Dr David Ralph

Room: PhSc/2.011

Qualifications:

BSc W.Aust., PhD Murd.

Teaching:

A203 Science, Technology and Society; M114 Chem for Biol Sciences; M115 Chem for Env Science;

M342 Physical and Industrial Chemistry.

Research Interests:

Interactions between micro-organisms and minerals

Micro-organisms interact with a huge variety of minerals in many different ways. The growth of cells which cause decay in teeth, the corrosion of metal structures in marine environments and the formation of acid mine drainage are all examples of a destructive and undesired interaction between microbial cells and minerals. The bio-oxidation of sulphide minerals in hydrometallurgical processes is an example of how microbial metabolism is used in a commercially constructive manner.

With such a broad scope for study, opportunities exist for students with microbiology and environmental skills to complement their studies with a chemical and industrial focus. Our research group is concentrating on the parts played by microbes in hydrometallurgy but even this relatively narrow field (of bio-hydrometallurgy) has shown a huge variety of active cell types and many interesting facets for further study.

The range of the groups activities in industrial microbiology fall within three general areas, each with its own special types of biota and each having a special economic and social importance.