Quantifying the impacts of coastal processes and climate change on coral
reef growth in the Great Barrier Reef
Supervisors
Research Affiliations
Degree Type/Name
Pre-requisites
Student Support
Collaboration
Professor Malcolm McCulloch
ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies, UWA Oceans
Institute
Ph.D
Degree in Geology or Geophysics or other kinds Geoscience
degree
The successful applicant will receive a ~$27,000 per annum (tax
free) funded by ARC Laureate Fellowship.
This project is a collaboration with ARC Centre of Excellence and
UWA Oceans Institute
Skills
A strong chemistry/chemical oceanography background and good writing skills are essential for this
position. Prior experience with ICP-MS analysis, carbonate chemistry, chemical oceanography, coral
physiology, and SCUBA is desirable.
Project Description
The Great Barrier Reef is continuing to undergo large-scale declines in coral cover as a result of the
compound effects of degradation of water quality in coastal zones together with CO2 driven climate
change and ocean acidification. The aim of this study is thus to decipher the relative importance of
coastal zone processes (eg river runoff) and regional variations in reef-scale water quality versus the
larger-scale effects of increasing sea surface temperatures and ocean acidification on coral reef growth.
Recommended Reading
McCulloch et al, Coral resilience to ocean acidification and global warming through pH up-regulation.
Nature Climate Change 2012, DOI: 10.1038/NCLIMATE1473.
McCulloch, et al, Coral Record of increased sediment flux to the inner Great Barrier Reef since European
settlement. Nature, 421: 727-730
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Contact: Professor Malcolm McCulloch, malcolm.mcculloch@uwa.edu.au