Peter Nelson

Biography

Peter Nelson was appointed Professor of Environmental Studies, Macquarie University in 2001, and Associate Dean Research in the Faculty of Science in 2008. He was previously Senior Principal Research Scientist in CSIRO Energy Technology, where he managed projects on energy and the environment, air pollutant measurement, mechanism of formation and control. Professor Nelson has had more than 30 years experience in research on the assessment and control of air pollution and on environmental issues associated with energy use. Professor Nelson’s research expertise is in the assessment and control of pollution and on environmental issues associated with energy use, with emphasis on toxic organics from industrial and vehicular sources, trace elements and waste management. The outputs of this research have been published in the scientific literature (> 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers), and in major commissioned reports for government and industry. Much of this work was done in close co-operation either directly with industry (eg, ARC-Linkage projects with RioTinto; CRC program; Australian Coal Association Research Program, NSW Power Generators) or government (eg, with the Australian Greenhouse Office; Department of Environment Water Heritage & the Arts, New South Wales Department of Environment Climate Change & Water).

Research Interest

Atmospheric Chemistry & Air Quality This work includes: atmospheric chemistry of pollutants and greenhouse gases, including characterisation of the composition of gas and particulate phase trace pollutants, methods for the measurement and estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from energy and waste sources inventory development, and methods for determining source contributions to atmospheric concentrations, modelling of atmospheric transformations. Professor Nelson also initiated and directed a project to construct an environmental chamber to study formation of secondary organic aerosols, and the fate of trace toxic species in the atmosphere. He has been responsible for the management of projects related to Reactive/Predictive NOx management in the context of industrial development of (for example) gas-fired cogeneration and combined cycle plants; impact assessment of secondary air pollutants associated with power production; and analysis of air quality monitoring data using various modelling approaches.