Associate Professor Richard Bentham
Adjunct Academic Status
College of Science and Engineering
My research strength is in microbial ecology in a variety of systems, with applications in environmental biotechnology. I have active research programs in the ecology and control of Legionella bacteria in water and soil systems, human health risk assesssment, the bioremediation and phytoremediation of contaminated soil and anaerobic digestion of putrescible wastes. I have been guest speaker at a number of International and National conferences relating to these research areas.
I have many years experience in provision of expert advisory services in relation to legionella and Legionnaires' disease control and consultancies relating to contaminated site remediation and health risk assessment in industrial settings.
M.Sc Ecology and Control of Legionella in Cooling Water Systems (1993)
M.I.Biol (Thesis) Biodeterioration of polyester polyurethanes by soil micro-fungi (1987)
As Technical Advisor to Flinders Bioremediation I was responsible for the technical aspects and development of two awards:
National Case Earth Award 2005 and AWA First Prize 2004
Both were awarded for the Composting of Silt Trap Materials in Brownhill Creek, SA.
Outstanding achievement award for a media release. Public Relations Office and Media Liaison, Flinders University (2008).
Environmental Microbiology
Microbial Ecology
Solid Waste Management
Human Health Risk Assessment
For the last 15 years I have acted as consultant to industry on the control of biofouling, bioremediation of contaminated soils and human health risk assessment relating to these areas. This work has included work for several large companies including ALCOA Australia, BHP, SANTOS, Hills Tubular Steel, Sinclair Knight Merz, Bridgestone-TG and The Australian Submarine Corporation. The work has encompassed microbiological control, corrosion and scale control, water treatment, pilot and full scale bioremediation projects, health risk assessments, development of company policy and procedure, and the preparation and presentation of in-house training courses in conjunction with regional technical colleges and State Health authorities.
I have acted as an expert witness for legal cases relating to Legionnaires' disease outbreaks, Salmonella outbreaks, and community exposures to environmental microorganisms. This has included high profile Australian legal cases such as the Melbourne Aquarium Legionnaires' disease outbreak and the Nippys orange juice Salmonella outbreak.
Grant Assessor
Australian Research Council
Qatar National Research Fund
Faculty of Science and Engineering Research Grants Sub-committee
Conference Organising Committee / Workshop Facilitator
Organising Committee member, 6th International Legionella Conference, Chicago, 2004.
Convener, Legionella: Perspectives and Practice, Adelaide 2008.
Convener, Legionella: perspectives and Practice, Adelaide 2012.
Organising Committee member, 8th International Legionella Conference, Melbourne 2013.
Journal Reviewer
Applied Soil Ecology, Applied and Environmental Biotechnology, Bioresource Technology, Environmental Health, Environmental Pollution, Environmental Science and Technology, Epidemiology and Infection, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Journal of Environmental Management, Microbial Ecology, Science of the Total Environment, Water Science and Technology.
- Bioremediation
- Infection/Infectious diseases
- Microbiology
- Pollution
- Waste treatment
- Contaminated sites
- Legionella and Legionnaires' disease
- Solid waste management and disposal
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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