Holding coral reefs together with soluble cement. This project aims to characterise and understand cement formation in coral reefs. Coral reefs are constructed by cementing together aragonite building blocks made by corals. The main cementing agent is high-magnesium calcite, the most soluble carbonate mineral and susceptible to ocean acidification. High-magnesium calcite cements are best developed on the high energy margins of coral reefs. This project will quantify how crustose coralline algae ....Holding coral reefs together with soluble cement. This project aims to characterise and understand cement formation in coral reefs. Coral reefs are constructed by cementing together aragonite building blocks made by corals. The main cementing agent is high-magnesium calcite, the most soluble carbonate mineral and susceptible to ocean acidification. High-magnesium calcite cements are best developed on the high energy margins of coral reefs. This project will quantify how crustose coralline algae produces high-magnesium calcite and controls the dissolution and reprecipitation of high-magnesium cements. This project intends to quantify rates of reef cementation, susceptibility to ocean acidification and warming, and possible mitigating effects of alkalinity addition.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the legacy of groundwater pollution to coastal waters. This project aims to resolve whether groundwater polluted decades ago is now seeping out along shorelines, and driving coastal water quality. The project will challenge common assumptions about the sources of chemical pollution to Australian coastal waters using a combination of cutting-edge analytical techniques, modelling, and laboratory investigations. The outcomes of the project will support the development of pollutant budge ....Unravelling the legacy of groundwater pollution to coastal waters. This project aims to resolve whether groundwater polluted decades ago is now seeping out along shorelines, and driving coastal water quality. The project will challenge common assumptions about the sources of chemical pollution to Australian coastal waters using a combination of cutting-edge analytical techniques, modelling, and laboratory investigations. The outcomes of the project will support the development of pollutant budgets and models required for the effective creation of water management solutions. As a result, the project will benefit the management of iconic waterways experiencing persistent, unresolved water quality issues which are costing the government billions of dollars.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100535
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$392,650.00
Summary
Is groundwater the missing nutrient source to the Great Barrier Reef? This project aims to reveal whether groundwater is a major missing source of nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef. Billions of dollars have been spent on improving water quality in the reef environment, yet nutrient budgets and the sources of pollution remain poorly quantified. This project expects to use cutting-edge technology and modelling to quantify the legacy of past land use practices on groundwater reef-nutrient dynamic ....Is groundwater the missing nutrient source to the Great Barrier Reef? This project aims to reveal whether groundwater is a major missing source of nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef. Billions of dollars have been spent on improving water quality in the reef environment, yet nutrient budgets and the sources of pollution remain poorly quantified. This project expects to use cutting-edge technology and modelling to quantify the legacy of past land use practices on groundwater reef-nutrient dynamics. The expected outcomes of this study will provide both land and marine managers with crucial insight into how to allocate resources to best manage water quality to meet desired environmental outcomes.Read moreRead less
Southern Ocean oxygen variability since the last glacial maximum. Recently observed decreases in ocean oxygen concentration could decrease ocean biodiversity and accelerate climate change. This project will determine the links between climate change and ocean oxygenation since the last ice age, and provide a way to predict future oxygen concentrations.