From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channe ....From Synchrotron Characterisation of Single Fluid Inclusions to Archaean Geodynamics: An Integrated Study of Fluid-Rock Interaction in the Primitive Crust. In the primitive Earth, a wide range of phenomena including the initiation of biological activity and the formation of ore deposits were related to the mobilisation of mineralised fluids through the crust. In the Archaean craton of the Pilbara (WA), we have identified, within its tectonic framework, a crustal-scale plumbing system that channelled large volumes of mineralised hydrothermal solutions. Our objective is to understand the development of this plumbing system in relation to Archaean crustal geodynamics using a combination of structural geology, metamorphic petrology, geochronology, geochemistry, and the analysis of single-fluid inclusion using synchrotron and other X-ray sources.Read moreRead less
Aggregate structure of humic organic matter. Soil aquatic organic matter is important in plant growth, nutrient supply and water quality and in affecting pollutants and metal ions in the environment. Indeed the survival of life on the planet depends on the way geo-organic matter functions. We have recently developed a new host guest theory on the way this material binds important substances such as metal ions and pollutants. This project aims to use this theory to investigate the structure of th ....Aggregate structure of humic organic matter. Soil aquatic organic matter is important in plant growth, nutrient supply and water quality and in affecting pollutants and metal ions in the environment. Indeed the survival of life on the planet depends on the way geo-organic matter functions. We have recently developed a new host guest theory on the way this material binds important substances such as metal ions and pollutants. This project aims to use this theory to investigate the structure of these materials and how they work in Nature by understanding molecular composition at a level hitherto thought impossible.Read moreRead less
A new paradigm for the accumulation and persistence of metastable iron sulphides in sulphidic soils. Metastable iron sulphide minerals have a critical role in controlling surface- and ground-water quality. This project will transform our understanding of the environmental geochemistry of metastable iron sulphides in sulphidic soils. This will greatly enhance our ability to predict and manage water quality in a wide range of important aquatic systems.
Monsoons and migrations: Quaternary climates, landscapes and human prehistory of the Arabian peninsula and the Indian subcontinent. By providing important new data on the initial dispersal of Homo sapiens from Africa to Australia via Arabia and India, this project will improve our knowledge of the time-depth of cultural connections between indigenous Australians and other societies. It will provide a long-term perspective on the impact of climate change on hunter-gatherer communities, and will c ....Monsoons and migrations: Quaternary climates, landscapes and human prehistory of the Arabian peninsula and the Indian subcontinent. By providing important new data on the initial dispersal of Homo sapiens from Africa to Australia via Arabia and India, this project will improve our knowledge of the time-depth of cultural connections between indigenous Australians and other societies. It will provide a long-term perspective on the impact of climate change on hunter-gatherer communities, and will contribute to NRP Safeguarding Australia by increasing our understanding of cultures in Arabia and India. Technical advances made in this study will benefit researchers worldwide, increase capacity for commercial services, and enhance Australia's international standing in the geosciences. We will also train high-quality research students and create new collaborative initiatives.Read moreRead less
Are subterranean estuaries a source or sink of greenhouse gases? The aim of this project is to investigate the role of subterranean estuaries and submarine groundwater discharge on the marine cycle of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. The expected outcome of this project is a better understanding of the role of coastal environments as a net source or sink of greenhouse gases.
Seagrass denitrification: importance for global nitrogen budgets. The objective of this project is to use cutting-edge techniques to measure denitrification rates in communities dominated by different tropical and temperate seagrass species. Denitrification is a globally significant critical ecosystem process, but it is poorly understood in seagrass communities. This project is significant because of the potential importance of seagrass communities for nitrogen loss via denitrification in coasta ....Seagrass denitrification: importance for global nitrogen budgets. The objective of this project is to use cutting-edge techniques to measure denitrification rates in communities dominated by different tropical and temperate seagrass species. Denitrification is a globally significant critical ecosystem process, but it is poorly understood in seagrass communities. This project is significant because of the potential importance of seagrass communities for nitrogen loss via denitrification in coastal systems and the importance of coastal systems in the global nitrogen budget. The expected outcomes of this study may significantly advance our understanding of the functioning of coastal systems and global nitrogen budgets.Read moreRead less
Redox transformations of natural organic matter. This project aims to determine the electron transfer (redox) properties of terrestrially and microbially-derived natural organic matter (NOM) and the implications of these redox characteristics to reactive oxygen species generation, metals transformation and carbon cycling. Experimental and computational studies using model compounds containing quinone and thiol-containing functional groups as well as well-characterised humic substances and algal ....Redox transformations of natural organic matter. This project aims to determine the electron transfer (redox) properties of terrestrially and microbially-derived natural organic matter (NOM) and the implications of these redox characteristics to reactive oxygen species generation, metals transformation and carbon cycling. Experimental and computational studies using model compounds containing quinone and thiol-containing functional groups as well as well-characterised humic substances and algal exudates will be undertaken under both dark and light conditions. Kinetic models of these processes will be developed enabling prediction of the impact of NOM-mediated electron transfer processes on oxidant generation, metals transformation and carbon cycling.Read moreRead less
Tracing life's beginnings: molecular fossils from single oil inclusions. Biomarkers (chemical fossils) from traces of oil trapped in 2 to 3.5 billion year-old rocks from Australia, Canada and Africa will be analysed by both well established and novel techniques. The biomarkers will be used to assess which key groups of species were present when, and thus constrain the timing of evolution of Earth's early biosphere.
Unravelling the history of nitrogen cycling within the central Great Barrier Reef. This project aims to use coral skeleton geochemical analysis to establish if, when, and how nitrogen cycling changed along the central inshore region of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon. Increasing anthropogenic nitrogen discharge to coastal waters could drive ecosystem decline in the GBR, one of Australia’s most sensitive and economically valuable natural environments. However, the full effect of anthropogenic ....Unravelling the history of nitrogen cycling within the central Great Barrier Reef. This project aims to use coral skeleton geochemical analysis to establish if, when, and how nitrogen cycling changed along the central inshore region of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon. Increasing anthropogenic nitrogen discharge to coastal waters could drive ecosystem decline in the GBR, one of Australia’s most sensitive and economically valuable natural environments. However, the full effect of anthropogenic nitrogen is unclear due to a lack of long, continuous records. This project will unravel the history of nitrogen cycling in the GBR since the mid-1800s, knowledge crucial for managing this reef system.Read moreRead less
Revealing the deep Earth in deep time. This project aims to determine the nature of the chemical and dynamical transformation of the Earth’s interior at the end of the first 25 per cent of its history. This will provide a new understanding of the related establishment of modern surface features such as extensive continents and an oxygenated atmosphere, as well as investigate causal relationships with west Australia’s mineral resources. The expected outcome will be a significant new understandin ....Revealing the deep Earth in deep time. This project aims to determine the nature of the chemical and dynamical transformation of the Earth’s interior at the end of the first 25 per cent of its history. This will provide a new understanding of the related establishment of modern surface features such as extensive continents and an oxygenated atmosphere, as well as investigate causal relationships with west Australia’s mineral resources. The expected outcome will be a significant new understanding of the chemical and thermal history of our planet.Read moreRead less