William Clarke

Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/324 Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/experts/377

Professor

William Clarke

Positions

Affiliate of ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites : ARC Training Centre for Bioplastics and Biocomposites : Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Professor : School of Civil Engineering : Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology

Overview

Background

Prof Bill Clarke (Schools of Civil and Chemical Engineering) has an extensive publication record in methods for accelerating the solubilisation and digestion of solid organic waste, measuring landfill emissions and the ingress of O2 and subsequent composting of waste in landfills, the utilisation of waste as a carbon source for H2S production in the mineral processing industry, on-site digestion of combined wastewater and solid organic waste and the fate of pathogens, heavy metals and POPs in organic treatment processes. He was an Associate Editor of Waste Management (2008-13) and is on the Managing Board of the International Waste Working Group.

Availability

Professor William Clarke is: : Available for supervision : Media expert

Fields of research

Engineering Environmental biotechnology Environmental engineering

Qualifications

Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

Organic solid and liquid waste degradation processes

Organic solid and liquid waste degradation processes, including anaerobic digestion, vermicomposting and trickle flow processes for refractory organic compounds; and Measurement modelling of multicomponent systems involving biological reactions.

Works

Search Professor William Clarke’s works on UQ eSpace

All (108) Journal Article (71) Conference Publication (32) Book Chapter (5)

2026

Journal Article

The suitability of fermenter liquor from MSW as an electron donor for hypersaline sulfate reduction

Patel, M., Peces, M., Villa-Gomez, D., Pikaar, I., Vaughan, J. and Clarke, W.P. (2026). The suitability of fermenter liquor from MSW as an electron donor for hypersaline sulfate reduction. Waste Management, 211 115292, 115292. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.115292

The suitability of fermenter liquor from MSW as an electron donor for hypersaline sulfate reduction

2024

Journal Article

A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae

Webster, Luke J., Villa-Gomez, Denys, Brown, Reuben, Clarke, William and Schenk, Peer M. (2024). A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 12 1379301, 1-16. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1379301

A synthetic biology approach for the treatment of pollutants with microalgae

2024

Journal Article

Effect of feeding frequency on the anaerobic digestion of berry fruit waste

Ezieke, Arinze Hycienth, Serrano, Antonio, Peces, Miriam, Clarke, William and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2024). Effect of feeding frequency on the anaerobic digestion of berry fruit waste. Waste Management, 178, 66-75. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.02.011

Effect of feeding frequency on the anaerobic digestion of berry fruit waste

2023

Journal Article

Beyond waste-to-energy: bioenergy can drive sustainable Australian agriculture by integrating circular economy with net zero ambitions

Arsic, Maja, O’Sullivan, Cathryn A., Wasson, Anton P., Antille, Diogenes L. and Clarke, William P. (2023). Beyond waste-to-energy: bioenergy can drive sustainable Australian agriculture by integrating circular economy with net zero ambitions. Detritus, 23 (23), 28-34. doi: 10.31025/2611-4135/2023.17278

Beyond waste-to-energy: bioenergy can drive sustainable Australian agriculture by integrating circular economy with net zero ambitions

2022

Journal Article

Adult incontinence products are a larger and faster growing waste issue than disposable infant nappies (diapers) in Australia

Thompson Brewster, Emma, Rounsefell, Beth, Lin, Fangzhou, Clarke, William and O'Brien, Katherine R. (2022). Adult incontinence products are a larger and faster growing waste issue than disposable infant nappies (diapers) in Australia. Waste Management, 152, 30-37. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.07.038

Adult incontinence products are a larger and faster growing waste issue than disposable infant nappies (diapers) in Australia

2022

Journal Article

Drivers of anaerobic methanogenesis in sub-tropical reservoir sediments

Grinham, Alistair, O'Sullivan, Cathryn, Dunbabin, Matthew, Sturm, Katrin, Gale, Deborah, Clarke, William and Albert, Simon (2022). Drivers of anaerobic methanogenesis in sub-tropical reservoir sediments. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10 852344. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2022.852344

Drivers of anaerobic methanogenesis in sub-tropical reservoir sediments

2022

Book Chapter

Established full-scale applications for energy recovery from water: anaerobic digestion

Jensen, Paul D., Astals, Sergi, Bai, Xue, Nieradzik, Ludwika, Wardrop, Peter, Batstone, Damien J. and Clarke, William P. (2022). Established full-scale applications for energy recovery from water: anaerobic digestion. Resource recovery from water. (pp. 99-139) London, United Kingdom: IWA Publishing. doi: 10.2166/9781780409566_0099

Established full-scale applications for energy recovery from water: anaerobic digestion

2022

Journal Article

Bottom ash from smouldered digestate and coconut coir as an alkalinity supplement for the anaerobic digestion of fruit waste

Ezieke, Arinze Hycienth, Serrano, Antonio, Clarke, William and Villa-Gomez, Denys Kristalia (2022). Bottom ash from smouldered digestate and coconut coir as an alkalinity supplement for the anaerobic digestion of fruit waste. Chemosphere, 296 134049, 134049. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134049

Bottom ash from smouldered digestate and coconut coir as an alkalinity supplement for the anaerobic digestion of fruit waste

2021

Conference Publication

Effect of feeding mode on anaerobic digestion of fruit waste

Ezieke, Arinze, Serrano, Antonio, Clarke, William and Villa Gomez, Denys (2021). Effect of feeding mode on anaerobic digestion of fruit waste. 18th International Symposium on Waste Management and Sustainable Landfilling, Sardinia, Italy, 11 - 15 October 2021. Rosslyn, United States: CISA Publisher.

Effect of feeding mode on anaerobic digestion of fruit waste

2021

Conference Publication

Closing the loop in agricultural waste management: co-smouldered digestate ash as alkalinity and trace element supplement for anaerobic digestion

Ezieke, Arinze, Serrano, Antonio, Clarke, William and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2021). Closing the loop in agricultural waste management: co-smouldered digestate ash as alkalinity and trace element supplement for anaerobic digestion. International Conference on Sustainable Solid Waste Management, Thessaloniki, Greece, 23 - 26 June 2021.

Closing the loop in agricultural waste management: co-smouldered digestate ash as alkalinity and trace element supplement for anaerobic digestion

2021

Journal Article

Transition of microbial communities and degradation pathways in anaerobic digestion at decreasing retention time

Peces, Miriam, Astals, Sergi, Jensen, Paul D. and Clarke, William P. (2021). Transition of microbial communities and degradation pathways in anaerobic digestion at decreasing retention time. New Biotechnology, 60, 52-61. doi: 10.1016/j.nbt.2020.07.005

Transition of microbial communities and degradation pathways in anaerobic digestion at decreasing retention time

2020

Journal Article

Organic waste biorefineries: Looking towards implementation

Alibardi, Luca, Astrup, Thomas F., Asunis, Fabiano, Clarke, William P., De Gioannis, Giorgia, Dessì, Paolo, Lens, Piet N.L., Lavagnolo, Maria Cristina, Lombardi, Lidia, Muntoni, Aldo, Pivato, Alberto, Polettini, Alessandra, Pomi, Raffaella, Rossi, Andreina, Spagni, Alessandro and Spiga, Daniela (2020). Organic waste biorefineries: Looking towards implementation. Waste Management, 114, 274-286. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.07.010

Organic waste biorefineries: Looking towards implementation

2020

Journal Article

Influence of inoculum selection on the utilisation of volatile fatty acid and glucose in sulfate reducing reactors

Patel, Miheka, Villa Gómez, Denys K., Pikaar, Ilje and Clarke, William P. (2020). Influence of inoculum selection on the utilisation of volatile fatty acid and glucose in sulfate reducing reactors. Environmental Technology, 43 (2), 1-12. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2020.1783371

Influence of inoculum selection on the utilisation of volatile fatty acid and glucose in sulfate reducing reactors

2018

Journal Article

Deterministic mechanisms define the long-term anaerobic digestion microbiome and its functionality regardless of the initial microbial community

Peces, M., Astals, S., Jensen, P. D. and Clarke, W. P. (2018). Deterministic mechanisms define the long-term anaerobic digestion microbiome and its functionality regardless of the initial microbial community. Water Research, 141, 366-376. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.05.028

Deterministic mechanisms define the long-term anaerobic digestion microbiome and its functionality regardless of the initial microbial community

2018

Journal Article

Methodology to determine the extent of anaerobic digestion, composting and CH4 oxidation in a landfill environment

Obersky, Lizanne, Rafiee, Reza, Cabral, Alexandre R., Golding, Suzanne D. and Clarke, William P. (2018). Methodology to determine the extent of anaerobic digestion, composting and CH4 oxidation in a landfill environment. Waste Management, 76, 364-373. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2018.02.029

Methodology to determine the extent of anaerobic digestion, composting and CH4 oxidation in a landfill environment

2017

Journal Article

Pilot scale evaluation of a model to distinguish the rates of simultaneous anaerobic digestion, composting and methane oxidation in static waste beds

Rafiee, Reza, Obersky, Lizanne, Xie, Sihuang and Clarke, William P (2017). Pilot scale evaluation of a model to distinguish the rates of simultaneous anaerobic digestion, composting and methane oxidation in static waste beds. Waste Management (New York, N.Y.), 71, 156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2017.11.003

Pilot scale evaluation of a model to distinguish the rates of simultaneous anaerobic digestion, composting and methane oxidation in static waste beds

2017

Journal Article

The uptake of anaerobic digestion for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste - Push versus pull factors

Clarke, W P (2017). The uptake of anaerobic digestion for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste - Push versus pull factors. Bioresource Technology, 249, 1040-1043. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.10.086

The uptake of anaerobic digestion for the organic fraction of municipal solid waste - Push versus pull factors

2017

Journal Article

A mass balance model to estimate the rate of composting, methane oxidation and anaerobic digestion in soil covers and shallow waste layers

Rafiee, Reza, Obersky, Lizanne, Xie, Sihuang and Clarke, William P. (2017). A mass balance model to estimate the rate of composting, methane oxidation and anaerobic digestion in soil covers and shallow waste layers. International Journal of Drug Policy, 63, 196-202. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.12.025

A mass balance model to estimate the rate of composting, methane oxidation and anaerobic digestion in soil covers and shallow waste layers

2017

Book Chapter

Methanotrophs: methane mitigation, denitrification and bioremediation

Strong, Peter James , Karthikeyan, Obulisamy Parthiba , Zhu, Jing , Clarke, William and Wu, Weixiang (2017). Methanotrophs: methane mitigation, denitrification and bioremediation. Agro-environmental sustainability: Volume 2: Managing environmental pollution. (pp. 19-40) edited by Jay Shankar Singh and Gamini Seneviratne. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-49727-3_2

Methanotrophs: methane mitigation, denitrification and bioremediation

2016

Journal Article

Effect of biomass concentration on methane oxidation activity using mature compost and graphite granules as substrata

Xie, S., O'Dwyer, T., Freguia, S., Pikaar, I. and Clarke, W. P. (2016). Effect of biomass concentration on methane oxidation activity using mature compost and graphite granules as substrata. Waste Management, 56, 290-297. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2016.08.003

Effect of biomass concentration on methane oxidation activity using mature compost and graphite granules as substrata

Funding

Current funding

2022 - 2027

ARC Training Centre in Bioplastics and Biocomposites

ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres

Open grant

Past funding

2022 - 2024

Evaluation of a submersible fluorometric instrument to detect and monitor Trichodesmium in the GBR Lagoon

Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority

Open grant - 2019 - 2023

Efficient PFAS removal from urban wastewater using a novel 2-step approach

ARC Special Research Initiative - PFAS Remediation Research Program

Open grant - 2019

UHPLC-QTOF-MS for research on emerging chemical pollutants including PFAS

UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure

Open grant - 2018 - 2022

Quantifying natural GHG sources and sinks

UniQuest Pty Ltd

Open grant - 2017 - 2019

Grant Deed - To Establish Waste Management Centre

Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Open grant - 2017 - 2018

Grant Deed to Establish Waste Management Centre

Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection

Open grant - 2017 - 2018

Centre for Geoanalytical Mass Spectrometry (CGMS) - Achieving excellence in isotope geochemistry and geochronology

UQ Research Facilities Infrastructure Grants

Open grant - 2016

Specialised odour component analysis to support development and optimisation of odour treatment technologies

UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure

Open grant - 2015 - 2017

Stabilisation of mercury during bauxite digestion

Rio Tinto Alcan

Open grant - 2015

Building a Gas Fermentation Facility for the Production of Fuels and Chemicals

UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure

Open grant - 2014 - 2016

A landfill cover that generates electricity: a Microbial Fuel Cell application

ARC Discovery Projects

Open grant - 2012 - 2015

Digestion of waste in biocells

Queensland Government Smart Futures Research Partnerships Program

Open grant - 2011 - 2016

Chair in Solid Waste Management and the Centre for Solid Waste Management

Thiess Services Pty Ltd

Open grant - 2010

A facility to characterise disinfection by-products and dissolved organic matter in potable water and potable water sources

UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure

Open grant - 2009 - 2010

Fate of organic matter submerged by a sudden rise in reservoir water level

Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority trading as Seqwater

Open grant - 2009

Water Quality and Environmental Analysis Facility

UQ School/Centre Co-Funding

Open grant - 2008

Advanced environmental and process analysis facility

UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure

Open grant - 2007 - 2008

Recycling water for use (Project ID No. 24044)

Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts

Open grant - 2007 - 2009

H2 production from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste using a novel membrane

ARC Discovery Projects

Open grant - 2006 - 2008

Entering an application in RM

ARC Discovery Projects

Open grant - 2005 - 2008

An Optimally Integrated Treatment Process For Food Waste And Wastewater To Maximise Sustainability In A Decentralised Treatment Plant

ARC Linkage Projects

Open grant - 2003 - 2006

Landfill Based Rapid Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Solid Waste

ARC Linkage Projects

Open grant - 2002 - 2003

Biomass Energy Project

Australian Waste Services Pty Ltd

Open grant - 2002 - 2003

Supervision of Arthur Kollaras's PhD Thesis

EDL Group Operations Pty Ltd

Open grant - 2002 - 2005

Development of a Trickle Filter for Treating Sour Water from Oil Shale Processing Plants

ARC Linkage Projects

Open grant - 2002 - 2004

Fundamental Knowledge Generation of Organic Solid Waste-Microorganism Interactions

ARC Discovery Projects

Open grant - 1996

The contribution of organic compounds to the formation of acid mine drainage in coal waste rock

University of Queensland New Staff Research Grant

Open grant - 1995 - 1998

Kidston Gold Mines co-disposal of wastes research.

Kidston Gold Mines Limited

Open grant - 1995 - 1999

The fate and transport of organic compounds at the Willawong Liquid Waste Treatment Facility.

Brisbane City Council

Open grant

View all 29 past funded projects View less

Supervision

Availability

Professor William Clarke is: : Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Doctor Philosophy

##### Quantifying wind-driven greenhouse gas exchange within engineered landfills

Associate Advisor

Other advisors: Dr Alistair Grinham, Associate Professor Badin Gibbes - Doctor Philosophy

##### Evaluating and Accelerating Biodegradation of Next-generation Plastics and Biomaterials

Associate Advisor

Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen - Doctor Philosophy

##### INTEGRATING THE PENTA-HELIX MODEL AND MACHINE LEARNING FOR OPTIMIZING CLEANER PRODUCTION STRATEGIES IN SUSTAINABLE MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

Associate Advisor

Other advisors: Dr Anthony Halog

Completed supervision

2018

Doctor Philosophy

##### Using Municipal Solid Waste as a Carbon Source for Biogenic H2S production

Principal Advisor

Other advisors: Associate Professor Ilje Pikaar, Professor James Vaughan, Dr Denys Villa Gomez - 2018

Doctor Philosophy

##### Aerobic processes in landfill: an Australian field trial

Principal Advisor

Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding - 2018

Doctor Philosophy

##### Controlling anaerobic digestion to produce targeted compounds

Principal Advisor

Other advisors: Associate Professor Paul Jensen - 2016

Doctor Philosophy

##### Aerobic degradation processes in active landfill cells

Principal Advisor - 2013

Doctor Philosophy

##### Use of Membranes to Control Dissolved Hydrogen Concentrations for Enhancing the Biological Hydrogen Yield from Glucose Fermentation

Principal Advisor - 2013

Doctor Philosophy

##### Anaerobic digestion of blackwater from an office building with concomitant solid organic waste addition to improve methane production and biological nutrient removal

Principal Advisor - 2010

Doctor Philosophy

##### Laboratory-scale investigation of the decentralised anaerobic co-digestion of blackwater and food waste for a tourism facility

Principal Advisor

Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone - 2009

Doctor Philosophy

##### The Effect of Temperature on the Anaerobic Digestion Process at both Laboratory and Field Scale using a Mixed Waste Feedstock of Semi-Digested Sludge and Municipal Solid Waste

Principal Advisor - 2008

Master Philosophy

##### THE COMPOSTING OF TIMBER CONTAINING WOOD PRESERVATIVE CHEMICALS

Principal Advisor - 2006

Master Philosophy

##### THE AUTOCLAVING OF MUNICIPAL GREENWASTES AS A PRE-TREATMENT FOR USE IN SOIL ENHANCEMENT

Principal Advisor - 2005

Doctor Philosophy

##### CHARACTERISATION OF SHALE ASH PACKED-COLUMN BIOFILM REACTOR FOR SHALE WASTEWATER TREATMENT

Principal Advisor - 2005

Doctor Philosophy

##### FUNDAMENTAL STUDIES OF BACTERIAL CELLULOSE SOLUBLISATION DURING ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF ORGANIC SOLID WASTE