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
2014
Journal Article
The relationship between mixed microbial culture composition and PHA production performance from fermented molasses
Carvalho, Gilda, Oehmen, Adrian, Albuquerque, Maria G.E. and Reis, Maria A.M. (2014). The relationship between mixed microbial culture composition and PHA production performance from fermented molasses. New Biotechnology, 31 (4), 257-263. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2013.08.010
2014
Journal Article
The impact of pH control on the volumetric productivity of mixed culture PHA production from fermented molasses
Oehmen, Adrian, Pinto, Fatima V., Silva, Vera, Albuquerque, Maria G. E. and Reis, Maria A. M. (2014). The impact of pH control on the volumetric productivity of mixed culture PHA production from fermented molasses. Engineering in Life Sciences, 14 (2), 143-152. doi: 10.1002/elsc.201200220
2014
Journal Article
Mercury removal from water streams through the ion exchange membrane bioreactor concept
Oehmen, Adrian, Vergel, Dario, Fradinho, Joana, Reis, Maria A. M., Crespo, Joao G. and Velizarov, Svetlozar (2014). Mercury removal from water streams through the ion exchange membrane bioreactor concept. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 264, 65-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2013.10.067
2014
Journal Article
Monitoring intracellular polyphosphate accumulation in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems by quantitative image analysis
Mesquita, Daniela P., Amaral, A. Luís, Leal, Cristiano, Carvalheira, Mónica, Cunha, Jorge R., Oehmen, Adrian, Reis, Maria A.M. and Ferreira, Eugénio C. (2014). Monitoring intracellular polyphosphate accumulation in enhanced biological phosphorus removal systems by quantitative image analysis. Water Science and Technology, 69 (11), 2315-2323. doi: 10.2166/wst.2014.146
2013
Journal Article
Metabolic versatility in full-scale wastewater treatment plants performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal
Lanham, Ana B., Oehmen, Adrian, Saunders, Aaron M., Carvalho, Gilda, Nielsen, Per H. and Reis, Maria A. M. (2013). Metabolic versatility in full-scale wastewater treatment plants performing enhanced biological phosphorus removal. Water Research, 47 (19), 7032-7041. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2013.08.042
2013
Journal Article
Determination of the extraction kinetics for the quantification of polyhydroxyalkanoate monomers in mixed microbial systems
Lanham, Ana B., Ricardo, Ana Rita, Albuquerque, Maria G. E., Pardelha, Filipa, Carvalheira, Monica, Coma, Marta, Fradinho, Joana, Carvalho, Gilda, Oehmen, Adrian and Reis, Maria A. M. (2013). Determination of the extraction kinetics for the quantification of polyhydroxyalkanoate monomers in mixed microbial systems. Process Biochemistry, 48 (11), 1626-1634. doi: 10.1016/j.procbio.2013.07.023
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
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
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
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
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Adrian Oehmen is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
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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
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
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, Dr Lars Puiman
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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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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
Developing a novel taste and odour removal process for drinking water
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Shihu Hu, Associate Professor Gilda Carvalho
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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
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
Completed supervision
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2025
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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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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