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 and resource recovery. His research interests include enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR or BioP), metabolic modelling, biopolymer (polyhydroxyalkanoate – PHA) production, micropollutant removal and greenhouse gas (N2O) assessment and mitigation. He also focusses on other aspects of bioprocess engineering, including microbial encapsulation, bioprocess modelling and food and beverage applications. 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:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Wastewater Treatment
Domestic and Industrial Wastewater Treatment Technologies
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Resource Recovery
Recovering Value-Added Products (e.g. Nutrients, 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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Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal
Process Engineering, Microbiology and Metabolic Features associated with Biological Phosphorus Removal
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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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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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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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Process Modelling
Process Modelling for Design, Optimisation and Control of Wastewater Treatment Processes.
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Metabolic Modelling
Modelling the Metabolism Associated with Biological Processes and their Application towards Process Engineering
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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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Phototrophic Processes
Light-Driven Biological Technologies for Value-Added Product Generation (e.g. PHA) from Wastewater
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Bioremediation
Removal of Herbicides/Pesticides from Contaminated Waters
Works
Search Professor Adrian Oehmen’s works on UQ eSpace
2013
Journal Article
Effect of dark/light periods on the polyhydroxyalkanoate production of a photosynthetic mixed culture
Fradinho, J. C., Oehmen, A. and Reis, M. A. M. (2013). Effect of dark/light periods on the polyhydroxyalkanoate production of a photosynthetic mixed culture. Bioresource Technology, 148, 474-479. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.09.010
2013
Journal Article
Prediction of intracellular storage polymers using quantitative image analysis in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems
Mesquita, Daniela P., Leal, Christiano, Cunha, Jorge R., Oehmen, Adrian, Amaral, A. Luis, Reis, Maria A. M. and Ferreira, Eugenio C. (2013). Prediction of intracellular storage polymers using quantitative image analysis in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems. Analytica Chimica Acta, 770, 36-44. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2013.02.002
2013
Journal Article
Modelling the biodegradation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by activated sludge and a pure culture
Almeida, B., Oehmen, A., Marques, R., Brito, D., Carvalho, G. and Barreto Crespo, M. T. (2013). Modelling the biodegradation of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by activated sludge and a pure culture. Bioresource Technology, 133, 31-37. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.035
2013
Journal Article
Polyhydroxyalkanoates production by a mixed photosynthetic consortium of bacteria and algae
Fradinho, J. C., Domingos, J. M. B., Carvalho, G., Oehmen, A. and Reis, M. A. M. (2013). Polyhydroxyalkanoates production by a mixed photosynthetic consortium of bacteria and algae. Bioresource Technology, 132, 146-153. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2013.01.050
2013
Journal Article
Photodegradation kinetics and transformation products of ketoprofen, diclofenac and atenolol in pure water and treated wastewater
Salgado, R., Pereira, V. J., Carvalho, G., Soeiro, R., Gaffney, V., Almeida, C., Vale Cardoso, V., Ferreira, E., Benoliel, M. J., Ternes, T. A., Oehmen, A., Reis, M. A. M. and Noronha, J. P. (2013). Photodegradation kinetics and transformation products of ketoprofen, diclofenac and atenolol in pure water and treated wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 244-245, 516-527. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.10.039
2013
Journal Article
Critical review of activated sludge modeling: state of process knowledge, modeling concepts, and limitations
Hauduc, H., Rieger, L., Oehmen, A., van Loosdrecht, M. C. M., Comeau, Y., Heduit, A., Vanrolleghem, P. A. and Gillot, S. (2013). Critical review of activated sludge modeling: state of process knowledge, modeling concepts, and limitations. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 110 (1), 24-46. doi: 10.1002/bit.24624
2013
Journal Article
Propionate addition enhances the biodegradation of the xenobiotic herbicide propanil and its metabolite
Oehmen, A., Marques, R., Noronha, J. P., Carvalho, G. and Reis M. A. M. (2013). Propionate addition enhances the biodegradation of the xenobiotic herbicide propanil and its metabolite. Bioresource Technology, 127, 195-201. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.09.120
2012
Journal Article
Romania needs overseas reviewers
Altosaar, Illimar, Oehmen, Adrian, Almeida, C. Marisa R., De Pascale, Stefania, de Tommasi, Nunziatina, de Maria, Pablo Dominguez, Orzaez, Diego, Zervos, Antonis and Xu, Chunlin (2012). Romania needs overseas reviewers. Nature, 492 (7428), 186-186. doi: 10.1038/492186c
2012
Journal Article
Biodegradation of clofibric acid and identification of its metabolites
Salgado R., Oehmen A., Carvalho G., Noronha J. P. and Reis M. A. M. (2012). Biodegradation of clofibric acid and identification of its metabolites. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 241-242, 182-189. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2012.09.029
2012
Journal Article
Optimisation of glycogen quantification in mixed microbial cultures
Lanham, Ana B., Ricardo, Ana R., Coma, Marta, Fradinho, Joana, Carvalheira, Monica, Oehmen, Adrian, Carvalho, Gilda and Reis, Maria A. M. (2012). Optimisation of glycogen quantification in mixed microbial cultures. Bioresource Technology, 118, 518-525. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.05.087
2012
Journal Article
Assessing the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a full-scale activated sludge plant
Salgado, R., Marques, R., Noronha, J. P., Carvalho, G., Oehmen, A. and Reis, M. A. M. (2012). Assessing the removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products in a full-scale activated sludge plant. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 19 (5), 1818-1827. doi: 10.1007/s11356-011-0693-z
2012
Journal Article
Metabolic shift of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms with different levels of polyphosphate storage
Acevedo, B., Oehmen, A., Carvalho, G., Seco, A., Borras, L. and Barat, R. (2012). Metabolic shift of polyphosphate-accumulating organisms with different levels of polyphosphate storage. Water Research, 46 (6), 1889-1900. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2012.01.003
2011
Journal Article
Arsenic removal from drinking water through a hybrid ion exchange membrane - Coagulation process
Oehmen, A., Valerio, R., Llanos, J., Fradinho, J., Serra, S., Reis, M. A. M., Crespo, J. G. and Velizarov, S. (2011). Arsenic removal from drinking water through a hybrid ion exchange membrane - Coagulation process. Separation and Purification Technology, 83 (1), 137-143. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2011.09.027
2011
Journal Article
Microbial population analysis of nutrient removal-related organisms in membrane bioreactors
Silva, A. F., Carvalho, G., Oehmen, A., Lousada-Ferreira, M., Van Nieuwenhuijzen, A., Reis, M. A. M. and Crespo, M. T. B. (2011). Microbial population analysis of nutrient removal-related organisms in membrane bioreactors. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 93 (5), 2171-2180. doi: 10.1007/s00253-011-3499-5
2011
Journal Article
Assessing the diurnal variability of pharmaceutical and personal care products in a full-scale activated sludge plant
Salgado, R., Marques, R., Noronha, J. P., Mexia, J. T., Carvalho, G., Oehmen, A. and Reis, M. A. M. (2011). Assessing the diurnal variability of pharmaceutical and personal care products in a full-scale activated sludge plant. Environmental Pollution, 159 (10), 2359-2367. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.07.004
2011
Journal Article
The role of nitrite and free nitrous acid (FNA) in wastewater treatment plants
Zhou, Yan, Oehmen, Adrian, Lim, Melvin, Vadivelu, Vel and Ng, Wun Jern (2011). The role of nitrite and free nitrous acid (FNA) in wastewater treatment plants. Water Research, 45 (15), 4672-4682. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2011.06.025
2011
Journal Article
Microbial characterization of mercury-reducing mixed cultures enriched with different carbon sources
Carvalho, G., Almeida, B., Fradinho, J., Oehmen, A., Reis, M. A. M. and Teresa Barreto Crespo, M. (2011). Microbial characterization of mercury-reducing mixed cultures enriched with different carbon sources. Microbes and Environments, 26 (4), 293-300. doi: 10.1264/jsme2.ME11112
2010
Journal Article
Analysis of 65 pharmaceuticals and personal care products in 5 wastewater treatment plants in Portugal using a simplified analytical methodology
Salgado, R., Noronha, J. P., Oehmen, A., Carvalho, G. and Reis, M. A. M. (2010). Analysis of 65 pharmaceuticals and personal care products in 5 wastewater treatment plants in Portugal using a simplified analytical methodology. Water Science and Technology, 62 (12), 2862-2871. doi: 10.2166/wst.2010.985
2010
Journal Article
Biological treatment of propanil and 3,4-dichloroaniline: kinetic and microbiological characterisation
Carvalho, G., Marques, R., Lopes, A. R., Faria, C., Noronha, J. P., Oehmen, A., Nunes, O. C. and Reis, M. A. M. (2010). Biological treatment of propanil and 3,4-dichloroaniline: kinetic and microbiological characterisation. Water Research, 44 (17), 4980-4991. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.08.006
2010
Journal Article
Incorporating microbial ecology into the metabolic modelling of polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms
Oehmen, A., Carvalho, G., Lopez-Vazquez, C.M., van Loosdrecht, M.C.M. and Reis, M.A.M. (2010). Incorporating microbial ecology into the metabolic modelling of polyphosphate accumulating organisms and glycogen accumulating organisms. Water Research, 44 (17), 4992-5004. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2010.06.071
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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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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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 sulfate from mining influenced waters and recovery of metals
Principal Advisor
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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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Master Philosophy
Biological methods to identify and quantify PAO/GAO microorganisms and their activity in wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
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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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Doctor Philosophy
The development of process control strategies to optimise biological phosphorus removal and recovery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
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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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Master Philosophy
Biological methods to identify and quantify PAO/GAO microorganisms and their activity in wastewater treatment
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
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Doctor Philosophy
Integrated model-based assessment of the impact of sidestream biological phosphorus removal processes on resource recovery in wastewater treatment systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone
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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
Sustainable and cost-effective biological phosphorus removal technology in urban water systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho, Professor Liu Ye
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Doctor Philosophy
Enzyme-assisted deconstruction of lignocellulose and reconstruction into high value bio-derived advanced materials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: 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
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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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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating novel microbes for simultaneous nutrient removal from wastewater in Carbon Neutral era
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Liu Ye, Dr Zhiyao Wang
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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