Hydrodynamics of Fringing Reef Systems. This project aims to develop a numerical circulation model applicable to fringing reef systems, in particular, the Ningaloo reef, Western Australia. The model will include the effects of tides, winds, surface gravity waves and density. The model results will be compared to field measurements collected by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. After the model has been developed and validated, it will be used to investigate processes such as water e ....Hydrodynamics of Fringing Reef Systems. This project aims to develop a numerical circulation model applicable to fringing reef systems, in particular, the Ningaloo reef, Western Australia. The model will include the effects of tides, winds, surface gravity waves and density. The model results will be compared to field measurements collected by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. After the model has been developed and validated, it will be used to investigate processes such as water exchange between lagoons and open sea, effects of contaminant spills and recruitment within the reef systems. An understanding of these processes is essential for the sustainable management of these systems.Read moreRead less
Measuring the flushing time of waters in the Great Barrier Reef. There are concerns both in the scientific community and in the general public about the possible implications of agricultural runoff to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Due to this, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has developed a "Reef Water Quality Protection Plan" (RWQPP) which may have significant economic implications to the grazing, sugar, and other primary industries. In order to protect the GBR, whilst also minimiz ....Measuring the flushing time of waters in the Great Barrier Reef. There are concerns both in the scientific community and in the general public about the possible implications of agricultural runoff to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Due to this, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority has developed a "Reef Water Quality Protection Plan" (RWQPP) which may have significant economic implications to the grazing, sugar, and other primary industries. In order to protect the GBR, whilst also minimizing the impacts on agricultural industries, it is important to understand the processes that affect the buildup and broad-scale dispersion of contaminants in the GBR. This project will facilitate that understanding.Read moreRead less
Contribution of surf zone wind stress to storm surge inundation. In the present era of climate change, storm surge forecasting is becoming an increasingly important part of disaster management planning. The responsible state and national agencies require accurate forecasting tools in order to best safeguard communities and plan infrastructure. Storm surges result from low pressure atmospheric conditions and wind forces on the ocean. However, the wind forces on the surf zone are unknown, with the ....Contribution of surf zone wind stress to storm surge inundation. In the present era of climate change, storm surge forecasting is becoming an increasingly important part of disaster management planning. The responsible state and national agencies require accurate forecasting tools in order to best safeguard communities and plan infrastructure. Storm surges result from low pressure atmospheric conditions and wind forces on the ocean. However, the wind forces on the surf zone are unknown, with the result that inaccurate warnings are issued to communities. This project will lead to significant improvements in forecast accuracy by providing this missing data and by developing new models for the surf zone wind forcing. Read moreRead less
Southern Ocean productivity and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange under current and future climate regimes. This project will contribute to Australian ocean science expertise in key areas of data synthesis, satellite oceanography and the understanding of marine ecosystems' response to climate change. Collaborations will be developed and strengthened among Australian research institutions, and between Australia and the United States. The focus of the research is the Southern Ocean, which impacts glob ....Southern Ocean productivity and carbon dioxide (CO2) exchange under current and future climate regimes. This project will contribute to Australian ocean science expertise in key areas of data synthesis, satellite oceanography and the understanding of marine ecosystems' response to climate change. Collaborations will be developed and strengthened among Australian research institutions, and between Australia and the United States. The focus of the research is the Southern Ocean, which impacts global climate, and on which Australia's southern coastal ecosystems depend. The expertise and techniques developed will have application to other Australian regional seas.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE180100087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$328,075.00
Summary
Internal wave breaking and mixing in the ocean. This project aims to quantify turbulent mixing in the ocean using ultra-high-resolution numerical modelling. Turbulent mixing is caused by internal waves which transport energy from the ocean boundaries into the interior, where they drive mixing of cold, deep water with warmer water above. This mixing is crucial to the ocean circulation which controls the storage of heat and carbon in the ocean, but is inadequately represented in current climate mo ....Internal wave breaking and mixing in the ocean. This project aims to quantify turbulent mixing in the ocean using ultra-high-resolution numerical modelling. Turbulent mixing is caused by internal waves which transport energy from the ocean boundaries into the interior, where they drive mixing of cold, deep water with warmer water above. This mixing is crucial to the ocean circulation which controls the storage of heat and carbon in the ocean, but is inadequately represented in current climate models. The anticipated outcome of the project is an enhanced, global-ocean model incorporating an accurate description of turbulent mixing. This should provide significant benefits to the Australian community by improving the accuracy of future climate predictions.Read moreRead less
Large-scale climatic control of coastal erosion and shoreline changes based on long-term survey dataset and video monitoring technology. The Australian coastline is one of this country's greatest natural and economic resources. The asset value of existing coastal infrastructure is immeasurable. From past experiences in Australia and overseas, coastal erosion is a major and growing threat to the long-term sustainability of coastal development and the coastal environment. This research will int ....Large-scale climatic control of coastal erosion and shoreline changes based on long-term survey dataset and video monitoring technology. The Australian coastline is one of this country's greatest natural and economic resources. The asset value of existing coastal infrastructure is immeasurable. From past experiences in Australia and overseas, coastal erosion is a major and growing threat to the long-term sustainability of coastal development and the coastal environment. This research will integrate a unique multi-decade dataset of beach surveys and innovative coastal imaging technology, examining the relationship of shoreline movements to changing climatic signals, to enable better prediction of future shoreline changes. This new understanding will inform and strengthen the skills and capacity of Australia's coastal managers.Read moreRead less
Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. This project aims to develop a world-class global ocean-sea ice model framework through a nationwide consortium. The resulting high resolution models are expected to provide the foundation for the next decade of Australian ocean-sea ice modelling capacity. This research should lead to improved ocean and sea ice prediction, ocean reanalyses, and climate projections, enhancing Australia's capacity to pred ....Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. This project aims to develop a world-class global ocean-sea ice model framework through a nationwide consortium. The resulting high resolution models are expected to provide the foundation for the next decade of Australian ocean-sea ice modelling capacity. This research should lead to improved ocean and sea ice prediction, ocean reanalyses, and climate projections, enhancing Australia's capacity to predict the ocean state on timescales of days to decades. This is expected to yield efficiencies in shipping, marine search and rescue and naval operations, and increase the accuracy of projected future changes in climate, sea level, ocean ecosystems and the cryosphere.Read moreRead less
Building Australia's next-generation ocean-sea ice model. Ocean and sea ice models are used for predicting future ocean and climate states, and for climate process research. This project aims to bring the next generation of ocean-sea ice models to Australia and configure the models for our local priorities. The ultimate goal is to create a new coupled ocean-sea ice model for Australia that includes surface waves and biogeochemistry. The model will be optimised and evaluated on Australian facilit ....Building Australia's next-generation ocean-sea ice model. Ocean and sea ice models are used for predicting future ocean and climate states, and for climate process research. This project aims to bring the next generation of ocean-sea ice models to Australia and configure the models for our local priorities. The ultimate goal is to create a new coupled ocean-sea ice model for Australia that includes surface waves and biogeochemistry. The model will be optimised and evaluated on Australian facilities, and released for community use. These developments underpin future ocean state forecasts, sea ice forecasts, wave forecasts, decadal climate prediction and climate process studies. The project will benefit search and rescue, Defence and shipping operations, and will enhance future climate projections.Read moreRead less
Benthic Processes and Oceanic Internal Waves. Direct observations will be made of the turbulent motion and sediment re-suspension near the sea bed of the ocean in regions strongly influenced by tides and internal waves. Combined with numerical models, the study will provide new insights into processes that are of fundamental importance to understanding the global dissipation of tidal energy and the role of internal waves in these processes. With observations from the continental slope region of ....Benthic Processes and Oceanic Internal Waves. Direct observations will be made of the turbulent motion and sediment re-suspension near the sea bed of the ocean in regions strongly influenced by tides and internal waves. Combined with numerical models, the study will provide new insights into processes that are of fundamental importance to understanding the global dissipation of tidal energy and the role of internal waves in these processes. With observations from the continental slope region of the Australian North West Shelf, results will also benefit the offshore engineering industry through knowledge of sediment scour and loadings on offshore structures.Read moreRead less