|
|
||
|
Ian's Scientific Work |
||
Ian has been an environmental scientist for the past thirty years, and is an expert in the investigation assessment and management of contaminated sediments, a major global environmental problem. He has written, edited or contributed to several hundred scientific reports, articles, environmental impact studies and other investigations, mainly dealing with contamination in the marine and coastal environment.
Ian Irvine was the principal consultant for the development of Australia's national ocean disposal guidelines between 1993 and 1997, and prepared the Interim Ocean Disposal Guidelines manual, 1998, as well as the revised Ocean Disposal Guidelines, 2002 and the National Assessment Guidelines for Dredging, 2009. These manuals set out procedures for the investigation, environmental assessment and management of sediments that are dredged out of ports and harbours throughout Australia. Such materials must be proven non-toxic to marine organisms before they can be disposed of at sea. Contaminated sediments are a major global problem and most countries' ocean disposal follow the guidelines laid down by the London Convention to protect the marine environment. Australia's 2009 Guidelines can be seen at http://www.environment.gov.au/coasts/pollution/dumping/publications/guidelines.html
For more on contaminated sediments, see http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/cs/