Our research

We research emissions, develop advanced analysis methods, and measure pollutants and their sources.

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We conduct research to characterise emissions from various sources, develop advanced analytical and assessment techniques, and measure airborne pollutants to identify sources and vulnerable communities.

UNSWs Odour Laboratory is the most advanced facility in Australia for emissions analysis. It has extensive analytical capacity for olfactory and chemical analysis of odours, odorants, and atmospheric contaminants. The laboratory also has specialist capabilities to undertake field sampling from area and point source emissions.

Air Quality 

UNSW has a range of permanent and portable air quality monitoring and sampling instruments. This equipment is used to monitor air quality and investigate levels and sources of air pollution in Australia and overseas. 

Real time monitoring 

UNSW has a network of real-time airborne particle monitors. These instruments measure PM1.0, PM2.5 and PM10 at two-minute intervals alongside meteorological parameters of wind direction, wind strength, temperature, humidity and rainfall. This data is available via telemetry in real time and immediately inter-comparable between sites thanks to an ongoing calibration and maintenance regime. The instruments are suitable for short-term or permanent outdoor deployment and suitable for remote locations being powered by solar.

Sampling 

UNSW collects samples of particulates and gases to investigate air quality and determine concentrations of particular compounds. Particle samples are collected through a range of long-term or temporary deployed field sampling equipment. The equipment comprises passive deposition samplers to investigate wet, dry and total particle deposition as well as active sampling using high volume sampling. Gas samples are collected using wind tunnel sampling.

Laboratory analysis

A wide range of analyses are conducted on collected particulate and gaseous contaminants in our laboratories. Our suite of instrumentation is used to determine particle type, source areas, and potential human and environmental heath risk. 

Collected samples are filtered onto filter paper and undergo a 3-week digestion process to extract microplastics. They are then looked at under the microscope to determine size and counts. Samples are then analysed for plastic polymer type using Raman spectroscopy laser operated at 785 nm. The data is then analysed to compare microplastic type and amount at urban, peri urban, and rural sites, whilst using back trajectory data to determine the possible sources of the microplastics.

Pasifika Air Quality and Environmental Health 

Current collaborative research in the Pacific is gathering data to determine air pollution levels in urban, peri-urban and rural locations in Pacific low- and middle-income countries. Empirical evidence collected by ongoing field monitoring and sampling since 2019 is being used to identify air pollution sources, inform the human health impacts of air pollution, identify environmental health impacts, and hasten energy transition to clean renewable sources. Particular laboratory attention is on PM2.5 and airborne microplastics.  The collaborative research is being undertaken with: 

  • Fiji: Fiji National University School of Public Health. And Primary Care, University of the South Pacific – Laucala Campus, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment 
  • The Solomon Islands: Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ministry of the Environment.
  • Tonga: Ministry of Health, Department of Geology, University of South Pacific – Tonga Campus, New Zealand’s Institute of Environmental Science and Research.
  • Vanuatu: Ministry of Climate Change Adaption, Meteorology, Geo-hazards, Environment and Energy. 
  • Regional: University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, University of Oxford, Institute of Environmental Science and Research (New Zealand).

Field monitoring and sampling efforts combine 2-minute resolution air monitoring with three weekly sampling regimes to inform long-term air quality trends as well as identifying both local and long-range sources of airborne particles. This includes dedicated sampling and laboratory analyses to collect and identify airborne microplastic particles in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu and Sydney. 

This research aims to use empirical air pollution data in order to improve the health outcomes of Pacific communities, led by Pasifika priorities. The data will support government partnerships with multilateral agencies and universities that will improve air quality through investment in renewable energy. Women and children from lower-income households are the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of poor air quality, and a gendered and demographical approach will be taken to extend this research to identify those most at risk.

Using the advanced analytical capabilities of the Odour Laboratory we offer a range of services for analysing gaseous emissions. Examples of common analyses we conduct include:

  • Characterisation of Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) quantified using US EPA TO-15 on sorbent tubes  - options exist conducting ODP analysis to sensorially identify key odorants.
  • Quantification of reduced sulfur compounds, particularly mercaptans (common problematic odorants).
  • Quantification of siloxanes in biogas from wastewater treatment plants or landfills.
  • Analytical or sensorial analysis of emissions from materials (Packaging, manufacturing, products)

To understand more about the Odour Laboratory's capabilities, odour facilities or for a quote regarding our services please email us.

Odour and air polluted related dialogue is often challenging given the ambiguous nature of detection, assessment, and reaction. To this end, effective and accurate engagement provides a means to establish equitable scenarios for all stakeholders.

Engaging communities affected by Odours

Communities have traditionally been sources of complaints for industry. The UNSW Odour Laboratory is conducting research and projects into how to transform community-industry interactions into more meaningful, more positive experiences.  

Approaches  

  • Surveys 

Surveys can be used to investigate a wide range of perspectives, attitudes, observations, behaviours, as well as beliefs. Survey design can often be a challenging experience and as such the UNSW Odour Lab has highly trained survey design experts to ensure that the right information is being obtained from the right stakeholders, in the right way. 

  • Online reporting platforms 

The Odour Lab has employed online platforms that provide dynamic, accessible, and effective monitoring options.

Careful planning and research are required to ensure that any one platform provides industry and community with what they need to improve their relationship with each other. 

  • Translating community information into usable outputs for industry.  

Application of odour testing methods and results (ODP, chemical analysis, olfactometry, intensity) into forms that can be directly understood and used by the community.

 Relevant Publications 

Hayes JE; Stevenson RJ; Stuetz, RM, 2014, ‘The impact of malodour on communities: a review of assessment techniques’, Science of the Total Environment, vol. 500, pp. 395-407, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.09.003

Hayes JE; Steveson RJ; Stuetz RM, 2017, ‘Survey of the effect of odour impact on communities’ Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 204, pp. 349-354, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.09.016

Hayes JE; Fisher RM; Stevenson RJ; Mannebeck C; Stuetz RM, 2017, ‘Unrepresented community odour impact: improving engagement strategies’ Science of the Total Environment, vol. 609, pp. 1650-1658, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.08.013

Hayes JE; Fisher RM; Stevenson RJ; Stuetz RM, 2019, ‘Investigation of non-community stakeholders regarding community engagement and environmental malodour’, Science of the Total Environment, vol. 665, pp. 546-556, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.137

Odour facilities

  • VOC analysis using TD-GC-MS

    TD-GC-MS is used for identification and quantification of non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC’s). Thermal desorption (TD) provides analyte pre-concentration; gas chromatography (GC) allow analyte separation; mass spectrometry (MS) provided analyte identification and quantification. 

    The UNSW Odour Lab operates a variety of these systems with varying capabilities for sample preparation (SPME, headspace, sorbent tubes) as well as mass spectroscopy set-ups (single tof, Q-tof, MS/MS).  

    When coupled with an Odour Detection Port (ODP) it can provide additional functionality of odorant identification and prioritisation within a gas phase sample.

    Applications 

    This method allows the identification and quantification of VOCs from complex mixtures from a variety of sources. Analyses can run as targetted (SIM) or non-targetted (SCAN) depending on study purposes.   

    VOC emissions from industrial processes, waste management systems, consumer products and packaging, food products, ambient conditions among others have been analysed.  

    To find out more about these methods and potential applications, get in touch with Odour@unsw.edu.au

    Relevant Publications 

    • Fisher RM; Le-Minh N; Sivret EC; Alvarez-Gaitan JP; Moore SJ; Stuetz RM, 2017, 'Distribution and sensorial relevance of volatile organic compounds emitted throughout wastewater biosolids processing', Science of the Total Environment, vol. 599-600, pp. 663 - 670, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.04.129
    • Sivret E.C., Wang B., Parcsi G., Stuetz R.M. 2016, Prioritisation of odorants emitted from sewers using odour activity values. Water Research 88, 308 – 321 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.10.020
    • Murphy K.R., Parcsi G., Stuetz R.M. 2014, Non-methane volatile organic compounds predict odor emitted from five tunnel ventilated broiler sheds. Chemosphere 95, 423 – 432 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.09.076

  • Olfactory-gas chromatography analysis

    Odour detection ports have been coupled with a variety of analysis units to aid the identification of odour relevant compounds in complex mixtures.

    The output of the gas chromatograph is split between the detector (usually MS) and the odour detection port (ODP).   

    The ODP provides humidified flows of the GC output which can be sniffed by trained pannelists. Panellists note the times at which specific odour events occur and provide a description of the odour and an intensity rating. This can be conducted at the press of a button using GERSTEL software and instrument set-up. 

    Applications

    This technique has great potential in the identification of specific odorants in complex mixtures. Examples of its use include:  

    • Identification of key odorants from industrial processes (biosolids processing, rubber processing) to inform odour management methods using Odour Wheels.  

    • Identification of ‘unknown’ nuisance odorants that are challenging to identify analytically (e.g nuisance or musty type odours from drinking water, or packaging contamination).  

    • Confirming the efficacy of odour control devices.  

    To find out more about this technique, get in touch with Odour@unsw.edu.au

    Relevant Publications 

    • Kamarulzaman NH; Le-Minh N; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, 2019, 'Quantification of VOCs and the development of odour wheels for rubber processing', Science of the Total Environment, vol. 657, pp. 154 - 168, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.451
    • Fisher RM; Barczak RJ; Suffet IHM; Hayes JE; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Framework for the use of odour wheels to manage odours throughout wastewater biosolids processing', Science of the Total Environment, vol. 634, pp. 214 - 223, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.352
    • Barczak RJ; Fisher RM; Wang X; Stuetz RM, 2018, 'Variations of odorous VOCs detected by different assessors via gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry and olfactory detection port (ODP) system', Water Science and Technology, vol. 77, pp. 759 - 765, http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2017.569

  • Volatile sulfur compounds are a cause of many nuisance odour impacts. Quantification of these odorants can be complicated by transformation and non-targeted analysis.   

    As such the UNSW Odour Lab has a specific unit targetting 11 key common volatile sulfur compounds. Coupled with the use of specific gaseous sulfur standards this allows for reliable quantification.  

    Sulfur chemiluminescence converts sulfur compounds in the GC eluant to sulfur dioxide which can be detected by a photomultiplier.  

    The unit is also coupled with an NCD for the analysis of nitrogen containing odorants. The unit allows for direct gas sampling using Markes AirServer and has a cold trap appropriate for sulfur compounds. 

    Applications

    This technique is widely used for the targetted analysis of challenging organic volatile sulfur compounds including mercaptans (methyl mercaptan, ethyl mercaptan) and sulfides (DMS, DMDS, DMTS). These are very common odorants in a variety of waste management industries (wastewater treatment, landfills, livestock).  

    The method has been used to determine baselines for process operation as well as odour control device effectiveness 

    To find out more about this technique, get in touch with Odour@unsw.edu.au

    Relevant Publications 

  • Prior to the analysis of emissions, samples need to be collected from sources and transported to the laboratory.    

    Emission collection  

    Flux hood methods  

    Fluxhoods are a common method for collecting emissions from passive surface such as liquid surfaces (lagoons, settling ponds) and porous media (biosolids, soils). They use a consistent sweep flowrate of an inert gas (N2) to generate an emissions in a controlled setting, removing effects of concentration and equilibria associated with headspace or passive systems.  

    Wind tunnels are similar however use higher directionals sweep gas flowrates to simulate the effect of wind.   

    Gas storage and transportation  

    Gas sampling bags  

    A variety of materials can be used to prepare gas sampling bags, in the UNSW Odour Lab, Nalophan and Tedlar bags are predominantly used. However, the stability of certain samples should be initially tested to determine the effect of transportation or storage times on compound recovery.  

    Sorbent tubes 

    Sorbent tubes allow the preconcentration and storage of volatile compounds. A variety of sorbent materials including Tenax TA, Carbotrap are available in the laboratory. Emissions can be collected in-situ or from sampling bags using vacuum pumps. However, stability of compounds, size of target analytes and humidity of samples should be evaluated prior to use.  

    To find out more about these methods, get in touch with Odour@unsw.edu.au

    Relevant Publications 

    • Liu L; Abdala Prata Junior A; Fisher RM; Stuetz RM, 2022, 'Measuring volatile emissions from biosolids: A critical review on sampling methods', Journal of Environmental Management, vol. 317, pp. 115290, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115290
    • Le H.V., Sivret E.C., Parcsi G., Stuetz R.M. (2015) Impact of storage conditions on the stability of volatile sulfur compounds in sampling bags. Journal of Environmental Quality 44, 1523 – 1529 https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2014.12.0532

  • Siloxane analysis using Q-Tof (Targeted analysis)

    The UNSW Odour Lab operates a variety of GC-MS systems that can be set-up for the targeted analysis of key analytes for different applications.  

    An example of which is the identification and quantification of siloxane type compounds, which are common problematic contaminants in biogas.  

    Applications 

    Based on industry requirements, a method was developed in-house for the accurate quantification of siloxanes in biogas produced from wastewater treatment plant anaerobic digesters and landfills.   

    Siloxanes are found in many consumer and laboratory products, and volatile components can become concentrated in biogas streams. When these compounds are combusted to recover energy, it can lead to increased maintenance due to silica deposition in equipment.  

    To find out more about these methods and potential applications, get in touch with Odour@unsw.edu.au.