Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0668008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Advanced stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer for investigations on carbon and nutrient cycling processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The effective use of innovative stable isotope techniques, particularly in combination with other advanced technologies (eg bio-molecular and nuclear magnetic resonance), has resulted in exciting advances in the understanding and management of critically important carbon and nutrient cycling processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This applic ....Advanced stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer for investigations on carbon and nutrient cycling processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The effective use of innovative stable isotope techniques, particularly in combination with other advanced technologies (eg bio-molecular and nuclear magnetic resonance), has resulted in exciting advances in the understanding and management of critically important carbon and nutrient cycling processes in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This application seeks to purchase an advanced isotope ratio mass spectrometer for supporting and undertaking current and potential new leading research projects with the collaborating institutions, particularly in the above- and below-ground processes in terrestrial ecosystems, and nutrient transformations and impacts in aquatic ecosystems in response to global change and management options.Read moreRead less
DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE DRILLING FLUIDS. An innovative technique of micro-emulsion of vegetable oils and water has been developed to create a new generation, low-toxicity drilling fluids for use by the petroleum exploration industry. The project aims at investigating the chronic toxicity of new generation drilling fluids to fish, and re-formulate the drilling fluids to minimize the toxic ingredients. Biomarkers of exposure and effects such as, but not limited to, EROD ind ....DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL ENVIRONMENTALLY ACCEPTABLE DRILLING FLUIDS. An innovative technique of micro-emulsion of vegetable oils and water has been developed to create a new generation, low-toxicity drilling fluids for use by the petroleum exploration industry. The project aims at investigating the chronic toxicity of new generation drilling fluids to fish, and re-formulate the drilling fluids to minimize the toxic ingredients. Biomarkers of exposure and effects such as, but not limited to, EROD induction, DNA damage and stress proteins will be explored in fish exposed chronically to drilling fluids or their ingredients. Outcomes include environmentally acceptable drilling fluids, and will represent the start point for multi-million dollars agriculture and manufacturing industry in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0775642
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
Stable isotope facility for biological, ecological, and geological applications - West Australian Biogeochemistry Centre. Stable isotope science underpins many disciplines of research, from forensic identification of sources of counterfeit money through to understanding the formation of gold and other mineral deposits. Stable isotope science also provides insights that will improve management of water and land resources, including the impacts of utilisation of groundwater, reducing gaseous emiss ....Stable isotope facility for biological, ecological, and geological applications - West Australian Biogeochemistry Centre. Stable isotope science underpins many disciplines of research, from forensic identification of sources of counterfeit money through to understanding the formation of gold and other mineral deposits. Stable isotope science also provides insights that will improve management of water and land resources, including the impacts of utilisation of groundwater, reducing gaseous emissions from land-use change and knowledge of food webs in marine systems. While a handful of laboratories utilise IRMS around Australia, equipment is fully utilised, outdated and limiting progress. A new IRMS will transform capabilities in WA and enhance projects in terrestrial and marine ecology, ecosystem science and geochemistry of mineral deposits. Read moreRead less
THE CORAL RECORD OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF:QUANTIFICATION OF ANTHROPOGENIC FLUXES. The objective of this proposal is to quantify the environmental impacts of enhanced terrestrial fluxes and climate change on the coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef. This will be achieved by using an integrated approach based on coral proxy records of river plumes and sea surface temperatures that are preserved in carbonate skeletons of the long-lived (200-400 year old) Porites coral. ....THE CORAL RECORD OF ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS IN THE GREAT BARRIER REEF:QUANTIFICATION OF ANTHROPOGENIC FLUXES. The objective of this proposal is to quantify the environmental impacts of enhanced terrestrial fluxes and climate change on the coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef. This will be achieved by using an integrated approach based on coral proxy records of river plumes and sea surface temperatures that are preserved in carbonate skeletons of the long-lived (200-400 year old) Porites coral. This will be integrated with monitoring and process studies of river flood plumes and coral reefs and provide a scientific basis to ensure the long-term sustainability of the GBR.Read moreRead less
Stable lead isotopes, trace metals and radionuclides in sediments of the Alligator Rivers Region to assess impacts of uranium mining. A PhD student under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of environmental analytical chemists, geochemists and environmental physicists will develop a new sensitive methodology to monitor impacts of past, present and future uranium mining activities in and near Kakadu National Park, although it may be applied to other mining activities as well. The method w ....Stable lead isotopes, trace metals and radionuclides in sediments of the Alligator Rivers Region to assess impacts of uranium mining. A PhD student under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team of environmental analytical chemists, geochemists and environmental physicists will develop a new sensitive methodology to monitor impacts of past, present and future uranium mining activities in and near Kakadu National Park, although it may be applied to other mining activities as well. The method will use a combination of stable lead isotopes, trace metals and radionuclide techniques. The outcomes of the research will increase the capacity of the Office of the Supervising Scientist to carry out its core function of assessing and supervising mines in the Alligator Rivers Region.Read moreRead less
Addressing the uncertainties: Pathways, fate and associated risks of manufactured nanoparticles in the environment. Manufactured nanomaterials are increasingly present in commercial products, such as sunscreens, textiles and building materials. Their subsequent release to the environment is unavoidable. This project will deliver novel methods for assessing the associated risks, thereby supporting the safe and sustainable use of nanomaterials in Australia.
BauxsolTM based grouts and shotcretes for the control of acid rock drainage. Acid rock drainage (ARD) occurs where sulphides (mostly pyrite, but also sulphides of other metals) are exposed to oxygen and water; the estimated global liability from ARD is over US$300 billion. There is currently no cost-effective way to prevent the release of acid and heavy metals from exposed sulphide minerals especially at abandoned mine sites. This study investigates the use of BASECONTM transformed bauxite refin ....BauxsolTM based grouts and shotcretes for the control of acid rock drainage. Acid rock drainage (ARD) occurs where sulphides (mostly pyrite, but also sulphides of other metals) are exposed to oxygen and water; the estimated global liability from ARD is over US$300 billion. There is currently no cost-effective way to prevent the release of acid and heavy metals from exposed sulphide minerals especially at abandoned mine sites. This study investigates the use of BASECONTM transformed bauxite refinery residues (BauxsolTM) to grout waste rock dumps and tailings dams and to develop concretes that can be sprayed on open cut walls and floor to prevent and treat the ARD as it is formed.Read moreRead less
Unraveling the oxidative geochemistry of nanoparticulate mackinawite in acid sulfate soil landscapes. Acid sulfate soils impact over 8 million ha of valuable coastal land in Australia, and over 24 million ha throughout the world. Drainage from acid sulfate soil waterways is a major threat to water quality, ecosystem health, agricultural sustainability and fisheries productivity. The practical benefits of this project arise from an improved understanding of the processes controlling water qualit ....Unraveling the oxidative geochemistry of nanoparticulate mackinawite in acid sulfate soil landscapes. Acid sulfate soils impact over 8 million ha of valuable coastal land in Australia, and over 24 million ha throughout the world. Drainage from acid sulfate soil waterways is a major threat to water quality, ecosystem health, agricultural sustainability and fisheries productivity. The practical benefits of this project arise from an improved understanding of the processes controlling water quality and associated resources in these areas. The intellectual benefits include the development of novel geochemical concepts involving sulfur minerals that are central to coastal rivers, wetlands and estuaries. This project will enhance Australia's capacity for sustainable environmental management.Read moreRead less
Pelletisation of seawater-neutralised bauxite refinery residues (Bauxsol?) for construction of permeable reactive barriers to treat flowing acid mine waters. Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs where sulphides (mostly pyrite, but also sulphides of other metals) are exposed to oxygen and water; the estimated global liability from AMD is over US$300 billion. There is currently no cost-effective way to prevent the release of acid and heavy metals from exposed sulphide minerals especially at abandoned m ....Pelletisation of seawater-neutralised bauxite refinery residues (Bauxsol?) for construction of permeable reactive barriers to treat flowing acid mine waters. Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs where sulphides (mostly pyrite, but also sulphides of other metals) are exposed to oxygen and water; the estimated global liability from AMD is over US$300 billion. There is currently no cost-effective way to prevent the release of acid and heavy metals from exposed sulphide minerals especially at abandoned mine sites. This study investigates the pelletisation and use of neutralised bauxite refinery residues (Bauxsol?) to treat flowing metal-rich acid mine drainage waters using reactive-barriers that will neutralise acid and remove heavy metals without impeding flow.Read moreRead less
Understanding salt dynamics to facilitate water reuse on coal mine sites. Coal mining in Central Queensland occurs in a water scarce region. Coal is a very high value product per unit of water consumed. The industry wishes to expand and to meet current water needs partially by increasing water reuse on site. Difficulties associated with managing salt, in its various forms across a mine site, limit this. This project will produce operational guidelines to overcome these limitations allowing th ....Understanding salt dynamics to facilitate water reuse on coal mine sites. Coal mining in Central Queensland occurs in a water scarce region. Coal is a very high value product per unit of water consumed. The industry wishes to expand and to meet current water needs partially by increasing water reuse on site. Difficulties associated with managing salt, in its various forms across a mine site, limit this. This project will produce operational guidelines to overcome these limitations allowing the coal industry to decrease its water footprint by increasing and properly managing water reuse.Read moreRead less