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
Submarine springs in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon: the geological origin, physical properties and ecological significance of Wonky Holes. This project investigates submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon. As groundwaters often contain high loads of nutrients and other pollutants, point source SGDs called Wonky Holes, reputedly common yet scientifically unexplored in the GBR or elsewhere, may represent a significant pathway for the land-sea flux of these mat ....Submarine springs in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon: the geological origin, physical properties and ecological significance of Wonky Holes. This project investigates submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon. As groundwaters often contain high loads of nutrients and other pollutants, point source SGDs called Wonky Holes, reputedly common yet scientifically unexplored in the GBR or elsewhere, may represent a significant pathway for the land-sea flux of these materials. This project will define the incidence and origin of Wonky Holes and determine the magnitude and physical and chemical properties of their discharge. These studies will advance our understanding of land-sea interactions, assist management of the GBR and improve regional hydrogeological models.Read moreRead less
An Investigation into Oceanic CO2 Variability and its Influence on Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations. Carbon dioxide is a powerful greenhouse gas whose observed atmospheric increase is the central cause
of climate change. The associated environmental, social and economic impacts to Australia could be
staggering via coral reef degradation, loss of agricultural production, coastal erosion and extreme climate
events. This work aims to better our understanding of how the oceans may mediate the effec ....An Investigation into Oceanic CO2 Variability and its Influence on Atmospheric CO2 Concentrations. Carbon dioxide is a powerful greenhouse gas whose observed atmospheric increase is the central cause
of climate change. The associated environmental, social and economic impacts to Australia could be
staggering via coral reef degradation, loss of agricultural production, coastal erosion and extreme climate
events. This work aims to better our understanding of how the oceans may mediate the effects of climate
change for Australia and therefore has a strong national benefit. Quantifying the importance Australia's
oceanic CO2 sink will be important for Australian policy makers within international climate negotiations
and also for better management practices to ensure the future prosperity of Australia's coral reef
ecosystem.Read moreRead less
Interactions between small scale cyclones and sea ice and their role in the Southern Ocean climate system. The Southern Ocean cyclone belt has a strong influence on Australian weather and climate. This project will allow improvements in the understanding of intense small scale cyclones in the region. Importantly, the research will highlight key sensitivities in the coupling between these atmospheric circulations and the underlying sea ice. Further, the compilation of an updated Southern Ocean cy ....Interactions between small scale cyclones and sea ice and their role in the Southern Ocean climate system. The Southern Ocean cyclone belt has a strong influence on Australian weather and climate. This project will allow improvements in the understanding of intense small scale cyclones in the region. Importantly, the research will highlight key sensitivities in the coupling between these atmospheric circulations and the underlying sea ice. Further, the compilation of an updated Southern Ocean cyclone climatology will provide a basis for evaluating future changes in cyclone distribution and frequency of occurrence in the Antarctic region. Finally, by leading this unique international collaboration with German and US scientists, the profile of Australian scientists in Antarctic atmospheric research will be strongly enhanced.Read moreRead less
Southern Ocean storms and noise sources from Australian seismic array recordings. Storm severity in the Southern Ocean - is it increasing? This project will investigate storminess using decades of seismic records from Australian stations, adding unique data for remote ocean areas with no direct weather observations, with profound implications for the global climate system.
Mechanisms of proxy uptake in biominerals. This project plans to combine nano-analytical and aquaculture methods to develop new models that improve the reliability of paleoclimate reconstructions. The compositions of shells and skeletal materials of marine invertebrates are essential archives for quantifying temperatures and environmental conditions before modern climate records began. However, their reliability relies on understanding their formation. Emerging knowledge from material sciences i ....Mechanisms of proxy uptake in biominerals. This project plans to combine nano-analytical and aquaculture methods to develop new models that improve the reliability of paleoclimate reconstructions. The compositions of shells and skeletal materials of marine invertebrates are essential archives for quantifying temperatures and environmental conditions before modern climate records began. However, their reliability relies on understanding their formation. Emerging knowledge from material sciences indicates that these biocarbonates form via transient precursors rather than direct precipitation from seawater, profoundly affecting their interpretation. This project plans to transfer this new understanding to the earth sciences using nanoscale analytical methods including in vitro geochemical partitioning experiments. This would enable realistic models for geochemical proxy behaviour to be developed, significantly improving paleoclimate interpretations and assessments of ocean acidification effects on marine calcifiers.Read moreRead less
Resolving uncertainty over the importance of N-fixation versus denitrification in coastal systems. Nutrient enrichment of coastal waters is a significant national and international problem requiring urgent action. Despite many studies and many millions of dollars in research funding we know virtually nothing about the relative importance of the major nitrogen cycling pathways, N-fixation and denitrification. Many hundred's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on ....Resolving uncertainty over the importance of N-fixation versus denitrification in coastal systems. Nutrient enrichment of coastal waters is a significant national and international problem requiring urgent action. Despite many studies and many millions of dollars in research funding we know virtually nothing about the relative importance of the major nitrogen cycling pathways, N-fixation and denitrification. Many hundred's of millions of dollars are likely to be spent over the next ten years on the management of nitrogen enrichment of Australia's coastal waters. This study will use a new method for directly measuring N-fixation to resolve uncertainty over the importance of N-fixation versus denitrification in coastal systems; information which is critical for the efficient allocation of management resources.Read moreRead less
Tracking the response of terrestrial and ocean waters to climate variations using space gravity observations. Climate change puts Australia at risk from sea level rise and an increase in the occurrence and intensity of droughts. We need to learn about issues concerning the water cycle that are still poorly understood, such as whether droughts cause a reduction in only surface water or also water stored in underground reservoirs and what happens to ocean waters when thermal expansion causes an in ....Tracking the response of terrestrial and ocean waters to climate variations using space gravity observations. Climate change puts Australia at risk from sea level rise and an increase in the occurrence and intensity of droughts. We need to learn about issues concerning the water cycle that are still poorly understood, such as whether droughts cause a reduction in only surface water or also water stored in underground reservoirs and what happens to ocean waters when thermal expansion causes an increase in sea surface height in some regions but not others. This proposal will provide new and accurate scientific information on the risks of sea level rise through the effects of thermal expansion of the oceans, in particular in shallow coastal zones. It will help us to understand droughts, variations in water resources and groundwater recharge patterns.Read moreRead less
How the complexity of continental breakup controls ocean circulation. This project aims to address the evolution of oceanic seaways formed during separation of tectonic plates (such as Australia and Antarctica). The seaways that form are key components modulating the global ocean circulation system and are implicated in major glacial expansion events. This project aims to unravel their role relative to other drivers for example carbon dioxide (CO2). Unravelling the influence of seaway opening co ....How the complexity of continental breakup controls ocean circulation. This project aims to address the evolution of oceanic seaways formed during separation of tectonic plates (such as Australia and Antarctica). The seaways that form are key components modulating the global ocean circulation system and are implicated in major glacial expansion events. This project aims to unravel their role relative to other drivers for example carbon dioxide (CO2). Unravelling the influence of seaway opening compared with declining CO2 in the onset of Antarctic and Northern hemisphere glaciation will enable more accurate future climate simulations. The project will also give international exposure and training to the next generation of numerically adept geoscientists and oceanographers.Read moreRead less
Are ocean storms impacting Australia becoming more severe? This project aims to improve our understanding of the severe ocean storms that impact Australia. The novel approach will make use of multiple decades of the background 'noise', recorded continuously by earthquake seismic observatories, to locate and analyse ocean storms through time and identify changes in storm tracks. An interdisciplinary interpretation will follow which combines the large body of new results from seismology with data ....Are ocean storms impacting Australia becoming more severe? This project aims to improve our understanding of the severe ocean storms that impact Australia. The novel approach will make use of multiple decades of the background 'noise', recorded continuously by earthquake seismic observatories, to locate and analyse ocean storms through time and identify changes in storm tracks. An interdisciplinary interpretation will follow which combines the large body of new results from seismology with data from oceanography and meteorology. Significant advancement in our knowledge of severe storms will benefit Australia by indicating whether such storms are becoming more severe or, alternatively, if storm patterns are shifting.Read moreRead less