Emerging Contaminants

Various emerging contaminants (e.g. antimicrobial resistance, PFAS, and microplastics/nanoplastics) are posing major threats to both human and ecosystem health.

ACWEB has been focusing on the understanding of the fate and transformation of emerging contaminations in water environment in the last two decades. For example, we discovered that the non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals and personal care products that we use daily contribute to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance.

Through effective integration of process engineering, environmental microbiology and environmental biotechnology, we also aim to develop innovative and sustainable technological solutions to achieve high-levels of emerging contamination removal from water or wastewater. This interdisciplinary research program aids health and environment protection organisations to develop policy, strategy and technology that will effectively protect public and ecosystem health.