Overview
Background
Adrian Oehmen is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland. He leads research in the area of bioprocess engineering, particularly focussing on wastewater treatment, resource recovery and sustainable materials and processes. His research interests include enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR or BioP) and P recovery, microbial entrapment, acid mine drainage and metal recovery, biopolymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate – PHA) production and metabolic modelling as applied to mixed and co-cultures of microorganisms. He has published more than 100 papers in international scientific journals, led or collaborated on more than 30 research projects (many with industry). He is active within the International Water Association (IWA), serving on specialist group and conference committees and is an Associate Editor of Water Research.
Availability
- Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Resource Recovery
Recovering Value-Added Products (e.g. Nutrients, Metals, Biopolymers) from Waste and Wastewater Streams
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Biological Nutrient Removal
Biological Processes for Removing Nutrients such as Phosphorus and Nitrogen from Wastewater
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Wastewater Treatment
Domestic and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies
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Microbial entrapment
Up-concentration of microorganisms for process intensification
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Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Process Engineering, Microbiology and Metabolic Features associated with Biological Phosphorus Removal
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Acid Mine Drainage
Sulfate reducing bacteria and metal recovery
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Biopolymer Production
Mixed Culture Technologies focussed on the Production and Recovery of Biopolymers (e.g. Polyhydroxyalkanoates - PHA) from Waste/Wastewater Feedstocks
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Metabolic Modelling
Modelling the Metabolism Associated with Biological Processes and their Application towards Process Engineering
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Process Modelling
Process Modelling for Design, Optimisation and Control of Wastewater Treatment Processes.
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Anaerobic Digestion
Experimental and Modelling Studies focused on Fermentation and Biogas Production from Waste/Wastewater Feedstocks
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Drinking Water Treatment
Heavy Metal Removal (e.g. Arsenic) from Drinking Water Supplies. Application of Ion Exchange Membrane Process Technologies for Drinking Water Treatment.
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Micropollutant Removal
The Removal of Pharmaceutical Active Compounds, Heavy Metals, and other Hazardous Substances from Wastewater using Biological and Physical-Chemical Approaches
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Greenhouse Gas Assessment and Mitigation
Measurement and Minimisation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from Wastewater Treatment Processes (e.g nitrous oxide - N2O)
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Phototrophic Processes
Light-Driven Biological Technologies for Value-Added Product Generation (e.g. PHA) from Wastewater
Works
Search Professor Adrian Oehmen’s works on UQ eSpace
2019
Journal Article
Phosphorus and ammonium removal characteristics from aqueous solutions by a newly isolated plant growth-promoting bacterium
Daly, Imen, Jellali, Salah, Mehri, Ines, Reis, Maria A. M., Freitas, Elisabete B., Oehmen, Adrian and Chatti, Abdelwaheb (2019). Phosphorus and ammonium removal characteristics from aqueous solutions by a newly isolated plant growth-promoting bacterium. Environmental Technology, 41 (20), 1-15. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2019.1575917
2019
Journal Article
Bioaugmentation of membrane bioreactor with Achromobacter denitrificans strain PR1 for enhanced sulfamethoxazole removal in wastewater
Nguyen, P.Y., Silva, Ana F., Reis, Ana C., Nunes, Olga C., Rodrigues, Alexandre M., Rodrigues, João E., Cardoso, Vitor Vale, Benoliel, Maria J., Reis, Maria A.M., Oehmen, Adrian and Carvalho, Gilda (2019). Bioaugmentation of membrane bioreactor with Achromobacter denitrificans strain PR1 for enhanced sulfamethoxazole removal in wastewater. Science of The Total Environment, 648, 44-55. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.08.100
2019
Conference Publication
The effect of seed sludge on the selection of a photo-EBPR system
Carvalho, V. C. F., Freitas, E. B., Fradinho, J. C., Reis, M. A. M. and Oehmen, A. (2019). The effect of seed sludge on the selection of a photo-EBPR system. 9th International Conference on Environmental Engineering and Management (ICEEM), Bologna, Italy, 6 - 9 September 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2018.10.003
2019
Journal Article
Elucidating functional microorganisms and metabolic mechanisms in a novel engineered ecosystem integrating C, N, P and S biotransformation by metagenomics
Zhang, Yan, Hua, Zheng-shuang, Lu, Hui, Oehmen, Adrian and Guo, Jianhua (2019). Elucidating functional microorganisms and metabolic mechanisms in a novel engineered ecosystem integrating C, N, P and S biotransformation by metagenomics. Water Research, 148, 219-230. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.10.061
2019
Book Chapter
Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics from organic waste
Pratt, Steven, Vandi, Luigi-Jules, Gapes, Daniel, Werker, Alan, Oehmen, Adrian and Laycock, Bronwyn (2019). Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) bioplastics from organic waste. Biorefinery: integrated sustainable processes for biomass conversion to biomaterials, biofuels, and fertilizers. (pp. 615-638) edited by Juan-Rodrigo Bastidas-Oyanedel and Jens Ejbye Schmidt. Springer International Publishing: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-10961-5_26
2018
Journal Article
Denitrification activity of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) in full-scale wastewater treatment plants
Lanham, Ana B., Oehmen, Adrian, Carvalho, Gilda, Saunders, Aaron M., Nielsen, Per H. and Reis, Maria A M (2018). Denitrification activity of polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) in full-scale wastewater treatment plants. Water science and technology : a journal of the International Association on Water Pollution Research, 78 (12), 2449-2458. doi: 10.2166/wst.2018.517
2018
Journal Article
Bioaugmentation of activated sludge with Achromobacter denitrificans PR1 for enhancing the biotransformation of sulfamethoxazole and its human conjugates in real wastewater: kinetic tests and modelling
Nguyen, P. Y., Carvalho, G., Polesel, Fabio, Torresi, Elena, Rodrigues, Alexandre M., Rodrigues, Joao E., Cardoso, Vitor Vale, Benoliel, Maria Joao, Plosz, Benedek Gy., Reis, M. A. M. and Oehmen, A. (2018). Bioaugmentation of activated sludge with Achromobacter denitrificans PR1 for enhancing the biotransformation of sulfamethoxazole and its human conjugates in real wastewater: kinetic tests and modelling. Chemical Engineering Journal, 352, 79-89. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2018.07.011
2018
Journal Article
Metabolic modeling of the substrate competition among multiple VFAs for PHA production by mixed microbial cultures
Wang, Xiaofei, Carvalho, Gilda, Reis, Maria A.M. and Oehmen, Adrian (2018). Metabolic modeling of the substrate competition among multiple VFAs for PHA production by mixed microbial cultures. Journal of Biotechnology, 280, 62-69. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2018.06.342
2018
Journal Article
The link between the microbial ecology, gene expression, and biokinetics of denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating systems under different electron acceptor combinations
Vieira, A., Ribera-Guardia, A., Marques, R., Barreto Crespo, M. T., Oehmen, A. and Carvalho, G. (2018). The link between the microbial ecology, gene expression, and biokinetics of denitrifying polyphosphate-accumulating systems under different electron acceptor combinations. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 102 (15), 6725-6737. doi: 10.1007/s00253-018-9077-3
2018
Journal Article
Performance of a two-stage anaerobic digestion system treating fruit pulp waste: the impact of substrate shift and operational conditions
Carvalheira, Mónica, Cassidy, Joana, Ribeiro, João M., Oliveira, Bruno A., Freitas, Elisabete B., Roca, Christophe, Carvalho, Gilda, Oehmen, Adrian and Reis, Maria A.M. (2018). Performance of a two-stage anaerobic digestion system treating fruit pulp waste: the impact of substrate shift and operational conditions. Waste Management, 78, 434-445. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.06.013
2018
Journal Article
Metabolite identification of ibuprofen biodegradation by Patulibacter medicamentivorans under aerobic conditions
Salgado, Ricado, Brito, Dulce, Noronha, Joao P., Almeida, Babara, Bronze, R. Maria, Oehmen, Adrian, Carvalho, Gilda and Barreto Crespo, Mario T. (2018). Metabolite identification of ibuprofen biodegradation by Patulibacter medicamentivorans under aerobic conditions. Environmental Technology, 41 (4), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2018.1502362
2018
Journal Article
Polymer accumulation in mixed cyanobacterial cultures selected under the feast and famine strategy
Arias, Dulce María, Fradinho, Joana C., Uggetti, Enrica, García, Joan, Oehmen, Adrian and Reis, Maria A.M. (2018). Polymer accumulation in mixed cyanobacterial cultures selected under the feast and famine strategy. Algal Research, 33, 99-108. doi: 10.1016/j.algal.2018.04.027
2018
Journal Article
Denitrifying capabilities of Tetrasphaera and their contribution towards nitrous oxide production in enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes
Marques, Ricardo, Ribera-Guardia, Anna, Santos, Jorge, Carvalho, Gilda, Reis, Maria A.M., Pijuan, Maite and Oehmen, Adrian (2018). Denitrifying capabilities of Tetrasphaera and their contribution towards nitrous oxide production in enhanced biological phosphorus removal processes. Water Research, 137, 262-272. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.010
2018
Journal Article
The impact of operational strategies on the performance of a photo-EBPR system
Carvalho, V. C. F., Freitas, E. B., Silva, P. J., Fradinho, J. C., Reis, M. A. M. and Oehmen, A. (2018). The impact of operational strategies on the performance of a photo-EBPR system. Water Research, 129, 190-198. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.11.010
2018
Journal Article
Modelling operational costs of a large water resource recovery facility receiving stormwater contributions
Povoa, P., Matos, J. S. and Oehmen, A. (2018). Modelling operational costs of a large water resource recovery facility receiving stormwater contributions. Urban Water Journal, 15 (1), 23-31. doi: 10.1080/1573062X.2017.1363895
2017
Journal Article
Metabolism and ecological niche of Tetrasphaera and Ca. Accumulibacter in enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Marques, Ricardo, Santos, Jorge, Hien Nguyen, Carvalho, Gilda, Noronha, J. P., Nielsen, Per Halkjaer, Reis, Maria A. M. and Oehmen, Adrian (2017). Metabolism and ecological niche of Tetrasphaera and Ca. Accumulibacter in enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Water Research, 122, 159-171. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.04.072
2017
Book Chapter
Nutrient removal
Fatone, Francesco, Baeza, Juan A., Batstone, Damien, Cema, Grzegorz, Crutchik, Dafne, Díez-Montero, Rubén, Huelsen, Tim, Lyberatos, Gerasimos, McLeod, Andrew, Mosquera-Corral, Anuska, Oehmen, Adrian, Plaza, Elzbieta, Renzi, Daniele, Soares, Ana and Tejero, Iñaki (2017). Nutrient removal. Innovative wastewater treatment & resource recovery technologies: impacts on energy, economy and environment. (pp. 3-39) edited by Juan M. Lema and Sonia Suarez. London, United Kingdom: International Water Association. doi: 10.2166/9781780407876_0003
2017
Journal Article
Impact of biogenic substrates on sulfamethoxazole biodegradation kinetics by Achromobacter denitrificans strain PR1
Nguyen, P. Y., Carvalho, Gilda, Reis, A. C., Nunes, O. C., Reis, M. A. M. and Oehmen, A. (2017). Impact of biogenic substrates on sulfamethoxazole biodegradation kinetics by Achromobacter denitrificans strain PR1. Biodegradation, 28 (2-3), 205-217. doi: 10.1007/s10532-017-9789-6
2017
Journal Article
The link of feast-phase dissolved oxygen (DO) with substrate competition and microbial selection in PHA production
Wang, Xiaofei, Oehmen, Adrian, Freitas, Elisabete B., Carvalho, Gilda and Reis, Maria A. M. (2017). The link of feast-phase dissolved oxygen (DO) with substrate competition and microbial selection in PHA production. Water Research, 112, 269-278. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.01.064
2017
Journal Article
Modelling energy costs for different operational strategies of a large water resource recovery facility
Povoa, P., Oehmen, A., Inocencio, P., Matos, J. S. and Frazao, A. (2017). Modelling energy costs for different operational strategies of a large water resource recovery facility. Water Science and Technology, 75 (9), 2139-2148. doi: 10.2166/wst.2017.098
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
Methodology for assessing polyphosphate accumulating organisms in wastewater via fluorescence-activated cell sorting
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel halophilic biotechnology for PHA production from sugar
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steven Pratt, Dr Lisa Bai, Dr Ian Levett
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Doctor Philosophy
Application of novel immobilized microbial enrichment for intensified removal of nutrients from water
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of the Sidestream Tank and Temperature on Sidestream Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal Performance and Microbial Community
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
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Doctor Philosophy
A sustainable biological nutrient removal and recovery process for cost-effective wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Strategies to Optimise Return Sludge Sidestream Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
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Doctor Philosophy
Application of novel immobilized microbial enrichment for intensified removal of sulfate from mining influenced waters and recovery of metals
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic modelling of microbial co-cultures for biotherapeutic production
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing a novel taste and odour removal process for drinking water
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shihu Hu, Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
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Master Philosophy
Biofilm-based pre-treatment for drinking water treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Shihu Hu, Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
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Doctor Philosophy
Enzyme-assisted deconstruction of lignocellulose and reconstruction into high value bio-derived advanced materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gary Schenk, Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa, Professor Darren Martin
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Doctor Philosophy
Novel Phosphorous accumulating organisms in next generation wastewater treatment systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Metabolic Modelling of Fermentative and Conventional Polyphosphate Accumulating Organisms in Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
The return activated sludge sidestream process and the role of Tetrasphaera, a fermenting polyphosphate accumulating organism
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Achieving and Understanding Combined Biological Phosphorus Removal and Short-cut Nitrogen in Wastewater Treatment Processes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Zhiguo Yuan, Professor Liu Ye
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen directly for media enquiries about:
- Bioprocess Engineering
- Wastewater Treatment
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