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A terrestrial hot spring setting for the origin of life. This project aims to test the proposal that a terrestrial hot spring field could have been the setting for the origin of life, in preference over the currently favoured site at deep sea vents. The project will involve an integrated, and multi-disciplinary study of the rocks, fluids, and molecules that together make up ancient to modern hot spring systems, and experiments on prebiotic organic chemistry using early Earth materials. Results w ....A terrestrial hot spring setting for the origin of life. This project aims to test the proposal that a terrestrial hot spring field could have been the setting for the origin of life, in preference over the currently favoured site at deep sea vents. The project will involve an integrated, and multi-disciplinary study of the rocks, fluids, and molecules that together make up ancient to modern hot spring systems, and experiments on prebiotic organic chemistry using early Earth materials. Results will be used to develop a terrestrial origin of life setting and assist in the search for life on Mars.Read moreRead less
Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our kno ....Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation in different substrates. Carbonates in the form of limestone represent an important reservoir of carbon on earth. They are recorded in several natural geological formations as corals, stromatolites, beach rocks. Microbes play an important role in the formation as well as dissolution of carbonates during microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) reactions on different substrates in natural and built environments. Much of our knowledge on MICP is limited due to poor understanding of the reaction kinetics at a molecular level. This project will develop new methods to enable and advance the knowledge of MICP process with profound implications for understanding natural geological formations as well as widen the scope of current engineering applications.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
Understanding mineral reactivity using computer simulations at realistic pH. The results of fundamental environmental and technological processes such as the production of alumina and the management of mine wastes largely depend on careful controlling the conditions at which the chemical reactions occur. Throughout this project, atomistic simulations will be used to unravel the effects of pH on the stability of minerals and to improve our knowledge of the dissolution and re-precipitation mechani ....Understanding mineral reactivity using computer simulations at realistic pH. The results of fundamental environmental and technological processes such as the production of alumina and the management of mine wastes largely depend on careful controlling the conditions at which the chemical reactions occur. Throughout this project, atomistic simulations will be used to unravel the effects of pH on the stability of minerals and to improve our knowledge of the dissolution and re-precipitation mechanisms of these materials. A better understanding of the basic science underpinning minerals’ reactivity will eventually translate into the development of new technologies and contribute to helping Australia’s advancement in developing a sustainable future as well as environment preservation and remediation.Read moreRead less
Australian Laureate Fellowships - Grant ID: FL180100087
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,539,442.00
Summary
Predictive simulation of crystallisation. This project aims to create new methodologies for quantitatively predicting the result of crystallisation processes, which are central to industries from pharmaceutical and food manufacture through to minerals processing. The outcomes will include the commercialisation of new technologies for computer modelling, economic impact in several key industries, and capacity building in analytical skills. Target project applications includes accelerating the dev ....Predictive simulation of crystallisation. This project aims to create new methodologies for quantitatively predicting the result of crystallisation processes, which are central to industries from pharmaceutical and food manufacture through to minerals processing. The outcomes will include the commercialisation of new technologies for computer modelling, economic impact in several key industries, and capacity building in analytical skills. Target project applications includes accelerating the development cycle for pharmaceuticals and reducing scale formation within both oil/gas pipelines and desalination plants.Read moreRead less
Electron flow in iron hyper-enriched acidifying coastal environments: reaction paths and kinetics of iron-sulfur-carbon transformations. Iron hyper-enriched acidifying coastal lowlands have a direct social, economic and environmental impact on communities in many parts of Australia. This project will determine how iron transforms and accumulates. The new knowledge will be of immediate relevance for the remediation of coastal plains.
Producing clean energy through geomimetic chemistry. This project aims to provide new chemical pathways able to produce clean energy by following a computational geomimetic approach. It will generate new knowledge in the field of materials science, by characterising the rich mineral chemistry observed on ocean floors and in extra-terrestrial environments that is naturally able to produce fuel through harvesting carbon dioxide. Expected outcomes include a full understanding of chemical reactions ....Producing clean energy through geomimetic chemistry. This project aims to provide new chemical pathways able to produce clean energy by following a computational geomimetic approach. It will generate new knowledge in the field of materials science, by characterising the rich mineral chemistry observed on ocean floors and in extra-terrestrial environments that is naturally able to produce fuel through harvesting carbon dioxide. Expected outcomes include a full understanding of chemical reactions that are at present unexplored at a fundamental level. This will open new perspectives in their potential employment to address the contemporary challenge of producing clean energy and will generate environmental and economic benefit to the Australian and international communities.Read moreRead less
Uncovering molecular pathways to minerals for control of crystallisation. This project aims to increase our knowledge of the processes of mineral formation and crystallisation. Minerals play a vital role in our environment, for example as reservoirs for carbon dioxide, while also substantially contributing to the Australian economy. Conversely, undesirable formation of minerals can be detrimental to industries from the oil/gas sector through to desalination. Despite the benefits that would come ....Uncovering molecular pathways to minerals for control of crystallisation. This project aims to increase our knowledge of the processes of mineral formation and crystallisation. Minerals play a vital role in our environment, for example as reservoirs for carbon dioxide, while also substantially contributing to the Australian economy. Conversely, undesirable formation of minerals can be detrimental to industries from the oil/gas sector through to desalination. Despite the benefits that would come from controlling such crystal growth, progress has been limited by the lack of a complete understanding of how minerals form at the microscopic level. This project aims to combine computer simulation, using the latest petascale resources, with experimental data to yield knowledge that would allow us to manipulate minerals, such as calcium carbonate, with the same control found in nature.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100029
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$280,000.00
Summary
Ultra-trace analytical facility for earth system change . A new cutting-edge research capability will be established to safe guard Australia's natural resources and environment and to determine past variability in climate. Research results from the facility will help to guide national and international policy makers with regards to sustainable development and management of resources.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100141
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$420,000.00
Summary
High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality c ....High-resolution ITRAX XRF core scanning facility for global change research. This facility will enable researchers to obtain high-resolution geochemical profiles in the study of environmental change and climate variability. It will provide archive data on the variation of density and chemical element composition along sediment and soil cores, rock cores, wood samples, speleothems and corals. These archives contain important information such as human activity, climate variability, water quality changes, pollution histories, recent geomorphological change, land-use change, introduction of invasive species and the occurrence of bushfires. A better understanding of the occurrence and timing of these major environmental issues is of national and regional importance.Read moreRead less