The objective is to better understand the behaviour of pollutants and their impact on ecosystems, and translate the knowledge into innovative solutions.
Approaches involve laboratory experiments, mathematical modelling and field studies.
In the air pollution area, the emphasis is on pollution prevention through emission abatement and on the fate and transport of HAPs in the lower troposphere. It is hoped that the better understanding of the underlying chemistry and physics of natural processes will lead to a greater certainty in determining environmental pathways of pollutants and in quantifying their effects on air quality and climate change. Our initiative in examining acidic gases-ice surface interactions, for example, could result in a more accurate estimation of wet deposition fluxes of HAPs. Aiming at metals, we develop novel processes for the minimisation, treatment and utilisation of industrial wastes. At present, we collaborate with industry and government agencies in an endeavour to recover valuable metals from huge stockpiles of smelter slag using aqueous sulphur dioxide.