School of Earth and Environment - UWA · 2012-10-25 · (Hons) and 4th 2Year Research Projects in...

School of Earth and

Environment

Potential research projects offered for

4th Year and Honours students

commencing in 2013

The Projects outlined in this Handbook are NOT

necessarily all of those available

Please feel free to talk to supervisors about designing

projects around your interests

(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment 2

Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Geoscience, CO2

Sequestration, Engineering, Physics, Computer

Science

Project: 3D/4D Geophysical imaging of hydrocarbon and CO2 reservoirs

For majors

including: Geophysics, Petroleum Geoscience, Physics, Engineering, Computer

Science

Supervisor: David Lumley, [email protected], 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge

Description: Geophysical data sets can be used to image (3D) and monitor (4D)

subsurface reservoirs for oil and gas resources, or sequestration of

industrial CO2, using techniques such as seismic, gravity and EM

(electromagnetics). These projects require working with rock and fluid

physics, earth model building software, computational geophysics data

simulation, and quantitative data analysis. Computer experience and

some maths are required. A vacation scholarship is possible, and

projects have the potential to lead to MSc or PhD studies.

Project: Analysis of seismic azimuthal anisotropy and tectonic stress

For majors

including: Geophysics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science

Supervisor: David Lumley, [email protected], 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge,

Mike Dentith

Description: There is evidence from various types of geophysical data of strong

azimuthal anisotropy (subsurface physical properties at a point vary as

a function of the compass direction in which they are measured)

possibly indicating anomalous horizontal tectonic stress gradients in

WA. These data sets can be analysed to determine information about

the stress regime in these rocks, their physical properties, and perhaps

make predictions about the nature of fluid flow, fault sealing, rock

fractures, and earthquake risk. This project will require working with

various geophysical data sets (active/passive seismic, well logs,

borehole breakouts, ultrasonic core measurements…) and geophysical

modelling/analysis software. Computer experience and some maths

are required. A vacation scholarship is possible, and the project can

lead to MSc or PhD studies.

mailto:[email protected]



Project: 3D/4D environmental geophysics

For majors

including: Geophysics, Physics, Engineering, Geology, Computer Science

Supervisor: David Lumley, [email protected], 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge

Description: Geophysical data sets can be used to image (3D) and monitor (4D) near

surface soil and rocks using techniques such as seismic, gravity, GPR

(ground penetrating radar) and EM (electromagnetics), with application

to groundwater, contaminant flow, and baseline studies for CO2

sequestration projects. These projects may involve geophysical field

data surveying, working with rock and fluid physics, earth model

building software, computational geophysics data simulation, and

quantitative data analysis. Computer experience and some maths are

required. A vacation scholarship is possible, and projects have the

potential to lead to MSc or PhD studies.

Project: Computational simulation of geologic sedimentation processes

For majors

including: Geology, Geophysics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science

Supervisor: David Lumley, [email protected], 6488 7331, Cedric Griffiths

(CSIRO), Jeffrey Shragge

Description: Reservoir rocks that contain important fluids (hydrocarbons, water,

CO2, geothermal) are created by complex geologic depositional

systems. This project involves the development of innovative models

and supercomputing algorithms that will simulate the sedimentation

processes of marine coastal environments important for understanding

WA reservoir rocks. Computer programming experience and some

maths are required. A vacation scholarship is possible, and the project

has potential to lead to MSc or PhD studies.

Project: High Resolution seismic imaging of seafloor properties for slope

stability and geo-hazard assessment.

For majors

including: Geophysics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science

Supervisor: David Lumley, [email protected], 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge,

James Hengesh (COFS).

Description: Engineering studies of the seafloor are important to understand the

physical properties, slope stability and geo-hazards associated with

offshore pipeline and facilities construction. Currently this is done

using a collection of sparse geotechnical data samples and sonar scans,

and geologic interpretation. This project involves developing new

seismic techniques to obtain high-resolution images and material

property estimates for the seafloor and shallow mud layers to

complement the geo-engineering analysis. Computer experience and

some maths are required. A vacation scholarship is possible, and the

project can lead to MSc or PhD studies.





Project: GPU-based acceleration of seismic wavefield modelling for

imaging of hydrocarbon and CO2 storage reservoirs

For majors

including: Geophysics, Physics, Computer Science

Supervisor: Jeffrey Shragge, [email protected], 6488 3474, David

Lumley

Description: The increasing interest in subsurface gas reservoirs and CO2 geologic

storage has led to a need for numerical modelling studies that aim to

better understand the fluid production and injection processes; in

particular, how to better locate and quantify the volume of injected and

produced fluids in subsurface reservoir rock.

An important technique for observing induced changes is time-lapse

seismic imaging. One central component is modelling 3D elastic-

waves propagation through the earth which is used to generate high-

resolution maps of the changing subsurface elastic / fluid properties.

3D elastic-wave modelling is computationally demanding, has to be

repeated 1000‘s of times during each investigation, and is an ideal

candidate for parallelization using GPU processors. The general

project goals are to incorporate GPU-based coding in an existing

modelling code kernel to demonstrate the speed-up potential afforded

by GPU parallelism, and to test the parallelized code on a geologically

feasible model. A vacation scholarship is possible, and the project can

lead to MSc or PhD studies.

Project: Geophysical time-lapse monitoring of fresh-saltwater interfaces

For majors

including: Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Geoscience, Physics

Supervisor: Jeffrey Shragge, [email protected], 6488 3474, David

Lumley, Mike Dentith

Description: Salinisation of superficial freshwater water resources is a problem of

increasing importance throughout Western Australia. One approach to

characterising this problem is to examine temporal variations of a

fresh-saltwater interface through repeat geophysical monitoring

surveying (i.e. ground penetrating radar or GPR, and electrical

resistivity). These techniques are sensitive to changes in subsurface

salinity and can provide a measure diurnal-to-monthly fluctuation. The

goal of the study is to use the resulting geophysical images to calibrate

hydrogeological models, with particular emphasis on horizontal and

vertical hydraulic conductivity.




Project: Geological mapping of Venus – Atalanta Planitia Quadrangle

For majors

including: Geology

Supervisor: Myra Keep, [email protected], 6488 7198

Description: Our record of the early evolution of Earth is limited by erosion, burial,

tectonic dismemberment and periods of impact cratering. The Venusian

surface preserves a rare and pristine record of terrestrial planet

evolution. We aim to map in detail parts of the Atalanta Planitia

Quadrangle (V4) of the northern hemisphere. Our proposed area

contains vast areas of Venusian “tesserae” that is thought to represent

the oldest surviving Venusian landscapes, and which provides a rich

and detailed history of the evolution of the Venusian planetary surface.

This project will involve interpreting SAR data and using first-order

geological relationships to understand the kinematic evolution of the

ancient tessera terrains in this block. Students must have a good

understanding of structural geology and tectonics to 3rd

year level. The

scope of the project is compatible with extension to Masters level.

Project: Instanteous melts on Venus – Earth analogues

For majors

including: Geology

Supervisor: Myra Keep, [email protected], 6488 7198,

Description: The Venusian surface, especially in the tesserae regions (the oldest

Venusian crust), is covered with areas of instantaneous melt which

flood the local geology. These flood areas are local, are not associated

with volcanic edifices, and seem to be melting in place. Whilst they

may be of roughly the same age, there is no evidence that they all

formed at the same time as the result of a single event. Rather, they

appear to be spontaneous localized melts, similar to those which occur

in high-grade metamorphic rocks on Earth. Granulite facies terrains

include numerous areas of various sizes comprising pegmatite from

instantaneous, localized melt during deformation. This project seeks to

map in detail the number and extent of pegmatite melts in a small area

of a granulite terrain, with a view to comparing melt processes from

deformation at deep crustal levels on Earth with processes of

instantaneous melt formation on Venus. Fieldwork will be conducted in

the Bremer Bay area in February 2013.




Project: Neotectonics and strike-slip reactivation in offshore petroleum

basins of northern WA

For majors

including: Geology

Supervisor: Myra Keep, [email protected], 6488 7198 Julien Bourget

Description: The northwest of WA hosts Australia’s largest recorded earthquakes

(ML 7.3, Meeberrie, 1941). Identification of modern surface offsets

(fault scarps) and drainage capture, together with recently acquired

earthquake focal mechanism data for 28 recent events, suggests that

modern geomorphology may yield evidence as to recent earthquake

activity throughout north-western WA. This project seeks to map

modern structural orientations and fault reactivation in offshore areas in

the Carnarvon and Browse Basins with a view to understanding the

pre-reactivation geometries and timing, and relating them to the

modern tectonic setting. Two projects are available, and the scope is

compatible for continuation to Masters level.

Project: Seafloor bathymetry in the western Timor Sea as evidence of

modern tectonic processes

For majors

including: Geology

Supervisor: Myra Keep, [email protected], 6488 7198, Julien Bourget

Description: High resolution Seabeam seafloor bathymetric data acquired by an

international petroleum company yields details of seafloor topography

related to modern collisional deformation. Detailed mapping of an area

in the western Timor Sea will yield evidence as to surface processes,

sedimentation rates, fluid flux and structural controls on seafloor

deformation. Based on Seabeam image interpretations, likely with

some high-resolution seismic data across key transects, these

interpretations can be compiled with deformation known from seismic

data and onshore data from exposures on Timor Island, to further

decipher the processes and timing of the Australia/Eurasia collision in

the Timor Sea area. Up to 2 projects are available, and are both

compatible with extension to Masters level.




Project: External controls on the architecture and evolution of Paleocene -

Eocene carbonate platforms, NW Bonaparte and Browse basins: a

seismic stratigraphic approach

For majors

including:

Geology

Supervisor: Julien Bourget, [email protected], 6488 2679

Description: This research project aims to unravel the distribution, architecture, an

growth history of isolated carbonate platforms that developed at the

boundary between the Browse and Bonaparte basins during the

Paleocene and Eocene. Carbonate sedimentation repeatedly alternated

with periods of platform exposure and siliciclastic shelf-margin

sedimentation, and the external controls at the origin of these sequences

will be investigated. The project will be based on 2D and 3D seismic

data complemented by well wireline data. Seismic stratigraphy and 3D

attribute analysis will be conducted and will allow indentifying stratal

geometries, stratigraphic surfaces, and high-resolution imaging of

depositional geometries. Structural mapping and analysis will be

conducted in order to evaluate the potential impact of basement faults

on carbonate platforms emplacement/geometries.

This Level 4 project can be complemented by additional datasets and

extended as a Level 5 research project.

Project: Shallow-marine seismic stratigraphy and reservoir architecture in

the offshore Taranaki Basin (New-Zealand)

For majors

including:

Geology

Supervisor: Julien Bourget, [email protected], 6488 2679

Description: The Taranaki Basin is a hydrocarbon-bearing sedimentary basin

containing Cretaceous to Pliocene reservoir intervals in continental,

shallow-marine and deep-marine depositional settings. This project will

focus on an Eocene shallow-marine deposit located off the northern

Taranaik coast. Three-dimensional seismic data and well data will be

used to create a high-resolution sequence stratigraphic framework of

the field area. Attribute analysis techniques will help characterizing

depositional architecture, identify potential reservoir target(s) and

trap(s).




Project: Climate change of Australia’s NW marine environment: 200 year

records from geochemical proxies in massive corals

For majors

including: Geology

Supervisor: Jens Zinke, [email protected], 6488 3644

Description: To investigate changes in sea surface temperature off the WA coast

from coral reefs at Rowley Shoals, Ningaloo and Abrolhos. The project

involves geochemical analysis of coral cores on yearly and monthly

resolution in the new Advanced Geochemical Facility of UWA.

Samples are drilled with an automated milling device and subsequently

prepared for chemical analysis.

Study involved training in coral sampling, chemical preparation and

analysis with ICP-MS and Gas Bench facility. Involves climate data

analysis and basic statistics.

Possible fieldwork at reefs off Perth (Rottnest, Marmion) or at

Ningaloo as part of the ARC centre of excellence activities.

Project: Analysis of geothermal processes in the North Perth Basin

For majors

including: Geology

Supervisor: Klaus Regenauer-Lieb, [email protected], 6488 7321,

Description: Geothermal energy has the potential to be an important part of our

future renewable energies mix. To locate suitable areas for geothermal

applications, it is essential to get a better understanding of the relevant

heat transport mechanism in the subsurface.

In this project, you will test different hypotheses about heat transport in

a potential geothermal reservoir area of the North Perth Basin. You

will apply a variety of state-of-the-art modelling and simulation

methods to obtain a detailed understanding of the subsurface

temperature field in a realistic three-dimensional environment.

Comparing simulated temperatures with published measurements, you

will be able to evaluate the importance of different heat transport

mechanisms in the area and to identify potential targets for geothermal

applications.

If you are curious about physical processes in geologic settings, are

interested in the application of cutting edge computational modelling

and simulation techniques and bring along some mathematical and

physical knowledge with a solid geological understanding, this is a

great project for you in an exciting research quest; the search for the

energy of tomorrow.




Project: Magnetic Interpretation of the Leeuwin Complex and Adjacent

Perth Basin

For majors

including: Any geoscience related degree

Supervisor: Mike Dentith, [email protected], Alan Aitken

[email protected]

Description: The Leeuwin Complex occurs in the extreme SW of Western Australia. It is

a high grade gneiss complex and a component of the Pinjarra Orogeny.

Exposures are limited to those along the coast and although these have been

studied in some detail, especially in terms of structural history (Collins, 2003)

our understanding of the Complex is necessarily limited by the lack of

outcrop. In 2012 new aeromagnetic data were collected across the Leeuwin

Complex and these clearly delineate major folds and faults across the whole

of its extent – see western area of image below.

The Leeuwin Complex is geologically important for several reasons.

Basement structure is likely to have affected the structure of the Perth Basin

to the east which is prospective for gas and coal. Also, it is of academic

importance since it may continue in to Antarctica and is thus a component of

the poorly understood geology of this continent.

The proposed project will comprise an integrated interpretation of the new

magnetic data using the coast exposures to control the magnetic interpretation

and the magnetic data to extend the geological mapping inland. A small

component of field work is involved to collect magnetic property

measurements. Reference: Collins (2003). Aust J Earth Sci 50, 585-599.



Project: Newman Earthquake 2011: Where and Why?

For majors

including: Any geoscience related degree

Supervisor: Mike Dentith, [email protected]

Description: During the collection electromagnetic data south of Newman in 2011 the

response from a local earthquake was fortuitously recorded. The recordings

are clearly seismic and not electromagnetic waves but the reason for the EM

response is unclear. The only known theory to explain the data is the seismic

dynamo effect theory proposed by some Japanese researchers, the explanation

of which is obscure (Ujihara et al. 2044). An alternative and simpler

explanation for the data is that it is the result of the instruments moving in the

Earth’s magnetic field during ground shaking.

The data from the Newman EM survey provide an opportunity to place some

constraints on these explanations using some simple ‘tests’ and also to better

understand why the earthquake occurred where it did. Firstly the data can be

analysed like a normal seismic recording to locate the epicentre (P- S-wave

delay etc). The results can be compared with those from the national seismic

network and then the local geology and geophysical data used to infer the

tectonic setting. Secondly, because of the numerous mining blasts that also

occurred during the EM survey; whether an EM response is associated with

just earthquakes (suggestive of a seismic related mechanism) or also with

mine blasts (suggestive of a ground shaking origin) can be ascertained.

This project involves the integration of geological and geophysical data and

the chance to work on some intriguing fundamental science. Reference:

Ujihara et al. (2004) Earth Planets Space 56, 115-123.



Project: Magnetic Data as a Means of Mapping Salt-Related Structures in the

Canning Basin

For majors

including:

Any Geoscience related degree


[email protected], Annette George, [email protected]

Description: The Canning Basin, in northern WA, is currently the focus of much

exploration concentrating on shale gas. Special enhancement techniques for

magnetic data from sedimentary basins have been applied to data from the

Basin. Structure related to salt tectonics appears to have been imaged (the

polygonal (mud crack-like) features in image below). To test this

interpretation it is planned to study selected regions/data in more detail. An

interesting opportunity is provided by availability of core from deep drill

holes through Canning Basin salt, drilled as part of mineral exploration

programs seeking potash deposits. Physical property measurements and

geological logging will be undertaken on core and these will be used in

association with seismic data to constrain the interpretation of the magnetic

data; and specifically to test the source of the observed magnetic features.

This project provides the opportunity to work with geological and

geophysical data from what is currently a basin that is generating exploration

interest worldwide. Reference: Haines (2009), Geol Survey of WA Record

2009/3.




Project: Magnetic, Gravity and Remote Sensing Interpretation of the King

Leopold Orogen

For majors

including:



[email protected]

Description: The King Leopold Orogen is a Proterozoic Orogen that lies between

the Kimberley block and the Canning Basin. The Orogen and its

continuation, the Halls Creek Orogen, are prospective for gold, nickel,

uranium and REE. The King Leopold Orogen has not been extensively

studied geologically, probably due to difficulties of access. Outcrop is

good, allowing structure to be mapped using remote sensing data.

Magnetisation contrasts are also good, allowing magnetic mapping –

see for example large scale faulting and folding in the image below.

Recently deep penetrating EM data were recorded across the King

Leopold Orogen to provide information on its 3D geometry and at the

same time a suite of samples collected.

The proposed project(s) will involve petrophysical measurements of

samples and an integrated interpretation combining all available data to

produce interpretive structural/stratigraphic maps and also modelling

to produce cross sections. The size of the study area is such that more

than one project can be accommodated.

This project provides the opportunity to work with a range of

geoscientific data types and use state of the art geophysical modelling

software to study a potentially prospective terrain in WA. References:

Griffin and Myers (1988), Tyler and Griffin (1990), Aust J Earth Sci,

35 ; 131-132; J of Structural Geology, 12, 703-714.



Project: Australo-Antarctic Geocorrelations between southwest WA and

Wilkes Land.

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Alan Aitken, [email protected], Mike Dentith,

[email protected]

Description: Southwest W.A. shows a long-lived tectonic linkage to Antarctica.

Through improved geological correlations, tectonic reconstructions and

new geophysical data in Antarctica these links are becoming better

defined. Two projects are available, each focusing on one of two key

linkage areas, the Albany-Fraser Province (A) and the Perth

Basin/Leeuwin region (B), and will involve detailed analysis of new

magnetic and gravity data from Antarctica, and comparison with data

from the correlated region in Australia. Limited fieldwork (within

Australia) may be involved to collect rock-property data.

The co-interpretation will help understand the origins of these features

in Australia and Antarctica, each continent having preserved different

information. Thus this work will aid our understanding of the history

of these regions and will inform exploration as well as many other

scientific endeavours. Although this is not the focus of the work, it will

also contribute to an improved understanding of geological controls on

the East Antarctic Ice Sheet. These partly control its vulnerability to

climate change.

B A


Project: Gravity and magnetic surface modelling – Is there a better way?

For majors

including:

Any Geoscience related degree, computer science

Supervisor: Alan Aitken, [email protected]

Description: Gravity and magnetic data are sensitive to the topography of more-or-

less flat lying surfaces within the earth, such as the bases of

sedimentary basins, and the Moho.

The simplest and most commonly applied approach to modelling these

assumes a constant density contrast across a flat surface, and

automatically modifies the surface to explain variations in the data.

Due to this basic assumption, these results are often of questionable

accuracy. More advanced methods allow for variations in property

contrasts and permit the relative trade-offs between these to be

controlled. Other approaches allow geological and physical concepts to

control the geometry. Not all such methods have been robustly tested.

This project will use several cutting edge software tools on synthetic

and real examples to characterise the accuracy of these methods, and to

define approaches that minimise inaccuracy and maximise our

knowledge of that accuracy. The results of this work will be of

significance to both petroleum and mineral explorers who use these

maps to help predict depths to their exploration targets, and also to

detect large-scale structures favourable for mineral deposit genesis.

Unaccounted for inaccuracy can severely impact upon exploration

success.

There is scope for software development to be part of this work, should

that be of interest to the student.

B A


Project: Unravelling tectonic and eustatic controls on shelf-margin and

slope sedimentation in the northern Bonaparte Basin

For majors

including: Geology, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science

Supervisors: Julien Bourget, [email protected], 6488 3654, Myra Keep

Description: The Bonaparte Basin (NW Shelf of Australia, Timor Sea) constitutes a

long-lived sedimentary basin supporting important oil and gas

exploration and production. The basin forms a very wide continental

shelf where sedimentation consisted of silliciclastic supply mixed with

outer shelf carbonates. The aim of this project is to integrate very-high

resolution two-dimensional and three-dimensional seimic datasets,

wireline and shallow cores, in order to investigate the depositional

history and architetcure of Pleistocene shelf-margin deltaic sediments

on the northern edge of the basin (Sunrise Field). The main aims are (1)

to determine the relative importance of local tectonics and global sea-

level fluctuations on shelf-margin depocentres and geometries; (2) to

establish a correlation between shelf-margin and basin sedimentation

during this time span and evaluate the nature of turbidite system

architecture and its recent evolution.

This project will be part of a wider research proposal involving

academic and industry partners, and could be continued in the form a

longer (Msc) project.

Students should have completed EART3344 Basin Analysis.

Project: Petroleum systems and CO2 sequestration studies of the Canning

Basin

For majors

including: Geology, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science

Supervisor: Mike Dentith, [email protected], 6488 2676, Annette

George, David Lumley

Description: The Canning Basin in northern WA is one of the least explored basins

of its type worldwide. There has been a recent increase in interest in

the basin both from a petroleum exploration perspective, but also as a

potential site for CO2 sequestration. There is the opportunity to

participate in a major government funded research project on the

Canning Basin. Of particular interest for CO2 studies is the structural

integrity and reservoir potential of sandstone reservoirs in the Permian

succession in the north of the basin. One or more projects involving

geological studies of reservoir properties and/or interpretation of

seismic reflection data are available. Projects in shale gas (reservoir

characterisation) may also be available. Students must have completed

EART 3344 Basin Analysis.




Project: Depositional history and characterisation of petroleum reservoirs,

North West Shelf (company sponsored)

For majors

including: Geology (BSc, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science, Geochemistry,

Geology & Resource Economics degrees)

Supervisor: Annette George, [email protected], 6488 1923

Description: A wide variety of petroleum reservoirs are encountered in the offshore

basins of the North West Shelf and various onshore basins in WA.

Petroleum-focused projects can be undertaken in shallow or deep

marine depositional systems to reconstruct depositional and tectonic

history of specific basins or through specific stratigraphic units

(notably reservoirs). These projects typically involve integration of

core work (sedimentology, facies analysis ± petrography ±

biostratigraphy) with seismic and/or wireline log data in a sequence-

stratigraphic framework. There are specific projects focusing on

seismic sequence-stratigraphic interpretation of basin-margin history

and characterisation of reservoir intervals, and projects that may

include palynological biostratigraphy. Students would have normally

completed EART3344 Basin Analysis.

Project: Characterisation of siliciclastic- or carbonate-dominated reservoirs

(company sponsored) associated with conventional and

unconventional resources.

For majors

including: Geology (BSc, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science, Geochemistry,

Geology & Resource economics degrees)

Supervisor: Annette George, [email protected], 6488 1923

Description: Understanding reservoir quality is a fundamental aspect of petroleum

system analysis. These projects focus on core to petrographic-scale

description and interpretation to establish depositional and post-

depositional controls on reservoir quality (i.e. principally distribution

of porosity and permeability). Some of these projects could include

application of portable XRF to core to obtain geochemical data for

characterising facies and diagenetic effects. Some projects would

involve application of higher level microscopic techniques (scanning

electron, cathode luminescence). Students would have normally

completed EART3344 Basin Analysis.




Project: Characterisation of intrusive bodies at Long North at Long Victor

Nickel Mine, Kambalda WA

For majors

including: Geology, Earth Science, Minerals Geoscience

Supervisor: Marco Fiorentini, [email protected], 6488 3465, Steve

Barnes, Nicolas Thebaud

Description: The Long Ni deposit is one of the largest Ni sulphide deposits in the

Kambalda camp, a major cluster of deposits. The Long deposit was

previously terminated at its northern margin by later felsic intrusive

contacts, but has been extended in recent years as work has shown that

it can be located in preserved windows past the previously assumed

boundaries. Two types of intrusives, locally termed granite and felsic

porphyry, have been recognised through this region, and display a

complex geometry that is partly understood. These intrusives are

known from diamond drill core and recently developed mine workings.

The Honours project would examine and assist in understanding of

these later intrusives, particularly their classification, geometry and

timing, with obvious strong implications for the ongoing possibility of

discovering further significant nickel sulphide mineralisation.

Project: Geochemical footprint of Au-Cu mineral systems in the SW

Yilgarn

For majors

including:

Geology, Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience, Soil Science,

Minerals Geoscience

Supervisor: Campbell McCuaig, [email protected], 6488 2667,

Andrew Rate

Description: The SW Yilgarn has recently been shown to be highly prospective for

Au-Cu mineral systems. These systems often have characteristic

zonation of metals. You will work with multielement geochemical

analyses within and around known prospects to (1) determine if a

geochemical footprint is detectable in samples from the base of the

regolith, and (2) characterise this geochemical footprint that is

preserved through the regolith. Your understanding of metal

behaviour in hydrothermal and weathering processes will be strongly

enhanced during the study. This project will potentially significantly

impact on exploration strategies in this region! Vacation work will be

available with the project if desired.



Project: Characterising hydrothermal alteration around Au-Cu mineral

systems in the SW Yilgarn

For majors

including:

Geology, Geochemistry, Minerals Geoscience

Supervisor: Campbell McCuaig, [email protected], 6488 2667,

Steffen Hagemann

Description: The SW Yilgarn has recently been shown to be highly prospective for

Au-Cu mineral systems. A recent discovery by Ausgold in the

Katanning region is of an unknown style of mineralisation. It could

be Orogenic Au (like the Eastern Goldfields), or Boddington-style

intrusive related Au. Working on petrology and geochemistry of drill

core samples you will document and characterise hydrothermal

alteration and host rocks to determine the style of mineralising

system in this newly discovered district. This project will potentially

significantly impact on exploration strategies in this region! Vacation

work will be available with the project if desired.

Project: High-resolution 3-D analysis of veins using photogrammetry

For majors

including: Geology, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science, Engineering,

Minerals Geoscience

Supervisor: Steven Micklethwaite, [email protected] , 6488 2771, Paul

Paul Bourke (Ivec@UWA), Peter Kovesi (Image Analysis, CET)

Description: Veins represent one of the most important records of fracturing and

fluid flow within the earth's crust. Understanding how they nucleate

and develop over time is a key problem, important to a wide range of

industries including minerals exploration, petroleum and CO2

storage. A unique hand specimen of veins has been collected from

Victoria, which contains textures that appear to contradict existing

models of sigmoidal vein formation.

Methods: The student will be trained in the use of new techniques in

photogrammetry to reconstruct the sample in 3-D at high-resolutions,

using digital photographs. The student will experiment with different

conditions to obtain the best form of reconstruction. Then

orthorectified images will be extracted and analysed in GIS software,

in order to map the direction of growth fibres and track how the veins

grew over time. Processing of the data with the latest software will

take place at both iVEC and the Centre for Exploration Targeting,

located at the University of Western Australia.

Requirements: This project requires a high quality student who is

comfortable with new technology. No field work will be required for

the project. A successful outcome has the potential to result in a

publication.




Project: Development of digital techniques for open pit mapping

For majors

including:

Geology, Earth Science, Engineering, Minerals Geoscience

Supervisor: Steven Micklethwaite, [email protected] , 6488

2771

Paul Bourke (Ivec@UWA), Peter Kovesi (Image Analysis, CET)

Description:

Geological mapping of active and legacy open pit mines is an

important step in industry workflow but typically hampered by safety

hazards, time constraints, or the operation of heavy machinery. For

these reasons it is difficult for geological teams to properly track,

interpret and archive geological data, as mines are being developed.

Methods: This project will utilise new techniques in photogrammetry

to photograph and reconstruct in 3-D, active or legacy open pits,

managed by Focus Minerals Ltd (Coolgardie). The student will

experiment with different conditions to obtain the best form of

reconstruction. Then orthorectified images will be extracted and

analysed in GIS software in order to produce a digital map of the major

structures, lithologies, alteration halos and regolith boundaries exposed

in pit walls. The student will then compare and contrast the digital data

with maps they produce using established manual techniques.

Processing of the data with the latest software will take place at both

iVEC and the Centre for Exploration Targeting, located at the

University of Western Australia.

Requirements: This project requires a high quality student with

expertise in geological mapping, who is also comfortable with new

technology. Flights, accommodation, field costs and PPE will be

supplied by Focus Minerals Ltd.



Project: Early Archean anorthosites near Mount Narryer: Australia’s

oldest rocks?

For majors

including: Geology, Geochemistry

Supervisor: Tony Kemp, [email protected], 6488 XXXX

Description: Anorthosites are amongst the oldest components of the lunar crust, and

also occur in the most ancient rock packages on Earth. This project

focuses upon the anorthositic and related mafic and ultramafic meta-

igneous rocks of the Narryer Terrane in the northern part of the Yilgarn

Craton. Dated at 3750 Ma, there are the oldest rocks yet discovered in

Australia, but remarkably little is known about their distribution,

petrology or composition – or the exciting possibility that even more

ancient rocks occur in the area. This project would involve field

examination, petrography and mineral chemistry of the Narryer

anorthosites using sophisticated microbeam techniques such as

electron microscopy and laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma

mass spectrometry. A major aim would be to retrieve primary

compositional information about the early Archean terrestrial mantle

from relict igneous minerals in these rocks. This project is part of a

broader research initiative into the ancient cratonic nucleus of

Australia, in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Western

Australia, Curtin University and the Australian National University. If

undertaken as a two-year project, the second year would involve

geochronology and radiogenic isotope geochemistry.


Project: Granulite xenoliths as windows into the lowermost crust and

continent-forming processes

For majors


Supervisor: Tony Kemp, [email protected], 6488 XXXX in collaboration

with Prof Richard Arculus (ANU)

Description: The granulitic lower crust has a key role in the strengthening and

stabilization of continents, however the exact nature of this deep

crustal reservoir remains enigmatic due to the difficulty of obtaining

direct samples. This project is to study an extremely rare occurrence of

pristine (unretrogressed) granulite xenoliths that have been carried to

the surface by alkali basalts in eastern Australia. The samples are mid-

Paleozoic in age and include both mafic metaigneous and

metasedimentary compositions. They potentially represent the high

temperature residues/cumulates of partial melting during the formation

of the vast subduction-related batholiths of eastern Australia, thus can

provide a wealth of information about continent generation processes

from the ‘bottom-up’. Characterising the petrography, mineral

chemistry and bulk geochemistry of these granulites is the subject of

this Honours project. Emphasis would be on accessory minerals

(zircon, monazite, allanite) and garnet-hosted melt inclusions.

Analytical work would involve use of an electron microprobe, ion

microprobe and laser ablation microsampling system. A companion

project focuses on the petrology of granulites and eclogite from the

roots of an obducted island arc sequence on Hokkaido, northern Japan,

one of only three occurrences of its type in the world. Suitable for

either a one or two year project.


Project: Crystal micro-forensics– a new tool for tracking the budget and

transport of rare metals through the crust

For majors

including:

Geology, Geochemistry

Supervisor: Tony Kemp, [email protected], 6488 XXXX, Steffen

Hagemann, [email protected] 6488 1517, John Reeve,

[email protected] 6488 2681

Description: The high field strength elements (e.g., Nb, Ta, Zr, Hf, W) have proven

remarkably useful for modelling crust-mantle differentiation, and are

becoming increasingly valuable as strategic commodities - the

‘technology metals’, essential for the production of sophisticated

electronic devices. The mechanisms by which these important metals

are transferred through the crust and concentrated into ore deposits are,

however, unclear. This project focuses upon the main mineral hosts of

rare metals, namely cassiterite, tantalite, columbite and associated Sn-

W-Ta-Nb-rich phases, in granitic pegmatites from across Western

Australia. The microstructures and major and trace element inventory

of these minerals will be investigated at the micron-scale by

microbeam imaging and analysis, utilizing the state-of-the-art

geochemical laboratories at UWA. The ultimate aim is to explore the

viability of these minerals as geochronometers, geothermometers and

tracers of fluid and metal sources. This will shed new light on the

timing and physico-chemical controls on ore deposit formation, as well

as better constrain the budget of rare metals in the crust during thermal

and fluid flow events. This project would be supported by several

exploration companies, and is compatible with either a one or two year

duration.




Project: Magnetostratigraphy of the Devonian Canning Basin

For majors

including: Geoscience

Supervisor: Eric Tohver, [email protected], 6488 2677

Description: Objectives: To apply magnetostratigraphy to the carbonate rocks of

the Canning Basin, Western Australia to recover the history of

magnetic reversals recorded during the sedimentation and growth of

reefs fringing the Kimberley block ca. 370 Ma. This record will be

used for regional correlation of different carbonate facies as well as to

better constrain the paleogeographic history of Australia in the mid-

Paleozoic.

Requirements: Two to four weeks of fieldwork are required for this

project. Access to remote regions of the Kimberley is limited to the dry

season (June-August). Tents and cooking at base camp is supported by

professional outfitters.

Laboratory work is a major portion of this thesis, with the student to be

trained in use of key instruments at the UWA’s paleomagnetic

laboratory.

Methods: We will collect oriented cores for paleomagnetic analysis

using a converted chainsaw, with hand samples collected for additional

analyses of rock magnetic properties.

Following the cutting and labelling of the oriented core samples,

laboratory work will proceed by thermal and alternating field

demagnetization of individual specimens. Analysis of the directional

data will be undertaken using specialized, Windows-based software.

Integration of the results with the paleomagnetic database and the

Global Polarity Timescale will require a review of the relevant

literature.



Project: Development of an international Miocene apatite (U-Th)/He

standard

For majors


Supervisor: Geoff Batt, [email protected], 6488 2686, Brent McInnes (Curtin)

Noreen Evans (CSIRO)

Description: The CSIRO (U-Th)/He facility at the John De Laeter Centre for Mass

Spectrometry has identified an apatite-rich alkaline basalt from the

Tuvatu Cu-Au prospect in Fiji that underwent rapid cooling at very

shallow levels (1-2 km depth) during its Miocene emplacement. These

characteristics may allow this body to provide one or more new

international age standard(s), filling an important niche in

geochronology and thermochronology research.

This student research project will focus principally on the geochemical

characterisation and isotopic dating of the basalt and its mineral phases,

with the objective of determining the suitability of apatite (and other

accessory phases) to act as such an age standard.

No fieldwork would be required for the project, as samples have

already been collected. However, a successful outcome may lead to

follow-up opportunities to return to Fiji for further field investigations

and sampling.

The project will involve petrographic and microprobe analysis to

characterize the sample material, followed by the separation and

purification of select accessory phases for high precision geochemical

and isotopic analysis, including thermochronometry.

Full training would be provided in the instrumentation and analytical

techniques to be applied. It is expected that a co-authored research

paper will result from this project after completion of studies.

Project: Isotopic Geochronology and Tectonics

For majors


Supervisor: Geoff Batt, [email protected], 6488 2686

Description: Understanding of chemical and isotopic behaviour within mineral

structures provides a capability to identify geological and thermal

histories arising from a wide range of processes, ranging from

magmatic crystallization to low-temperature weathering. The

resolution of 4D Earth history and dynamic processes through such

geo/thermochronometric records has important applications in many

areas of geosciences, including provenance studies, structural geology,

landscape evolution, petroleum and ore system genesis, and

paleoclimate-tectonic linkages. A range of projects are possible in both

fundamental and applied aspects of this field, jointly supervised by

SEE staff and researchers from CSIRO and other areas of the John de

Laeter Research Centre of Mass Spectrometry, as appropriate. Students

undertaking economically focused projects are encouraged to apply for

a UWA Geoscience Foundation scholarship.




Project: Thermochronology as a Structural Marker in the Mount George

Structural Zone

For majors


Supervisor: Geoff Batt, [email protected], 6488 2686, Nicholas Thebaud,


Description: The Mount George structural zone represents an Achaean terrane

boundary in the Eastern Goldfields Province of the Yilgarn Terrane.

The zone hosts a range of important mineral deposits, but its evolution

is incompletely understood, with multiple phases of reactivation and an

uncertain sense of post-accretion movement.

This student research project will use (U-Th)/He thermochronometry of

zircon to identify relative differences in the timing and magnitude of

exhumation experienced within and around the structural zone. This

constraint will be applied to characterize the latest phase of regional

deformation, and assess correlation of deformation and erosion to the

distribution of economic mineral deposits.

Although crucial to both discovery and economic extraction, relative

exhumation of hypogene mineral systems has received little to no

attention in traditional exploration strategies in the Yilgarn. This

investigation will contribute to new understanding of the latter

evolution of the Mount George structural zone, and may offer

significant insight into refining metallogenic models used to identify

new prospective areas.

No fieldwork would be required, as samples have already been

collected.

The project will involve petrographic and microprobe analyses to

characterize samples. Zircon and other accessory phases will be

selected and prepared for high precision geochemical and isotopic

analysis, including thermochronometry.


techniques to be applied



Project: Improved thermal event discrimination in zircon (U-Th)/He

thermochronology

For majors




Description: Age distributions in mixed-source samples (sediments,

xenolithic/crystic material etc) are a potentially important source of

information on thermal processes, sediment provenance, tectonic uplift

and crustal exhumation, and other fundamental aspects of geological

history. It has recently been recognized, however, that accumulated

radiation damage alters the rate of isotopic diffusion through crystal

lattices, complicating the identification of significant signals in detrital

datasets.

This project will consist of characterizing the relationship between (U-

Th)/He ages and metamictization in zircon crystals from mixed source

samples. Understanding this systematic behaviour has implications for

studies ongoing within the CSIRO (U-Th)/The facility at the John de

Laeter Centre for Mass Spectrometry, in which helium age distributions

are being developed as a tool for diamond, gold, and petroleum

exploration.

No fieldwork would be required, as suitable samples have already been

collected and identified via an industry-supported MERIWA project.

The project will involve microprobe, scanning electron microscope, and

micro CT analysis to characterize zircon grains from varied sources.

Selected material would then be prepared for high precision (U-Th)/He

and helium diffusion experiments.





Project: Structural Evolution of the AUS-PAC Plate Boundary in Southern

New Zealand

For majors




Description: The relative tectonic simplicity of the obliquely convergent boundary

between the Australian and Pacific Plates through southern New

Zealand has long seen the region held up as a natural laboratory

through which to develop understanding of fundamental orogenic

processes. Although deformation in this region is today focused along

the Alpine Fault zone to the west of the orogen, the extent of Pliocene-

Recent convergence and exhumation has resulted in a low preservation

potential for material that directly experienced the early development of

the system, leaving its structural evolution incompletely understood.

Pilot investigations have recently shown Thermochronological

constraint to have the potential to resolve elements of this ambiguous

history.

This project will use (U-Th)/He thermochronometry of zircon and

apatite to characterize the development and abandonment of fault

structures during Miocene evolution of the plate boundary through

southern New Zealand from a broad domain of transpressional

structures to a coherent, unified fault system – the fore-runner of the

modern Alpine Fault.

No fieldwork would be required, as samples have already been

collected.

The project will involve petrographic and microprobe analysis to

characterize samples. Zircon, apatite, and potentially other accessory

phases will be selected and prepared for high precision geochemical

and isotopic analysis, including thermochronometry.





Project: What are the forms of trace elements in sulfidic estuarine

sediments? Can we use trace elements as geochemical tracers in

these systems?

For majors

including:

Geology (environmental), Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience,

Land & Water Management

Supervisor: Andrew Rate, [email protected], 6488 2500

Description: Trace elements represent potential contaminants in aquatic sediments,

but may also be useful in determining the origin of sulfidic minerals in

these systems. You would collect samples of monosulfide-rich

sediments from the Peel-Harvey Estuary System or use archived

samples. Using these sediments, you would measure the

concentrations of different forms of trace elements using a range of

chemical and spectroscopic analytical techniques. Normalised trace

element concentrations would be related to geographical spatial

distribution of the sediments.

Project: Which sulfide minerals in sediments are able to accumulate rare-

earth elements?

For majors

including:




Description: Sulfide minerals in aquatic sediments and soils are well-known to

contain trace elements, including the rare earth elements (REE, or

lanthanides). The role of the different sulfide minerals in the early

diagenetic sequence (mackinawite FeS – greigite Fe3S4 – pyrite FeS2)

in sequestering REE is currently poorly understood. The REE group

are extremely useful in many branches of geochemistry as tracers, and

may provide key information about processes occurring in aquatic

sediments and soils, particularly in acid sulfate soils and affected

environments. This laboratory-based project would involve basic

studies of reaction mechanisms during initial monosulfide formation

and subsequent diagenetic transformation via greigite to pyrite. See also: Morgan, B., Rate, A.W., Burton, E.D. and Smirk, M., 2012. Chemical

Geology, 308-309: 60-73.



http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.03.012

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2012.03.012


Project: Can rare earth element (REE) concentrations in vegetation explain

enrichment of rare earth elements in some surface soils?

For majors

including:

Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience, Land & Water

Management, Soil Science


Description: The biogeochemical cycling of trace elements in terrestrial ecosystems

is a surprisingly poorly-researched topic. You would sample vegetation

growing on regolith profiles that are geochemically well-characterised.

Plant tissues would be analysed for REE concentrations, and mass

balances calculated to assess the significance of plant uptake on REE

cycling in these systems. It will likely be necessary to measure other

REE pools (such as regolith pore water) to complete the mass balance. See also: Du, X., Rate, A.W. and Gee, M. 2011. Mineralogical Magazine 75, 784.

Project: What is the impact of drying wetlands on estuarine sediments?

For majors

including:




Description: In the estuary of the Swan/Canning rivers in WA there are numerous

locations where monosulfides and ferric oxides have formed, possibly

as a result of acidic drainage (enriched in Fe and sulfate) from the

drying-out and oxidation of adjacent wetlands. This is a potentially

very interesting issue, as the wetlands may be drying out because of

the climate change we have already seen in the Perth region (mainly

expressed as consistent declines in annual rainfall).


https://events.ccm.com.au/ei/viewpdf.esp?id=126&file=E%3A%5Ceventwin%5Cdocs%5Cpdf%5Csoil2010Abstract01769%2Epdf



Project: Mineral Mapping using hyperspectral drill core data

For majors

including: Geology, Geochemistry, Mineralogy

Supervisor: Carsten Laukamp, [email protected], 6488 2669, Paul

Duuring, Tom Cudahy

Description: The characterisation of mineral assemblages related to hydrothermal

alteration and the understanding of the spatial distribution of these

alteration patterns can be applied to exploration for Archean Au as

well as magmatic Ni sulphide exploration. The spatial analysis of

alteration patterns however requires large amounts and high density

of mineralogically well defined samples.

The proposed project is based on hyperspectral drill core information

from the Eastern Goldfields Superterrane in WA obtained with

CSIRO’s HyLogging System, which provides mineralogical

information of km-length drill cores in mm resolution. The

hyperspectral drill core data will be compared with new sample

spectra, which will be additionally analysed by quantitative XRD,

geochemistry and/or SEM, to improve the extraction of mineralogical

information from the reflectance spectra. The improved mineral

mapping results will then be integrated with other drill core logging

and geochemistry data. Processing of the hyperspectral data with the

latest software and the validation of the mineral maps will take place

at both CSIRO's Centre of Excellence for 3D Mineral Mapping and

the Centre for Exploration Targeting, located at the University of

Western Australia.

Project: Trace element geochemistry of sulphides, oxides and gold at the Telfer

gold deposit

For majors

including: Economic Geology

Supervisor: Steffen Hagemann, Tel. 6488-1517; [email protected]; Christian

Schindler

Description: This project will use transmitted, reflected light microscopy and SEM

to characterize sulphides, oxides and gold with respect to their

morphology and relative timing within the paragenetic sequence at the

Telfer gold deposit. A selected suite of these minerals will also be

analysed using in situ laser ICP-MS analyses in order to constrain the

micro-chemistry including potential zonation of trace elements. This

project will be part of a larger research effort of CET researchers at the

Telfer deposit and surrounding area.




Project: Sulfur isotopes of sulfides at the Telfer gold deposit

For majors

including: Economic Geology

Supervisor: Steffen Hagemann, Tel. 6488-1517; [email protected]; Christian

Schindler

Description: Sulfur isotopes are used to monitor the source of sulphides and the

redox state of sulfur bearing hydrothermal fluids. This project will use

in situ sulphur isotopes on sulphides and sulphates from the Telfer gold

deposit and surrounding granites, including a W skarn, to constrain the

sulphur isotope signature of the Telfer gold-copper system. This

project will be part of a larger research effort of CET researchers at the

Telfer deposit and surrounding area.



Land and Water Management, Environmental

Science, Geography, Soil Science, Agriculture

Project: Using constructed wetlands for purification of wastewater and

stormwater

For majors

including:

Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science

Supervisor: Zed Rengel, [email protected], 6488 2557

Description: • Identify WA wetland species suitable for accumulation of nutrients

from wastewater

• Optimise conditions for biofiltration of stormwater using constructed

wetlands

• Characterise interactions between heavy metals (e.g. cadmium) and

organic contamination (e.g. hydrocarbons) in constructed wetlands

purifying wastewater

Project: Increasing nitrogen-use efficiency in wheat and barley germplasm

For majors

including:

Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science

Supervisor: Zed Rengel, [email protected], 6488 2557

Description: • Characterise N-use efficiency of selected wheat and barley

genotypes, specifically looking at potential mechanisms underlying

differential efficiency (eg. root growth, stem carbohydrates, N

remobilisation from leaves into developing grain, etc)

Project: The Potential for ameliorating subsoil acidity with gypsum For majors

including: Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science

Supervisor: Zed Rengel, [email protected], 6488 2557 Description: • Identify the levels, species and activity of aluminium found in

subsoils across the Wheatbelt and relate this back to potential

limitations to crop growth

• Test for potential responsiveness to gypsum based on pH changes

and sorption of gypsum using the method of Sumner (1993). Does this

test apply to WA Wheatbelt soils.

• Asses changes in aluminium and pH levels associated with sites

where gypsum has been applied to overcome subsoil activity.





Project: Plant physiology of nutrient uptake and transport For majors


Supervisor: Zed Rengel, [email protected], 6488 2557 Description: • Transport pathways of root- and leaf-supplied micronutrients into

developing cereal or legume grains

• Fertilizer placement and nutrient uptake by various crops

• Modelling 3D root growth nutrient uptake and determining optimal

fertilization

• P nutrition and root exudation by various crops and genotypes

Project: Biology and chemistry of rhizosphere For majors


Supervisor: Zed Rengel, [email protected], 6488 2557 Description: • Role of root exudates in acquisition of micronutrients and

phosphorus

• Isolating bacteria and fungi capable of increasing availability of

phosphorus in the rhizosphere

Project: Hydro-Ecology and Aquatic System Dynamics

For majors

including: Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management

Supervisor: Matthew Hipsey, [email protected], 6488 3186

Description: Projects that deal with dynamics of aquatic systems including

wetlands, lakes and estuaries. Interests include

Hydrological and hydrodynamic interactions with biogeochemical and

ecological processing of elements in lakes, rivers, wetlands and

estuaries.

Assessing impacts of climate variability on wetland and estuarine

biogeochemistry

Wetlands and lakes as 'barometers of change'

Microbial trophic interactions

Ecological modelling of aquatic systems.





Project: Climate change impacts on wetland ecosystems For majors


Supervisor: Matthew Hipsey, [email protected], 6488 3186, Nicola

Mitchell (Animal Biology) Description: Linking hydrology of Ellenbrook wetlands and bio-energetics of the

endangered Western Swamp Tortoise. [Field/Modelling]

Linking wetland hydrology and vegetation health in DEC Natural

Diversity Recovery Catchments. [Field/Modelling]

Project: Impact of past soil erosion on today’s landscape For majors

including: Soil Science, Geography, Environmental Science, Geoarchaeology

Supervisor: Matthias Leopold, [email protected], 6488 ???? Description: First Australian settlers cleared large parts of the forests along the

Australian coast in the South West. Deforestation followed by

agriculture and settling causes soil erosion and according colluviation

at the toe slope of a hill. Mapping colluvial sediments and studying

their physical and chemical composition allows (i) a reconstruction of

information about the native soils (ii) an assessment of soil erosion

caused by the settlers (iii) a comparison of past and present soil erosion

rates.

In addition to literature studies, the project requires some field

mapping of soils and sediments and soil sampling with continuative

laboratory work.




Project: Monitoring short time changes of soil water contents after thunder

storms using time-lapse 2D resistivity data For majors

including: Soil Science, Geophysics, Geography, Environmental Science,

Supervisor: Matthias Leopold, [email protected], 6488 ???? Description: The water content of soils varies on a short (daily) as well as on a long

term (yearly) basis. Electric resistivity tomography techniques (ERT)

are sensitive to moisture changes on a 2D scale.

The artificial water catchment ‘Chicken Creek’ in NE Germany was

built to study the ecosystem development within a remediated coal

mining area. Thunder storms cause surface flows in NE Germany after

long and dry periods in the summer. Soil moisture plays a crucial role

in the infiltration rate before, during, and after a storm event. Besides

standard monitoring of ground water wells, an ERT-line collecting

data on a ½ hour basis has been established to survey short time

changes of the water content. Additional data such as TDR, subsurface

air pressure, ground water wells, meteorological data and others can be

integrated to develop scenarios of moisture changes during storm

events.

Project: Soil-Geomorphology on marine terraces along the coastline of

Western Australia For majors

including: Soil Science, Geography, Environmental Science

Supervisor: Matthias Leopold, [email protected], 6488 ???? Description: The basic idea of soil-geomorphic studies is that the intensity of

pedogenic processes is directly linked with time. Marine terraces are

distinct geomorphic features that are connected with different times of

formation. Thus, their surfaces are exposed to soil forming processes

for a varying period of time resulting in different soil development

stages. Using a soil catena from the upper most to the lowest marine

terrace tests the above principle. The project requires field work and

continuative lab analyses such as classification of soil parent material,

determination of ped. oxides or for example x-ray diffraction of clay

minerals in order to classify the intensity of pedogenic processes.

Finally, the soil-geomorphic dating approach will be compared and

calibrated with existing numerical dating approaches (e.g. U-series).

This will allow developing series of time vs. intensity of soil

development as an independent relative dating technique.




Project: Soils in Geoarchaeology For majors

including: Soil Science, Geography, Archaeology, Environmental Science

Supervisor: Matthias Leopold, [email protected], 6488 ???? Description: Soils are a fundamental resource within archaeological excavations.

Geoarchaeology uses Soil - and Geoscience techniques in order to

reconstruct environmental conditions within human influenced

settlement areas of various time slices of the past. Soils store certain

information (such as major climatic conditions, environmental

changes, intensity of surface usage, and so on) of their time of usage

which adds valuable information to any archaeological project.

Field mapping and laboratory analysis of soils are required to obtain

information used for a geoarchaeological site interpretation.

Project: Soil biological fertility For majors

including: Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management

Supervisor: Dan Murphy, [email protected],; 6488 7083, Lynn Abbott

Description: Investigation of biological factors associated with soil fertility,

especially their interactions with other components of soil fertility,

including factors associated with the soil habitat.

Project: Compost use in agriculture and horticulture

For majors

including:

Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management

Supervisor: Dan Murphy, [email protected], 6488 7083, Lyn Abbott

Description: Practical considerations in use of compost for sustainable land

management focused on soil fertility and use of clay and biochar

soil amendments (biological, physical and chemical interactions) –

in collaboration with Custom Composts.





Project: Does soil liming decrease soil N2O emissions from WA cropping

soils?

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Louise Barton, [email protected], 6488 2542

Description: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is a potent greenhouse gas released from soils as

a result of soil microbial activity. Recent research conducted by the

Soil Biology Group showed applying lime to soil mitigated these

emissions from a field site at Wongan Hills. Your aim would be to

determine if the findings from Wongan Hills can be extended to other

soil types in the Western Australian grainbelt. This will involve:

Location and collection of suitable soil types.

Designing and implementing a laboratory experiment.

Analysis of soil and gas samples (training provided).

Working as a member of the Soil Biology Group.

Project: Biodiversity of living, non-marine, thrombolites of Western

Australia

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson, Prof. Matt Kilburn, Dr. Michael Slat

Description: Microbialites, biosedimentary structures formed by the interaction of

microbial communities with their environment, are found throughout

the geological record. Stromatolites (layered) and thrombolites

(clotted) are morphological types of microbialites, classified by their

internal mesostructure, and have been cited as providing some of the

earliest evidence for life on Earth ~3.5 billion-years-ago. Living

microbialites are found in just a few select locations worldwide,

including the open marine waters of Exuma Sound, Bahamas, the

hypersaline region of Hamelin Pool, Western Australia and the

brackish waters of the Peel-Yalgorup region in Western Australia.

This Project aims to investigate the microbial populations present in

modern thrombolites to shed light on their relevance to ancient

stromatolite-like structures. The project will involve:

Sampling of thrombolites and lake water at a number of

locations in the Peel-Yalgorup region of Western Australia

(note field work involved).

Assessing thrombolite morphology using microscopy

techniques at the CMCA, as well as mineralogical and

elemental analysis of the thrombolites.

Assessing microbial diversity of thrombolites using DNA.



Project: Microbial population dynamics in a phosphorus limited

environment

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Louise Barton, [email protected], 6488 2542

Description: Australian grain producers apply $1 billion worth of phosphorus (P)

fertilisers each year, but only 50% is taken up by plants. Much of the

remaining fertiliser P becomes fixed in soil and the P 'bank' in

Australian arable soils is estimated to be worth $10 billion, or 100 kg

P/ha of arable land. This project aims to evaluate the potential of

carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) availability to influence microbial release

of fixed phosphorus in soil. Specifically the project will evaluate the

effect of organic matter carbon to nitrogen ratio on microbial

populations.

The project will involve:

Setting up a laboratory incubation experiment using

Arabidopsis residue where the wild type and mutant have

altered cell wall chemistry resulting in differing C:N ratios in

the residue between wild type and mutant.

Assessing changes in microbial populations through time by analysis

of microbial biomass, microbial P and microbial populations using

DNA.



Project: Long-term nutrient enrichment drives soil and vegetation community

development in Arctic habitats – how are microbial populations

affected.

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson, Prof. Daniel Murphy, Dr. Linda

Maccarone

Description: Net primary production in the terrestrial Arctic is typically limited by

short growing seasons, cold temperatures, frequent and strong winds

and low nutrient supply. Consequently, the projected rapid increase in

temperature, changes in precipitation pattern and enhanced

atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition are predicted to have profound

effects on polar ecosystem functioning. One of the primary impacts of

these anthropogenically mediated changes are the projected nutrient

induced shifts in plant community composition which will impact

directly on a range of ecosystem services including water quality, soil

carbon storage and food provisioning (grazer biodiversity).

Understanding and predicting the long-term resilience and potential

feedbacks in response to environmental change therefore remains a

central goal in polar ecosystem science. The project will involve:

Assessing microbial populations by using DNA extracted from

previously collected Arctic samples and (1) quantifying gene

abundances using qPCR and (2) assessing diversity and

population structure using next generation sequencing

approaches (Ion Torrent).

Project: Relationship between soil organic fractions and function

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson, Prof. Daniel Murphy

Description: This project aims to assess the how soil physical properties and

organic matter influence the diversity of soil organisms. It will involve

collecting soils from the Liebe Group long term field trial (ref Chris

O’Callaghan) and to destructively sample soil cores for organic matter

composition (total carbon, soil organic matter fractions and their

respective C:nutrient ratios) and characterisation of soil organisms

(mass, diversity). Note: field work required.


Project: Use of animal waste as a phosphorus fertiliser

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Dr. Sasha Jenkins, Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson

Description: Agriculture is under increasing pressure to meet human demands for

food yet crop productivity is often phosphorus (P) limited.

Consequently, inorganic fertilisers are applied to soils but its non-

renewable nature means alternative P sources are urgently sought. One

possibility is recycling animal waste by-products as P fertilisers but

their effect on the microbial P cycling is largely. The project will

involve running a laboratory incubation where agricultural soil is

amended with animal waste to assess effects on nutrient cycling and

microbial populations. The aim is to develop novel technique to

identify key P pathways.

Project: Organic agriculture and horticulture

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Lyn Abbott, [email protected], 6488 2499

Description: Investigation of the Standards for certified organic production

systems related to soil factors, especially organic matter and soil

microbial activity.

Understanding soil microbial processes in relation to use of

alternative nutrient sources (including mineral and organic inputs).

Project: Sustainability of agricultural horticultural and viticultural systems

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Lyn Abbott, [email protected], 6488 2499

Description: Investigation of the sustainability of farming and horticultural

systems on different soil types in relation to management of the soil

microbial environment.




Project: Surface water groundwater interactions and impact assessments

on Environmental Water Requirements of wetlands in the Natural

Diversity Recovery Catchments and Swan Coastal Plain

For majors

including:

Land and Water Management, Environmental Science

Supervisor: Ryan Vogwill, [email protected], 6488 2769, Ursula Salmon,

Matt Hipsey, Louise Bruce

Description: These projects will be tailored to individual students needs and

potential for multiple projects exist.

Project: Can biochar suppress root diseases of wheat in WA agriculture?

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Zakaria Solaiman, [email protected], 6488 7463, Dan

Murphy, Bill MacLeod, Shahajahan Miyan (Department of

Agriculture)

Description: Disease development and expression may be limited through (i)

suppression of disease as a result of the action of beneficial organisms

in spite of the persistence of pathogen inoculums, and (ii) non-specific

suppression which probably results from the competition for sites and

resources within the soil as the proportions of pathogen and beneficial

microorganisms alters seasonally within a year and across a number of

years. Biochar is a recalcitrant porus carbon byproduct of pyrolysis

process which acts as a habit for microbes including mycorrhizal fungi

and bacteria. Biochar may also sorp pesticides and induce plant

systemic resistance to disease.

This project will investigate followings:

Whether addition of biochar to soil facilitates suppression of soil-

borne diseases of wheat using one common root disease as an

example selected from take-all, crown rot, rhizoctonia root rot or

root lesion nematode.

Investigate the possible mechanisms of any suppression which may

be evident.

Whether biochar enhances the persistence of AM and their

availability for associations with crop plants, especially wheat.




Project: Can mycorrhizal fungi suppress root disease of wheat in WA

agriculture?

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Zakaria Solaiman, [email protected], 6488 7463, Dan

Murphy, Bill MacLeod, Shahajahan Miyan (Department of

Agriculture)

Description: Disease development and expression may be limited through (i)

suppression of disease as a result of the action of beneficial organisms

in spite of the persistence of pathogen inoculums, and (ii) non-specific

suppression which probably result from the competition for sites and

resources within the soil as the proportions of pathogen and beneficial

microorganisms alters seasonally within a year and across a number of

years.

Mycorrhizal fungi are beneficial fungi which form an intimate

association with plant roots. The intimate association with AM has

previously been shown to delay the death of cortical (outer) root cells

and may thus reduce the resistance of root to various pathogens.

This project will investigate followings:

Effect of arular mycorrhizal fungi to the suppression of soil-borne

root disease of wheat using one common root disease as an example

selected from take-all, crown rot, rhizoctonia root rot or root lesion

nematode.

Investigate the possible mechanisms of any suppression which may

be evident.

Project: Mycorrhizal associations in natural and/or agricultural ecosystems

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Zakaria Solaiman, [email protected], 6488 7463, Lyn

Abbott

Description: Effectiveness of arular mycorrhizal fungi in relation to land

management practices such as fertilizer use, plant residue

management and soil disturbance (including ‘biological’ and

‘organic’ agriculture)

Effectiveness of arular mycorrhizal fungi in saline soils – including

interactions with organic matter

P uptake by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in association with

different plant species (mycorrhiza dependency)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal associations in the jarrah forest – role in

interactions among plant species




Project: Bioenergy: Converting household waste into biogas For majors

including: Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management

Supervisor: Sasha Jenkins, [email protected], 6488 8779, Tony

O’Donnell Description: In Western Australia the preferred disposal method for municipal solid

waste (MSW) is landfill. However, this is not necessarily the most

effective means of disposing of such waste and there is growing

interest in finding alternative uses that solve both waste excesses and

energy shortages. One option is to convert MSW into biogas

(methane) and compost via a process called anaerobic digestion. The

biogas can then be used to provide renewable energy by the generation

of electricity. However, anaerobic digestion is a complex process

performed by microbes and consequently the ecology, prevailing

environmental conditions and mechanisms involved remain poorly

understood. The aim of this project is to develop more efficient

anaerobic digestion by investigating the relationship between microbial

degradation, environmental parameters and biogas production during

the anaerobic digestion of MSW. Improved understanding of the

conditions required for optimal waste degradation will enable us to

both improve both the quality and quantity of biogas production

through bioengineering. Such innovative technologies would allow

local authorities and commercial waste operators to reduce landfill

disposal and mitigate the environmental impact of landfill sites, such

as, greenhouse gas emissions and leachate production.



Project: Recycling waste as organic fertilisers: Do they enhance soil

quality? For majors



O’Donnell Description: Organic farming has been claimed to enhance soil health & quality in

terms of biodiversity, nutrient cycling, organic matter content, soil

structure & stability, water holding capacity and disease suppression.

However, the true extent to which organic management ‘enhances’

nutrient cycling and other soil functions remains largely unexplored.

The goals of the project are to determine and quantify whether soil

quality is ‘enhanced’ in soils subject to organic waste inputs.

Since soil microbes play a central role in maintaining soil health and

quality through their activities that include recycling nutrients (N, P, S,

C), disease suppression and degradation of organic matter we first need

to develop monitoring tools that directly measure soil biology. This

project will initially investigate how organic management impacts on

soil biology by developing biological indicators. These bio-indicators

in combination with other conventional indicators will then be used to

assess whether soil quality is being gained, maintained or has been lost

in soils receiving organic waste.

Project: Recycling waste as organic fertilisers: Are they safe? For majors



O’Donnell Description: Many organic fertilisers are derived from waste products which may

contain contaminants or undesirable elements resulting in adverse

environmental impacts. For instance, manure is often directly spread

onto agricultural land without treatment and there are growing

concerns over this practice with respect to pathogens and nutrient

contamination of surface and groundwater, Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

emissions, salinity and phyto-toxicity. However, these potential

adverse affects have not been fully assessed and quantified.

The focus of the project is to quantify the environmental risks

associated with the re-use of different waste by-products. To this end,

this project will assess the implications of their use in terms of

environmental risks with specific focus on (i) pathogen survival (ii)

salinity & toxicity (iii) N and P leaching to surface and groundwater’s

and (iv) GHG emissions.




Project: How do we measure soil quality? For majors



O’Donnell Description: Soil microorganisms play a central role in maintaining soil health and

quality through their activities that include recycling nutrients (N, P, S,

C), nitrogen fixation, disease suppression, pollutant mitigation,

improved soil structure and degradation of organic matter. Thus, they

determine the form and availability of nutrients that are essential for

plant growth and subsequently impact on grain productivity. To

continue to improve the sustainability, quality and productivity of

agricultural grains producers need monitoring tools that directly

measure soil biology enabling them to adopt the best management

practices to enhance crop performance. Consequently, there is a

pressing need to identify a set of biological indicators that can be used

to assess the quality of Australian soils. This bioindicators could be

incorporated into current monitoring programmes to help maximise

yields and optimise profitability. The objective is to enable producers

to identify when soil quality is being or has been lost and provide

advice on the interventions needed to restore quality. These soil

biological quality measures will be used a guide for best management

that will improve soil health and profitability.

Project: Who is killing all the fish? For majors


Supervisor: Sasha Jenkins, [email protected], 6488 8779, Matt Hipsey,

Tony O’Donnell Description: High nutrient loading, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, can result

in algal blooms and eutrophication. When these blooms die, microbes

in the sediments decompose the algae and use up all the oxygen in the

bottom waters leading to very low oxygen concentrations called

hypoxic or anoxic conditions (dissolved oxygen concentration of < 2

mg/L or 0 mg/L, respectively) that kill fish and benthic organisms.

These so-called “dead zones” provide ideal conditions for some

microbes that don’t like oxygen and their metabolism could result in

the release of toxic and greenhouse gases (H2S, CH4, CO2, N2O).

Australian estuaries are more susceptible to “dead zones” (also called

anoxia/hypoxia) through drought and climate change and the frequency

of these events is a growing concern in the Swan-Canning River.

However, relatively little is known about the microbes living in these

“dead zones” and their activities. This projects aims to identify who

they are and what they are doing.




Project: How did the Swan Estuary recover from an extreme storm event? For majors



Tony O’Donnell Description: Perth’s biggest storm event in fifty years had a huge impact on the

Swan-Canning River. The storm on Monday 22 March 2010 washed a

large amount of organic material, including overflowing sewage into

the river causing a rapid increase in microbial activity and growth,

which in turn, lead to decreased dissolved oxygen levels. At one point,

majority of the river was completely anoxic (no oxygen present)

leading to mass fish death. In fact, crabs and water marron in the

Canning and Upper Swan were seen leaving the water! However, not

everybody was unhappy with these new anoxic conditions as these so-

called “dead zones” provided an ideal environment for oxygen

intolerant microbes whose metabolism results in the release of toxic

and greenhouse gases (H2S, CH4, CO2, N2O). This project monitors the

response of the microbes and their activity as the river recovers from

the effects of the storm. Ultimately, we want to know how well the

system, including its residents, can recover from extreme events.

Project: Could nitrogen fixation be significant in sustaining summer algal

blooms? For majors



Tony O’Donnell Description: Nitrogen fixation is not usually significant in most temperate estuaries

even though algal growth (primary production) is nitrogen limited.

Rates are low because N-fixation is an energy-demanding process and

has many requirements (light, Fe, P, trace metals) and controls

(inhibited by oxygen, high levels of salinity, grazing pressure). During

an algal bloom when nitrogen is used up, blue-green algae that are

capable of fixing N could have a competitive advantage and become

dominate. The blue-green algae Synechococcus was a dominate

member of the summer algal blooms but has never been shown to fix

nitrogen. However, some researchers now believe that Synechococcus

does fix nitrogen but it has been missed because it either fixes N at

night or by forming symbiosis with other algae (dinoflagellates or

diatoms) to avoid oxygen inhibition. This project will confirm whether

Synechococcus does indeed fix nitrogen and if so, does N-fixation help

sustain algal blooms.




Project: Turning up the heat: how do estuaries respond to climate change? For majors



Tony O’Donnell Description: Climate change is a serious environmental issue that is expected to

increase water temperature, raise water levels and reduce stream flow

in the Swan Canning River. Also, shifts in rainfall patterns may result

in drier summers and autumns that will increase the frequency of algal

blooms and subsequent anoxia events (low oxygen concentration that

kills fish). Climate-induced changes in C and N cycling could seriously

affect net productivity and N2O emissions (a greenhouse gas). This

project will determine how estuaries respond to environmental

gradients (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen) by running a series

of laboratory experiments. This will enable us to predict better how

these communities might respond to environmental gradients and

ultimately to climate change.

Project: Converting piggery waste into biogas

For majors



Tony O’Donnell Description: Currently most pig farmers put their pig waste into large ponds where

the waste is gradually broken down by microbes within the pond.

However, these microbes release both odours and methane a

Greenhouse gas (GHG) that upset local residents and contribute to

global warming. One solution is to cover these ponds with an

impermeable cover resulting in reduced gas emissions since the

methane is retained under the cover. Although, the prospect of covered

ponds is a very attractive idea, the initial start-up cost is often too high

to be economically feasible in most cases. This could be overcome by

capturing the methane under the cover (since methane is a fuel) and

using it to off-set start-up costs by providing on-farm heating or

electricity. However, methane recovery from covered ponds is not very

efficient. Furthermore, covers on the ponds could alter the waste

degradation process and reduce biogas yield. Therefore, we need to

identify indicators of pond health that act as an early-warning detection

of system failure. Our research aims to increase biogas production

from covered ponds by optimising the waste degradation process

through different management practices and provide advice on

interventions required to prevent pond failure. Ultimately, we want to

help farmers select the best management practices to maximise the

benefits from covered waste effluent ponds.




Project: Reducing water pollution from using treated piggery effluent as a

liquid fertiliser

For majors

including:

Any

Supervisor: Sasha Jenkins, [email protected], 6488 8779

Description: There is an increasing need to ensure that recycling treated piggery

effluent as a liquid fertiliser doesn’t lead to water pollution. One

possible solution is to incorporate enhanced biological phosphorus

removal (EBPR) into the waste treatment process but this biological

process is poorly understood.

During the EBPR process, microorganisms called polyphosphate

accumulating organisms (PAOs) accumulate large quantities of

phosphorus within their cells. These enriched microorganisms can then

be separated from the treated effluent wastewater before applying the

liquid fertilizer to land. However, our current understanding of these

organisms is limited due to methodological constraints making it

difficult to fully optimise the process in piggeries. Being able to

monitor these organisms at the single-cell-level using epifluorescence

microscopy and cell sorting is one approach to overcome this

stumbling block. This project aimed to develop a new microscopy

technique to identify the organisms involved in EBPR and to determine

the optimal conditions for their growth. This information will be used

to help redesign the current piggery waste treatment process by

incorporating EBPR to remove P from treated effluent.



Project: Covered anaerobic ponds: Converting piggery waste into biogas

and soil improvers

For majors

including: Any


Description: Currently, piggery waste is treated in effluent pond where the waste is

gradually degraded by microorganisms and the treated wastewater is

then either evaporated or used for irrigation. However, these effluent

ponds generate a multitude of undesirable effects including green

house gas (GHG) and odour emissions, heightening concerns over

climate change. Consequently, more sustainable waste treatment

systems and methane mitigation technologies are sought by the Pork

Industry. One simple and affordable option gaining increasing

attention is the possibility of covering effluent ponds with geosynthetic

materials (such as high-density polyethylene or polypropelyene) to

create a covered anaerobic pond (CAPs) digester that both treats the

waste and captures the biogas. Biogas (methane and carbon dioxide)

that accumulates under the cover is gradually removed and used either

directly as a fuel or converted to electricity via a motor generator.

However, the technology is still in its infancy and there is limited

knowledge about how management practices can be altered to make

the conditions more favourable for biogas capture. The aim of this

project is to evaluate the best management practices for enhancing

biogas capture and avoiding pond failure.

Project: The effect of antimicrobials on the anaerobic digestion of piggery waste

For majors

including: Any


Description: Antimicrobials are used within the pork industry to treat pig health

problems and improve feed conversion efficiency. Some of these

compounds are poorly absorbed during digestion and the bioactive

compound or metabolites are excreted. The presence of antimicrobials

in piggery waste may be inhibitory to biogas production in covered

anaerobic pond digesters (CAPs) in piggeries. This project will use

innovative techniques to determine the impact of antimicrobials on

biogas yields during anaerobic digestion of piggery waste. The

outcome of this project will be improved pond stability and bioenergy

recovery, encouraging more producers to adopt the technology leading

to reduced GHG emissions and increased on-farm profits through

renewable energy and carbon credits. Ultimately this will enhance the

competitiveness of the Australian pork industry.




Project: Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from piggeries

For majors

including: Any


Description: The current technology for piggery wastewater treatment is anaerobic

ponds and immediate strategies for mitigation and energy capture are

covering of these ponds. There is a degree of uncertainty around

optimal greenhouse gas management. While methane off ponds can be

reliably estimated, nitrous oxide and other potential emission sources

(sheds, stockpiles, and land application) are less well characterised.

The aim of this project is to identify measure and develop mitigation

strategies for GHG emissions from piggeries.

Project: Quantifying the benefits and risks associated with applying

manure to land

For majors

including: Any


Description: Manure applied to land using sustainable practices can lead to

enhanced crop performance and soil quality but if applied

inappropriately they can potentially cause adverse environmental

impacts. However, the true extent of their benefits and risks has not

been fully quantified. Perceived benefits and risks are qualitative in

nature with no direct measurement but can be measured indirectly

using indicators of soil quality and crop performance. This project

aims to evaluate the effectiveness of soil quality indicators to quantify

the risks and benefits of applying manure to crops.




Project: Developing manures as alternative P fertilisers

For majors

including: Any


Description: Globally, phosphorus (P) is also recognised as a primary plant-growth

limiting nutrient in both natural and agricultural systems. P is a finite

resource and current demand for P is not sustainable. Thus, there is an

urgent need for more sustainable P fertiliser use without compromising

crop performance. Two major opportunities exist for conserving the

world's phosphorus resources – recycling waste materials and more

efficient use of inorganic P fertilisers in agriculture. Manure contains

substantial amounts of phosphorus that currently need to be removed

or managed on the farm. In fact, Piggery related phosphorous has

been estimated by us at 1% of the Australian nutrient market. As P

pricing has moved towards $5/tonne, recovery of this nutrient offers

the potential of new revenue opportunities for farmers. The aim is to

evaluate the effectiveness of different manures types as alternative P

fertilisers and developing best management practices for their

sustainable re-use.

Project: Bioenergy: Converting waste into biogas

For majors

including: Any


Description: In Western Australia the preferred disposal method for municipal solid waste

(MSW) is landfill. However, this is not necessarily the most effective means

of disposing of such waste and there is growing interest in finding alternative

uses that solve both waste excesses and energy shortages. Since, organic

materials accounts for up to 70% of the MSW the development of anaerobic

digestion technology to convert MSW into methane (biogas) and compost

provides an attractive and effective alternative. Biogas can then be used to

provide renewable energy by the generation of electricity. The aim of this

project is to develop more efficient anaerobic digestion biotechnologies.

Such innovative technologies would allow local authorities and commercial

waste operators to reduce landfill disposal and mitigate the environmental

impact of landfill sites, such as, greenhouse gas emissions and leachate

production.




Project: Identifying subsurface constraints on mallee tree belt productivity

Supervisor: Gavan McGrath [email protected], 6488 3735

Ryan Vogwill

For majors

including: Geophysics

Hydrology

Land and Water Management

Soil Science

This project will use electrical resistivity tomography (and other

geophysical methods) along with soil characterisation to assess the

potential for subsurface constraints to explain variability in mallee tree

belt productivity.

Project: Contribution of aquatic vegetation in urban drains to flow

resistance

Supervisor: Gavan McGrath [email protected], 6488 3735

Ryan Vogwill

For majors

including: Hydrology

Reeds and other plants which colonise urban drains are regularly

cleared in order to reduce the risk of flooding. However, this

vegetation offers water quality benefits. In order to assess the potential

for less regular clearing this study aims to quantify changes in the

resistance to water flow in an urban drain as a reeded bed is inundated

during winter flows.

Project: Acid sulphate soils impacts on water quality: field/lab study and

risk assessment

For majors

including: Land and Water Management, Environmental Science

Supervisor: Ursula Salmon, [email protected], 6488 1508, Andrew Rate

Description: Acid sulphate soils are known to have detrimental effect on the

environment, water resources, and infrastructure. This project could

involve groundwater sampling, laboratory experiments, and/or a

modelling study to investigate rates of acid and metal release and

attenuation under conditions of declining groundwater levels. The

project may involve interacting with government agencies and

environmental consultants, and will be closely linked to a larger,

ongoing research project, which will ultimately develop a risk

assessment methodology for acid sulphate soils impacts in the Swan

Coastal Plain. The project can be tailored depending on interests, to

include, e.g., chemical/mineralogical characterisation of acid sulphate

soil materials, hydrological modelling including consideration of land

use, biogeochemical modelling, and/or risk assessment.





Project: Surface-groundwater interaction: Ecosystems (wetlands,

thrombolites) at risk?

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Ryan Vogwill, [email protected], 6488 2769, Ursula Salmon,

Louise Bruce, Matt Hipsey

Description: Groundwater-dependent ecological systems such as wetlands, lakes,

and rivers feature in the WA landscape. These surface water systems,

including lakes currently supporting rare "living rocks" (thrombolites)

around Perth, are subject to changing water balances due to e.g.,

groundwater extraction and drying climate, as well as increased

contaminant loading from urban development and agriculture. This

project would investigate the potential future evolution of water

quality in a chosen lake or wetland through identifying the interactions

between surface- and groundwater. Acid sulfate soils impacts could

also be considered. The project could include field work and/or a

modelling study with existing data, and interaction with the

Department of Environment and Conservation and/or Department of

Water.

Project: Leaching of gold ores: Computational simulation of electrokinetics

For majors

including:

Earth Science, Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience, Land &

Water Management, Environmental Science

Supervisor: Ming Wu, [email protected] , 9333 6164, Henning Prommer

Description: Imagine mining without having to dig up the ground. This project

investigates if electrokinetics (EK; applying an electric current to

saturated soil or rock) can be used to enhance in situ leaching (ISL) of

gold deposits. EK can greatly enhance transport processes, and has

been used in groundwater and soil remediation and geotechnical

applications. This project involves computer simulations of the EK-

ISL process (using a groundwater reactive transport model) and

investigates the conditions required for EK-ISL to be feasible.



Project: Archaeology on groundwater: Groundwater age dating with 14-C

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Ursula Salmon, [email protected], 9333 6163; Henning

Prommer, Ming Wu

Description: Age dating of groundwater with isotopes, such as 14-C (radiocarbon),

provides a fantastic opportunity to constrain uncertainty in

groundwater flow models. However the groundwater age requires

“correction” for various geochemical processes that may affect the 14-

C concentration. This project will involve using reactive transport

modelling of groundwater quality to improve estimates of groundwater

age. The project may involve using existing data sets from e.g.

Gnangara Mound or Europe and/or may also include field data

collection.

Project: Thrombolites under threat? Past, Present, Future.

For majors

including


Supervisor Ryan Vogwill, [email protected], 6488 2769, and depending

on focus: Ursula Salmon, Louise Bruce, Deirdre Gleeson, Matt Hipsey

Description Lake Clifton, just south of Mandurah, holds significant scientific and

conservation value primarily due to the presence of a reef of

thrombolites on the eastern shore. There has been a significant increase

in lake salinity and nutrients over the last 25 years, and of concern is the

complete absence of the dominant cyanobacterium associated with

thrombolite construction. Projects could investigate one or more of:

i) Past: historical reconstruction of conditions in the lake through eg

looking at the geochemistry of the thrombolite structures and/or lake

sediments, or investigating the evolution of the quantity and quality of

inflowing groundwater, e.g. with 14C age dating.

ii) Present: field sampling of water quality including microbial

diversity, aquatic food web, and aqueous geochemistry.

ii) Future: Numerical modelling of aquatic ecology in the lake, to

improve understanding of lake ecosystem response to external pressures

and the development of ecological impact thresholds.




Project: Snow Hydrology Remote Sensing – Water Balance of the Snowy

Mountains For majors


Supervisor: Nik Callow ([email protected], 6488 1924) Description: Students with strong quantitative/numerical skills and an interest in

field-based research have the opportunity to work with researchers

from UWA, Uni of Qld and Snowy Hydro Ltd. Your project will look

at evaluating innovative methods to measure water balance over the

Snowy Mountains using remote sensing and using this to model and

quantify the transformation of the seasonal snowpack into runoff. High

calibre students with a good background in GIS and with some

knowledge of Remote Sensing (or an ability to pick up quantitative

analysis methods quickly) would be ideally suited to this project. There

is a potential for a period of field-based work in the Snowy Mountains

on the snowpack during the winter of 2013.

Project: Using drone Geoscience approaches to quantify fine-scale

biogeomorphology and ecohydrology processes.

For majors


Supervisor: Nik Callow ([email protected], 6488 1924), Prof Keith Smettem Description: There is a growing use of “drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)

for civilian Geoscience research. This project will work on evaluating

different digital camera UAV and structure from motion (SFM)

methods to collect fine-scale data to quantify the ecohydrology and

better understand the spatial organisation and controls of

biogeomorphic processes on salt affected rivers in southwestern

Australia. Students with some GIS experience, good

technical/quantitative/programming skills and prepared to work on

challenging projects with a field component would be suited to this

project.




Project: A search for “reference condition” rivers in the Wheatbelt? For majors


Supervisor: Nik Callow ([email protected], 6488 1924) Description: The concept of a reference condition or reference reach is widely used

as a tool for river management. The challenge in the Western

Australian Wheatbelt is the large scale land clearing and landscape

fragmentation, and thus a scarcity of sites that are suitable to inform

contemporary river management due to the impacts of land clearing,

altered hydrology and human interventions on channel form. This

project would suit a student keen to apply GIS (Aerial photo and

DEM) and field-based research methods to identify the location of

reference condition rivers in selected area/s of the Wheatbelt, and

analyse these with reference to their implications for contemporary

river management.

Project: The hydrology of low-gradient valley-floor systems of the Western

Australian Wheatbelt.

For majors


Supervisor: Nik Callow ([email protected], 6488 1924), and Assoc Prof

Matt Hipsey Description: The hydrology of valley-floor landscapes of the Western Australian

Wheatbelt is poorly understood. This project will focus on improving

the data collection networks at several sites in the Wheatbelt through

field-based research, particularly during winter flow events and in

understanding water balance and surface water redistribution in valley

floor landscapes. A student with a strong interest in field-based

research and a sound understanding of hydrological principles and

concepts would be well suited to this project.




Project: Pre-European mega floods of southwestern Australia

For majors


Supervisor: Nik Callow ([email protected], 6488 1924) Description: A river pool on the Young River that has been previously cored

(2010), was found to record numerous large flood events. Preliminary

palynological analysis indicated these are mostly pre-European events.

Runoff has increased by two- to four-fold since land clearing and other

research suggests fire has 50% of the impact of land clearing. This

project will develop a detailed core geochronology, sedimentological

and charcoal analysis to provide a unique insight into the frequency of

such events and the impacts of fire on flooding potential and of land

clearing and climate change on flooding risk and frequency in this

region.



Geography and Urban and Regional Planning

Project: Diversity – Key to Perth’s Future

For majors

including: Geography, Regional Development

Supervisor: Matthew Tonts, [email protected], 6488 2776, Veronica

Huddleston

Description: Home to a population of nearly 1.7 million people, Metropolitan Perth

is a fast-growing city with the second highest income levels in

Australia. Its mining and energy sector, which has been fuelling its

economic growth, is globally significant. It has socio-cultural and

natural physical attributes that make it one of the most liveable cities in

the world. But with this growth potential comes future challenges that

need to be dealt with for a sustainable future. Potential topics could

deal with:

1. Moving towards a strong diversified and globally-connected

economy is a recognised need. The challenge is to identify areas of

opportunity that will ultimately broaden the economic structure of

Perth and of Western Australia in the future.

a) There is a dearth of studies that deal with entrepreneurship in

general and the involvement of women entrepreneurs in

Metropolitan Perth in particular. This study could look into the

common sectors in which entrepreneurs are clustered; the

extent to which entrepreneurs endure and maintain

transnational links and whether these has any tangible impacts

in Perth; any distinct barriers and obstacles facing

entrepreneurs in Metropolitan Perth; and what could a future

policy that explicitly supports entrepreneurs look like for

Metropolitan Perth or regionally; and

b) Investments in knowledge and innovation industries and in

research and investment initiatives can capitalise on Perth’s

resource industry strength. Studies could look into the extent

to which local capabilities and competitive advantage in these

sectors could be harnessed and strengthened.

2. There are positive attributes of country town mentality (sense of

place, community and family cohesion, social engagement) that

need to be retained in Perth’s social make-up. However, Perth

faces the challenge of increasing social isolation and the long-term

implications of single or separated family structures and ageing

population. The increasing multi-cultural and ethnic diversity of

some of Perth’s suburbs also pose challenges to ensure social

cohesion and cultural tolerance in the future. Specific case studies

of Perth’s suburbs that address these issues could be part of this

study.

mailto:[email protected],


Project: Global Commodity Prices and Regional Development Outcomes

For majors

including:

Geography; Urban and Regional Planning

Supervisor: Matthew Tonts, [email protected], 6488 2776

Description: Changes in global commodity prices have significant implications for

regional development. To date, however, few studies have attempted

to quantify how commodity prices affect investment, employment and

population change

Project: Resource Dependence and Socio-Economic Wellbeing: A

Quantitative Assessment

For majors

including:



Description: There is an extensive North American literature that examines the

relationship between dependence on the resource sector and levels of

socio-economic wellbeing in small resource towns. This study

replicates an analysis based on 2006 census data with newer data

available from the 2011 census

Project: Economic restructuring and small towns in the Western

Australian wheatbelt

For majors

including:



Description: This project examines the issue of uneven development in the

Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It builds on earlier research

but examining how wider processes of economic restructuring have

affected the local economic, social and demographic characteristics of

the Wheatbelt.





Project: Liveability in Perth

For majors

including:



Description: This is less of a specific project, and more of a potential for students to

engage in projects developed in consultant with the Committee for

Perth. The Committee for Perth have interests spanning Perth's

economic development, demography, social structure etc. and how

these relate to liveability and, ultimately, public policy.

Project: Regional Cities in Western Australia

For majors

including:


Supervisor: Paul Plummer, [email protected] 6488 7257

Description: This is less of a specific project, and more of a potential for students to

engage in projects developed in consultant with the Western Australian

Regional Cities Alliance. The Alliance covers the cities of Albany,

Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Karratha, Port Hedland and

Broome. The types of issues of interest to the Alliance include those

related to population dynamics, economic development, services and

infrastructure, and spatial planning.




Project: Regulating ‘Striptopia’: The Geography and Planning of Adult

Entertainment Venues in Australia

For majors

including:

Urban & Regional Planning

Supervisor: Paul Maginn, [email protected], 6488 2711

Description: In the last 10 years or so adult entertainment venues (i.e. strips bars or

gentlemen’s clubs) have become increasingly visible on the urban

landscape in Australia and other western liberal democracies.

Invariably such land uses or business activities tend to provoke

controversy within local communities on a variety of fronts. This

project seeks to trace the historical emergence of adult entertainment

venues in Australia with an emphasis on recent trends in terms of the

number, type, geography, community reactions and planning

regulation of such land uses with the view to establishing the nature

and extent of regulation of these premises.

Project: The Great Australian Dream? Suburbanites’ Views and

Experiences of Suburbia

For majors

including: Urban & Regional Planning

Supervisor: Paul Maginn, [email protected], 6488 2711

Description: The ‘great Australian dream’ is premised on the notion that Australians

have the ‘right’ to purchase and live on their own ¼ acre block of land.

Increasingly, for people to realise this dream they have had to move to

the outer suburbs where land and housing have been historically

cheaper. In an era of dominated by sustainable development the

suburbs and suburbanites have been increasingly cast as the proponents

of unsustainability, living in soulless places and suffering from all

manner of health problems – social, mental and physical. This project

seeks to explore life in suburbia by focusing on what’s good and

what’s bad about living in the outer suburbs from the perspective of

suburbanites. This is an integrated case-study project whereby up to 3-

4 students will individually focus on a specific outer metropolitan

suburb to explore various aspects of suburban environments and life

and conduct a household survey to gauge people’s attitudes and

experiences.




Project: The appropriateness of a hierarchy of activity nodes as a city

structuring device under current economic growth

trends/dynamics/patterns and in the Perth city development

context

For majors

including: Geography, Urban and Regional Planning

Supervisor: Sharon Biermann, [email protected], 6488 XXXX

Description: A hierarchy of activity centres has been identified in recent planning

policy (Directions 2031 (August 2010)) as a city structuring element so

that new growth occurs in a “more balanced way” (Directions 2031, p

33). Starting from the basis of classical urban location theory, this

project seeks to investigate the applicability and relevance of a

hierarchy of activity nodes in the context of current economic growth

dynamics and trends and in the Perth development context. The project

would entail a spatial analysis of economic growth trends and travel

patterns to examine the underlying assumption of urban hierarchy

theory that people will neatly travel first locally and then increasingly

further for higher order activities. A possible approach would be to

select a specific existing centre from each level of the proposed

hierarchy in Direction 2031 and analyse the “catchment area” for each.

Project: From a dot on a map in a plan to a viable urban activity node in

practice– what are the critical success factors?

For majors



Description: Strategic city plans usually contain ambitious and noble proposals of

locations where future economic growth will be accommodated, often

presented as a series of dots on a map, possibly of different sizes to

indicate different intensities or levels in a hierarchy. In reality, very

few of these nodes materialise significantly in practice with a strong

body of evidence to suggest that the areas with the greatest economic

growth potential are those where economic growth trends are already

strong and that new primary nodes are most likely to emerge in relation

to high income residential areas. The intention of this project would be

to explore the factors which are important in predicting the location of

new economic growth in the urban context from the literature and to

occur through a spatial analysis of economic growth trends in relation

to the range of factors identified in the literature, recommending which

are the best predictors of new growth. The proposed activity centres in

Directions 2013 could then be broadly assessed against the outcomes

of the analysis to provide a prognosis for success.




Project: The potential of Google Maps - Traffic as an empirical source of

information for exploring aspects of the relationship between land

use and transport

For majors



Description: Improving mobility and access to urban services in urban areas is a key

objective of integrated land use and transport planning. Access to data

to analyse the impacts of land use change on transport patterns and

vice versa, which is comparable over time and space, is essential to

obtaining a better understanding of more appropriate urban form. An

example would be to understand the impacts of land use changes such

as residential density and Transit Oriented Development on traffic

patterns. The intention with this project would be to assess the

usefulness and value of using Google Maps – Traffic as a data source

for analysing land use – transport interactions by means of selected

case study applications.

Project: The relationship between housing affordability, density and

distance

For majors



Description: City planning and policy documents are unanimous in their calls for

affordable housing yet housing costs continue to be a major and often

inhibitive household expenditure item. These same plans and policies

promote higher densities along public transport corridors and closer to

the city centre to counteract urban sprawl and increase public transport

ridership. Yet these are the locations with high land costs. This project

will explore the relationship between housing affordability, density and

land costs at a range of locations and will attempt to develop a set of

“affordability surfaces” for a range of density/locality scenarios.




Project: Any Project concerned with natural hazards, risk, vulnerability,

GIS, Remote Sensing and/or linkages with the Fire and

Emergency Service Authority (FESA) of WA

For majors

including: Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning

Supervisor: Bryan Boruff, [email protected], 6488 2700

Description: FESA has a research agenda focused on community level planning and

preparedness. If you are interested in any project relating to disaster

management, natural hazards, risk and vulnerability, GIS and Remote

Sensing you are more than welcome to discuss your ideas with me.

Depending on the project there may be incentive for FESA to provide

funding for studies that meet their research agenda.

Project: Any Project concerned with Planning and emergency

Management/Disaster Management

For majors

including: Geography, GIS, Urban & Regional Planning


Description: A resent call from the Australian Emergency Management Institute

(AEMI) asks for a closer examination of the links between planning

and emergency service delivery topics include:

Emergency service delivery in new and gentrifying communities

Better integration of emergency service needs in the planning

process of new developments

Geospatial tools for assessing the integration of emergency

management needs on new and gentrifying developments

Response capacity in new and gentrifying communities

Project: Development of high resolution land-use land-cover classification

of Perth neighbourhoods in relation to physical activity

For majors



Description: Research in the Center for Built Environment and Health focuses on

the factors that promote physical activity in people’s neighbourhoods.

Land-use mix is considered one influencing factor, however to date

these measures are coarse in resolution. This project would use high

resolution multi-band imagery and state of the art technology to

develop a classification to better understand the mix of land-use and

land-cover people expose themselves to when conducting physical

activity





Project: Determining the Spatial Extent and Influence of Seasonal Traffic

Behaviour Patterns across Western Australia’s Road Network

For majors

including:

Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning

Supervisor: Bryan Boruff, [email protected], 6488 2700, and Sanath

Jayamanna and Thandar Lim of Main Roads

Description: The objective of the project is to develop a method to determine the

extents of influence of the respective Traffic Behaviour Patterns over

the entire WA road network based on a linear network solution. Main

Roads collects traffic data at locations on its network using Network

Performance Sites which count continuously throughout the year and a

large number of Short Term Count Sites which count over a very short

period of time, usually 2 to 7 days. The short term counts are affected

by seasonal variations caused by climate, tourism, agricultural or

farming activities, school holidays and other reasons. A seasonal

adjustment process has been developed that measures the variation and

provides a set of factors which increase or decrease short term counts

to eliminate seasonal variations and provide an annual average daily

value of traffic volumes for the location. Based on the seasonal factors

at these point locations the entire network needs to be segmented into

sections assigned with a seasonal factor so that a short term count

made on a particular section of road can be annualised into an annual

average daily value by applying the relevant factor.

This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in transport

geography and network analysis. The student(s) involved in this study

will work closely with Main Roads Western Australia to develop a

solution to an industry problem whilst meeting the academic

requirements of an Honours Project or Masters by

Coursework/Research Project.

- Please contact Assistant Professor Bryan Boruff for a full project

brief



Project: Assessment and Monitor of Road-Side Vegetation Change: a

Remote Sensing Approach using High Resolution 4-Band Imagery

For majors

including:

Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning

Supervisor: Bryan Boruff, [email protected], 6488 2700, and Sanath

Jayamanna and Thandar Lim of Main Roads

Description: The objective of the project is to develop a remote sensing method to

monitor the success of revegetation, across project and offset sites. The

proposal is to utilise available “Urban Monitor” imagery that provides

high resolution multi spectral coverage over the Perth Metropolitan

Region for 2007, 2009 and 2010. Past and current vegetation cover

within road reserves can be compared using this historical dataset. The

method will allow Main Roads to measure quantitative changes in the

extent of vegetation cover (woody canopy, herbaceous cover) and bare

soil and so evaluate the success of revegetation activities. Results could

be used to help monitor and report on revegetation completeness for

compliance purposes and identify locations that require more site

revegetation as part of any future program of works.

This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in remote

sensing and will focus on the use of with high resolution (15cm x

15cm) 4-band imagery over the Perth metropolitan region. The

student(s) involved in this study will work closely with Main Roads

Western Australia to develop a solution to an industry problem whilst

meeting the academic requirements of an Honours Project or Masters

by Coursework/Research Project.

- Please contact Assistant Professor Bryan Boruff for a full project

brief

Project: Does Ownership Matter?: Examining Hazard Preparedness of

Renters and Absentee Homeowners

For majors



Description: The objective of this project is to develop a tool to audit the hazard

preparedness of a household and examine the difference between the

hazard preparedness of owner occupied dwellings and those owned by

absentee home owners and dwellings occupied as a long-term rental

unit (i.e. not a vacation rental). This could be accomplished as a

household survey or from a GIS/Remote Sensing perspective using

high resolution aerial imagery.




Project: How Accessible is your Neighbourhood?: Examining Neighbourhood

Accessibility of Neighbourhoods for Emergency Service Provision

For majors



Description: The objective of this project is to develop an approach to measuring

the accessibility of neighbourhoods for emergency service delivery.

The approach would incorporate GIS and Remote Sensing

technologies to develop a quantitative metric of emergency service

accessibility to compare neighbourhoods across the Perth Metro region

(or other area of interest).

Project: Is Recovery Really Community Centric?: The Role of Community

in Disaster Recovery

For majors



Description: The Western Australia Local Recovery Plan (2009) states, among

others, that disaster recovery should adopt a community centred

approach. Over the past several years, many WA communities have

experienced significant hazard impacts and are engaged in (or have

engaged in) the recovery process. This project would examine one or

more case studies of community recovery to examine the level to

which recovery was truly a community centred process.

Surveys and interviews would form the basis of data collected for this

project.




Project: Urban Aboriginal Wellbeing

For majors

including: Geography, and Urban and Regional Planning

Supervisor: Sarah Prout,

Description: Aboriginal presence in cities is often unrecognized or considered

inauthentic by the majority population. At the same time, many

Aboriginal people live and move within cities in ways that are 'unseen',

but are critical to their sense of wellbeing. This project will map

Aboriginal people’s sense of wellbeing in the city. It will draw on

innovative mapping techniques, and/or methods such as photovoice,

geo-biographies, yarning, or interviews to examine what spaces and

places Aboriginal people move between in the city, where they feel

most ‘well’ and ‘unwell’, and why.

Project: Gender and Mobility amongst Aboriginal Australians

For majors

including:

Geography, and Urban and Regional Planning


Description: Generally speaking, Aboriginal people are more mobile over the short-

term than non-Aboriginal people. In fact, temporary, often circular,

population movements within and between the towns and cities of a

particular region remain a common feature of many hunter-gatherer

based societies. There are a number of factors that shape Aboriginal

mobilities, ranging from customary ceremonial journey’s, to the need

or desire to access seasonal job markets, or retail, recreational and

medical services. One of the demographic aspects of these kinds of

movements that is not well understood, is the differences (if any)

between the mobilities of Aboriginal men and women. There is some

evidence within the literature that gender plays a significant role in

shaping Aboriginal mobilities but further research is required to

determine how and why mobility may vary with gender. This project

will examine the gendered nature of Aboriginal mobilities through

interviews, life histories, or focus groups with Aboriginal participants.


Project: Aboriginal Presence in Perth

For majors

including:



Description: Australia’s Aboriginal population is increasingly urban-based. And

yet, most Aboriginal Affairs policy and funding remains directed at

rural and remote Australia where need is assumed to be most acute.

Further research is required to determine the characteristics of urban

Aboriginal populations and examine how they compare to those of

rural and remote localities. Using data from the two most recent

Census’s, this project will analyse and map how the Aboriginal

population in the Perth metropolitan area has changed in the last five

years and what emerging policy issues these changes may signal.

Areas of potential focus include change in: population distribution, age

profile, migration trends, housing tenure type, education levels and/or

employment.

Project: Geographies of Educational Disadvantage amongst Adolescents in

Kenya

For majors

including:



Description: Education is a key global poverty alleviation strategy. The United

Nation’s Millennium Development Goals recognize this, targeting

universal access to primary school education for all children.

However, in Kenya where primary school education is technically free

and accessible to all children, extreme poverty persists in many areas.

Many children who are bright and driven are unable pursue secondary

studies because they cannot afford to pay school fees. Consequently,

they re-enter the cycle of poverty from which they came. Other

students, particularly those in rural areas, who are able to embark on a

secondary education, often face extreme challenges that undermine

their ability to advance with their studies or find sustainable

employment. Through a comprehensive literature review, interviews

with members of the Kenyan diaspora community in Western

Australia, and document analysis, this project will begin to map out

the various geographies of secondary educational disadvantage in

Kenya. It will examine the unique economic, social, cultural barriers

to, and facilitators of, secondary educational achievement in rural

localities.


Project: Seasonal variability in the morphology of reef-protected beaches

For majors

including:

Physical Geography, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Supervisors: Jeff Hansen and Ryan Lowe, [email protected], 6488 2706

Description: The seasonal cycle of beach erosion and accretion on open-ocean

sandy beaches has been studied for decades. However many beaches

globally (and most along the west coast of Australia) experience some

degree of wave sheltering by coastal limestone reefs; evidence

indicates that these reefs play a major role in moderating the seasonal

changes to morphology observed on local beaches. For this project, a

field program will be implemented to regularly survey the spatial

changes that occur along a local reef-fringed beach (or possibly series

of beaches); the morphology would be monitored at intervals over a

summer-to-winter cycle and could also incorporate available historical

field data sets. Observed changes in beach morphology will be related

to associate changes in observed nearshore processes (waves and

currents) observed during the study period, in order to understand how

the presence of these offshore reefs ultimately shapes our local

beaches.

Project: Quantifying storm impacts at moderate-energy beaches For majors

including: Physical Geography, Environmental Science, Marine Science.

Supervisors: Jeff Hansen and Ryan Lowe, [email protected], 6488 2706

Description: Short-term changes in beach morphology resulting from storm events

have primarily been studied at sites that typically experience little

wave energy (wave heights <1 m) and thus when storms occur the

impact is often considerable. This project aims to evaluate the impact

of storm events, and particularly the pace of post-storm recovery, at

beaches that have more energetic baseline conditions (wave heights

~1-2 m), such as those adjacent to Perth. A field program will be

developed in which daily beach surveys will be conducted prior to,

during, and follow winter storm events. The recorded beach

morphology changes will then be related to the observed wave

conditions to determine what factors control the amount and timing of

the morphology changes as well as regulate how fast the beach

recovers following the storm. This information will be valuable to

those tasked with protecting coastal resources as well as provide basic

insights into the processes that control beach evolution over short time

scales.




Project: Coastal Planning and Development in Western Australia For majors

including: Geography, Coastal Development

Supervisor: Julian Clifton, [email protected], 6488 2695 Description: The potential topics are:

1. Marine protected areas in Western Australia, focused on the current

bio-regional planning process and an examination of the priorities

and concerns of principal coastal resource users and stakeholders in

order to evaluate the significance and impacts of this process for

Western Australia; 2. Metal pollution in estuarine and coastal environments, including a

systematic sampling of sediments in an estuarine or coastal habitat

in order to determine current and historic levels of heavy metal

contamination in these sediments. This would enable the

determination of likely sources, trends over time and the potential

environmental significance of these contaminants; 3. Marina developments in coastal Western Australia, focused on the

current and future trends in marina developments, examining the

process by which marinas are evaluated in environmental and

economic terms as well as evaluating the planning process which

considers these proposals and the potential impact of future

expansion of marinas in Western Australia; and 4. Other topics related to marine and coastal planning and

management, indigenous environmental management, community

participation in management, pollution management.



Project: Establishing susceptibility to wind erosion under future climate

states

Supervisor: Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll, [email protected], 6488 2714

For majors

including: Physical Geography, Geology, Soil Science – background in climate

science required.

Southwestern Australia has been identified as being a region that will

see a significant decrease in precipitation over the next few decades.

Using model projections the project aims to determine the likelihood

of increased wind erosion.

Project: The paleoclimatology of the last 22, 000 years of the East Asia-

Indonesia-Australia region: a model study


For majors

including: Physical Geography, Geology – background in climate science

required

The study utilizes AGCM output at the global scale for the last 22 000

years at 1000 years intervals.

Project: Reconstructing late Quaternary paleoclimates and paleohydrology

in southwestern Australia


For majors

including: Physical Geography, Geology - requires competence in process

sedimentology

Reconstruction of fluvial events and their relationship to basin

hydrology and climate states. The focus of the study is the Irwin River

basin, and the project involves extensive field time and the ability to

work independently in the field.

Project: Continental-scale dust events in northwestern Australia


For majors

including: Physical Geography - background in climate science required.

Evaluating the details of the controls and characteristics of dust events

over northwestern Australia. The project may involve a remote sensing

component.

PTO






Project: Tsunami threat and evidence along the southern margin of

Western Australia


For majors

including: Physical Geography, Geology - competence in process

geomorphology.

The project evaluates the geomorphological and stratigraphic evidence

that has been proposed to relate to tsunami events along the coast of

southwestern Australia.

Project: Various topics in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning

For majors


Supervisor: Dr Clare Mouat, [email protected] 6488 2666

Description: Topics might include:

1. Maintaining and building strong/new communities for example, in

the mining areas with mobile/international workforces.

2. The political geography of Western Australian urban planning for

securing children’s right to the city and/or planning using

an integrative life-span approach

3. Ecology, health, technology and climate change adaptation: light

pollution and developing sustainable streetlight systems in

new/established areas.

4. Social and Economic Costs of Problem Gambling and Gaming

developments.

5. Reviewing the vision and role of planning practitioners in realising

change in urban reform and development.

Other topics related to urban and regional issues in planning and

geography, especially including but not limited to social inclusion,

economic and political geography.



School of Earth and Environment - UWA · 2012-10-25 · (Hons) and 4th 2Year Research Projects in...

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