A microscopic and analytical study of extreme thermophile bacteria in simulated environments compared to organic matter in early Earth hydrothermal systems. The study will examine microbial cells and organic residues of cultured thermophilic archaea from simulated extreme environments in terms of temperature, pressure and mineral concentrations. These will be compared, applying observational and geochemical techniques to organic material in geologically earliest ecosystems. A novel approach will ....A microscopic and analytical study of extreme thermophile bacteria in simulated environments compared to organic matter in early Earth hydrothermal systems. The study will examine microbial cells and organic residues of cultured thermophilic archaea from simulated extreme environments in terms of temperature, pressure and mineral concentrations. These will be compared, applying observational and geochemical techniques to organic material in geologically earliest ecosystems. A novel approach will be adopted, of 'backtracking' changes occurring to cultured microbial cells towards their breakdown and disintegration (in contrast to the more common approach of simulating synthesis of organic compounds as a starting point towards structured functioning organisms), and their viability limits. The results of the study will be tested within the currently available theoretical models for the origin of life.Read moreRead less
Fire and rain: Drivers of deep-time ecosystem assembly in Australia. This project aims to investigate the influence of bushfires and shifting rainfall patterns on the development of Australia’s dominant ecosystems. By combining a range of novel geochemical, isotopic and palaeontological techniques, this research seeks to reveal the causes and consequences of Australia’s transformation from a forested to mainly open landscape of grassland, shrubland and savannah. The expected outcome is detailed ....Fire and rain: Drivers of deep-time ecosystem assembly in Australia. This project aims to investigate the influence of bushfires and shifting rainfall patterns on the development of Australia’s dominant ecosystems. By combining a range of novel geochemical, isotopic and palaeontological techniques, this research seeks to reveal the causes and consequences of Australia’s transformation from a forested to mainly open landscape of grassland, shrubland and savannah. The expected outcome is detailed knowledge of how changes in fire and rain shaped the ecology and evolution of plants and animals. This knowledge is key to understanding how Australian ecosystems function and to protecting their cultural, economic and environmental values, especially as climate and fire regimes continue to change into the future.Read moreRead less
Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated c ....Biogeochemical remediation approaches for PFAS contaminated environments. This project aims to identify and harvest microorganisms capable of directly or indirectly affecting PFOS or PFOA degradation in the environment. Fluorinated compounds such as PFOS and PFOA in firefighting foams are contaminants of concern now routinely detected in contaminated groundwater and soil globally. Understanding the role of microorganisms, and the biogeochemical processes they perform in relation to fluorinated compounds, will inform handling of contaminated sites and lead to development of cost effective and sustainable remediation technologies. Read moreRead less
Sedimentary phosphorites as geochemical sponges: trace element scavenging, the chemical evolution of seawater and an innovative method for dating sediments. Ancient sedimentary phosphorite is the major source of commercial phosphate in Australia and East Asia. This project will lead to economic and environmental benefits to Australia by providing the minerals industry with the tools to target purer phosphate, thus improving resource estimations and minimising the environmental impact of trace me ....Sedimentary phosphorites as geochemical sponges: trace element scavenging, the chemical evolution of seawater and an innovative method for dating sediments. Ancient sedimentary phosphorite is the major source of commercial phosphate in Australia and East Asia. This project will lead to economic and environmental benefits to Australia by providing the minerals industry with the tools to target purer phosphate, thus improving resource estimations and minimising the environmental impact of trace metal burdened fertiliser. The study will enhance our understanding of the nature and timing of key moments in Earth history and could serve as a launchpad for future studies on the use of phosphate for environmental remediation. We hope to provide exciting opportunities for Australian postgraduates through cutting edge research in partnership with both homespun and international academic collaborators.Read moreRead less
Environmentally sustainable asymmetric synthesis: design and development of chiral hydrogen bonding organocatalysts. There is a pressing need for more environmentally sustainable and economically viable methods for asymmetric synthesis. This project aims to design, synthesise and evaluate new organocatalysts based on the principle of hydrogen bonding activation, a common feature of Nature's catalysts, enzymes. These inexpensive, non-toxic, air- and moisture-stable catalysts may prove to be more ....Environmentally sustainable asymmetric synthesis: design and development of chiral hydrogen bonding organocatalysts. There is a pressing need for more environmentally sustainable and economically viable methods for asymmetric synthesis. This project aims to design, synthesise and evaluate new organocatalysts based on the principle of hydrogen bonding activation, a common feature of Nature's catalysts, enzymes. These inexpensive, non-toxic, air- and moisture-stable catalysts may prove to be more efficient, selective and have broader applicability than catalysts based on transition metals. The growing Australian pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries will benefit from the development of these new Advanced Materials and the training provided to young scientists in the sought-after fields of asymmetric synthesis and catalysis.Read moreRead less
The biogeochemical cycling of gold: development of innovative strategies in exploration. Doctor Southam's application of fundamental geomicrobiology to mineral exploration and mineral processing will enhance Australia's leadership in the global mining industry. The use of natural processes to develop biotechnological innovations will result in more sustainable mining practices.
Finding Porphyry Copper with zircon trace elements & hyperspectral display. Copper mine discovery rates lag behind world needs. One way to find copper in the World’s Ring of Fire is to measure compositions of zircons which are durable minerals concentrated in stream sands and spreadout long distances below a deposit. 100s of zircon from a cup of sand constitute a sample. Zircon chemical features that indicate possible mines are mostly understood, but nature is complicated. Beyond the 26 channel ....Finding Porphyry Copper with zircon trace elements & hyperspectral display. Copper mine discovery rates lag behind world needs. One way to find copper in the World’s Ring of Fire is to measure compositions of zircons which are durable minerals concentrated in stream sands and spreadout long distances below a deposit. 100s of zircon from a cup of sand constitute a sample. Zircon chemical features that indicate possible mines are mostly understood, but nature is complicated. Beyond the 26 channels of chemical data for each grain in the 10,000s of analyses, there are 7 layers of lab imaging data that are not carried along in a convenient way. Geologists need smart computer systems to find useful relationships among the 33 channels and to discover relations within and between samples to find more mineable copper. Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE210101395
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$447,627.00
Summary
Linking continental emergence and climatic evolution on the Early Earth. This project will use a range of innovative geochemical techniques to constrain the timing and extent to which the continents were emergent (above sea-level) throughout Earth’s history and its impact on climatic evolution. Continental emergence was pivotal to the development of our habitable planet, as it controlled the influx of bioessential elements, like phosphorus, to the oceans. Expected outcomes include a detailed rec ....Linking continental emergence and climatic evolution on the Early Earth. This project will use a range of innovative geochemical techniques to constrain the timing and extent to which the continents were emergent (above sea-level) throughout Earth’s history and its impact on climatic evolution. Continental emergence was pivotal to the development of our habitable planet, as it controlled the influx of bioessential elements, like phosphorus, to the oceans. Expected outcomes include a detailed record of changes in ocean chemistry, and a time integrated model for the emergence of continents on the early Earth. Documenting the impact of changes in the solid Earth on evolution is not only of interest to society in general, but also contributes to understanding the formation of Australia’s vast iron ore deposits.Read moreRead less