Maximising carbon sequestration in freshwater wetlands. Maximising carbon sequestration in freshwater wetlands. This project aims to determine how manipulation of wetland hydrology can alter sulphur and iron cycling to inhibit methane emission and improve wetland net-carbon sequestration. Wetlands are among earth's most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration, but methane emission can offset this capacity. Redox cycling of sulphur and iron in wetlands can inhibit methane emission, but the ....Maximising carbon sequestration in freshwater wetlands. Maximising carbon sequestration in freshwater wetlands. This project aims to determine how manipulation of wetland hydrology can alter sulphur and iron cycling to inhibit methane emission and improve wetland net-carbon sequestration. Wetlands are among earth's most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration, but methane emission can offset this capacity. Redox cycling of sulphur and iron in wetlands can inhibit methane emission, but the precise biogeochemical processes and their efficiency are very poorly constrained due to a lack of studies—especially in Australian freshwater wetlands. This project is expected to inhibit methane emission in freshwater wetlands and maximise their net carbon sequestration efficiency.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100305
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,042.00
Summary
Unravelling the pathways of methane production and oxidation in mangroves. This project addresses a long-standing conundrum of why high methane emissions are sustained in saline coastal wetlands by identifying and quantifying methane production and oxidation processes in mangrove ecosystems. Using a novel combination of cutting-edge instrumentation for greenhouse gases, radiocarbon/stable isotope analysis, this project will generate a first complete picture of the mangrove methane cycle, to accu ....Unravelling the pathways of methane production and oxidation in mangroves. This project addresses a long-standing conundrum of why high methane emissions are sustained in saline coastal wetlands by identifying and quantifying methane production and oxidation processes in mangrove ecosystems. Using a novel combination of cutting-edge instrumentation for greenhouse gases, radiocarbon/stable isotope analysis, this project will generate a first complete picture of the mangrove methane cycle, to accurately quantify, for the first time, Australia’s contribution to global coastal mangrove emissions. The outcomes will establish currently lacking fundamental understanding of wetland methane cycling, advance global biogeochemical models, and improve strategies for natural climate solutions of coastal wetlands in Australia.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100007
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$170,000.00
Summary
Metal speciation for complex studies in changing environments. Metal speciation for complex studies in changing environments: The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer with a High Performance Liquid Chromatography front end (HPLC-ICP-MS) for metal speciation studies is a highly valuable extension of existing cutting edge infrastructure for geochemical research. Existing invertebrate culturing capacity will also enable unique opportunities for experimental studies driven by understanding m ....Metal speciation for complex studies in changing environments. Metal speciation for complex studies in changing environments: The Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer with a High Performance Liquid Chromatography front end (HPLC-ICP-MS) for metal speciation studies is a highly valuable extension of existing cutting edge infrastructure for geochemical research. Existing invertebrate culturing capacity will also enable unique opportunities for experimental studies driven by understanding metal speciation and uptake by organisms. This facility will be housed within a highly productive research environment providing new and novel capabilities to study abiotic and biotic interactions in changing environments.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120101290
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Unravelling the transformation pathways and fate of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen in shallow coastal sediments. This project will significantly advance our understanding of the cycling of dissolved organic carbon and dissolved organic nitrogen in shallow coastal sediments, a potentially major part of global carbon and nitrogen cycles. This will have direct implications for the management and protection of Australian coastal systems and the world's oceans.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100628
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$368,394.00
Summary
Dissolved organic carbon quality influences metal toxicity in freshwaters. This project aims to characterise the types of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) found within Australian freshwaters and investigate how these influence metal toxicity to organisms. DOC has the ability to decrease the toxicity of metals to organisms in natural waters, and the intensity of the decrease is related to the type of DOC. Information regarding the types of DOC commonly found within Australian waters is lacking, and ....Dissolved organic carbon quality influences metal toxicity in freshwaters. This project aims to characterise the types of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) found within Australian freshwaters and investigate how these influence metal toxicity to organisms. DOC has the ability to decrease the toxicity of metals to organisms in natural waters, and the intensity of the decrease is related to the type of DOC. Information regarding the types of DOC commonly found within Australian waters is lacking, and their impact on metal toxicity to Australian biota is unknown. This project aims to characterise DOC from different Australian ecoregions and investigate the influence of different DOCs on metal toxicity. The expected outcomes are better predictive toxicity models and better assessment of risks associated with metal contamination.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100145
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
Three-dimensional analysis of important organic components in energy, environmental and earth systems. Australia’s ecosystems and water resources are sensitive to climate change and anthropogenic activities. A third degree of separation provided by this technique will improve our abilities to monitor the role of organic matter in modern systems. The characterisation of organics of petroleum mineral systems will sustain Australia's energy demand.
Transforming residues from meat processing into engineered soil amendments. The aim of this project is to transform organic residues from meat processing into agricultural soil amendments that actively improve nutrient retention and reduce nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) emissions. Current disposal and treatment options for meat processing residues are economically and environmentally unsustainable. In this research, a modified hydrothermal carbonisation process will be developed to tran ....Transforming residues from meat processing into engineered soil amendments. The aim of this project is to transform organic residues from meat processing into agricultural soil amendments that actively improve nutrient retention and reduce nitrous oxide (a potent greenhouse gas) emissions. Current disposal and treatment options for meat processing residues are economically and environmentally unsustainable. In this research, a modified hydrothermal carbonisation process will be developed to transform organic residues into novel hydrochars. The influence of these hydrochars on soil nutrient retention and nitrous oxide production will then be assessed using stable isotope tracing, genetic characterisation, and numerical modeling. The project will reduce the economic and environmental costs of organic waste disposal.Read moreRead less
Resolving the geochemistry of coastal floodplain blackwaters. Deoxygenated dead zones are a rapidly growing global crisis in coastal areas. A major cause of dead zones in our estuaries is the formation and release of blackwaters from coastal wetlands. This project will provide the knowledge necessary to manage blackwaters in these wetlands and to greatly improve the health and sustainability of our estuaries.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100156
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$250,000.00
Summary
A high precision, automated system for studying greenhouse gas cycling in coastal environments. This facility will perform automated, long-term greenhouse gas measurements in coastal waters. The expected outcome of research at this facility is a better understanding of how the coastal ocean acts as a source or sink of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, and volatile organic carbon.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100201
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
High-resolution laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer for cutting edge geochemistry research. The new-generation laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer is a highly versatile precise analytical instrument for palaeo-environmental, palaeoclimate, archaeological and geochemical studies. With this instrument Australia will continue to lead the way in cutting-edge geoscience research.