Researcher biography
Dr Ben Tscharke is an early career researcher and analytical chemist with a keen interest in quantifying analytes in environmental samples. Ben is currently a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Queensland research institute, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), joining in February 2017 after graduating his PhD from the University of South Australia the previous year. His key focus at QAEHS involves the wastewater based epidemiological approach to determine community consumption and exposure to a range of illicit drugs, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. He has significant involvement in the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring program, for which UQ collaborates with the University of South Australia (https://www.acic.gov.au/publications/intelligence-products/national-wastewater-drug-monitoring-program-report).
Book Chapter
O'Brien, Jake W., Thai, Phong K. and Tscharke, Benjamin J. (2023). Population biomarkers for wastewater-based epidemiology. Wastewater-Based Epidemiology for the Assessment of Human Exposure to Environmental Pollutants. (pp. 123-138) Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-443-19172-5.00005-6
Journal Articles
Knight, Emma R., Verhagen, Rory, Mueller, Jochen F. and Tscharke, Ben J. (2023). Spatial and temporal trends of 64 pesticides and their removal from Australian wastewater. Science of the Total Environment, 905 166816. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166816
Verhagen, Rory, Kaserzon, Sarit L., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Tscharke, Benjamin J. (2023). Exploring drug consumption patterns across varying levels of remoteness in Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 903 166163, 166163. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166163
Chen, Shuo, Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Ben, Hall, Wayne, Livingston, Michael, Thai, Phong, He, Chang, Zheng, Qiuda, Crosbie, Nick and Mueller, Jochen (2023). Assessing the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on alcohol consumption in Melbourne, Australia using high-resolution wastewater sampling. Science of The Total Environment, 893 164846, 164846. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164846
Wang, Zhe, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Thompson, Jack, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Verhagen, Rory, Zheng, Qiuda, Prichard, Jeremy, Hall, Wayne, Humphreys, Keith, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Monitoring medication and illicit drug consumption in a prison by wastewater-based epidemiology: impact of COVID-19 restrictions. Water Research, 244 120452, 120452. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120452
Okoffo, Elvis D., Tscharke, Ben J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). Predicted Growth in Plastics Entering Biosolids and Agricultural Lands Exceeds Efforts to Control Source Emissions. ACS ES&T Water, 3 (8), 2238-2246. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00037
Zheng, Qiuda, Gerber, Cobus, Steadman, Kathryn J., Lin, Chun-Yin, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake William, Hobson, Peter, Toms, Leisa-Maree, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Improving wastewater-based tobacco use estimates using anabasine. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (21), 7958-7965. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01510
Li, Jiaying, Hosegood, Ian, Powell, David, Tscharke, Ben, Lawler, Jenny, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2023). A global aircraft-based wastewater genomic surveillance network for early warning of future pandemics. The Lancet Global Health, 11 (5), e791-e795. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(23)00129-8
Thai, Phong K, Tscharke, Benjamin J, O’Brien, Jake, Gartner, Coral, Bade, Richard, Gerber, Cobus, White, Jason M, Zheng, Qiuda, Wang, Zhe, Thomas, Kevin V and Mueller, Jochen F (2023). Increased nicotine consumption in Australia during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 25 (6), 1194-1197. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntac275
Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Ahmed, Fahad, Ngyuen, Lynn, Ghetia, Maulik, Chan, Gary, Thai, Phong, Gerber, Cobus, Bade, Richard, Mueller, Jochen, Thomas, Kevin V., White, Jason and Hall, Wayne (2023). A wastewater‐based evaluation of the effectiveness of codeine control measures in Australia. Addiction, 118 (3), 480-488. doi: 10.1111/add.16083
Shimko, Katja M., O’Brien, Jake W., Lin, Xialu, Tscharke, Benjamin J. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). In-sample stability of 52 performance- and image-enhancing drug biomarkers in wastewater. ACS ES and T Water, 3 (3), 669-678. doi: 10.1021/acsestwater.2c00393
Vo, Phong H. N., Tscharke, Ben, Toft, Sonja, Madsen, Craig, Nguyen, Kim Qui, Nguyen, Hong T. M., Bui, Xuan Thanh, Li, Jiaying and Thai, Phong K. (2023). Spatiotemporal trends and impact of Covid-19 lockdown on eight sewage contaminants in Brisbane, Australia, from 2012 to 2020. Chemosphere, 314 137702, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137702
Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O’Brien, Jake W., Hall, Wayne D., Cabot, Peter J., Sowa, P. Marcin, Samanipour, Saer and Thomas, Kevin V. (2023). National wastewater reconnaissance of analgesic consumption in Australia. Environmental Science and Technology, 57 (4), 1712-1720. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.2c06691
Gao, Jianfa, Burgard, Daniel A., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Lai, Foon Yin, O'Brien, Jake W., Nguyen, Hien D., Zheng, Qiuda, Li, Jiaying, Du, Peng, Li, Xiqing, Wang, Degao, Castiglioni, Sara, Cruz-Cruz, Copytzy, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Yargeau, Viviane, Emke, Erik, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2022). Refining the estimation of amphetamine consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 225 119182, 1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119182
Rousis, Nikolaos I., Li, Zhe, Bade, Richard, McLachlan, Michael S., Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Samanipour, Saer, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Thomaidis, Nikolaos S. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Socioeconomic status and public health in Australia: A wastewater-based study. Environment International, 167 107436, 107436. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107436
Li, Jiaying, Ahmed, Warish, Metcalfe, Suzanne, Smith, Wendy J.M., Tscharke, Ben, Lynch, Peter, Sherman, Paul, Vo, Phong H.N., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Simpson, Stuart L., McCarthy, David T., Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong (2022). Monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 in sewersheds with low COVID-19 cases using a passive sampling technique. Water Research, 218 118481, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118481
Yang, Dan, Zheng, Qiuda, Thai, Phong, Ahmed, Fahad, O'Brien, Jake W., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Tscharke, Ben (2022). A nationwide wastewater-based assessment of metformin consumption across Australia. Environment International, 165 107282, 107282. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107282
Nguyen, Hue T., McLachlan, Michael S., Tscharke, Ben, Thai, Phong, Braeunig, Jennifer, Kaserzon, Sarit, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2022). Background release and potential point sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to municipal wastewater treatment plants across Australia. Chemosphere, 293 133657, 133657. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133657
Yang, Dan, Zheng, Qiuda, Ahmed, Fahad, Parat, Marie-Odile and Tscharke, Benjamin J. (2022). A simple liquid extraction for simultaneous determination of 12 opioid ligands in plasma by LC-MS/MS. Analytical Methods, 14 (15), 1523-1528. doi: 10.1039/d1ay01631h
Okoffo, Elvis D., O'Brien, Stacey, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Rauert, Cassandra, Rødland, Elisabeth S., Ribeiro, Francisca, Burrows, Stephen D., Toapanta, Tania, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Does size matter? Quantification of plastics associated with size fractionated biosolids. Science of The Total Environment, 811 152382, 152382. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152382
Shimko, Katja M., O’Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Brooker, Lance, Thai, Phong K., Choi, Phil M., Samanipour, Saer and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). In-sewer stability assessment of anabolic steroids and selective androgen receptor modulators. Environmental Science and Technology, 56 (3) acs.est.1c03047, 1627-1638. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c03047
O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Bade, Richard, Chan, Gary, Gerber, Cobus, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Hall, Wayne D. (2022). A wastewater‐based assessment of the impact of a minimum unit price on population alcohol consumption in the Northern Territory, Australia. Addiction, 117 (1), 243-249. doi: 10.1111/add.15631
Tscharke, Ben J., Hollingworth, Samantha, van Driel, Mieke L., O’Brien, Jake W. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on antidepressant sales and prescription dispensing in Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 56 (7), 000486742110683-872. doi: 10.1177/00048674211068396
Shimko, Katja M., Piatkowski, Timothy, Thomas, Kevin V., Speers, Naomi, Brooker, Lance, Tscharke, Ben J. and O’Brien, Jake W. (2021). Performance- and image-enhancing drug use in the community: use prevalence, user demographics and the potential role of wastewater-based epidemiology. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 419 126340, 1-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126340
Boogaerts, Tim, Ahmed, Fahad, Choi, Phil.M, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, De Loof, Hans, Gao, Jianfa, Thai, Phong, Thomas, Kevin, Mueller, Jochen F., Hall, Wayne, Covaci, Adrian and van Nuijs, Alexander L.N. (2021). Current and future perspectives for wastewater-based epidemiology as a monitoring tool for pharmaceutical use. Science of the Total Environment, 789 148047, 148047. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148047
Verhagen, Rory, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Clokey, Joseph, Gerber, Cobus, Ghetia, Maulik, Kaserzon, Sarit L., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2021). Multisite calibration of a microporous polyethylene tube passive sampler for quantifying drugs in wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (19) acs.est.1c02900, 12922-12929. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c02900
Ahmed, Fahad, Li, Jiaying, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Samanipour, Saer, Thai, Phong K., Yuan, Zhiguo, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). In-sewer stability of selected analgesics and their metabolites. Water Research, 204 117647, 117647. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117647
Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Magsarjav, Saranzaya, Humphries, Melissa, Ghetia, Maulik, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F., White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2021). Impact of COVID-19 controls on the use of illicit drugs and alcohol in Australia. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 8 (9), 799-804. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00532
Okoffo, Elvis D., Donner, Erica, McGrath, Steve P., Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., O'Brien, Stacey, Ribeiro, Francisca, Burrows, Stephen D., Toapanta, Tania, Rauert, Cassandra, Samanipour, Saer, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). Plastics contamination in archived biosolids from 1950 to 2016. Water Research, 201 117367, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117367
Li, Dandan, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Okoffo, Elvis D., Mueller, Jochen F., Sun, Hongwen and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). Artificial sweeteners in end-use biosolids in Australia. Water Research, 200 117237, 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117237
Price, Mackay, Wilkins, Chris, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Baker, Tom, Mueller, Jochen F. and Trowsdale, Sam (2021). Spatial, temporal and socioeconomic patterns of illicit drug use in New Zealand assessed using wastewater-based epidemiology timed to coincide with the census. The New Zealand Medical Journal, 134 (1537), 11-26.
Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O’Brien, Jake W., Thompson, Jack, Zheng, Qiuda, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). Quantification of selected analgesics and their metabolites in influent wastewater by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Talanta, 234 122627, 122627. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122627
Lin, Xialu, Choi, Phil M., Thompson, Jack, Reeks, Timothy, Verhagen, Rory, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Malley, Elissa, Shimko, Katja M., Guo, Xiong, Thomas, Kevin V. and O’Brien, Jake W. (2021). Systematic evaluation of the in-sample stability of selected pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and their metabolites in wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (11) acs.est.1c00396, 7418-7429. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00396
Gao, Jianfa, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Choi, Phil M., O’Brien, Jake W., Boogaerts, Tim, Jiang, Hui, Yang, Mengting, Hollingworth, Samantha A. and Thai, Phong K. (2021). Using prescription and wastewater data to estimate the correction factors of atenolol, carbamazepine, and naproxen for wastewater-based epidemiology applications. Environmental Science and Technology, 55 (11) acs.est.1c00931, 7551-7560. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.1c00931
Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake W., Zheng, Qiuda, Thompson, Jack, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). Wastewater-based prevalence trends of gout in an Australian community over a period of 8 years. Science of the Total Environment, 759 143460, 143460. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143460
Ahmed, Warish, Tscharke, Ben, Bertsch, Paul M., Bibby, Kyle, Bivins, Aaron, Choi, Phil, Clarke, Leah, Dwyer, Jason, Edson, Janette, Nguyen, Thi Minh Hong, O'Brien, Jake W., Simpson, Stuart L., Sherman, Paul, Thomas, Kevin V., Verhagen, Rory, Zaugg, Julian and Mueller, Jochen F. (2021). SARS-CoV-2 RNA monitoring in wastewater as a potential early warning system for COVID-19 transmission in the community: a temporal case study. Science of The Total Environment, 761 144216, 144216. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144216
Thai, Phong K., Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Zheng, Qiuda, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2021). Estimating alcohol consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology: an assessment of the correction factor for ethyl sulfate using large-scale national monitoring data. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 8 (4), 333-338. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00065
Li, Dandan, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Choi, Phil M., Ahmed, Fahad, Thompson, Jack, Mueller, Jochen F., Sun, Hongwen and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). Trends in artificial sweetener consumption: a 7-year wastewater-based epidemiology study in Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 754 142438, 142438. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142438
Trowsdale, Sam, Price, Mackay, Wilkins, Chris, Tscharke, Ben, Mueller, Jochen and Baker, Tom (2021). Quantifying nicotine and alcohol consumption in New Zealand using wastewater-based epidemiology timed to coincide with census. Drug and Alcohol Review, 40 (7) dar.13268, 1178-1185. doi: 10.1111/dar.13268
Okoffo, Elvis D., O'Brien, Stacey, Ribeiro, Francisca, Burrows, Stephen D., Toapanta, Tania, Rauert, Cassandra, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Wang, Xianyu and Thomas, Kevin V. (2021). Plastic particles in soil: state of the knowledge on sources, occurrence and distribution, analytical methods and ecological impacts. Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts, 23 (2), 240-274. doi: 10.1039/d0em00312c
Zheng, Qiuda, Gartner, Coral, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Gao, Jianfa, Ahmed, Fahad, Thomas, Kevin V., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Long-term trends in tobacco use assessed by wastewater-based epidemiology and its relationship with consumption of nicotine containing products. Environmental International, 145 106088, 106088. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106088
Neale, Peta A., O’Brien, Jake W., Glauch, Lisa, König, Maria, Krauss, Martin, Mueller, Jochen F., Tscharke, Ben and Escher, Beate I. (2020). Wastewater treatment efficacy evaluated with in vitro bioassays. Water Research X, 9 100072, 100072. doi: 10.1016/j.wroa.2020.100072
Okoffo, Elvis D., Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., O'Brien, Stacey, Ribeiro, Francisca, Burrows, Stephen D., Choi, Phil M., Wang, Xianyu, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin (2020). Release of plastics to Australian land from biosolids end-use. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (23), 15132-15141. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c05867
Zheng, Qiuda, Eaglesham, Geoff, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Li, Jiaying, Thompson, Jack, Shimko, Katja M., Reeks, Tim, Gerber, Cobus, Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). Determination of anabasine, anatabine, and nicotine biomarkers in wastewater by enhanced direct injection LC-MS/MS and evaluation of their in-sewer stability. Science of The Total Environment, 743 140551, 140551. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140551
Li, Dandan, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Choi, Phil M., Zheng, Qiuda, Ahmed, Fahad, Thompson, Jack, Li, Jiaying, Mueller, Jochen F., Sun, Hongwen and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). National wastewater reconnaissance of artificial sweetener consumption and emission in Australia. Environment International, 143 105963, 105963. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105963
Pandopulos, Aaron J., Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Simpson, Bradley S., White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2020). Application of catecholamine metabolites as endogenous population biomarkers for wastewater-based epidemiology. Science of the Total Environment, 763 142992, 142992. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142992
Verhagen, Rory, Kaserzon, Sarit L., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Shukla, Pradeep, Clokey, Joseph, Vrana, Branislav, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Time-integrative passive sampling of very hydrophilic chemicals in wastewater influent. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 7 (11) acs.estlett.0c00685, 848-853. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00685
Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake W., Cabot, Peter J., Hall, Wayne D., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). Can wastewater analysis be used as a tool to assess the burden of pain treatment within a population?. Environmental Research, 188 109769, 109769. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109769
Pandopulos, Aaron J., Bade, Richard, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin, White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2020). Towards an efficient method for the extraction and analysis of cannabinoids in wastewater. Talanta, 217 121034, 121034. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.121034
Bade, Richard, White, Jason M., Nguyen, Lynn, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Gerber, Cobus (2020). Determining changes in new psychoactive substance use in Australia by wastewater analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 731 139209, 139209. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139209
Ahmed, Warish, Angel, Nicola, Edson, Janette, Bibby, Kyle, Bivins, Aaron, O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Kitajima, Masaaki, Simpson, Stuart L., Li, Jiaying, Tscharke, Ben, Verhagen, Rory, Smith, Wendy J.M., Zaugg, Julian, Dierens, Leanne, Hugenholtz, Philip, Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). First confirmed detection of SARS-CoV-2 in untreated wastewater in Australia: a proof of concept for the wastewater surveillance of COVID-19 in the community. Science of the Total Environment, 728 138764, 138764. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138764
Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong K., Heffernan, Amy, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Toms, Leisa, Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O’Brien, Jake W., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Urinary concentrations of bisphenols in the Australian population and their association with the per capita mass loads in wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology, 54 (16) acs.est.0c00921, 10141-10148. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.0c00921
Choi, Phil M., O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben J., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Samanipour, Saer (2020). Population socioeconomics predicted using wastewater. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 7 (8) acs.estlett.0c00392, 567-572. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.0c00392
Bade, Richard, White, Jason M., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Ghetia, Maulik, Abdelaziz, Ahmed and Gerber, Cobus (2020). Anabasine-based measurement of cigarette consumption using wastewater analysis. Drug Testing and Analysis, 12 (9) dta.2874, 1393-1398. doi: 10.1002/dta.2874
Ahmed, Fahad, Tscharke, Benjamin, O'Brien, Jake, Thompson, Jack, Samanipour, Saer, Choi, Phil, Li, Jiaying, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin (2020). Wastewater-based estimation of the prevalence of gout in Australia. Science of The Total Environment, 715 136925, 136925. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136925
Okoffo, Elvis D., Ribeiro, Francisca, O'Brien, Jake W., O'Brien, Stacey, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Gallen, Michael, Samanipour, Saer, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2020). Identification and quantification of selected plastics in biosolids by pressurized liquid extraction combined with double-shot pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Science of the Total Environment, 715 136924, 1. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136924
Anim, Alfred K., Thompson, Kristie, Duodu, Godfred O., Tscharke, Ben, Birch, Gavin, Goonetilleke, Ashantha, Ayoko, Godwin A. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Pharmaceuticals, personal care products, food additive and pesticides in surface waters from three Australian east coast estuaries (Sydney, Yarra and Brisbane). Marine Pollution Bulletin, 153 111014, 111014. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111014
Tang, Shaoyu, He, Chang, Thai, Phong, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Mackie, Rachel, Toms, Leisa-Maree L., Thompson, Kristie, Hobson, Peter, Tscharke, Ben, O'Brien, Jake W. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2020). Concentrations of phthalate metabolites in Australian urine samples and their contribution to the per capita loads in wastewater. Environment International, 137 105534, 105534. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2020.105534
Goulding, Neil, Hickman, Matthew, Reid, Malcolm, Amundsen, Ellen J., Baz‐Lomba, Jose Antonio, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben J., Voogt, Pim, Emke, Erik, Kuijpers, Wil, Hall, Wayne and Jones, Hayley E. (2020). A comparison of trends in wastewater‐based data and traditional epidemiological indicators of stimulant consumption in three locations. Addiction, 115 (3) add.14852, 462-472. doi: 10.1111/add.14852
McKay, Sarah, Tscharke, Ben, Hawker, Darryl, Thompson, Kristie, O'Brien, Jake, Mueller, Jochen F. and Kaserzon, Sarit (2020). Calibration and validation of a microporous polyethylene passive sampler for quantitative estimation of illicit drug and pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) concentrations in wastewater influent. Science of The Total Environment, 704 135891, 135891. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135891
Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Krapp, Catharina, O’Brien, Jake W., Mackie, Rachel S., Connor, Jason, Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and Thai, Phong K. (2020). New approach in the measurement of long-term alcohol consumption trends: application of wastewater-based epidemiology in an Australian regional city. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 207 107795, 107795. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2019.107795
O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Li, Jiaying, Thai, Phong K., Jiang, Guangming, Tscharke, Ben, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Evaluating the stability of three oxidative stress biomarkers under sewer conditions and potential impact for use in wastewater-based epidemiology. Water Research, 166 115068, 115068. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.115068
Choi, Phil M., Tscharke, Benjamin, Samanipour, Saer, Hall, Wayne D., Gartner, Coral E., Mueller, Jochen F., Thomas, Kevin V. and O’Brien, Jake W. (2019). Social, demographic, and economic correlates of food and chemical consumption measured by wastewater-based epidemiology. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116 (43), 201910242-21873. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1910242116
Pandopulos, Aaron J., Gerber, Cobus, Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake, White, Jason M. and Bade, Richard (2019). A sensitive analytical method for the measurement of neurotransmitter metabolites as potential population biomarkers in wastewater. Journal of Chromatography A, 1612 460623, 460623. doi: 10.1016/j.chroma.2019.460623
González-Mariño, Iria, Baz-Lomba, Jose Antonio, Alygizakis, Nikiforos A., Andrés-Costa, Maria Jesús, Bade, Richard, Barron, Leon P., Been, Frederic, Berset, Jean-Daniel, Bijlsma, Lubertus, Bodík, Igor, Brenner, Asher, Brock, Andreas L., Burgard, Daniel A., Castrignanò, Erika, Christophoridis, Christophoros E., Covaci, Adrian, de Voogt, Pim, Devault, Damien A., Dias, Mário J., Emke, Erik, Fatta-Kassinos, Despo, Fedorova, Ganna, Fytianos, Konstantinos, Gerber, Cobus, Grabic, Roman, Grüner, Stefan, Gunnar, Teemu, Hapeshi, Evroula, Heath, Ester ... Ort, Christoph (2019). Spatio-temporal assessment of illicit drug use at large scale: evidence from 7 years of international wastewater monitoring. Addiction, 115 (1) add.14767, 109-120. doi: 10.1111/add.14767
Okoffo, Elvis Dartey, O'Brien, Stacey, O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). Wastewater treatment plants as a source of plastics in the environment: a review of occurrence, methods for identification, quantification and fate. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 5 (11), 1908-1931. doi: 10.1039/c9ew00428a
Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake, Ort, Christoph, Grant, Sharon, Gerber, Cobus, Bade, Richard, Thai, Phong K., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Harnessing the power of the census: characterising wastewater treatment plant catchment populations for wastewater-based epidemiology. Environmental Science and Technology, 53 (17) acs.est.9b03447, 10303-10311. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b03447
Shimko, Katja M., O'Brien, Jake W., Barron, Leon, Kayalar, Hasan, Mueller, Jochen F., Tscharke, Ben J., Choi, Phil M., Jiang, Hui, Eaglesham, Geoff and Thomas, Kevin V. (2019). A pilot wastewater‐based epidemiology assessment of anabolic steroid use in Queensland, Australia. Drug Testing and Analysis, 11 (7) dta.2591, 937-949. doi: 10.1002/dta.2591
Zheng, Qiuda, Tscharke, Ben, O’Brien, Jake, Gerber, Cobus, Mackie, Rachel, Gao, Jianfa and Thai, Phong (2019). Uncertainties in estimating alcohol and tobacco consumption by wastewater-based epidemiology. Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health, 9, 13-18. doi: 10.1016/j.coesh.2019.03.004
O'Malley, Elissa, O'Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Per capita loads of organic UV filters in Australian wastewater influent. Science of The Total Environment, 662, 134-140. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.140
Bade, Richard, Ghetia, Maulik, Nguyen, Lynn, Tscharke, Benjamin J., White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2019). Simultaneous determination of 24 opioids, stimulants and new psychoactive substances in wastewater. MethodsX, 6, 953-960. doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.04.016
Mackie, Rachel S., Tscharke, Benjamin J., O'Brien, Jake W., Choi, Phil M., Gartner, Coral E., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2019). Trends in nicotine consumption between 2010 and 2017 in an Australian city using the wastewater-based epidemiology approach. Environment International, 125, 184-190. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.01.053
Kumar, Rahul, Tscharke, Ben, O'Brien, Jake, Mueller, Jochen F., Wilkins, Chris and Padhye, Lokesh P. (2019). Assessment of drugs of abuse in a wastewater treatment plant in New Zealand with parallel secondary wastewater treatment train. Science of The Total Environment, 658, 947-957. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.167
Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Benjamin J., White, Jason M., Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen F., O'Brien, Jake, Thomas, Kevin V. and Gerber, Cobus (2019). LC-HRMS suspect screening to show spatial patterns of New Psychoactive Substances use in Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 650 (Pt 2), 2181-2187. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.348
Thai, Phong K., O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Ben J. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Analyzing wastewater samples collected during census to determine the correction factors of drugs for wastewater-based epidemiology: the case of codeine and methadone. Environmental Science and Technology Letters, 6 (5) acs.estlett.8b00673, 265-269. doi: 10.1021/acs.estlett.8b00673
O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon, Banks, Andrew P.W., Bruno, Raimondo, Carter, Stephen, Choi, Phil M., Covaci, Adrian, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Jiang, Guangming, Kaserzon, Sarit, Kirkbride, K. Paul, Lai, Foon Yin, Mackie, Rachel, Marshall, Judi, Ort, Christoph, Paxman, Christopher, Prichard, Jeremy, Thai, Phong, Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Ben and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). A National Wastewater Monitoring Program for a better understanding of public health: a case study using the Australian Census. Environment International, 122, 400-411. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2018.12.003
Gao, Jianfa, Xu, Zeqiong, Li, Xiqing, O'Brien, Jake W., Culshaw, Peter N., Thomas, Kevin V., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Mueller, Jochen F. and Thai, Phong K. (2018). Enantiomeric profiling of amphetamine and methamphetamine in wastewater: a 7-year study in regional and urban Queensland, Australia. Science of the Total Environment, 643, 827-834. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.06.242
Choi, Phil M., Tscharke, Ben J., Donner, Erica, O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon C., Kaserzon, Sarit L., Mackie, Rachel, O'Malley, Elissa, Crosbie, Nicholas D., Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Wastewater-based epidemiology biomarkers: past, present and future. Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 105, 453-469. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2018.06.004
Bade, Richard, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Longo, Marie, Cooke, Richard, White, Jason M. and Gerber, Cobus (2018). Investigating the correlation between wastewater analysis and roadside drug testing in South Australia. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 187, 123-126. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.02.030
Lai, Foon Yin, Gartner, Coral, Hall, Wayne, Carter, Steve, O'Brien, Jake, Tscharke, Benjamin J., Been, Frederic, Gerber, Cobus, White, Jason, Thai, Phong, Bruno, Raimondo, Prichard, Jeremy, Kirkbride, K. Paul and Mueller, Jochen F. (2018). Measuring spatial and temporal trends of nicotine and alcohol consumption in Australia using wastewater-based epidemiology. Addiction, 113 (6), 1127-1136. doi: 10.1111/add.14157
Crowley, Philip, White, Jason M., Tscharke, Benjamin J. and Gerber, Cobus (2017). Wastewater analysis shows a large decrease in oxycodone use in Adelaide. Medical Journal of Australia, 207 (2), 88-88.e1. doi: 10.5694/mja17.00137
Tscharke, Benjamin J., Chen, Chang, Gerber, Jacobus P. and White, Jason M. (2016). Temporal trends in drug use in Adelaide, South Australia by wastewater analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 565, 384-391. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.04.183
Tscharke, Ben J., White, Jason M. and Gerber, Jacobus P. (2016). Estimates of tobacco use by wastewater analysis of anabasine and anatabine. Drug Testing and Analysis, 8 (7), 702-707. doi: 10.1002/dta.1842
Tscharke, Benjamin J., Chen, Chang, Gerber, Jacobus P. and White, Jason M. (2015). Trends in stimulant use in Australia: a comparison of wastewater analysis and population surveys. Science of the Total Environment, 536, 331-337. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.078
Chen, Chang, Kostakis, Chris, Gerber, Jacobus P., Tscharke, Ben J., Irvine, Rodney J. and White, Jason M. (2014). Towards finding a population biomarker for wastewater epidemiology studies. Science of the Total Environment, 487 (1), 621-628. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.11.075
Conference Papers
Shimko, Katja M., O’Brien, Jake W., Tscharke, Benjamin J., Brooker, Lance, Goebel, Catrin, Shiels, Ryan, Speers, Noami, Mueller, Jochen F. and Thomas, Kevin V. (2022). Prevalence and emergence of steroidal and non-steroidal anabolic agents in the Australian community measured through wastewater analysis. 30th meeting of SFTA - 59th meeting of TIAFT, Versailles, France, 5-8 September 2022. Issy les Moulineaux, France: Elsevier Masson. doi: 10.1016/j.toxac.2022.06.010
Puljevic, Cheneal, Wessel, Ellen, Barratt, Monica, Ferris, Jason, Tscharke, Ben J. , Verhagen, Rory, Bade, Richard, O'Brien, Jake and Mueller, Jochen (2021). Using Triangulated Survey and Wastewater Data to Understand Patterns of Illicit Drug Use among Australian Music Festival Attendees. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and Other Drugs Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 7-10 November 2021. Australia: Wiley. doi: 10.1111/dar.13384
Choi, P., Tscharke, B., Samanipour, S., O’Brien, J., Thomas, K. and Mueller, J. (2019). Influence of population age and socioeconomics on chemical consumption and diet patterns measured by wastewater based epidemiology. 2019 Annual Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology, Utrecht, Netherlands, 25-28 August 2019. Alphen aan de Rijn, Netherlands: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). doi: 10.1097/01.ee9.0000606448.07396.1d
Shimko, Katja , O'Brien, Jake , Kayalar, Hasan , Choi, Phil , Jiang, Hui , Tscharke, Ben , Zahnow, Renee , Eaglesham, Geoff , Mueller, Jochen, Barron, Leon and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017. Brisbane, QLD., Australia: QIMR .
Kayalar, Hasan , O'Brien, Jake , Shimko, Katja , Tscharke, Ben , Choi, Phil , Ferris, Jason , Eaglesham, Geoff , Jiang, Hui , Barron, Leon , Mueller, Jochen and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater analysis be used to inform on the clandestine production of methylamphetamine?. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
O'Brien, Jake , Grant, Sharon , Thai, Phong , Ort, Christoph , Eaglesham, Geoff , Vijayasarathy, Soumini , Lai, Foon Yin , Covaci, Adrian , Novic, Andrew , Tscharke, Ben , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Using wastewater analysis to find demographic markers. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2017, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
O'Brien, Jake , Tscharke, Ben , Gerber, Cobus , Grant, Sharon , White, Jason , Thomas, Kevin , Bade, Richard and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Development of a national wastewater drug monitoring program in Australia. Lisbon Addictions: 2nd European Conference on Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies, Lisbon, Portugal, 24-26 October 2017.
O'Brien, Jake, Grant, Sharon, Thai, Phong, Ort, Christoph, Eaglesham, Geoff, Vijayasarathy, Soumini, Lai, Foon Yin, Covaci, Adrian, Novic, Andrew, Tscharke, Ben, Choi, Phil, Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Finding population and demographic markers in wastewater using samples collected during a population census. Testing the Waters 2017: 3rd International conference on “Wastewater – Based Drug Epidemiology”, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
Tscharke, Ben , O'Brien, Jake , Gerber, Cobus , Grant, Sharon , White, Jason , Thomas, Kevin , Bade, Richard and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Spatial differences in illicit drug use in Australia’s capital and regional areas; initial results from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. SETAC Australasia Conference 2017, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 September 2017.
Thomas, Kevin , O'Brien, Jake , Bijlsma, Lubertus , Castiglioni, Sara , Covaci, Adrian , de Voogt, Pim , Emke, Erik , Hernandez, Felix , Gerber, Cobus , Grant, Sharon , Kasprzyk-Hordern, Barbara , Mueller, Jochen , Ort, Christoph , Reid, Malcolm , Tscharke, Ben , van Nuijs, Alexander and White, Jason (2017). The challenges of performing large-scale multi-city wastewater-based epidemiology studies. Testing the waters 2017 Wastewater-based epidemiology: current applications and future perspectives 3rd international conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
Tscharke, Ben , Gerber, Cobus , O'Brien, Jake , Grant, Sharon , Mueller, Jochen, Thomas, Kevin , Bade, Richard and White, Jason (2017). Spatial differences in illicit drug use in Australia’s capital and regional areas; initial results from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Testing the waters 2017 Wastewater-based epidemiology: current applications and future perspectives 3rd international conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 26-27 October 2017.
O'Brien, Jake , Grant, Sharon , Thai, Phong , Ort, Christoph , Eaglesham, Geoff , Vijayasarathy, Soumini , Lai, Foon Yin , Covaci, Adrian , Novic, Andrew , Tscharke, Ben , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Using wastewater analysis to find population and demographic markers in wastewater. SETAC Australasia Conference 2017, Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 September 2017.
Shimko, Katja, O'Brien, Jake, Kayalar, Hasan, Choi, Phil, Jiang, Hui, Tscharke, Ben, Zahnow, Renee, Eaglesham, Geoff, Mueller, Jochen, Barron, Leon and Thomas, Kevin (2017). Can wastewater-based epidemiology be used for the assessment of anabolic steroid use?. Qld Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 27 November 2017.
O'Brien, Jake , Tscharke, Ben , Grant, Sharon , Thai, Phong , Ort, Christoph , Lai, Foon Yin , Mackie, Rachel , Covaci, Adrian , Bruno, Raimondo , Gartner, Coral , Prichard, Jeremy , Hall, Wayne , Kirkbride, Paul , Choi, Phil , Thomas, Kevin and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Wastewater analysis: a tool for measuring population consumption of chemicals and release of chemicals to the environment. Environmental Health Australia 42nd National Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 16-19 October 2017.
Choi, Phil M. , O'Brien, Jake W. , Tscharke, Ben , Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2017). Assessing population health by wastewater analysis. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium 2017, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
Choi, Phil M. , O'Brien, Jake W. , Tscharke, Ben , Mackie, Rachel , Eaglesham, Geoff , Grant, Sharon , Thomas, Kevin V. and Mueller, Jochen F. (2017). Towards monitoring population food consumption and dietary status using wastewater based epidemiology. 13th Annual Conference of the Metabolomics Society, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane, Australia, 26-29 June 2017.
Tscharke, Ben, Chen, Chang, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2014). Estimation of stimulant use in metropolitan Adelaide by wastewater analysis. Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society, Adelaide, 31 August-4 September 2014.
Hall, Wayne, White, Jason, Lai, Foonyin, Gerber, Cobus, Chen, Chang, Tscharke, Ben and White, Jason (2013). Waste Water Analysis of Illicit Drug Use in the Population. Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs (APSAD) conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 24 - 27 November 1013. Chichester, West Sussex, United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. doi: 10.1111/dar.12077
Research Reports
Tscharke, Ben, Shiels, Ryan, Mackie, Rachel, Gorji, Sara, Prasad, Pritesh, Carswell, Christina, Teimouri, Homa, Cheneval, Olivier and Kaserzon, Sarit (2021). Passive sampling for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at Brisbane Airport. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences.
Tscharke, B, O'Brien, J., Reeks, T., Elisei, G., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Nguyen, L., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2019). National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 8. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Tscharke, B., Reeks, T., Elisei, G., O'Brien, J., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Nguyen, L., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2019). National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 7. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Tscharke, B., Mackie, R., O’Brien, J., Grant, S., Mueller, J., Thomas, K., Ghetia, M., Bade, R., Gerber, C. and White, J. (2018). National wastewater drug monitoring program: sixth report. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Tscharke, Bengamine J., Mackie, Rachel, O'Brien, Jake W., Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen, Ghetia, Maulik, Aghera, Hetal, Bade, Richard, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2018). National wastewater drug monitoring program - report 5. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC).
Tscharke, Ben, Mackie, Rachel, O'Brien, Jake, Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen, Ghetia, Maulik, Aghera, Hetal, Bade, Richard, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2017). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program – Report 3. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Kaserzon, Sarit , Vijayasarathy, Soumini , Mueller, Linus , Van Niekerk, Sean , Braeunig, Jennifer , Thompson, Kristie , Tscharke, Ben , Gray, Robert and Mueller, Jochen (2017). Calibration of novel passive sampling devices for the monitoring of PFAS in groundwater. Report prepared for the Department of Defence:
Tscharke, Ben, Mackie, Rachel, O'Brien, Jake, Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen, Bade, Richard, Ghetia, Maulik, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2017). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program - Report 2. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
O'Brien, Jake, Grant, Sharon, Mueller, Jochen, Tscharke, Ben, Gerber, Cobus and White, Jason (2017). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program - Report 1. Canberra, ACT Australia: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.