Hydrodynamics of Fringing Reef Systems. This project aims to develop a numerical circulation model applicable to fringing reef systems, in particular, the Ningaloo reef, Western Australia. The model will include the effects of tides, winds, surface gravity waves and density. The model results will be compared to field measurements collected by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. After the model has been developed and validated, it will be used to investigate processes such as water e ....Hydrodynamics of Fringing Reef Systems. This project aims to develop a numerical circulation model applicable to fringing reef systems, in particular, the Ningaloo reef, Western Australia. The model will include the effects of tides, winds, surface gravity waves and density. The model results will be compared to field measurements collected by the Australian Institute of Marine Science. After the model has been developed and validated, it will be used to investigate processes such as water exchange between lagoons and open sea, effects of contaminant spills and recruitment within the reef systems. An understanding of these processes is essential for the sustainable management of these systems.Read moreRead less
Large-scale climatic control of coastal erosion and shoreline changes based on long-term survey dataset and video monitoring technology. The Australian coastline is one of this country's greatest natural and economic resources. The asset value of existing coastal infrastructure is immeasurable. From past experiences in Australia and overseas, coastal erosion is a major and growing threat to the long-term sustainability of coastal development and the coastal environment. This research will int ....Large-scale climatic control of coastal erosion and shoreline changes based on long-term survey dataset and video monitoring technology. The Australian coastline is one of this country's greatest natural and economic resources. The asset value of existing coastal infrastructure is immeasurable. From past experiences in Australia and overseas, coastal erosion is a major and growing threat to the long-term sustainability of coastal development and the coastal environment. This research will integrate a unique multi-decade dataset of beach surveys and innovative coastal imaging technology, examining the relationship of shoreline movements to changing climatic signals, to enable better prediction of future shoreline changes. This new understanding will inform and strengthen the skills and capacity of Australia's coastal managers.Read moreRead less
Wave Climate in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Sea surface roughness has a major influence on global climate modelling. This project will provide a better understanding of the variability of sea waves in coastal waters. New technology of HF ocean radar can map wave fields over coastal waters and thus fill a gap between the open ocean satellite measurements and the point measurements from wave buoys. In this project we will improve the analysis of the radar echoes to produce sea wave spectra, a ....Wave Climate in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Sea surface roughness has a major influence on global climate modelling. This project will provide a better understanding of the variability of sea waves in coastal waters. New technology of HF ocean radar can map wave fields over coastal waters and thus fill a gap between the open ocean satellite measurements and the point measurements from wave buoys. In this project we will improve the analysis of the radar echoes to produce sea wave spectra, and evaluate focussing of waves by complex currents on the continental shelf to help improve wave forecasting in coastal waters. The HF radar will be used to experimentally test current theories of wind wave spreading.Read moreRead less
Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. This project aims to develop a world-class global ocean-sea ice model framework through a nationwide consortium. The resulting high resolution models are expected to provide the foundation for the next decade of Australian ocean-sea ice modelling capacity. This research should lead to improved ocean and sea ice prediction, ocean reanalyses, and climate projections, enhancing Australia's capacity to pred ....Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. Eddy-resolving global ocean-sea ice modelling. This project aims to develop a world-class global ocean-sea ice model framework through a nationwide consortium. The resulting high resolution models are expected to provide the foundation for the next decade of Australian ocean-sea ice modelling capacity. This research should lead to improved ocean and sea ice prediction, ocean reanalyses, and climate projections, enhancing Australia's capacity to predict the ocean state on timescales of days to decades. This is expected to yield efficiencies in shipping, marine search and rescue and naval operations, and increase the accuracy of projected future changes in climate, sea level, ocean ecosystems and the cryosphere.Read moreRead less
New tools for managing ecosystem responses to climate change on the southern Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) underpins over $4 billions of economic activity each year. Recent evidence suggests that reefs like the GBR are vulnerable to climate change, which manifests itself at both local and global scales. Providing the tools for tracking and understanding these changes is vitally important to effective reef management strategies. This project will provide a major advance in o ....New tools for managing ecosystem responses to climate change on the southern Great Barrier Reef. The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) underpins over $4 billions of economic activity each year. Recent evidence suggests that reefs like the GBR are vulnerable to climate change, which manifests itself at both local and global scales. Providing the tools for tracking and understanding these changes is vitally important to effective reef management strategies. This project will provide a major advance in our understanding and the tools available to manage the impacts of climate change. In doing so, it will also produce the first comprehensive and multidisciplinary look at how environmental variability impacts coral reef organisms from corals to seabird populations.Read moreRead less
Assessing the risk of ocean acidification for the Great Barrier Reef. The increase in greenhouse gases such as CO2 represents a challenge for coral reefs such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR). While the impact of greenhouse warming on coral reefs has been partially explored, the potentially serious implications of a decrease in ocean pH due have not been properly assessed. Detecting and understanding changes to carbonate concentrations and reef calcification are of great importance if ....Assessing the risk of ocean acidification for the Great Barrier Reef. The increase in greenhouse gases such as CO2 represents a challenge for coral reefs such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef (GBR). While the impact of greenhouse warming on coral reefs has been partially explored, the potentially serious implications of a decrease in ocean pH due have not been properly assessed. Detecting and understanding changes to carbonate concentrations and reef calcification are of great importance if managers are to respond strategically to potential ecological changes. This project directly addresses National Research Priority 1 of achieving 'An Environmentally Sustainable Australia' by addressing the priority goal of 'Responding to climate change and variability'.Read moreRead less
Hydrodynamics of Intermittently Closing and Opening Lakes and Lagoons. Intermittently closing and open lakes and lagoons are shallow coastal water bodies that are connected intermittently to the ocean. Sixty of the 135 estuaries in New South Wales are considered to be ICOLL's. The closure of the Lake/Lagoon entrance to the ocean prevents water exchange that can lead to poor water quality. Detailed field and numerical model studies in two ICOLLS (Coila Lake and Wamberal Lagoon) are proposed us ....Hydrodynamics of Intermittently Closing and Opening Lakes and Lagoons. Intermittently closing and open lakes and lagoons are shallow coastal water bodies that are connected intermittently to the ocean. Sixty of the 135 estuaries in New South Wales are considered to be ICOLL's. The closure of the Lake/Lagoon entrance to the ocean prevents water exchange that can lead to poor water quality. Detailed field and numerical model studies in two ICOLLS (Coila Lake and Wamberal Lagoon) are proposed using modern instrumentation. It is recognised that a fundamental understanding of the circulation and mixing characteristics of ICOLLs is imperative for the development of proper management strategies for these systems.Read moreRead less
An end-to-end ocean weather information system for the blue economy. This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art ocean weather information system for marine industries. The project will design an end-to-end solution that integrates ocean observations, operational forecasting, and data delivery. By addressing industry needs, this project will provide a rapid pathway from research to economic benefit.
Ocean response to tropical cyclone forcing on the Australian North West Shelf. Tropical cyclones are a major hazard for the offshore oil and gas industry. This project will develop the ability to predict the ocean response to tropical cyclones, leading to a paradigm shift in the way industry designs and operates both present and future offshore projects.
A Global Satellite Altimeter Database for Ocean Engineering Applications. Australia is a maritime nation with major shipping activities, offshore facilities and a very significant percentage of its population living near the coast. As such, it is critical that engineers can accurately predict ocean wave conditions. This project will bring together more than 20 years of satellite observations of the ocean into a single database. This database will represent a major resource for the nation, signif ....A Global Satellite Altimeter Database for Ocean Engineering Applications. Australia is a maritime nation with major shipping activities, offshore facilities and a very significant percentage of its population living near the coast. As such, it is critical that engineers can accurately predict ocean wave conditions. This project will bring together more than 20 years of satellite observations of the ocean into a single database. This database will represent a major resource for the nation, significantly enhancing our understanding of ocean wave conditions. The research projects associated with the database will provide an understanding of the ocean wave climate, oceanic extremes, tropical cyclone conditions and nearshore ocean design parameters.Read moreRead less