Sanaz Orandi

PhD Candidate

BSc, Geology, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, Iran
MSc, Economic Geology, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tehran, Iran

Location: Room A305 Engineering Annex
Email: sanaz.orandi@adelaide.edu.au  
Phone: + 61 8 8303 3959

Supervisors

Dr David Lewis, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide
Dr Peter Ashman, School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide

Research Topic

Bioremediation of Wastewaters using a Biofilm Reactor

Research Abstract

The applied physico-chemical processes in industrial and mining operations produce acidic wastewaters, which are extremely difficult to treat.  These wastewaters can and do severely affect the environment into which they are discharged.  Additionally, in some situations, significant losses of precious metals occur through the wastewater discharge.

Bioremediation as one of the biotechnological approaches of wastewater treatment has received a great deal of attention in recent times.  A biofilm reactor is an example of a bioremediation technology that could sequest heavy metals, metalloids and radionuclides by using an assemblage of microorganisms. The application of biofilm technology into mining operations is the focus of my research.

Many investigations have shown that naturally occurring micro-organisms can mitigate acid mine drainage (AMD) related contamination.  My project aim is to exploit these micro-organisms to participate in the development of novel wastewater treatment and recovery technology.  An informed selection of microorganisms will be undertaken to develop a biofilm, which will help to find a long-term, cost-effective AMD remediation technique with the potential to possibility recover precious elements through biomass harvesting.

Interests

• Bioremediation of waste waters and biotechnology
• Environmental geochemistry and geology
• Geo-microbiology and Geo-medicine

Publications

• Orandi, S., Yaghubpur, A., Sahraei, H (2007) Influence of acid mine drainage on aquatic life at Sar Cheshmeh copper mine, Goldschmidt 2007 Symposia.
• Orandi, S., Yaghubpur, A., Nakhaei, M., Mehrabian, B., Sahraei, H., Behruz. M.( 2007) Influence of acid drainages in Sar Cheshmeh copper mine on distribution of a green Algae, Andisheh Journal (Seasonal Report of Research and Study works), No 42.
• Orandi, S., Yaghubpur, A., Nakhaei, M., Mehrabian, B., Sahraei, H.(2006) The influence of waste dumps in producing acid mine drainage in Sar Cheshmeh copper mine, 24th Geosciences Symposium, Tehran, pp 298-299.