CQU Rockhampton PhD student Kartik Venkatraman has gained more praise for his research into phytocapping technology to cap landfills and will have a chance to present his findings at a national event.

Kartik, a Queensland Government Smart State funding recipient, this week presented at an Environmental Student Project Awards Evening in Brisbane and gained recognition for the 'best project' and the 'sustainability prize'. His project has also been selected for presentation at the national level.

Kartik receives an award from Rachelle Willis, from Griffith University

The presentation was attended by about 100 delegates from universities, city councils, the EPA, the Waste Management Association, Institute for Sustainable Resources, Engineers Australia and others.

Kartik's research aims to explore a potential alternative landfill capping system using tree species and soil layers to reduce leachate generation and methane emission. This research is being conducted in conjunction with Rockhampton City Council, Phytolink Australia Pyt Ltd and Central Queensland University at the Lakes Creek landfill site.

Kartik has been researching under the supervision of Associate Professor Nanjappa Ashwath and Dr Ninghu Su and is being mentored by Dr Bodapati Naidu, Senior BioGeoChemist (Q-Scape), Natural Resource Sciences, Department of Natural Resources and Water.

Kartik gets an award from QUT's David Hood