technologies are investigated.
Teaching Expertise
Have taught 0.5 x CIVL3470 (Contaminant Hydrogeology) at UoN. The section of the course focused on contaminant transport in the saturated media.
Administrative Expertise
Collaborations
- Assoc. Prof. Philip Binning, Danish Technical University, Denmark. - Prof. S.L.S Stipp, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Qualifications
- PhD, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Science, University of Newcastle
- Bachelor of Science (Honours), University of Newcastle
Keywords
- Aquifer
- Contaminant
- Contaminant Transport
- Contamination
- Hydrogeology
- Remediation
Fields of Research
Code | Description | Percentage |
---|---|---|
401102 | Environmentally sustainable engineering | 40 |
400502 | Civil geotechnical engineering | 60 |
Awards
Award
Year | Award |
---|---|
2017 |
The Chancellor's Award for Innovation The University of Newcastle |
Invitations
Research Masters Examiner
Year | Title / Rationale |
---|---|
2006 |
Graham Reynolds "Studies on the Stability of Natrojarosite" Organisation: The University of Newcastle, School of Environmental and Life Sciences Description: My experitise in geochemical modeling, geochemical reactions and laboratory based research was required in examining the Masters thesis "Studies on the Stability of Natrojarosite" |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (19 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 |
Calvert L, Martin JH, Anderson AL, Bernstein IR, Burke ND, De Iuliis GN, et al., 'Assessment of the impact of direct in vitro PFAS treatment on mouse spermatozoa.', Reprod Fertil, 5 (2024) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Calvert L, Green MP, De Iuliis GN, Dun MD, Turner BD, Clarke BO, et al., 'Assessment of the Emerging Threat Posed by Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances to Male Reproduction in Humans', FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY, 12 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2022 |
Turner BD, Spadari M, 'Mass stabilisation and leaching characteristics of organotins from contaminated dredged sediments', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 19 7425-7436 (2022) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2021 |
van Ngoc P, Turner B, Huang J, Kelly R, 'The durability of soil-cement columns in high sulphate environments', Geotechnical Engineering, 51 139-145 (2021) [C1] Soil-cement column is a geotechnical solution used for ground improvement in coastal areas. However, after long periods of exposure, the strength of these columns may decrease to ... [more] Soil-cement column is a geotechnical solution used for ground improvement in coastal areas. However, after long periods of exposure, the strength of these columns may decrease to below their designed safe bearing capacity, ultimately resulting in failure. In this paper, the effects of high sulphate concentrations (100%, 200%, 500% and 1000% that of seawater) on the durability of soil-cement samples were examined. In addition, the simple simulation model was applied to predict the deterioration depth and long-term strength of the soil-cement columns. The results show that the deterioration is more pronounced and occurs deeper in the presence of high sulphate concentrations. For instance, the strength of a 0.5 m diameter column exposed to 200% seawater will fall below the minimum design strength after 75 years. For higher sulphate environments (5 to 10 times that of normal seawater) the same column would never reach the minimum design strength requirement. Consequently, this has significant implications on soil-cement column when used to stabilise soils in high sulphate environments.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2019 |
Turner BD, Sloan SW, Currell GR, 'Novel remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) from contaminated groundwater using Cannabis Sativa L. (hemp) protein powder', Chemosphere, 229 22-31 (2019) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2018 |
Cai Q, Turner BD, Sheng D, Sloan S, 'Application of kinetic models to the design of a calcite permeable reactive barrier (PRB) for fluoride remediation', WATER RESEARCH, 130 300-311 (2018) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2017 |
Van Ngoc P, Turner B, Huang J, Kelly R, 'Experimental study on the durability of soil-cement columns in coastal areas', Geotechnical Engineering, 48 138-143 (2017) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2017 |
Pham VN, Turner B, Huang J, Kelly R, 'Long-term strength of soil-cement columns in coastal areas', Soils and Foundations, 57 645-654 (2017) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2017 |
Cai Q, Turner BD, Sheng D, Sloan S, 'Impact of Barium and Cadmium on Defluoridation by Calcite: Batch Reactor and Column Tests', Environmental Engineering Science, 34 792-804 (2017) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2015 |
Cai Q, Turner BD, Sheng D, Sloan S, 'The kinetics of fluoride sorption by zeolite: Effects of cadmium, barium and manganese', Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 177-178 136-147 (2015) [C1] Industrial wastewaters often consist of a complex chemical cocktail with treatment of target contaminants complicated by adverse chemical reactions. The impact of metal ions (Cd2 ... [more] Industrial wastewaters often consist of a complex chemical cocktail with treatment of target contaminants complicated by adverse chemical reactions. The impact of metal ions (Cd2 +, Ba2 + and Mn2 +) on the kinetics of fluoride removal from solution by natural zeolite was investigated. In order to better understand the kinetics, the pseudo-second order (PSO), Hill (Hill 4 and Hill 5) and intra-particle diffusion (IPD) models were applied. Model fitting was compared using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and the Schwarz Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The Hill models (Hill 4 and Hill 5) were found to be superior in describing the fluoride removal processes due to the sigmoidal nature of the kinetics. Results indicate that the presence of Mn (100 mg L- 1) and Cd (100 mg L- 1) respectively increases the rate of fluoride sorption by a factor of ~ 28.3 and ~ 10.9, the maximum sorption capacity is increased by ~ 2.2 and ~ 1.7. The presence of Ba (100 mg L- 1) initially inhibited fluoride removal and very poor fits were obtained for all models. Fitting was best described with a biphasic sigmoidal model with the degree of inhibition decreasing with increasing temperature suggesting that at least two processes are involved with fluoride sorption onto natural zeolite in the presence of Ba. Crown
|
Nova | |||||||||
2015 |
Turner BD, Henley BJ, Sleap SB, Sloan SW, 'Kinetic model selection and the Hill model in geochemistry', INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, 12 2545-2558 (2015) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2015 |
Sleap SB, Turner BD, Sloan SW, 'Kinetics of fluoride removal from spent pot liner leachate (SPLL) contaminated groundwater', Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 3 2580-2587 (2015) [C1] Groundwater contaminated with spent pot liner leachate (SPLL) was treated with calcite (CaCO3) and CO2 in a series of free drift batch reactor kinetic experiments with the aim of ... [more] Groundwater contaminated with spent pot liner leachate (SPLL) was treated with calcite (CaCO3) and CO2 in a series of free drift batch reactor kinetic experiments with the aim of optimizing fluoride removal. In order to better understand the reaction kinetics for SPLL, the pseudo-second order (PSO), four and five parameter Hill (Hill 4 & Hill 5) models were applied to observed fluoride removal as a function of CO2 partial pressure and stirring rate. To account for differences in the number of model parameters, model fitting was compared using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), the Schwartz Bayesian information criterion (BIC) and the statistical F-test. In every case, the best fitting model order was found to be Hill 5 > Hill 4 > PSO due to the ability of the Hill models to accommodate sigmoidal kinetics. Removal of fluoride from SPLL under atmospheric CO2 conditions was found to be inhibited with no removal occurring for the first 3000 min with the inhibition times, based on the reaction half-life, reducing with increased CO2 partial pressure and stirring rate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the residual solid filtrate consisted of trona (Na3(CO3)(HCO3)·2H2O) a potentially valuable mineral kogarkoite (Na3SO4F) and fluorite (CaF2) accounting for fluoride removal, and unreacted calcite (CaCO3).
|
Nova | |||||||||
2013 |
Sleap SB, Turner BD, Krabbenhøft K, Sloan SW, 'Effects of pCO Free-drift batch reactor experiments using calcite (limestone, CaCO 3) were used to study fluoride removal through precipitation as fluorite (CaF2) from solutions with concentrati... [more] Free-drift batch reactor experiments using calcite (limestone, CaCO 3) were used to study fluoride removal through precipitation as fluorite (CaF2) from solutions with concentrations reflective of an industrially contaminated site. The influence of CO2 partial pressure (pCO2), stirring rate, and fluoride concentration were investigated in this paper. Equilibrium modeling shows that in wastewaters with high fluoride concentrations (~2,000 mg/L), the flux of CO2(g) to CO 2(aq) could not keep up with the consumption of CO2(aq), resulting in an initial disequilibrium with experimental pH reaching equilibrium quickly, while fluoride removal lagged. Increasing stirring rate significantly decreased the extent of disequilibrium and the time at which the CaCO 3-fluoride-CO2 system attained equilibrium due to the increased rate of transport of dissolved CO2 to the CaCO3 surface, and simultaneously the rate of transport of the dissolved CaCO 3 to the bulk solution. Optimal fluoride removal occurs at pCO 2~10-0.52 [30% (mol% CO2)] with 96% of the initial 2,000 mg/L fluoride load removed in less than 80 min with a stirring rate of 300 revolutions per minute. Increasing pCO2 to ~100 (100% CO 2) resulted in very little gain, less than 2%, in fluoride removal, or in the time required to reach equilibrium and therefore significant remediation cost savings can be obtained by using pCO2 30% when compared to 100%. © 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
|
Nova | |||||||||
2010 |
Turner BD, Binning PJ, Sloan SW, 'Impact of phosphate on fluoride removal by calcite', Environmental Engineering Science, 27 643-650 (2010) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2009 |
Hossain MF, Murch GE, Belova IV, Turner BD, 'Electronic, optical and bonding properties of CaCO3 calcite', Solid State Communications, 149 1201-1203 (2009) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2008 |
Turner BD, Binning PJ, Sloan SW, 'A calcite permeable reactive barrier for the remediation of Fluoride from spent potliner (SPL) contaminated groundwater', Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, 95 110-120 (2008) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2005 |
Turner BD, Binning P, Stipp SLS, 'Fluoride Removal By Calcite: Evidence For Fluorite Precipitation And Surface Adsorption', Environmental Science and Technology, 39 9561-9568 (2005) [C1]
|
Nova | |||||||||
2004 | Turner BD, Binning P, Sloan SW, 'The CO2 Enhanced Removal Of Fluoride Using A Calcite Permeable Reactive Barrier', Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vol. 68 A460 (2004) [C1] | Nova | |||||||||
Show 16 more journal articles |
Conference (12 outputs)
Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Cai Q, Turner B, 'The Impact of Ba2+ and Cd2+ on Defluoridation by Zeolite: Column Tests and Geochemical Modeling.', Goldschmidt Abstracts, Paris (2017) | ||||
2016 |
Pham VN, Turner B, Huang J, Kelly R, 'Experimental study on the durability of soil-cement columns in coastal areas', Proceedings of the 19th Southeast Asian Geotechnical Conference, Subang Jaya, Malaysia (2016)
|
||||
2014 | Sleap S, Turner B, Krabbenhoft K, Sloan S, 'Optimization of Fluoride Removal from Aluminium Smelter Contaminated Ground Water', The Seventh International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, Houston,TX, USA (2014) | ||||
2011 |
Sleap SB, Turner BD, Sloan SW, 'Fluoride remediation with calcite as a function Co2 partial pressure', Computer Methods for Geomechanics: Frontiers and New Applications. Volume 2, Melbourne, VIC (2011) [E1]
|
Nova | |||
2008 | Sanjay S, Turner BD, Sloan SW, 'Bicarbonate alkalinity effect on the fluoride removal efficiency of activated alumina', Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, Vancouver, ONT (2008) [E3] | ||||
2006 | Turner BD, Binning P, Sloan SW, 'A pilot scale permeable reactive barrier for the remediation fluoride from groundwater contaminated with aluminium smelter wastes: results and lessons learnt', Joint Congress of 9th Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference and 2nd Australasian Hydrogeology Research Conference, Adelaide, Australia (2006) [E2] | Nova | |||
2004 |
Turner BD, Binning P, Sloan S, 'The CO2 enhanced removal of fluoride using a calcite permeable reactive barrier', GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA, Univ Copenhagen, Copenhagen, DENMARK (2004)
|
||||
2000 | Turner BD, Binning PJ, 'In situ Remediation of Fluoride-contaminated Groundwater Using a CaCO3-based Substrate', Contaminated Site Remediation: From Source Zones to Ecosystems, Melbourne, Victoria (2000) [E2] | ||||
1999 |
Turner BD, Smith DW, 'Toxicology and occupational health during remediation of contaminated sites', Consolidating knowledge. Proceedings of the 8th Australia New Zealand conference on geomechanics, Hobart, February 1999. (1999) This paper reviews methods for understanding, assessing and controlling the exposure of workers to airborne contaminants while involved in the remediation of contaminated sites. C... [more] This paper reviews methods for understanding, assessing and controlling the exposure of workers to airborne contaminants while involved in the remediation of contaminated sites. Contaminants reviewed include asbestos, the oxides of chromium, beryllium and silica. Initial assessment should involve the collection of information on the types of contaminants present, their form and likely concentrations as well as their toxicity and exposure pathways. Measures are then considered for minimising exposure. |
||||
Show 9 more conferences |
Grants and Funding
Summary
Number of grants | 11 |
---|---|
Total funding | $7,669,041 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20201 grants / $1,346,912
Utilising male fertility as a biomarker of health to understand the biological effects of PFAS$1,346,912
Funding body: NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council)
Funding body | NHMRC (National Health & Medical Research Council) |
---|---|
Project Team | Professor Brett Nixon, Associate Professor Brett Turner, Associate Professor Brett Turner, Associate Professor Geoffry De Iuliis, Associate Professor Geoffry De Iuliis, Dr Bradley Clarke, Doctor Shaun Roman, Doctor Shaun Roman, Professor Matt Dun, Professor Matt Dun, Doctor Andy Eamens, Doctor Andy Eamens, A/Prof Mark Green, A/Prof Mark Green, Dr Bradley Clarke, Miss Leah Calvert |
Scheme | Targeted Call for Research - Per and Poly-Fluoroalkylated Substances (PFAS) |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2020 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G1900626 |
Type Of Funding | C1100 - Aust Competitive - NHMRC |
Category | 1100 |
UON | Y |
20191 grants / $4,734,000
The novel application activated nanoparticles to the remediation of PFAS contaminated soil and groundwater$4,734,000
Funding body: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Funding body | Department of Industry, Innovation and Science |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner, Associate Professor Brett Turner, Lprof SCOTT Sloan, Mr Bufan Chen, Lprof SCOTT Sloan, Mr Timothy Wright |
Scheme | Remediation of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) contaminated soil and ground water |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2019 |
Funding Finish | 2023 |
GNo | G1900466 |
Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
Category | 2100 |
UON | Y |
20171 grants / $600,000
ARC Centre of Excellence for Geotechnical Science and Engineering - PFAS Contamination Remediation Project$600,000
Funding body: NSW Department of Industry
Funding body | NSW Department of Industry |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner, Lprof SCOTT Sloan |
Scheme | Research Attraction and Acceleration Program |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2017 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | G1701026 |
Type Of Funding | C2400 – Aust StateTerritoryLocal – Other |
Category | 2400 |
UON | Y |
20164 grants / $195,700
Research Consultancy - Williamtown Contamination Expert Panel$79,220
Funding body: NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
Funding body | NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner, Lprof SCOTT Sloan |
Scheme | Small Research Consultancy |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2018 |
GNo | G1601007 |
Type Of Funding | Scheme excluded from IGS |
Category | EXCL |
UON | Y |
Development of a construction material from contaminated dredge spoil Research Innovation Connections Project$49,240
Funding body: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Funding body | Department of Industry, Innovation and Science |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner, Doctor Michele Spadari |
Scheme | Entrepreneurs' Programme: Innovation Connections |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | G1601084 |
Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
Category | 2100 |
UON | Y |
Development of a construction material from contaminated dredge spoil$49,240
Funding body: Department of Industry, Innovation and Science
Funding body | Department of Industry, Innovation and Science |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner, Doctor Michele Spadari |
Scheme | Entrepreneurs' Programme: Innovation Connections |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | G1601085 |
Type Of Funding | C2100 - Aust Commonwealth – Own Purpose |
Category | 2100 |
UON | Y |
Research Consultancy - Williamtown Contamination Expert Panel$18,000
Funding body: NSW Department of Industry
Funding body | NSW Department of Industry |
---|---|
Project Team | Lprof SCOTT Sloan, Associate Professor Brett Turner |
Scheme | Small Research Consultancy |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2016 |
Funding Finish | 2016 |
GNo | G1601010 |
Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - State |
Category | 2OPS |
UON | Y |
20151 grants / $589,736
The effect of climate change on the biogeochemistry of estuarine soft soils$589,736
Funding body: ARC (Australian Research Council)
Funding body | ARC (Australian Research Council) |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner, Associate Professor Kristian Krabbenhoft, Associate Professor Gregory Hancock |
Scheme | Discovery Indigenous |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2015 |
Funding Finish | 2017 |
GNo | G1400452 |
Type Of Funding | Aust Competitive - Commonwealth |
Category | 1CS |
UON | Y |
20131 grants / $32,693
Research method for treatment of TBT-contaminated sediment$32,693
Funding body: Enterprise Connect
Funding body | Enterprise Connect |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Brett Turner |
Scheme | Researchers in Business |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2013 |
Funding Finish | 2013 |
GNo | G1300907 |
Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Commonwealth |
Category | 2OPC |
UON | Y |
20121 grants / $10,000
The application of the Soil Moisture Probe to in situ soil testing$10,000
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment
Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment |
---|---|
Project Team | Associate Professor Andrew Abbo, Associate Professor Brett Turner, Professor Stephen Fityus |
Scheme | Pilot Grant |
Role | Investigator |
Funding Start | 2012 |
Funding Finish | 2012 |
GNo | G1200352 |
Type Of Funding | Internal |
Category | INTE |
UON | Y |
20071 grants / $160,000
Pilot Scale Remediation of Spent Potliner Contaminated Groundwater$160,000
Funding body: Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Pty Ltd
Funding body | Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri Pty Ltd |
---|---|
Project Team | Prof Scott Sloan |
Scheme | Linkage Projects Partner Funding |
Role | Lead |
Funding Start | 2007 |
Funding Finish | 2007 |
GNo | |
Type Of Funding | Grant - Aust Non Government |
Category | 3AFG |
UON | N |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | PhD | The Phytoremediation of PFAS Contaminated Soil Using Cannabis sativa L. (Hemp) Plants | PhD (Environmental Eng), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
Past Supervision
Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | PhD | The Evaluation of Metal Ion Competition on the Fluoride Removal From Solutions Using Natural Molecular Seive and Calcite | PhD (Civil Eng), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2016 | Masters | Durability of Soil-Cement Columns in Coastal Areas | M Philosophy (Civil Eng), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
2015 | PhD | Removal of Fluoride From Spent Potliner Contaminated Groundwater Using Reactive Geomaterials | PhD (Civil Eng), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
2015 | PhD | Georemediation of a Spent Potliner Leachate Contaminated Aquifer Using Calcite and Carbon Dioxide | PhD (Environmental Eng), College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle | Principal Supervisor |
Research Collaborations
The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.
Country | Count of Publications | |
---|---|---|
Australia | 24 | |
Denmark | 6 | |
Viet Nam | 3 | |
China | 1 |
News
News • 18 Apr 2019
Researchers to remediate PFAS contamination with hemp seed proteins
University of Newcastle researchers are on track to create a solution to per-and poly- fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination, in a project that could benefit the Williamtown community and countless other sites across the world.
News • 18 Nov 2014
ARC Indigenous funding success
Research Associate Dr Brett Turner from the School of Engineering has received $570,000 in funding under the Australian Research Council's Discovery Indigenous scheme commencing in 2015 for his research project The effect of climate change on the biogeochemistry of estuarine soft soils.
News • 5 Nov 2014
UON secures $11m ARC funding
The University of Newcastle (UON) was today awarded almost $11 million in competitive research funding by the Australian Research Council (ARC) in its 2015 Major Grants announcement.
Associate Professor Brett Turner
Position
Honorary Associate Professor
School of Engineering
College of Engineering, Science and Environment
Contact Details
brett.turner@newcastle.edu.au | |
Phone | (02) 4921 6138 |
Fax | (02) 4921 6991 |
Office
Room | EDG02D. |
---|---|
Building | Engineering D - Civil |
Location | Callaghan University Drive Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia |