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
Mantle evolution and the origin of Earth's atmosphere. This project aims to investigate Earth’s early evolution and the origin of our atmosphere. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation the project will measure noble gas and tungsten isotopes in unique volcanic glasses that record the composition of the Earth’s mantle. These measurements are expected to clarify the relationship between the formation of Earth’s atmosphere, mantle and core, and to generate new knowledge about convective currents ....Mantle evolution and the origin of Earth's atmosphere. This project aims to investigate Earth’s early evolution and the origin of our atmosphere. Using state-of-the-art instrumentation the project will measure noble gas and tungsten isotopes in unique volcanic glasses that record the composition of the Earth’s mantle. These measurements are expected to clarify the relationship between the formation of Earth’s atmosphere, mantle and core, and to generate new knowledge about convective currents in the modern mantle. The project aims to train the next generation of Earth scientists and to provide new knowledge to assist in overcoming the challenges in mitigating climate change and sustaining a resource-based economy.Read moreRead less
Novel dating methods for marine sediments of relevance to determining past climate changes. Future climate change is a subject of enormous contemporary interest with economic and social implications for much of humanity. Accurate knowledge of past climates is, however, crucial to understanding how the global climate will evolve into the future. This proposal aims to develop novel methods for dating marine sediments using cosmogenic isotopes, in order to extract the palaeoclimatic signals that ar ....Novel dating methods for marine sediments of relevance to determining past climate changes. Future climate change is a subject of enormous contemporary interest with economic and social implications for much of humanity. Accurate knowledge of past climates is, however, crucial to understanding how the global climate will evolve into the future. This proposal aims to develop novel methods for dating marine sediments using cosmogenic isotopes, in order to extract the palaeoclimatic signals that are locked into these sediments. We will concentrate on the Southern Ocean which plays a crucial role in the world's climate. This proposal will also contribute to Australia's international obligation to conduct research in this critical area.Read moreRead less