The Effects of Crystal-Plastic Deformation on Zircon Geochemical Systems. This project establishes the significance of deformation-related fast-diffusion pathways on the zircon geochemical system and develops intragrain compositional variations as new tools for tracking geological processes. The unique application of zircon to constrain geological processes in numerous Earth Science disciplines over 4.4 billion years of Earth history ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Aust ....The Effects of Crystal-Plastic Deformation on Zircon Geochemical Systems. This project establishes the significance of deformation-related fast-diffusion pathways on the zircon geochemical system and develops intragrain compositional variations as new tools for tracking geological processes. The unique application of zircon to constrain geological processes in numerous Earth Science disciplines over 4.4 billion years of Earth history ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Australian and International Earth Science community. As such this project will maintain Australia's leading international reputation in accessory mineral research.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the cycling of nitrogen along a subtropical freshwater-marine continuum using a multi-isotope, multi-tracer and modelling approach. This project will significantly advance our understanding of the sources, cycling and pathways of nitrogen along a sub-tropical catchment-river-estuary. As such, the findings from this research will have direct implications to the management, rehabilitation and protection of waterways (including biodiversity) in Australia.
Unlocking the secrets of the groundwater cycle using Si and Li isotopes. This project aims to determine how non-conventional lithium and silicon isotopes can be used to understand groundwater processes using an innovative source-to-target approach. The project aims to apply these isotope tracers to trace the water cycle within a well constrained system: an island aquifer with a dense borefield which has been analysed using traditional isotopic techniques. Supporting hydrochemical data will be us ....Unlocking the secrets of the groundwater cycle using Si and Li isotopes. This project aims to determine how non-conventional lithium and silicon isotopes can be used to understand groundwater processes using an innovative source-to-target approach. The project aims to apply these isotope tracers to trace the water cycle within a well constrained system: an island aquifer with a dense borefield which has been analysed using traditional isotopic techniques. Supporting hydrochemical data will be used to determine the relationship of the isotopes with environmental processes. The project impact will be the development of new methods to help understand our groundwater resource. The improved process understanding will be translated to groundwater management in general. The projects' focus on carbonate aquifer systems typical of coastal regions of southern, eastern and western Australia will have relevance to groundwater management in urban areas such as Perth and in rural areas for tourism and viticulture, and for management of natural resources in National Parks.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the drivers of greenhouse gas emissions in estuaries. The aim of this project is to understand and quantify the factors controlling the emission of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from estuaries. Coastal systems play a disproportionately large role in the global emissions of greenhouse gases, but this is poorly quantified. The project plans to use a combination of continuous concentration and stable isotope measurements, process measurements and advanced numerical modelling ....Unravelling the drivers of greenhouse gas emissions in estuaries. The aim of this project is to understand and quantify the factors controlling the emission of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide from estuaries. Coastal systems play a disproportionately large role in the global emissions of greenhouse gases, but this is poorly quantified. The project plans to use a combination of continuous concentration and stable isotope measurements, process measurements and advanced numerical modelling across a range of undisturbed to disturbed systems. It is intended that this project will provide information for conceptualising, calibrating and verifying models, including green-house gas production. Good models, and the data that support them, such as that provided by this study, are critical for the efficient allocation of management resources in Australian coastal systems, including by our partners. The findings from this project will have direct implications to the management, rehabilitation and protection of waterways (including biodiversity) in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100127
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
High resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (Orbitrap) for analyses of polar compounds in biomass, petroleum, potable and reclaimed water. Climate change and human impact can harm sensitive ecosystems, significantly threatening Australian biodiversity and water resources. Chemical and biological characterisation of aquatic and terrestrial environments is paramount to assessing and responding to these threats, as well as assisting natural resource utilisation. The high structural pola ....High resolution liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (Orbitrap) for analyses of polar compounds in biomass, petroleum, potable and reclaimed water. Climate change and human impact can harm sensitive ecosystems, significantly threatening Australian biodiversity and water resources. Chemical and biological characterisation of aquatic and terrestrial environments is paramount to assessing and responding to these threats, as well as assisting natural resource utilisation. The high structural polarity of many environmentally occurring organics from biological, petroleum and anthropogenic sources, unamenable to gas chromatographic resolution, can now be accommodated by the advanced organic analytical technology sought in this proposal. This project will enable scholars and young professionals to be skilled in state-of-the-art technology, and prepare quality scientists, ready for employment.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100077
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
Automated preparative gas chromatograph for isolating unique and important organic components for structural identification. The rapid capability to purify and identify significant and important organic compounds, present at low levels within complex mixtures, is fundamental to geochemistry, plant biology, chemistry, and environmental science. This facility's automated gas chromatograph will assist in isolating and purifying new compounds from microbes, plants, humans, animals, and environmental ....Automated preparative gas chromatograph for isolating unique and important organic components for structural identification. The rapid capability to purify and identify significant and important organic compounds, present at low levels within complex mixtures, is fundamental to geochemistry, plant biology, chemistry, and environmental science. This facility's automated gas chromatograph will assist in isolating and purifying new compounds from microbes, plants, humans, animals, and environmental and geological samples.Read moreRead less
Stable carbon isotope compositions and distributions of age-diagnostic molecular fossils in Indonesian oils and source rocks for oil-source correlations. The project aims to develop a novel organic geochemical tool for determining a reliable geological age of sedimentary organic matter. The method involves measuring stable carbon isotope signatures of age-specific molecular fossils derived from land plants. To obtain accurate signatures separation techniques focusing on the compounds of interest ....Stable carbon isotope compositions and distributions of age-diagnostic molecular fossils in Indonesian oils and source rocks for oil-source correlations. The project aims to develop a novel organic geochemical tool for determining a reliable geological age of sedimentary organic matter. The method involves measuring stable carbon isotope signatures of age-specific molecular fossils derived from land plants. To obtain accurate signatures separation techniques focusing on the compounds of interest will be developed. The application of this approach in oil to source rock correlations has promise in petroleum basin studies, especially exploration, as evidenced by the strong support from Unocal. It is antipicated that the outcomes of this research will be valuable to other petroleum provinces (especially within Australia).
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Unraveling the nitrogen cycle in a periodically anoxic estuary. Climate change is likely to lead to reduced river inflows to estuaries which can lead to oxygen depletion and major changes in nutrient cycling. This project will help inform the public and policy makers about the role of environmental flows in maintaining estuarine function, and thus guide future decisions on environmental flow requirements in the Yarra River Estuary. The benefits of this understanding will also flow on to improv ....Unraveling the nitrogen cycle in a periodically anoxic estuary. Climate change is likely to lead to reduced river inflows to estuaries which can lead to oxygen depletion and major changes in nutrient cycling. This project will help inform the public and policy makers about the role of environmental flows in maintaining estuarine function, and thus guide future decisions on environmental flow requirements in the Yarra River Estuary. The benefits of this understanding will also flow on to improved understanding and management of nitrogen loads to Port Phillip Bay. This project will form a close collaborative partnership between Monash University, Melbourne Water and the EPA. This collaboration will ensure the integration of cutting edge science with innovative management regimes Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
High sensitivity and precision mass spectrometry for tracing Australia's ancient evolution and securing our future groundwater resources. High sensitivity and precision mass spectrometry for tracing Australia’s ancient evolution and securing our future groundwater resources: Micro-sampling thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) provides the ability to undertake ultra low-level isotope analysis of earth and environmental samples. Analysis of radiogenic (for example, Neodymium, Strontium and ....High sensitivity and precision mass spectrometry for tracing Australia's ancient evolution and securing our future groundwater resources. High sensitivity and precision mass spectrometry for tracing Australia’s ancient evolution and securing our future groundwater resources: Micro-sampling thermal ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) provides the ability to undertake ultra low-level isotope analysis of earth and environmental samples. Analysis of radiogenic (for example, Neodymium, Strontium and Lead) and stable (for example, Boron) isotopes allows researchers to trace the evolution of the Australian continent from its beginnings in the Precambrian through to the impacts of climate change in the Quaternary period (the last 2.6 million years). The proposed micro-sampling TIMS facility will give researchers the opportunity to characterise mineral deposit formation, paleoclimate records and groundwater sources with new levels of accuracy and precision. This will help secure the economic and environmental future of Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882836
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$160,000.00
Summary
A novel isotope facility to characterise high-molecular-weight fractions of natural organic matter in soils, sediments, water, petroleum and coal. This facility will improve our ability to forecast environmental responses to future climate change, and help Australia manage current threats to its biodiversity. Furthermore, this research will increase the ability to identify crude oil sources, to the benefit of petroleum exploration in Australia. This facility will also contribute to an improved u ....A novel isotope facility to characterise high-molecular-weight fractions of natural organic matter in soils, sediments, water, petroleum and coal. This facility will improve our ability to forecast environmental responses to future climate change, and help Australia manage current threats to its biodiversity. Furthermore, this research will increase the ability to identify crude oil sources, to the benefit of petroleum exploration in Australia. This facility will also contribute to an improved understanding of controls on water quality and will help to protect our precious freshwater resources, already under intense pressure from climate change. Importantly, this project will enable students and young professionals to be trained in state-of-the-art technology, leading to quality scientists ready for employment in industry.
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