Ed leads the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group

His research integrates laboratory experiments, field studies and cutting-edge synchrotron-based X-ray techniques in the fields of environmental mineralogy, sulfur biogeochemistry, toxic metal(loid) geochemistry, soil contamination, site remediation and water quality.

Ed has studied a range of environmental systems, including acid sulfate soils, contaminated land, estuarine sediments, freshwater & coastal wetlands, bushfire-impacted landscapes and legacy mine sites.

His work has also addressed many different elements, including aluminium, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, carbon, chromium, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, phosphorus, REEs, sulfur, tungsten and vanadium.​

Additional details on Ed's background, awards, publications and grants can be found here. 

Mohammad joined the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a PhD student in August 2021.

He holds a M.Sc. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the Iran University of Science & Technology in Tehran, and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Bu-Ali Sina University (BASU) in Hamedan, Iran.

His PhD is examining interactions between antimony and schwertmannite, a mineral that is common in acid mine drainage.

This involves short- and long-term (up to 1 year) experiments on antimony-schwertmannite interactions, with synchrotron beamtime to collect Sb and Fe EXAFS spectroscopic data.

So far, Mohammad's PhD research has led to 3 journal publications which can be found here, here and here.

Mohammad can be contacted at: m.rastegari.21@student.scu.edu.au

Mona joined the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a PhD student in April 2022.

She holds a M.Sc. in Environmental Geology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in Iran, and a BSc in Geology/Earth Science from General University of Birjand in Iran.

Her PhD is examining interactions between antimony and a range of iron oxide minerals, including ferrihydrite, feroxhyte, lepidocrocite, goethite and hematite.

A focus of her PhD is the use of synchrotron EXAFS spectroscopy to resolve the atomic-scale mechanisms of Sb(V) retention by Fe(III) oxides.

So far, Mona's PhD research has led to 1 journal publication which can be found here.

Contact Mona at: m.hosseinpour.moghaddam.11@student.scu.edu.au

Neal joined the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a PhD student in December 2021.

He holds a M.Sc. and B.Sc (Hons 1) in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Manitoba in Canada.

His PhD is examining the behaviour and effects of arsenic during schwertmannite transformation to jarosite under low pH conditions that occur in acid mine drainage.

So far, Neal has conducted a series of kinetic studies on schwertmannite transformation to jarosite.

He has also completed synchrotron beamtime at the Australian Synchrotron and the Taiwan Light Source to collect Fe and As EXAFS spectroscopic data.

Contact Neal at: n.bailey.16@student.scu.edu.au

Graeme joined the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a part-time PhD student in November 2021.

His PhD is examining soil Pb contamination in Port Kembla, NSW.

This topic compliments his role as a Senior Principal Environmental Scientist with Senversa, and builds on Graeme's more than 24 years of experience as a consultant in environmental science.

Graeme's experience includes many preliminary and detailed site investigations, including the assessment of soil, groundwater, surface water and soil vapour impacted by a variety of contaminants.

Graeme also has extensive experience in contaminant and clean water hydrogeology and contaminated land remediation, including ex-situ and in-situ remedial techniques.

Contact Graeme at: g.miller.15@student.scu.edu.au

Wasana joined the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a PhD student in July 2023.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (with Honours, second class upper division) from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka.

Her PhD is examining uptake and transformation of hexavalent chromium by modified bauxite refinery residue (MBRR).

So far, Wasana has completed a series of experiments looking at removal of aqueous hexavalent chromium by acid-treated MBRR as a function of pH, Cr loading and solid:solution ratio. 

Contact Wasana at: w.fernando.13@student.scu.edu.au

Sady joined the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a PhD student in February 2024.

She holds a a M.Sc. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the Iran University of Science & Technology in Iran, and a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from Hormozgan University in Iran.

Her PhD is examining arsenic and antimony co-uptake by schwertmannite in acid mine drainage.

So far, Sady's PhD research has involved experiments on As- and Sb-sorption to schwertmanite, as well as beamtime at the Taiwan Light Source to collect As- and Sb-EXAFS data.

She is currently examining the environmental stability of As- and Sb-bearing schwertmannite.

Contact Sady at: s.mohammadi.34@student.scu.edu.au

Michael began working with the Environmental Geochemistry and Mineralogy group as a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist in late 2024.

He holds a a PhD in Environmental Biogeochemistry from Southern Cross University

Michael's research interests and experience centre on phosphorus (P) and nitrogen-based nutrient cycling and associated greenhouse gas dynamics in agricultural soils, groundwater, and coastal surface waters.

His work with the Environmental Geochemistry & Mineralogy group is focussed on evaluating the release of P from Virofert - a blend of superphosphate and modified bauxite refinery residue. 

This work is supported via industry funding from Virotec and Rio Tinto, with the aim of developing a new slow-release P fertiliser.

Contact Michael at: michael.reading@scu.edu.au