Physical, Chemical and Radiative Characteristics of Australian Continental Aerosols. Australian desert dust, and the biomass burning aerosol particles produced in the top-end burning season, have the potential to impose an environmental burden not only on Australia, but also on the surrounding region. While most of the world's major aerosol types have been well studied in recent years, these two remain largely unknown. There are good reasons to believe that Australian aerosols are different from ....Physical, Chemical and Radiative Characteristics of Australian Continental Aerosols. Australian desert dust, and the biomass burning aerosol particles produced in the top-end burning season, have the potential to impose an environmental burden not only on Australia, but also on the surrounding region. While most of the world's major aerosol types have been well studied in recent years, these two remain largely unknown. There are good reasons to believe that Australian aerosols are different from many others. We therefore intend to fully characterize their relevant properties, so we may monitor them from space, and evaluate their environmental impacts.Read moreRead less
Transforming the Australian accounting profession for the carbon challenge. The introduction of Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will have an immediate and lasting impact on the cost of doing business in Australia. By determining how accounting processes can be optimised to identify, measure and analyse the impact of emissions trading on organisations' financial performance, this project will be a significant step in minimising the negative impact of this historic change on the Australia ....Transforming the Australian accounting profession for the carbon challenge. The introduction of Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will have an immediate and lasting impact on the cost of doing business in Australia. By determining how accounting processes can be optimised to identify, measure and analyse the impact of emissions trading on organisations' financial performance, this project will be a significant step in minimising the negative impact of this historic change on the Australian economy, and maximising the associated business opportunities. Our findings will be the basis for giving the accounting profession the new skills to adopt a central role in meeting the carbon challenge.Read moreRead less
Unraveling Pathways of Nitrogen Cycling in the Sediments of Shallow Coastal Systems using Biomarkers, Stable Isotope Tracer Experiments and Modeling. Many 100's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna affect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding ....Unraveling Pathways of Nitrogen Cycling in the Sediments of Shallow Coastal Systems using Biomarkers, Stable Isotope Tracer Experiments and Modeling. Many 100's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna affect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding the role that organisms at all levels play in the functioning of coastal ecosystems is the first step towards protecting this biodiversity. As such the findings from this research will have direct implications to the management, rehabilitation and protection of waterways (including biodiversity) in Australia. Read moreRead less
Endocrine Disrupting Compounds: Novel tests for Analysis and Field Validation. This project will give community benefits from new analytical technology and research data to help minimise the threat of environmental contamination with endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Both urban and rural communities may feel the impacts of EDCs, with potential contamination occurring globally, affecting both wildlife and humans. The main means of transport of EDCs is as contaminants in water and it is ess ....Endocrine Disrupting Compounds: Novel tests for Analysis and Field Validation. This project will give community benefits from new analytical technology and research data to help minimise the threat of environmental contamination with endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs). Both urban and rural communities may feel the impacts of EDCs, with potential contamination occurring globally, affecting both wildlife and humans. The main means of transport of EDCs is as contaminants in water and it is essential to learn the extent of contamination occurring in urban and rural water supplies to decide its significance. The research will involve a multi-disciplinary approach, with benefits falling into all four National Research Priorities of sustainability, good health, frontier analytical technology and national safety.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354620
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Nature, culture and the challenges of environmental sustainability: bridging the science/humanities divide. Australian science currently receives considerable funding for excellent research on environmental issues. There is also significant investment in Humanities and Social Science research on Australian environmental attitudes and practices, and how these change. This proposal seeks to link the largely separate research conversations of the two traditions. We will coordinate interactions betw ....Nature, culture and the challenges of environmental sustainability: bridging the science/humanities divide. Australian science currently receives considerable funding for excellent research on environmental issues. There is also significant investment in Humanities and Social Science research on Australian environmental attitudes and practices, and how these change. This proposal seeks to link the largely separate research conversations of the two traditions. We will coordinate interactions between HSS scholars, often working as individuals, and establish links that bridge the Science/Humanities divide to produce better environmental research outcomes for Australia. The network will add value to existing investments, enhance the international significance of Australian research and foster the next generation of interdisciplinary scholars.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0560956
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$397,100.00
Summary
World-leading elemental and isotopic microanalysis and chemical speciation facilities for an environmentally sustainable Australia. We propose to establish a world-leading centre for the study of the elemental and isotopic composition of key environmental, archaeological and mineral samples. This will be based upon ultra-short wavelength laser ablation and speciation methods, combined with new advanced ICP-MS technologies developed in Australia. This will give the centre unrivalled capabilities ....World-leading elemental and isotopic microanalysis and chemical speciation facilities for an environmentally sustainable Australia. We propose to establish a world-leading centre for the study of the elemental and isotopic composition of key environmental, archaeological and mineral samples. This will be based upon ultra-short wavelength laser ablation and speciation methods, combined with new advanced ICP-MS technologies developed in Australia. This will give the centre unrivalled capabilities and allow new areas of research to be undertaken in global climate change, the impact of increased salinity and pollution on the sustainability of Australia's inland waterways and coastal environments, and the history of the first humans who inhabited Australia. This will provide a baseline and new quantitative measures to better plan for an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668495
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,000.00
Summary
A Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system for Environmental Research. The proposed Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of environmental fields. As such, this system will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and enhance our ability to delivery ....A Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system for Environmental Research. The proposed Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of environmental fields. As such, this system will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and enhance our ability to delivery high quality research in the National Research Priority Area of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia with priority goals water- a critical resource, overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity and sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. Read moreRead less
Predicting soil loss from wind erosion, using an integrated, high resolution, land surface data assimilation-modelling system. Australia is an ancient, dry, continent. Soil losses from wind erosion are practically irreversible. Prevention of wind erosion, especially in agricultural areas, is a major challenge to agricultural communities and land management organisations. For continental and regional scale assessment of wind erosion potential, the high-resolution integrated wind erosion modelling ....Predicting soil loss from wind erosion, using an integrated, high resolution, land surface data assimilation-modelling system. Australia is an ancient, dry, continent. Soil losses from wind erosion are practically irreversible. Prevention of wind erosion, especially in agricultural areas, is a major challenge to agricultural communities and land management organisations. For continental and regional scale assessment of wind erosion potential, the high-resolution integrated wind erosion modelling system developed here is a powerful tool. The system will identify areas prone to soil erosion and provide a solid scientific basis for strategic and practical measures for wind erosion prevention. The proposal allows the CIs to continue to play a leading international role in this National Research Priority area.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989624
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
A high performance stable-isotope microanalytical facility for environmental Earth science and climate change research. Australia is exceptionally well positioned to play a lead role in the international effort to predict climate change, human impacts on the environment, and great submarine earthquakes and tsunamis. The new-generation stable-isotope microanalytical facility will give Australia unprecedented technical and modelling capacities and maximise the impact of high-profile research in th ....A high performance stable-isotope microanalytical facility for environmental Earth science and climate change research. Australia is exceptionally well positioned to play a lead role in the international effort to predict climate change, human impacts on the environment, and great submarine earthquakes and tsunamis. The new-generation stable-isotope microanalytical facility will give Australia unprecedented technical and modelling capacities and maximise the impact of high-profile research in the earth sciences. Every Australasian nation will benefit from new knowledge that is essential to address civilisation's most serious environmental threats. The new facilities will foster outstanding opportunities for collaboration, post-graduate education, and research training with outcomes that will engage the public in the excitement of scientific discovery.Read moreRead less
Beyond dualisms in the conceptualisation and management of Australian landscapes and species. It is increasingly recognised that the major barriers to the urgent challenges of environmental sustainability are social, cultural and organisational rather than scientific. This project will help Australia imagine and implement environmental strategies that come to terms with the reality of a peopled landscape and thus better manage landscapes and species. It will place Australia at the forefront of i ....Beyond dualisms in the conceptualisation and management of Australian landscapes and species. It is increasingly recognised that the major barriers to the urgent challenges of environmental sustainability are social, cultural and organisational rather than scientific. This project will help Australia imagine and implement environmental strategies that come to terms with the reality of a peopled landscape and thus better manage landscapes and species. It will place Australia at the forefront of international intellectual debates about relationships between the human and non-human worlds, and contribute to our continued international leadership in biodiversity conservation and heritage management. It will foster linkages with Sweden and build a node of innovative interdisciplinary postgraduate research training.Read moreRead less