UC Research Profile - University of Canterbury

Associate Professor Aisling O'Sullivan

Contact

Department: Civil and Natural Resources Engineering

Email: aisling.osullivan@canterbury.ac.nz

Direct Dial: +64 3 3692045

Office: Civil & Natural Resources Engineering Rm E443

Languages: English, Gaelic, German

Ecological Engineering/ Pūhanga rauropi solves problems for societies and for the environment by designing solutions based on these reciprocities.

About

Research / Creative works

Networks

Fields of Research

Clean Water Treatment Technologies
Water Quality Monitoring and Modelling
Life Cycle Assessment Modelling
Engineering Education

Researcher Summary

Aisling O’Sullivan is an Associate Professor in Ecological Engineering. She leads CELTS (Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions, CELTS.org.nz) which she founded to meet the research gap in Ecological Engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand. CELTS is part of the Department of Civil & Natural Resources Engineering at UC.

Aisling's research interests involve monitoring, modelling and treating non-point source metal and nutrient contaminants that are difficult to remove. Applications have been applied to the urban, mining and rural environments. She currently leads a National Science Challenge cross-disciplinary team prototyping water treatment filters made from biowastes. Upon the end-of-their design life, these products are regenerated into safe (green) materials that become a new resource.

Complementary research Aisling has led included developing algal-bacterial biomass as a second generation biofuel. She also supervises research on green roof and green wall systems to treat wastewater. CELTS employ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modelling tools to measure the environmental impacts of different treatment technologies they develop.

Aisling's research has been widely published and independently validated as outstanding internationally with the award of an A score in the latest PBRF assessment. Her moto is it's 'Eco-Logical' to engineer in partnership with nature.

Subject Area: Disciplines

Engineering and Technology: Hydrological and Ecological Engineering ; Modelling ; Resource/Environment Engineering
Environmental Studies: Environmental Science
Science & Technology: Science & Technology

Resources

Prizes and Awards

9Wire Environmental Innovation Programme ( 2019 - present )

Green Gown Award Australiasia ( 2011 - present )

Innovation Jumpstart Award (Nitrate shell valorisation) ( 2019 - present )

Innovation Jumpstart Award (Storminator) ( 2017 - present )

Ministry of Awesome's Startup Entrepreneur Activator Programme ( 2019 - present )

National Stormwater Innovation Award ( 2019 - present )

National Zonta Science Research Award runner up (2008) ( 2008 - present )

Patent No. 740976 (Storminator™) ( 2018 - present )

Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) Score A ( 2019 - present )

Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) Score A ( 2019 - present )

Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) Score B ( 2012 - present )

Stormwater Superhero Award ( 2019 - present )

Supervisor for Highly Commended Student UC Sustainability Award ( 2019 - present )

UC Sustainability Award - GOLD ( 2013 - present )

UC Sustainability Award Academic Staff (Highly Commended) ( 2019 - present )

Vision Mātauranga Development Award (Engineering) ( 2022 - present )

Erskine Fellowship ( 2008 )

Research/Scholarly/Creative Works

(Displaying research/scholarly/creative work from 2008 to 2023)

Intellectual Property

O'Sullivan A., Cochrane T. and Charters F. (2018) A Device for Treating Roof Runoff.Patent No. 740976, New Zealand Patent Application 740976.

Journal Articles

Gholami M., O'Sullivan A. and Mackey H. (2023) Nutrient treatment of greywater in green wall systems: A critical review of removal mechanisms, performance efficiencies and system design parameters.. Journal of Environmental Management 345(118917): 1-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118917.

Koviessen S., O'Sullivan AD., Gholami M., Vining M. and de Vries T. (2023) Physical and Chemical Parameters of Various Waste Materials for Living Roof Systems: A Critical Review. Ecological Engineering http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2023.107013.

Charters F., O'Sullivan AD. and Cochrane T. (2022) Influences of zinc loads in urban catchment runoff: roof type, land use type, climate and management strategies. Journal of Environmental Management http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116076.

Charters FJ., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2021) The influence of urban surface type and characteristics on runoff water quality. Science of The Total Environment 755: 142470-142478. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142470.

Charters F., Cochrane T. and O'Sullivan A. (2020) Predicting Event-Based Sediment and Heavy Metal Loads in Untreated Urban Runoff from Impermeable Surfaces. Water 12(4) http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w12040969.

Uster B., Milke M., Webster-Brown J., O'Sullivan AD., Pope J. and Trumm D. (2019) Effect of alkalinity source on mechanisms of iron, manganese and zinc removal from acid mine drainage by sulfate-reducing bioreactors. engrχiv http://dx.doi.org/10.31224/osf.io/yzh9s.

Charters F., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2017) Characterising urban zinc generation to identify surface pollutant hotspots in a low intensity rainfall climate. Water Science and Technology 76(6) WST-EM161777R1: 1370-1377. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2017.306.

Charters FJ., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2016) Untreated runoff quality from roof and road surfaces in a low intensity rainfall climate. Science of the Total Environment 550: 265-272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.093.

Fraga I., Charters FJ., O'Sullivan AD. and Cochrane TA. (2016) A novel modelling framework to prioritize estimation of non-point source pollution parameters for quantifying pollutant origin and discharge in urban catchments. Journal of Environmental Management 167: 75-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.11.003.

Murphy LU., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan A. (2016) The contribution of wet deposition and particulate matter to total copper, lead and zinc in stormwater runoff. Chemistry in New Zealand : 21-26.

Charters FJ., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2015) Particle Size Distribution Variance in Untreated Urban Runoff and its Implication on Treatment Selection. Water Research 85: 337-345. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.08.029.

Murphy LU., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan A. (2015) The Influence of Different Pavement Surfaces on Atmospheric Copper, Lead, Zinc, and Suspended Solids Attenuation and Wash-Off. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 226(8): 226-232. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2487-2.

Murphy LU., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2015) Build-up and wash-off dynamics of atmospherically derived Cu, Pb, Zn and TSS in stormwater runoff as a function of meteorological characteristics. Science of the Total Environment 508: 205-213. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.11.094.

O'Sullivan AD., Wicke D., Hengen TJ., Sieverding HL. and Stone JJ. (2015) Life Cycle Assessment Modelling of Stormwater Treatment Systems. Journal of Environmental Management 149: 236-244. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.10.025.

Uster B., O'Sullivan AD., Ko SY., Evans A., Pope J., Trumm D. and Caruso B. (2015) The Use of Mussel Shells in Upward-Flow Sulfate-Reducing Bioreactors Treating Acid Mine Drainage. Mine Water and the Environment 34(4): 442-454. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10230-014-0289-1.

Good J., O'Sullivan AD., Wicke D. and Cochrane TA. (2014) pH Buffering in Stormwater Infiltration Systems - Sustainable Contaminant Removal with Waste Mussel Shells. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 225: 1885. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-1885-1.

Hengen T., Squillace M., O'Sullivan AD. and Stone J. (2014) Life Cycle Assessment Analysis of Active and Passive Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Options. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 86: 160-167. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.01.003.

Murphy L., O'Sullivan A. and Cochrane TA. (2014) Quantifying the Spatial Variability of Airborne Pollutants to Stormwater Runoff in different Land-Use Catchments. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 225(7) 2016: 1-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-014-2016-8.

Wicke D., Cochrane TA., O'Sullivan AD., Cave S. and Derksen M. (2014) Effect of age and rainfall pH on contaminant yields from metal roofs. Water Science and Technology 69(10): 2166-2173. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2014.124.

Caruso BS., O'Sullivan AD., Faulkner S., Sherratt M. and Clucas R. (2013) Agricultural Diffuse Nutrient Pollution Transport in a Mountain Wetland Complex. Water, Air and Soil Pollution 224: 1695-1716. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11270-013-1695-x.

Wadworth-Watts HD., Caruso BS., O'Sullivan AD. and Clucas R. (2013) A hydrological and nutrient load balance for the Lake Clearwater catchment, Canterbury, New Zealand. Journal of Hydrology New Zealand 52(2): 115-130.

Good JF., O'Sullivan AD., Wicke D. and Cochrane TA. (2012) Contaminant Removal and Hydraulic Conductivity of Laboratory Rain Garden Systems for Stormwater Treatment. Water Science and Technology 65(12): 2154-2161. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2012.135.

O'Sullivan AD., Wicke D. and Cochrane TA. (2012) Heavy metal contamination in an urban stream fed by contaminated air-conditioning and stormwater discharges. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 19(3): 903-911. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11356-011-0639-5.

Valigore JM., Gostomski PA., Wareham DG. and O'Sullivan AD. (2012) Effects of hydraulic and solids retention times on productivity and settleability of microbial (microalgal-bacterial) biomass grown on primary treated wastewater as a biofuel feedstock. Water Research 46(9): 2957-2964. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.03.023.

Wicke D., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan A. (2012) Atmospheric deposition and storm induced runoff of heavy metals from different impermeable urban surfaces. Journal of Environmental Monitoring 14(1): 209-216. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c1em10643k.

Wicke D., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan A. (2012) Build-up dynamics of heavy metals deposited on impermeable urban surfaces. Journal of Environmental Management 113(2012): 347-354. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.09.005.

Wolkersdorfer C., Bowell R., O'Sullivan AD., Diels L., Grmela A., Rapantová N., Pfeifer HR., Dold B., Midžić S. and Silajdžić I. (2012) Erratum to: Contemporary Reviews of Mine Water Studies in Europe, Part 3 (Mine Water and the Environment, (2005), 24, (58-76), 10.1007/s10230-005-0074-2). Mine Water and the Environment 31(3): 239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10230-012-0191-7.

Cochrane TA., Wicke D. and O'Sullivan A. (2011) Developing a public information and engagement portal of urban waterways with real-time monitoring and modeling. Water Science & Technology 63(2): 248-254. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.2011.043.

McCauley CA., O'Sullivan AD., Weber PA. and Trumm DA. (2010) Variability of Stockton Mine Drainage Chemistry and Its Treatment Potential with Biogeochemical Reactors. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 53(2-3): 211-226. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288306.2010.503565.

O'Sullivan AD. (2010) "Eco-Logical" Engineering: A teaching-research model to foster student's paradigm thinking of wastes as commodities. Australasian Journal of Engineering Education 16(1): 21-34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/22054952.2010.11464041.

McCauley CA., O'Sullivan AD., Milke MW., Weber PA. and Trumm DA. (2009) Sulfate and metal removal in bioreactors treating acid mine drainage dominated with iron and aluminum. Water Research 43(4): 961-970. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2008.11.029.

Conference Contributions - Published

O'Sullivan A. and Pratt A. (2023) Wai Water? Growing bicultural literacy in water-related STEM at primary school for a country co-governed with indigenous peoples. In Proceedings of the 2023 Stormwater Conference, Water New Zealand, Auckand, New Zealand, 23-25 May 2023: 1-10.

Bilek F., Cochrane T., Charters F., O'Sullivan AD. and Hannah M. (2021) Variation in performance of media based stormwater treatment systems. In Proceedings of the 2021 Stormwater Conference, Water New Zealand, Tauranga, New Zealand, 12-14 May 2021: 1-7.

O'Sullivan A., Hansen S., Maranan J., Cochrane T. and Charters F. (2020) The Storminator™ - A Retrofittable, sustainable, stormwater solution for treating metal roof runoff. In Proceedings of the 2020 Stormwater Conference, Water New Zealand, Tauranga, New Zealand, August 26-28, 2020.: 1-3.

Bilek F., Cochrane T., Charters F., O'Sullivan A. and Hannah M. (2019) Characterising load, treatment and monitoring as sources of variability in stormwater treatment devices. In Proceedings of the 2019 Stormwater Conference, New Zealand Water Association, Auckland, New Zealand, May 1-3, 2019: 1-16.

Charters F., Cochrane T. and O'Sullivan A. (2017) Temporal Variations in Surface-Specific Stormwater Pollutant Loads. In Proceedings of the 4th IWA/IAHR Congress on Urban Drainage 10-15 Sept. 2017, Prague, Czech Republic: 1-10.

Charters F., O'Sullivan AD. and Cochrane T. (2017) Inline pond treatment performance and longitudinal instream monitoring in a stormwater-affected urban waterway. In Proceedings of the 12th South Pacific Stormwater Conference, New Zealand Water Association, Auckland, New Zealand, May 3-5, 2017: 1-11. Water New Zealand.

Charters FJ., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2016) Characterising urban zinc generation to identify surface pollutant hotspots in a low intensity rainfall climate. In International Water Association 15th International Conference on Urban Drainage, 9-13 October 2016, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: 1-8.

Charters FJ., Cochrane TA. and O'Sullivan AD. (2016) Predicting event-based stormwater contaminant loads from individual urban surfaces. In Proceedings of the 2016 Stormwater Conference, Water New Zealand, Nelson, New Zealand, 18-20 May 2016.: 1-14.

Charters F., O'Sullivan A. and Cochrane T. (2014) Modelling Stormwater Contaminant Loads in Older Urban Catchments: Effects of Climate Influences on Selecting Management Options. In In: 13th International Conference on Urban Drainage, Sarawak, Malaysia, 07 Sep 2014 - 12 Sep 2014. Proceedings. 10pp. 2014: 10pp-10pp.

Murphy LU., O'Sullivan A. and Cochrane TA. (2014) The Influence of Meteorological Characteristics on Atmospheric Contaminant Loadings in Stormwater Runoff at an International Airport. In Proceedings: 75-84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/9780784413548.010.

Murphy LU., O'Sullivan A. and Cochrane TA. (2014) The Spatial and Temporal Variability of Airborne Pollutants in Stormwater Runoff. In In: Proceedings of the 9th South Pacific Stormwater Conference, New Zealand Water Association, Christchurch, New Zealand, May 14-16, 2014, 14 pp.: 14pp-14pp.

Hannah M., Wicks M., O'Sullivan A., de Vries T. and Yeoman G. (2013) Designing and Implementing Green Roofs for WSUD in Australasia - A Trans-Tasman Collaboration. In Proceedings of the 8th International Water Sensitive Urban Design Conference, Engineers Australia, Gold Coast, Australia, 25-29 November 2013: 1-12.

Milke M., Upton C., Koorey G., O'Sullivan AD. and Comer K. (2013) Improving the writing of engineering students through portfolios. In In Proceedings of the 120th Annual Conference on Engineering Education, American Society for Engineering Education, Atlanta, GA, USA, 23-26 June 2013, 12 pp. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition..

O'Sullivan A., de Vries TT. and Scouller J. (2013) Characterising stormwater budgets and water quality runoff from green roof systems in Christchurch. In In: Proceedings of the 8th South Pacific Stormwater Conference, New Zealand Water Association, Auckland, New Zealand, May 8-11 2013, 16 pp.: 16-16.

Uster B., O'Sullivan AD., Pope J. and Trumm D. (2013) Performance of sulphate-reducing bioreactors to treat AMD using waste mussel shells at different hydraulic retention times. In Proceedings of the 2013 New Zealand Minerals Conference, Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: 515-523.

Cochrane TA., Wicke D. and O'Sullivan A. (2010) Developing a public information and engagement portal of urban waterways with real-time monitoring and modelling. In Proceedings of the International World Water Congress and Exhibition, International Water Association, 19-24 Sep. 2010, Montreal, Canada, 9 ppProceedings of the International World Water Congress and Exhibition, International Water Association, 19-24: 9pp-9pp.

O'Sullivan AD., Wicke D. and Cochrane TA. (2010) Geospatially web-interfaced telemetric monitoring system to track contaminant transport. In Proceedings of the 2010 Stormwater Conference, New Zealand Water Association, Rotorua, New Zealand, May 13-14 2010, 13 pp.: 13pp-13pp.

Wicke D., Cochrane T. and O'Sullivan A. (2010) An Innovative Method for Spatial Quantification of Contaminant Buildup and Wash-off from Impermeable Urban Surfaces. In Proceedings of the IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition (IWA 2010): 9pp.

Wicke D., Cochrane T. and O'Sullivan A. (2010) Contaminant sources, transport, and fate in stormwater runoff in Christchurch. In Proceedings of the 17th Congress of the Asia and Pacific Division of the International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research incorporating the 7th International Urban and Watershed Management Conference, 21-24 Feb. 2010, Auckland, New Zea: 10pp-10pp.

O'Sullivan A. and Cochrane T. (2009) Preparing better engineers: Compulsory undergraduate research projects that benefit universities and the profession. In ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings.

O'Sullivan AD. and Cochrane TA. (2009) Preparing Better Engineers: Compulsory Undergraduate Research Projects that Benefit Universities and the Profession. In Proceedings of the 2009 Annual Conference on Engineering Education, American Society for Engineering Education, Austin, TX, USA, 14-17 June 2009, 12 pp.: 12pp-12pp.

Valigore J., O'Sullivan AD. and Gostomski P. (2009) Municipal Wastewater Selection for Microbial Biomass Production for Biodiesel. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, Aachen, Germany, August 31st to 3rd September 2009, pp.1-6.: 6pp-6pp.

Wicke D., Cochrane T., O'Sullivan A., Hutchinson J. and Funnell E. (2009) Developing a rainfall contaminant relationship model for Christchurch urban catchments. In Proceedings of the 2009 Stormwater Conference, New Zealand Water Association, Auckland, New Zealand, April 29- May 1 2009, 10 pp.: 10pp-10pp.

McCauley C., O'Sullivan AD., Weber P. and Trumm D. (2008) Development of Passive Treatment Systems for Treating Acid Mine Drainage at Stockton Mine. In Proceedings of the 2008 New Zealand Minerals Conference, Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Auckland, New Zealand, 29 Aug.-4th Sept. 2008, pp. 329-338.: 329-338.

McCauley CA., O'Sullivan AD., Weber PA. and Trumm DA. (2008) Performance of Mesocosm Sulfate-Reducing Bioreactors for Treating Acid Mine Drainage in New Zealand. In Proceedings of the 25th Meeting of the American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation, Richmond, WV., USA, June 14-19, pp. 662-698.: 662-698.

McCauley CA., O'Sullivan AD., Weber PA. and Trumm DA. (2008) Performance of mesocosm-scale sulfate-reducing bioreactors for treating acid mine drainage in New Zealand. In 25th Annual Meetings of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation and 10th Meeting of IALR 2008 1: 674-710.

Valigore JM., Turner S. and O'Sullivan A. (2008) Microbial biomass grown on primary treated wastewater. In Proceedings of the 50th New Zealand Water and Wastes Conference, New Zealand Water and Wastes Association, Christchurch, New Zealand, 24-26th Sept. 2008, 10 pp.: 10pp-10pp.

Review and Refereeing

Ecological Engineering ( 2000 - 2005)

Frontiers in Environmental Science ( 2023 )

Proceedings of the American Society for Mining and Reclamation ( 2000 - 2005)

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution ( 2000 - 2005)

Water, Air, and Soil Pollution ( 2000 - 2005)