Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101129
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,479.00
Summary
Assessing the risks of extracting metals for the global energy transition. This project aims to produce the first of its kind online atlas that systematically documents the social, environmental and economic impacts in mining locations around the world. Analysing impacts at the source of metal supply chains is crucial to comprehend the implications of transitioning to metal-intensive low-carbon energy technologies. The project would deliver insights on available pathways to achieve a ‘just’ ener ....Assessing the risks of extracting metals for the global energy transition. This project aims to produce the first of its kind online atlas that systematically documents the social, environmental and economic impacts in mining locations around the world. Analysing impacts at the source of metal supply chains is crucial to comprehend the implications of transitioning to metal-intensive low-carbon energy technologies. The project would deliver insights on available pathways to achieve a ‘just’ energy transition, meaning a transition that successfully tackles climate change without placing unacceptable burden on mining communities and environments. The goal of the research is to generate evidence-based recommendations so that future metal supply can be both reliable and responsible.Read moreRead less
Resolving nitrogen and phosphorus transformations along subterranean estuary - sediment/water interface continuums in carbonate sands. Humans are modifying global nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles at an alarming rate. The release of N and P into the environment drives eutrophication, one of the greatest threats to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Globally, there is little effort being made to control increasing N and P emissions. The transport of contaminated groundwater is a major source of N ....Resolving nitrogen and phosphorus transformations along subterranean estuary - sediment/water interface continuums in carbonate sands. Humans are modifying global nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) cycles at an alarming rate. The release of N and P into the environment drives eutrophication, one of the greatest threats to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Globally, there is little effort being made to control increasing N and P emissions. The transport of contaminated groundwater is a major source of N and P to the coastal zone and an overlooked driver of eutrophication. Yet, research into the processes that influence N and P transformation in groundwater are scarce, they neglect carbonate sand systems and have ignored the processes in key groundwater transition zones. This project will generate new knowledge that will help us understand the role that groundwater plays in coastal eutrophication.Read moreRead less
Hydrogeological drivers and fate of spring flow in a semi-arid setting. In arid and semi-arid climates, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems often rely on groundwater springs. Spring hydrology depends on complex relationships between underlying aquifers and surface conditions, leading to high uncertainties in understanding aquifer-spring-wetland hydrology, which is critical for spring ecosystem protection and to inform management of relevant groundwater-affecting activities. This project will appl ....Hydrogeological drivers and fate of spring flow in a semi-arid setting. In arid and semi-arid climates, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems often rely on groundwater springs. Spring hydrology depends on complex relationships between underlying aquifers and surface conditions, leading to high uncertainties in understanding aquifer-spring-wetland hydrology, which is critical for spring ecosystem protection and to inform management of relevant groundwater-affecting activities. This project will apply novel hydrogeophysical and hydrochemical methods, and computer modelling, to investigate the source aquifer of, and fate of discharge from the Doongmabulla Springs Complex (DSC), located in an area of future development. Project results will inform spring vulnerability to development pressures and climate effects.Read moreRead less