Understanding biodiversity by experimental analysis of links between physical, chemical and biological properties of intertidal sediments. The coastal zone accounts for 38 % of total environmental services, estimated as $12 trillion per year. Over 90 % of current development and 80 % of Australians are found within 50 km of the coast, putting enormous pressure on these habitats. Intertidal/shallow subtidal sediments are the most extensive and productive (biologically and economically) coastal ....Understanding biodiversity by experimental analysis of links between physical, chemical and biological properties of intertidal sediments. The coastal zone accounts for 38 % of total environmental services, estimated as $12 trillion per year. Over 90 % of current development and 80 % of Australians are found within 50 km of the coast, putting enormous pressure on these habitats. Intertidal/shallow subtidal sediments are the most extensive and productive (biologically and economically) coastal habitats, supporting much of Australia's unique biodiversity. Their functioning depends on complex interactions among physical, chemical and biotic processes, yet is largely unknown. Understanding these processes is crucial for coastal planning and management, to minimise habitat-loss and retain biodiversity in these important habitats.Read moreRead less
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
Unraveling Pathways of Nitrogen Cycling in the Sediments of Shallow Coastal Systems using Biomarkers, Stable Isotope Tracer Experiments and Modeling. Many 100's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna affect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding ....Unraveling Pathways of Nitrogen Cycling in the Sediments of Shallow Coastal Systems using Biomarkers, Stable Isotope Tracer Experiments and Modeling. Many 100's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna affect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding the role that organisms at all levels play in the functioning of coastal ecosystems is the first step towards protecting this biodiversity. As such the findings from this research will have direct implications to the management, rehabilitation and protection of waterways (including biodiversity) in Australia. Read moreRead less
Unraveling the pathways of nitrogen cycling in permeable sandy sediments in tropical coastal systems. Many hundreds of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna effect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding the role organisms at all levels play in the ....Unraveling the pathways of nitrogen cycling in permeable sandy sediments in tropical coastal systems. Many hundreds of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna effect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding the role organisms at all levels play in the functioning of coastal ecosystems is the first step toward protecting this biodiversity. As such the findings from this research will have direct implications for the management, rehabilitation and protection of waterways (including biodiversity) in Australia.Read moreRead less
A biogeochemical study of a coastal lagoon - tests of a mechanistic model. The water quality and seagrass biomass of intermittently closed-open lagoons (ICOLs), which dominate the NSW coast, are declining in response to development and their low flushing rates. A combination of field sampling, biogeochemical analysis and ecological modelling will be used to improve our quantitative understanding and prediction of ecological processes in small estuaries. A novel, mechanistic model of nutrients- ....A biogeochemical study of a coastal lagoon - tests of a mechanistic model. The water quality and seagrass biomass of intermittently closed-open lagoons (ICOLs), which dominate the NSW coast, are declining in response to development and their low flushing rates. A combination of field sampling, biogeochemical analysis and ecological modelling will be used to improve our quantitative understanding and prediction of ecological processes in small estuaries. A novel, mechanistic model of nutrients-phytoplankton-seagrass-zooplankton will be improved with detailed sampling of Smiths Lake on the central NSW coast. Simulations indicative of future development, fish re-stocking or management options will indicate the cost-benefit on estuarine ecosystems.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989952
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$220,000.00
Summary
A Continuous Flow-Wet Chemical Oxidation- Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer for Environmental Research. The proposed Continuous Flow-Wet Chemical Oxidation- Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (CF-WCO-IRMS) facility will be the first in Australia, and as such will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of fields. As such, this system will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and enhance our ability to delivery high ....A Continuous Flow-Wet Chemical Oxidation- Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer for Environmental Research. The proposed Continuous Flow-Wet Chemical Oxidation- Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (CF-WCO-IRMS) facility will be the first in Australia, and as such will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of fields. As such, this system will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and enhance our ability to delivery high quality research in the National Research Priority Area of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia with priority goals water- a critical resource, responding to climate change and variability, overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity and sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity.Read moreRead less
Unravelling Pathways of Nitrogen Cycling in the Muddy Sediments of Shallow Coastal Systems using Biomarkers, Stable Isotope Tracer Experiments and Modelling. Many 100's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna affect the functioning of our coastal systems. Unders ....Unravelling Pathways of Nitrogen Cycling in the Muddy Sediments of Shallow Coastal Systems using Biomarkers, Stable Isotope Tracer Experiments and Modelling. Many 100's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment, and protection of biodiversity, in Australia's coastal waters. This project will significantly advance our understanding of how organisms from bacteria to macrofauna affect the functioning of our coastal systems. Understanding the role organisms at all levels play in the functioning of coastal ecosystems is the first step toward protecting this biodiversity. As such the findings from this research 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: LE0668495
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$274,000.00
Summary
A Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system for Environmental Research. The proposed Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of environmental fields. As such, this system will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and enhance our ability to delivery ....A Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system for Environmental Research. The proposed Gas Chromatograph-Combustion/Elemental Analyser-Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (GC-c/EA-IRMS) system will allow ground-breaking research to be undertaken resulting in advances in a variety of environmental fields. As such, this system will significantly enhance many core research programs at Southern Cross University and enhance our ability to delivery high quality research in the National Research Priority Area of An Environmentally Sustainable Australia with priority goals water- a critical resource, overcoming soil loss, salinity and acidity and sustainable use of Australia's biodiversity. Read moreRead less
Do pollution events facilitate biotic invasion in marine systems? This project aims to determine whether pollution affects the biological resistance of assemblages to invasion. The discharge of toxicants into coastal waters is an increasingly important source of disturbance that has the potential to make marine assemblages more susceptible to biotic invasion. The project will determine if pollution events facilitate the colonisation, persistence and spread of non-native species and how initial a ....Do pollution events facilitate biotic invasion in marine systems? This project aims to determine whether pollution affects the biological resistance of assemblages to invasion. The discharge of toxicants into coastal waters is an increasingly important source of disturbance that has the potential to make marine assemblages more susceptible to biotic invasion. The project will determine if pollution events facilitate the colonisation, persistence and spread of non-native species and how initial assemblage diversity modifies this response. The generality of several important ecological hypotheses developed in plant communities are tested in marine systems for the first time and extended to include the role of toxic disturbances.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$110,000.00
Summary
Single-grain optically-stimulated luminescence and dosimetry instruments to service the Sydney metropolitan and greater New South Wales region. This equipment will support projects that address significant environmental challenges in Australia, such as climate change and variability, coastal management and sustainable river and water management, and that assess the impacts and consequences of these challenges for populations living in environmentally sensitive areas. These projects will build on ....Single-grain optically-stimulated luminescence and dosimetry instruments to service the Sydney metropolitan and greater New South Wales region. This equipment will support projects that address significant environmental challenges in Australia, such as climate change and variability, coastal management and sustainable river and water management, and that assess the impacts and consequences of these challenges for populations living in environmentally sensitive areas. These projects will build on established collaborations in Australia, Antarctica and the south-west Pacific and encourage new collaborations with south-east Asian, Egyptian and Argentinean researchers, which will promote Australian research on a world stage. The use of this equipment will also pioneer new dating methodologies to further enhance Australia's place at the forefront of geochronology.Read moreRead less