Unravelling the history of nitrogen cycling within the central Great Barrier Reef. This project aims to use coral skeleton geochemical analysis to establish if, when, and how nitrogen cycling changed along the central inshore region of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon. Increasing anthropogenic nitrogen discharge to coastal waters could drive ecosystem decline in the GBR, one of Australia’s most sensitive and economically valuable natural environments. However, the full effect of anthropogenic ....Unravelling the history of nitrogen cycling within the central Great Barrier Reef. This project aims to use coral skeleton geochemical analysis to establish if, when, and how nitrogen cycling changed along the central inshore region of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon. Increasing anthropogenic nitrogen discharge to coastal waters could drive ecosystem decline in the GBR, one of Australia’s most sensitive and economically valuable natural environments. However, the full effect of anthropogenic nitrogen is unclear due to a lack of long, continuous records. This project will unravel the history of nitrogen cycling in the GBR since the mid-1800s, knowledge crucial for managing this reef system.Read moreRead less
Iron sources and cycling in the Tasman Sea. Determining factors that influence the health and vitality of coastal and open-ocean regions is crucial to maintaining marine biodiversity and the Earth's climatic balance. This research project will determine the role iron plays in influencing phytoplankton growth, which ultimately regulates the drawdown of carbon dioxide by the oceans.
Factors influencing the bioavailability of iron in marine waters. Strong evidence now exists that iron availability controls the productivity and species composition of planktonic organisms in open oceans and coastal and estuarine environments. The mechanisms by which iron is rendered available and induces growth remain unclear but appear to involve, in many instances, light and both generic and specific organic complexants of iron. In this study, we investigate the effect of selected naturally ....Factors influencing the bioavailability of iron in marine waters. Strong evidence now exists that iron availability controls the productivity and species composition of planktonic organisms in open oceans and coastal and estuarine environments. The mechanisms by which iron is rendered available and induces growth remain unclear but appear to involve, in many instances, light and both generic and specific organic complexants of iron. In this study, we investigate the effect of selected naturally occurring complexants on redox transformations of iron with particular emphasis given to the potential ability of organics and light to increase the bioavailability of iron.Read moreRead less
Effects of uptake of carbon and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon) on pH among phytoplankton species: implications for ocean acidification feedback mechanisms. Anthropogenic CO2 emission has caused a decrease in the ocean pH, which may affect coral reefs. The project will study two processes, as the feedback mechanisms, which can increase pH in seawater, uptake of additional CO2 by algae directly and stimulated by the human input of nitrogen and phosphorus.
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
A new approach to the U-series dating of fossil molluscs - a major advance for the earth and archaeological sciences. The development of a reliable method for accurately determining the age of fossil shells represents a breakthrough in the ability to date marine shoreline, lake, and other shell-bearing deposits (e.g. middens). This will present new opportunities for research of significant national benefit, particularly into the effects of climate change, including linked sea-level change and me ....A new approach to the U-series dating of fossil molluscs - a major advance for the earth and archaeological sciences. The development of a reliable method for accurately determining the age of fossil shells represents a breakthrough in the ability to date marine shoreline, lake, and other shell-bearing deposits (e.g. middens). This will present new opportunities for research of significant national benefit, particularly into the effects of climate change, including linked sea-level change and melting of ice sheets, the impact of sea-level change on coastal zones, and shifts in the amount and variability of rainfall in different regions. The method may also be used to estimate the frequency and size of large storm and tsunami events, earthquake risk, and the timing of prehistoric human migration and associated environmental impacts. Read moreRead less
Tidal dynamics of a subterranean estuary: Processes and functions. Coastal environments and resources are of great significance for Australia economically and socially. Water pollution in many coastal areas is a serious environmental problem, threatening marine and estuarine ecosystems. High nutrient levels in coastal waters are causing alarming damage to the Great Barrier Reef. The proposed project investigates an important mechanism underlying the chemical transfer from the aquifer to the ocea ....Tidal dynamics of a subterranean estuary: Processes and functions. Coastal environments and resources are of great significance for Australia economically and socially. Water pollution in many coastal areas is a serious environmental problem, threatening marine and estuarine ecosystems. High nutrient levels in coastal waters are causing alarming damage to the Great Barrier Reef. The proposed project investigates an important mechanism underlying the chemical transfer from the aquifer to the ocean. It will provide better understanding of the pathway of land-derived nutrients and contaminants entering coastal waters, leading to (1) improvement of strategies for sustainable coastal resources management and development and (2) integration of upland and lowland catchments management.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
Novel Antimicrobial Biomaterials. There is a clear need for new materials that repel bacteria. Infections associated with biomaterials incur a high cost in terms of human health and well being, but such infections also increase the burden on the health care system by extending hospital stays and significantly elevating costs. The cost of a catheter-related blood stream infection is around $50,000 for patients in intensive care units. If all medical devices are considered, the cost of related inf ....Novel Antimicrobial Biomaterials. There is a clear need for new materials that repel bacteria. Infections associated with biomaterials incur a high cost in terms of human health and well being, but such infections also increase the burden on the health care system by extending hospital stays and significantly elevating costs. The cost of a catheter-related blood stream infection is around $50,000 for patients in intensive care units. If all medical devices are considered, the cost of related infections is then approximately $20 billion. The technology proposed here has the potential to reduce biomaterial related infection rates, improve health care and reduce health care costs. Read moreRead less
Atmospheric CO2, global temperature, and surface ocean acidity response to fossil carbon burning - insights from an ancient analogue. Sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by the oceans and the impacts of resulting ocean acidification and greenhouse warming upon marine ecosystems are vital to understanding the course of future environmental change. This research will improve knowledge of the biological and chemical responses in the ocean to past changes in atmospheric CO2 levels and incre ....Atmospheric CO2, global temperature, and surface ocean acidity response to fossil carbon burning - insights from an ancient analogue. Sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 emissions by the oceans and the impacts of resulting ocean acidification and greenhouse warming upon marine ecosystems are vital to understanding the course of future environmental change. This research will improve knowledge of the biological and chemical responses in the ocean to past changes in atmospheric CO2 levels and increased ocean acidity. This will assist in predicting the consequences of different fossil fuel burning scenarios for climate and marine life, especially the future viability of organisms like corals, molluscs, and calcareous plankton that underpin key tourism and marine production systems.Read moreRead less