Contaminants

How our new technology improves oil spill response
Oil spills can cause significant environmental damage. We have developed new oil spill response technology that focuses on removing small oil droplets. And it all starts off with the humble domestic sponge ...

Tiny nanopesticides promise big gains to farmers
New research has helped bring nanopesticides—tiny capsules capable of big impact—one step closer to regulatory approval.

A short history of agricultural chemical usage and development
Throughout human history, pests have greatly impacted agriculture and society through crop failure. In modern times, chemical solutions to the problem have been hit and miss.

A post mining future looks golden with a little help from science
Australian mining has a lot of responsibilities to manage. A new CRC (Co-operative Research Centre) aims to transform the industry to enable regions and communities to transition to a more prosperous and sustainable post-mine future.

Decommissioning offshore oil and gas infrastructure: liability or opportunity?
Can the rigs of today become the reefs of tomorrow? CSIRO is working with industry partners to explore the future of our oil and gas infrastructure.

Using satellite imagery to detect and map oil spills along Australia’s coastline
Detection of oil spills using state of the art satellite imagery will support Australian environmental agencies to manage and protect the Great Barrier Reef, and other Australian marine regions.

Helping sugarcane farmers reduce impacts of cropping on the Great Barrier Reef
In a world first, we've developed a new suite of apps to help sugarcane farmers in far north Queensland manage fertiliser use and reduce nitrogen runoff onto the Great Barrier Reef.

Weeding out a killer pesticide
A new study in the journal Clinical Toxicology examines how effective enzymes can be for treating organo phosphate poisoning in humans.

Phosphorus: a finite resource essential for life, critical for agriculture and food security
Strategic use of phosphorus fertilisers can ensure higher crop yields. High yields minimise the amount of land devoted to food production, maximise the use of scarce rainfall and help keep food supplies stable and relatively cheap. Getting the balance right is important in an increasingly crowded world.