WORKSHOPS

This full day workshop is divided into two sessions. The morning session will focus on recent advances in the analytical methods for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and will provide a framework for assessing PFAS data when developing conceptual site models (CSMs).  Current analytical methods allow an understanding of the potentially 1,000’s of PFAS present at a given site.  However, without a framework to make sense of these complicated data, it can be difficult to assess how the analytical results relate to the CSM.

In the afternoon session, presenters will focus on how PFAS pose an emerging challenge in groundwater remediation, potentially exceeding the impact of hydrocarbon and chlorinated solvent plumes. Unlike traditional contaminants, PFAS differ in source, chemistry, fate, transport, and toxicology, necessitating distinct management strategies in groundwater remediation. The unique properties of PFAAs greatly limit the available in-situ soil and groundwater remediation options.

This workshop has been developed in response to the critical need for regulators and practitioners to share experiences to create standard practices and address knowledge gaps, in advances in PFAS analytical chemistry, effective management of PFAS in groundwater, fate and transport, modelling and remediation alternatives. As well as offering technical lessons from the study of past projects, the course offers semi-structured discussions, problem-solving and personal interactions that give participants deep insight into PFAS Advanced. 

The workshop will offer invaluable networking opportunities for practitioners, regulators and researchers. Delegates will get the opportunity to build connections with instructors as well as with their fellow delegates.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to put your organisation at the forefront of best practices in dealing with PFAS.

This full-day workshop is divided into two sessions.

The morning session will focus on Site Characterization and Mass Flux/Mass Discharge.

The behaviour of contaminants in the subsurface is governed by several inter-related fate and transport processes that may vary in both space and time. In this training course, we will present the conceptual basis for several of these processes, such as physical and chemical properties of the contaminant, and then demonstrate approaches that can be used to calculate the distribution of contaminants between the solid, liquid, and gas phases. Due to the emergence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as contaminants of concern, we will also discuss adsorption processes that occur at phase interfaces (e.g., air-water), which can be particularly important for compounds that exhibit surface active properties. These processes will be described as equations that can incorporated into mathematical models to evaluate the relative importance of different processes or predict the fate and transport of contaminants in the subsurface

The second portion of this session will focus on contaminant mass flux and mass discharge.  Most regulatory and management decisions regarding contaminated groundwater sites are primarily based on contaminant concentrations. Such decisions can be improved by also considering contaminant mass flux and mass discharge. The information provided will be valuable for virtually all aspects of contaminated site management.

The afternoon session is Incremental Sampling Methodology and Artificial Intelligence.

Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) is a statistically supported technique for assessing the mean contaminant concentration in soil, sediment, and other environmental media. Environmental professionals have demonstrated that the methodology can be a useful tool to represent site conditions when applied to bulk particulate materials such as soil, sediment, or waste.

ISM is increasingly used in the environmental field to sample contaminants in soil. Proponents have found that the sampling density afforded by collecting many increments, together with the disciplined processing and subsampling of the combined increments, in most cases yields more consistent and reproducible results than those obtained by more traditional (discrete) sampling approaches.

This AI short course will offer a comprehensive exploration of large language models (LLMs) and their diverse applications in environmental science. Beginning with an introductory overview, participants will embark on a journey to understand the foundational principles underpinning LLMs, tracing their evolutionary trajectory and examining their far-reaching influence across various fields. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, attendees will gain valuable insights into the significance and potential of LLMs in addressing complex environmental challenges, setting the stage for an enriching learning experience.

This workshop has been developed in response to the critical need for regulators and practitioners to share experiences to create standard practices and address knowledge gaps, Advances in site characterization, chemicals and physical properties of contaminants, Mass Flux – Mass Discharge measurements, Effective management of contaminated sites, and Fate and Transport. As well as offering technical lessons from the study of past projects, the course offers semi-structured discussions, problem-solving and personal interactions that give participants deep insight into site characterization and mass flux.

ISM and AI sessions of the workshop have been developed to address the need for a more comprehensive and cost-effective sampling methodology to address soil heterogeneity and how to use artificial intelligence to develop sampling plans to address risk assessment and site remediation.

The workshop will offer invaluable networking opportunities for practitioners, regulators, and researchers. Delegates will get the opportunity to build connections with instructors as well as with their fellow delegates.

This workshop will provide an opportunity to put your organisation at the forefront of best practices in dealing with contaminated sites.

This one-day Human Health Risk Assessment (HHRA) workshop provides a ‘step-by-step’ guide to the HHRA process and provides information and resources to complete HHRAs in accordance with Australian recommended guidance. The workshop focuses on the technical aspects of HHRA models to reveal their mysteries and uncover the key influencing parameters that drive human health risk. An interactive forum is provided and encouraged to allow attendees to engage with the presenters and other workshop participants during group exercises and discussions. Case studies and project examples will be provided to illustrate the key concepts.

The workshop will benefit those wishing to conduct, interpret and/or review HHRAs.

In the afternoon, attendees will learn HHRA approaches adopted in China and the UK to understand the similarities and differences in international methodologies.