Earth & Environmental Sciences

Romain Vaucher

Romain Vaucher

Rafael Cabral Carvalho

Rafael Cabral Carvalho

Youseph Ibrahim

Youseph Ibrahim

Natalie Robson

Natalie Robson

Alexandre Wadoux

Alexandre Wadoux

Alica Hoess

Alica Hoess

Phoebe Stewart-Sinclair

Phoebe Stewart-Sinclair

Bethany Smith

Bethany Smith

Brandon Mahan

Brandon Mahan

Hannah Green

Hannah Green

Emerging technologies for advanced geochemical exploration undercover
Ioan Sanislav
01 Jan 2025 - 01 Jan 2029
Isotope geochemistry can provide powerful insights to the sources or process involved in the formation of an ore deposit. Weathering ore bodies produce unique isotopic fingerprints which can be tracked by using groundwater to undertake exploration undercover. There has been increasing commercial interest in searching for Cu a critical element for the green energy transition through this sustainable technique. However, current approaches suffer from several limitations due to the saline nature of groundwater which limits the sample size that can be routinely processed. This project will use automated separation techniques to achieve greater enrichment factors to enable high precision isotope measurements.
High-throughput neutron tomography core scanner for critical minerals resources
Helen McCoy-West
01 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2029
This project aims to develop a drill core scanner based on neutron tomography technology.
High-throughput neutron tomography core scanner for critical minerals resources
Ioan Sanislav
01 Jan 2025 - 30 Jan 2029
This project aims to develop a drill core scanner based on neutron tomography technology.
UQ non-binding MOU
Helen McCoy-West
30 Sep 2024 - 09 Jan 2030
This is an MOU to collaborate on the newly established Queensland Geochronology Alliance
UQ non-binding MOU
Ioan Sanislav
30 Sep 2024 - 09 Jan 2030
This is an MOU to collaborate on the newly established Queensland Geochronology Alliance
Sustaining Communities of Practice of Civil Society Organisations for Marine Resource Management in Indonesia
Amy Diedrich
17 Feb 2025 - 31 Dec 2026
This two-year project aims to support the operational and capacity needs of the Communities of Practice (CoPs) of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) initiated in Indonesia in Phase I of Maritime 2.0 with the goal of enabling the CoPs to achieve financial and organisational sustainability upon project completion. These activities will consolidate the aim of Phase I Maritime 2.0 which was to foster improved collaboration between CSOs and government to strengthen marine resource management and maritime policies and local level implementation.
Improving land condition across Southern Gulf rangelands to build resilience to variable and extreme climate
Paul Nelson
01 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2028
Grant: https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/environment/natural-resource-funding/apply#key-dates Project description: Recent extreme climatic events (e.g., the 2019 flood and preceding drought, and the 2023 flood) have had a devasting impact on the Southern Gulf’s grazing industry and local communities, as well as the health and functioning of the region’s sensitive natural assets, including soils, pastures, water, and biodiversity. The occurrence and severity of such extreme climatic events are predicted to increase into the future. The overarching aim of the project is to build resilience in Southern Gulf rangeland production systems to better manage climate variability and extreme climatic events, through improving land condition. Land that is maintained in good condition is less susceptible to severe impacts associated with extreme climatic events and recovers more quickly after events occur. To achieve improved land condition across the region, the project will work directly with X land managers to implement on-ground land management practice changes and/or remediation treatments, spanning an estimated area of X. The effectiveness of these interventions will be rigorously monitoring and evaluated, and the data made publicly available. Key learnings and outcomes will be passed on to the other landholders, NRM groups, Government extension staff and researchers through demonstration sites, field days, communications materials, scientific publications, and capacity building events. Overall, the project will provide much needed new knowledge, information, data, tools, and capacity to better manage and respond to climate variability and extreme climatic events across the Southern Gulf region, and other parts of northern Australia.
Carbon dioxide removal through the enhanced weathering of basalt in acidic soils under sugarcane
Paul Nelson
01 Feb 2025 - 01 Feb 2028
Enhanced weathering (EW) offers a potential negative emissions technology. Modelling suggests significant carbon dioxide removal (CDR) but requires field verification. This study quantifies CDR through EW of basalt and examined the influence of soil pH. The experiment received five annual basalt applications of 50t/ha since 2018 and 2.5t/ha lime in 2022. Drainage flux meters were installed to capture leachate during the 2022/23 wet season, and bicarbonate was measured, indicating CDR. Cumulative bicarbonate was not significantly influenced by basalt or lime. CDR was negligible compared to potential bicarbonate generation, with strong acids found to limit in-field CDR. Nitric and organic acids found aligned with fertiliser application, microbial activity and plant root exudation. Acidic soils may require amelioration for CDR through EW, although the neutralising effect of basalt application may reduce CO2 evasion.
Carbon dioxide removal through the enhanced weathering of basalt in acidic soils under sugarcane
Paul Nelson
01 Feb 2025 - 01 Feb 2028
Enhanced weathering (EW) offers a potential negative emissions technology. Modelling suggests significant carbon dioxide removal (CDR) but requires field verification. This study quantifies CDR through EW of basalt and examined the influence of soil pH. The experiment received five annual basalt applications of 50t/ha since 2018 and 2.5t/ha lime in 2022. Drainage flux meters were installed to capture leachate during the 2022/23 wet season, and bicarbonate was measured, indicating CDR. Cumulative bicarbonate was not significantly influenced by basalt or lime. CDR was negligible compared to potential bicarbonate generation, with strong acids found to limit in-field CDR. Nitric and organic acids found aligned with fertiliser application, microbial activity and plant root exudation. Acidic soils may require amelioration for CDR through EW, although the neutralising effect of basalt application may reduce CO2 evasion.
‘Planim Fiuja fo Yumi’ - Co-planning climate-smart and equitable livelihood futures with small-scale fishing communities through a participatory and integrated approach to community engagement. (Old ID 30038)
Bethany Smith
22 Jan 2025 - 03 Feb 2030
The project will implement a Participatory and Integrated Planning Approach (PIPA) trialled in a previous ACIAR project. The PIPA aims to equip small-scale fishing communities with the information, resources and capacity to pro-actively and autonomously strengthen their livelihoods towards more equitable, sustainable and climate-smart outcomes. The PIPA is underpinned by a risk-based spatial analysis that is used through participatory engagement activities to support a joint understanding of risk and strengths within local land and seascapes. The approach draws on local knowledge, decision making and governance arrangements to enhance customary community-based livelihoods planning, assessment, prioritising and action processes. This project will seek to adapt and extend the PIPA across Solomon Island contexts, and leverage opportunities to scale to other countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Interactions between marine megafauna and plastic pollution in Southeast Asia

The Dugald River-type, shear zone hosted, Zn-Pb-Ag mineralisation, Mount Isa Inlier, Australia

Barriers and opportunities for medium density housing in small, regional cities: Stakeholder perspectives from Cairns

What happens to nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient contributions from green roofs as they age? A review

Habitat Use and Connectivity

eReefs modelling suggests Trichodesmium may be a major nitrogen source in the Great Barrier Reef

Late Holocene climate change in northern Australia inferred from the archaeal lipids in Lake Barrine

Global governance for pandemic prevention and the wildlife trade

New age constraints support a K/Pg boundary interval on Vega Island, Antarctica: Implications for latest Cretaceous vertebrates and paleoenvironments

Color pattern complexity in dwarf minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) of the northern Great Barrier Reef of Australia

  • 2023
  • Wiley
  • Researchers:Mark HamannScott Smithers
Title: PhD, James Cook University
Reseracher: Alana Grech (Professor)
End Date: 01 Jan 2010
Title: Bachelor of Environmental Science (Honours), The University of Adelaide
Reseracher: Alana Grech (Professor)
End Date: 01 Jan 2003
Title: Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU), EGRU activities, including workshops and industry engagement days
Reseracher: Helen McCoy-West (Senior Lecturer, Geology (Igneous Petrology and Critical Resources))
Start Date: 01 Jan 2020
End Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: Geology Industry Advisory Board (JCU), Current chair
Reseracher: Helen McCoy-West (Senior Lecturer, Geology (Igneous Petrology and Critical Resources))
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
End Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: JCU Distinguished Professor
Reseracher: Michael Bird (Distinguished Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2010
Title: Universitas 21, Early Career Researcher Award
Reseracher: Tiffany Morrison (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2012
End Date: 01 Jan 2012
Title: Award for Excellence in Graduate Research Leadership
Reseracher: Alana Grech (Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2019
Title: Malayalam
Reseracher: Sminto Augustine (Technical Officer)
Title: English
Reseracher: Sminto Augustine (Technical Officer)
Title: Tamil
Reseracher: Sminto Augustine (Technical Officer)