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
Determining the Toxicity of Sedimentary Organic Contaminants in the Marine Environment and its implications for Australia. Australia, like many countries, has adopted sediment quality guidelines, which govern construction, waste disposal, dredging, protection of living resources and remediation in coastal regions. Recent studies by the current applicants indicate that these guidelines overestimate sediment toxicity, which may result in unnecessary, costly environmental investigations and possibl ....Determining the Toxicity of Sedimentary Organic Contaminants in the Marine Environment and its implications for Australia. Australia, like many countries, has adopted sediment quality guidelines, which govern construction, waste disposal, dredging, protection of living resources and remediation in coastal regions. Recent studies by the current applicants indicate that these guidelines overestimate sediment toxicity, which may result in unnecessary, costly environmental investigations and possibly needless, very expensive remediation. Although contaminants are in extremely high concentrations in many Australian coastal areas, they may not be available (bioavailable) to benthic animals. A new technique is proposed to determine contaminant bioavalibility and improve the predictability of these guidelines and ensure the ecological sustainable development of coastal environments.Read moreRead less
Darwin Harbour corals as environmental data archives and bio-monitors. The forecast rapid population growth and industrial development of the Darwin Harbour catchment necessitates research into novel environmental monitoring techniques to aid the sustainable management of the Harbours resources. This project will develop a powerful and cost-effective bio-monitoring system by using chemical data stored in yearly growth bands of coral skeletons stretching back at least two centuries. Such data wil ....Darwin Harbour corals as environmental data archives and bio-monitors. The forecast rapid population growth and industrial development of the Darwin Harbour catchment necessitates research into novel environmental monitoring techniques to aid the sustainable management of the Harbours resources. This project will develop a powerful and cost-effective bio-monitoring system by using chemical data stored in yearly growth bands of coral skeletons stretching back at least two centuries. Such data will form a comparative baseline against which present and future coral data on pollutants released by urban, industrial and other developments can be assessed.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
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