Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150101477
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
Identifying a new source of natural volatile organohalogens. Natural volatile organohalogens have recently been linked to significant atmospheric ozone depletion. The fundamental reactions controlling their emission and fate are unresolved within the international scientific literature. This project aims to use novel geochemical techniques to determine the role of ultraviolet radiation in organohalogen emissions from degraded saline and acidic landscapes. The expected outcome will shift our unde ....Identifying a new source of natural volatile organohalogens. Natural volatile organohalogens have recently been linked to significant atmospheric ozone depletion. The fundamental reactions controlling their emission and fate are unresolved within the international scientific literature. This project aims to use novel geochemical techniques to determine the role of ultraviolet radiation in organohalogen emissions from degraded saline and acidic landscapes. The expected outcome will shift our understanding of natural volatile organohalogens and predictions of stratospheric ozone recovery. The project also aims to systematically resolve the feedback between elevated ultraviolet radiation and ozone layer depletion, and is therefore highly innovative.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE150100500
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$321,000.00
Summary
Electron transfer at the microbe-mineral interface via cytochromes/exudates. This project aims to develop the kinetic (both in vivo and in vitro) and thermodynamic models of the extracellular electron transfer processes at the microbe-mineral interface via outer membrane cytochromes and exudates of dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria, and elucidating the potential electron transfer process from iron-reducing bacteria to semiconducting iron minerals. The observed models will provide a more compr ....Electron transfer at the microbe-mineral interface via cytochromes/exudates. This project aims to develop the kinetic (both in vivo and in vitro) and thermodynamic models of the extracellular electron transfer processes at the microbe-mineral interface via outer membrane cytochromes and exudates of dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria, and elucidating the potential electron transfer process from iron-reducing bacteria to semiconducting iron minerals. The observed models will provide a more comprehensive understanding of electron transfer reactions at the microbe-mineral interface, which will be helpful in the prediction of natural redox processes of iron transformation and in the development of bioremediation strategies for contaminated sites.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE170100417
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,508.00
Summary
Unlocking critical metals from Australian sediments and ores. This project aims to explore the recrystallization of nickel-bearing minerals in laterites to extract nickel from stable mineral phases under ambient conditions. Highly-weathered Australian soils contain economic quantities of nickel but technologies to extract this metal are inefficient, leaving this vital resource underdeveloped. This project will use stable isotope tracers and three-dimensional atomic-scale tomography to resolve th ....Unlocking critical metals from Australian sediments and ores. This project aims to explore the recrystallization of nickel-bearing minerals in laterites to extract nickel from stable mineral phases under ambient conditions. Highly-weathered Australian soils contain economic quantities of nickel but technologies to extract this metal are inefficient, leaving this vital resource underdeveloped. This project will use stable isotope tracers and three-dimensional atomic-scale tomography to resolve the recrystallization mechanisms, and determine their role in natural environments and their applicability to natural ores. Expected outcomes include strategies to process nickel-rich laterites, of high interest to industry and society in Australia and abroad.This project will exemplify the need to promote novel solutions to reduce the financial and environmental cost of processing natural resources.Read moreRead less
Sea-level rise as a driver for arsenic mobilisation: unravelling the fundamental hydro-geochemical controls. This project will reveal the effects of rising sea-levels on arsenic mobilisation in vulnerable coastal lowlands. By resolving coupled interactions between tides and geochemistry, this project will provide the necessary knowledge platform to underpin management responses to protect sensitive estuarine and coastal waters.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100040
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$700,000.00
Summary
High performance electron microprobe analyser optimised for the microanalysis of sulphides and heavy elements. Understanding the chemistry of materials at micrometre scale is critical for deciphering the geological history of rocks, measuring the mobility of heavy metals in the environment and optimising the liberation of metals from ores. This new electron microprobe facility will provide more accurate results than was possible with previous instruments while increasing throughput.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE140100007
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$330,000.00
Summary
An integrated facility for the advanced characterisation of environmental particles. An integrated facility for the advanced characterisation of environmental particles: This project will result in development of a state-of-the-art facility for comprehensive determination of particle size, concentration and surface properties for a wide range of environmentally occurring particles, in rapid succession. Combining several novel and advanced instruments into an integrated facility will permit in si ....An integrated facility for the advanced characterisation of environmental particles. An integrated facility for the advanced characterisation of environmental particles: This project will result in development of a state-of-the-art facility for comprehensive determination of particle size, concentration and surface properties for a wide range of environmentally occurring particles, in rapid succession. Combining several novel and advanced instruments into an integrated facility will permit in situ and kinetic experiments that are currently unable to be easily undertaken anywhere in Australia. This will enable major progress for internationally significant research activities in areas including sediment geochemistry, contaminant mobility, and biogeochemistry. The project will thus help to address several pressing global environmental issues while adding substantial new capabilities for Australian research.Read moreRead less
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.