About CERAR
The Centre for
Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (CERAR) was founded in
2003 at the University of South Australia (UniSA).
Although only recently established, CERAR has rapidly
positioned itself at the forefront of environmental contamination
research both nationally and internationally.
CERAR’s research focus is to
deliver innovative solutions and technologies for the remediation and
management of contaminated sites in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
To achieve this goal, CERAR brings together an interdisciplinary approach
for solving real-world environmental problems. The delivery of these
solutions is based on solid fundamental and applied research being conducted
at CERAR. Interdisciplinary expertise
within the Centre links biogeochemistry, contaminant chemistry,
microbiology, ecotoxicology, environmental engineering and hydrogeology,
essential disciplines required when developing sustainable environmental
solutions. Research at CERAR
embraces the areas of:
(a) Contaminant assessment
(b) Contaminant bioavailability
(c) Speciation, toxicity, exposure
and risk assessment
(d) Development of innovative
remediation and prevention technologies
‘Through fundamental and applied
research with industry and the community, CERAR aims to develop
cost-effective and sustainable assessment, remediation and management
technologies for soil and water contamination.’
In addition, CERAR trains undergraduate and postgraduate students in the areas of contamination assessment, human and ecological risk assessment and remediation/management of contaminated sites. Coursework programs include the Graduate Certificate and Masters in Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation while research programs are offered at Honours, Masters and PhD level. In addition, tailor-made short courses are offered to professionals needing specific vocational training in order to tackle environmental contamination issues in their jobs.
The Centre is situated 12 kilometres north of Adelaide, South Australia and
is part of the Division of
Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment at the
University of South Australia Mawson Lakes Campus. The Centre has state of
the art laboratory facilities and has international research collaborations
and research sponsorship spanning Asia, Europe and North America.
CERAR Mission
Through fundamental and applied research with industry, and the community,
CERAR aims to minimise risk to human and ecosystem health through the
development of cost-effective and sustainable remediation technologies for
soil and water contamination.