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
Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Geoscience, CO2
Sequestration, Engineering, Physics, Computer
Science
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
3D/4D Geophysical imaging of hydrocarbon and CO2 reservoirs
Geophysics, Petroleum Geoscience, Physics, Engineering, Computer
Science
David Lumley, david.lumley@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge
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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Analysis of seismic azimuthal anisotropy and tectonic stress
Geophysics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science
Description:
David Lumley, david.lumley@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge,
Mike Dentith
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
2
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
3D/4D environmental geophysics
Geophysics, Physics, Engineering, Geology, Computer Science
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Computational simulation of geologic sedimentation processes
Geology, Geophysics, Engineering, Physics, Computer Science
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
David Lumley, david.lumley@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge
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.
David Lumley, david.lumley@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7331, Cedric Griffiths
(CSIRO), Jeffrey Shragge
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.
High Resolution seismic imaging of seafloor properties for slope
stability and geo-hazard assessment.
Geophysics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science
David Lumley, david.lumley@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7331, Jeff Shragge,
James Hengesh (COFS).
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
3
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
GPU-based acceleration of seismic wavefield modelling for
imaging of hydrocarbon and CO2 storage reservoirs
Geophysics, Physics, Computer Science
Jeffrey Shragge, jeffrey.shragge@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3474, David
Lumley
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 elasticwaves propagation through the earth which is used to generate highresolution 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.
Geophysical time-lapse monitoring of fresh-saltwater interfaces
Geology, Geophysics, Petroleum Geoscience, Physics
Jeffrey Shragge, jeffrey.shragge@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3474, David
Lumley, Mike Dentith
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
4
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Geological mapping of Venus – Atalanta Planitia Quadrangle
Geology
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Instanteous melts on Venus – Earth analogues
Geology
Myra Keep, myra.keep@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7198
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.
Myra Keep, myra.keep@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7198,
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
5
Project:
Neotectonics and strike-slip reactivation in offshore petroleum
basins of northern WA
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Geology
Project:
Seafloor bathymetry in the western Timor Sea as evidence of
modern tectonic processes
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Geology
Myra Keep, myra.keep@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7198 Julien Bourget
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.
Myra Keep, myra.keep@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7198, Julien Bourget
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
6
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:
Supervisor:
Geology
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:
Supervisor:
Geology
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).
Julien Bourget, julien.bourget@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2679
Julien Bourget, julien.bourget@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2679
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
7
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Climate change of Australia’s NW marine environment: 200 year
records from geochemical proxies in massive corals
Geology
Jens Zinke, jens.zinke@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3644
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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Analysis of geothermal processes in the North Perth Basin
Geology
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.
Klaus Regenauer-Lieb, klaus.regenauer-lieb@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7321,
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
8
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Magnetic Interpretation of the Leeuwin Complex and Adjacent
Perth Basin
Any geoscience related degree
Mike Dentith, michael.dentith@uwa.edu.au, Alan Aitken
alan.aitken@uwa.edu.au
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
9
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Newman Earthquake 2011: Where and Why?
Any geoscience related degree
Mike Dentith, michael.dentith@uwa.edu.au
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
10
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Magnetic Data as a Means of Mapping Salt-Related Structures in the
Canning Basin
Any Geoscience related degree
Mike
Dentith,
michael.dentith@uwa.edu.au,
Alan
Aitken
alan.aitken@uwa.edu.au, Annette George, annette.george@uwa.edu.au
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 drillholes
through Canning Basin salt, drilled as part of mineral exploration programs
seeking potash deposits. Physical property measurements andgeological
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
11
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Magnetic, Gravity and Remote Sensing Interpretation of the King
Leopold Orogen
Any Geoscience related degree
Mike Dentith, michael.dentith@uwa.edu.au, Alan Aitken
alan.aitken@uwa.edu.au
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
12
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Australo-Antarctic Geocorrelations between southwest WA and
Wilkes Land.
Any Geoscience related degree
Alan Aitken, alan.aitken@uwa.edu.au, Mike Dentith,
michael.dentith@uwa.edu.au
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.
A
B
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
13
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Gravity and magnetic surface modelling – Is there a better way?
Any Geoscience related degree, computer science
Alan Aitken, alan.aitken@uwa.edu.au
Gravity and magnetic data are sensitive to the topography of more-orless 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.
A
B
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
14
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisors:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Unravelling tectonic and eustatic controls on shelf-margin and
slope sedimentation in the northern Bonaparte Basin
Geology, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science
Julien Bourget, julien.bourget@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3654, Myra Keep
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 sealevel 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.
Petroleum systems and CO2 sequestration studies of the Canning
Basin
Geology, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science
Mike Dentith, michael.dentith@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2676, Annette
George, David Lumley
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
15
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Depositional history and characterisation of petroleum reservoirs,
North West Shelf (company sponsored)
Geology (BSc, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science, Geochemistry,
Geology & Resource Economics degrees)
Annette George, annette.george@uwa.edu.au, 6488 1923
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 sequencestratigraphic 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.
Characterisation of siliciclastic- or carbonate-dominated reservoirs
(company sponsored) associated with conventional and
unconventional resources.
Geology (BSc, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science, Geochemistry,
Geology & Resource economics degrees)
Annette George, annette.george@uwa.edu.au, 6488 1923
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 postdepositional 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
16
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Characterisation of intrusive bodies at Long North at Long Victor
Nickel Mine, Kambalda WA
Geology, Earth Science, Minerals Geoscience
Marco Fiorentini, marco.fiorentini@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3465, Steve
Barnes, Nicolas Thebaud
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, campbell.mccuaig@uwa.edu.au, 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
17
Project:
Characterising hydrothermal alteration around Au-Cu mineral
systems in the SW Yilgarn
For majors
including:
Geology, Geochemistry, Minerals Geoscience
Supervisor:
Campbell McCuaig, campbell.mccuaig@uwa.edu.au, 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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
High-resolution 3-D analysis of veins using photogrammetry
Geology, Petroleum Geoscience, Earth Science, Engineering,
Minerals Geoscience
Steven Micklethwaite, steven.micklethwaite@uwa.edu.au , 6488 2771, Paul
Paul Bourke (Ivec@UWA), Peter Kovesi (Image Analysis, CET)
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.
Description:
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
18
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Development of digital techniques for open pit mapping
Geology, Earth Science, Engineering, Minerals Geoscience
Steven Micklethwaite, steven.micklethwaite@uwa.edu.au , 6488
2771
Paul Bourke (Ivec@UWA), Peter Kovesi (Image Analysis, CET)
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
19
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Early Archean anorthosites near Mount Narryer: Australia’s
oldest rocks?
Geology, Geochemistry
Tony Kemp, tony.kemp@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX
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 metaigneous 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
20
Project:
Granulite xenoliths as windows into the lowermost crust and
continent-forming processes
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Geology, Geochemistry
Description:
Tony Kemp, tony.kemp@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX in collaboration
with Prof Richard Arculus (ANU)
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 midPaleozoic 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
21
Project:
Crystal micro-forensics– a new tool for tracking the budget and
transport of rare metals through the crust
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Geology, Geochemistry
Description:
Tony Kemp, tony.kemp@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX, Steffen
Hagemann, steffen.hagemann@uwa.edu.au 6488 1517, John Reeve,
Robert.reeve@uwa.edu.au 6488 2681
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 SnW-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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
22
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Magnetostratigraphy of the Devonian Canning Basin
Geoscience
Eric Tohver, eric.tohver@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2677
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 midPaleozoic.
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
23
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Development of an international Miocene apatite (U-Th)/He
standard
Geology, Geochemistry
Geoff Batt, geoff.batt@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2686, Brent McInnes (Curtin)
Noreen Evans (CSIRO)
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.
Isotopic Geochronology and Tectonics
Geology, Geochemistry
Geoff Batt, geoff.batt@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2686
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
24
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Thermochronology as a Structural Marker in the Mount George
Structural Zone
Geology, Geochemistry
Geoff Batt, geoff.batt@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2686, Nicholas Thebaud,
Noreen Evans (CSIRO)
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.
Full training would be provided in the instrumentation and analytical
techniques to be applied
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
25
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Improved thermal event discrimination in zircon (U-Th)/He
thermochronology
Geology, Geochemistry
Geoff Batt, geoff.batt@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2686, Brent McInnes (Curtin)
Noreen Evans (CSIRO)
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 (UTh)/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.
Full training would be provided in the instrumentation and analytical
techniques to be applied
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
26
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Structural Evolution of the AUS-PAC Plate Boundary in Southern
New Zealand
Geology, Geochemistry
Geoff Batt, geoff.batt@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2686, Brent McInnes (Curtin)
Noreen Evans (CSIRO)
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 PlioceneRecent 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.
Full training would be provided in the instrumentation and analytical
techniques to be applied
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
27
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
What are the forms of trace elements in sulfidic estuarine
sediments? Can we use trace elements as geochemical tracers in
these systems?
Geology (environmental), Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience,
Land & Water Management
Andrew Rate, andrew.rate@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2500
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.
Which sulfide minerals in sediments are able to accumulate rareearth elements?
Geology (environmental), Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience,
Land & Water Management
Andrew Rate, andrew.rate@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2500
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
28
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Can rare earth element (REE) concentrations in vegetation explain
enrichment of rare earth elements in some surface soils?
Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience, Land & Water
Management, Soil Science
Andrew Rate, andrew.rate@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2500
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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
What is the impact of drying wetlands on estuarine sediments?
Geology (environmental), Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience,
Land & Water Management
Andrew Rate, andrew.rate@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2500
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).
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
29
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Mineral Mapping using hyperspectral drill core data
Geology, Geochemistry, Mineralogy
Carsten Laukamp, carsten.laukamp@csiro.com.au, 6488 2669, Paul
Duuring, Tom Cudahy
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:
Supervisor:
Economic Geology
Description:
Steffen Hagemann, Tel. 6488-1517; steffen.hagemann@uwa.edu.au; Christian
Schindler
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
30
Project:
Sulfur isotopes of sulfides at the Telfer gold deposit
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Economic Geology
Description:
Steffen Hagemann, Tel. 6488-1517; steffen.hagemann@uwa.edu.au; Christian
Schindler
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
31
Land and Water Management, Environmental
Science, Geography, Soil Science, Agriculture
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Using constructed wetlands for purification of wastewater and
stormwater
Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science
Zed Rengel, zed.rengel@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2557
• 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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Increasing nitrogen-use efficiency in wheat and barley germplasm
Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
The Potential for ameliorating subsoil acidity with gypsum
Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science
Zed Rengel, zed.rengel@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2557
• 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)
Zed Rengel, zed.rengel@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2557
• 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
32
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Plant physiology of nutrient uptake and transport
Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Biology and chemistry of rhizosphere
Agriculture, Land and Water Management, Soil Science
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Hydro-Ecology and Aquatic System Dynamics
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Zed Rengel, zed.rengel@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2557
• 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
Zed Rengel, zed.rengel@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2557
• Role of root exudates in acquisition of micronutrients and
phosphorus
• Isolating bacteria and fungi capable of increasing availability of
phosphorus in the rhizosphere
Matthew Hipsey, matt.hipsey@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3186
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
33
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Climate change impacts on wetland ecosystems
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Matthew Hipsey, matt.hipsey@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3186, Nicola
Mitchell (Animal Biology)
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]
Impact of past soil erosion on today’s landscape
Soil Science, Geography, Environmental Science, Geoarchaeology
Matthias Leopold, Matthias.leopold@uwa.edu.au, 6488 ????
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
34
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Monitoring short time changes of soil water contents after thunder
storms using time-lapse 2D resistivity data
Soil Science, Geophysics, Geography, Environmental Science,
Matthias Leopold, Matthias.leopold@uwa.edu.au, 6488 ????
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.
Soil-Geomorphology on marine terraces along the coastline of
Western Australia
Soil Science, Geography, Environmental Science
Matthias Leopold, Matthias.leopold@uwa.edu.au, 6488 ????
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
35
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Soils in Geoarchaeology
Soil Science, Geography, Archaeology, Environmental Science
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Soil biological fertility
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Project:
Compost use in agriculture and horticulture
For majors
including:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Dan Murphy, daniel.murphy@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7083, Lyn Abbott
Description:

Matthias Leopold, Matthias.leopold@uwa.edu.au, 6488 ????
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.
Dan Murphy, daniel.murphy@uwa.edu.au,; 6488 7083, Lynn Abbott
Investigation of biological factors associated with soil fertility,
especially their interactions with other components of soil fertility,
including factors associated with the soil habitat.
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
36
Project:
Does soil liming decrease soil N2O emissions from WA cropping
soils?
For majors
including:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Louise Barton, louise.barton@uwa.edu.au, 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
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
37
Project:
For majors
including:
Microbial population dynamics in a phosphorus limited
environment
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Louise Barton, louise.barton@uwa.edu.au, 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
38
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Long-term nutrient enrichment drives soil and vegetation community
development in Arctic habitats – how are microbial populations
affected.
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson, Prof. Daniel Murphy, Dr. Linda
Maccarone
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).
Relationship between soil organic fractions and function
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson, Prof. Daniel Murphy
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
39
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Use of animal waste as a phosphorus fertiliser
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Project:
Organic agriculture and horticulture
For majors
including:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Lyn Abbott, lyn.abbott@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2499
Description:

Project:
Sustainability of agricultural horticultural and viticultural systems
For majors
including:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Lyn Abbott, lyn.abbott@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2499
Description:

Dr. Sasha Jenkins, Assoc. Prof. Deirdre Gleeson
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 nonrenewable 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.
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).
Investigation of the sustainability of farming and horticultural
systems on different soil types in relation to management of the soil
microbial environment.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
40
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Surface water groundwater interactions and impact assessments
on Environmental Water Requirements of wetlands in the Natural
Diversity Recovery Catchments and Swan Coastal Plain
Land and Water Management, Environmental Science
Ryan Vogwill, ryan.vogwill@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2769, Ursula Salmon,
Matt Hipsey, Louise Bruce
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:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Zakaria Solaiman, zakaria.solaiman@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7463, Dan
Murphy, Bill MacLeod, Shahajahan Miyan (Department of
Agriculture)
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 soilborne 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.
Description:
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
41
Project:
Can mycorrhizal fungi suppress root disease of wheat in WA
agriculture?
For majors
including:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Zakaria Solaiman, zakaria.solaiman@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7463, Dan
Murphy, Bill MacLeod, Shahajahan Miyan (Department of
Agriculture)
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.
Description:
Project:
Mycorrhizal associations in natural and/or agricultural ecosystems
For majors
including:
Agriculture, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Zakaria Solaiman, zakaria.solaiman@uwa.edu.au, 6488 7463, Lyn
Abbott
 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
Description:
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
42
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Bioenergy: Converting household waste into biogas
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Tony
O’Donnell
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
43
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Recycling waste as organic fertilisers: Do they enhance soil
quality?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Tony
O’Donnell
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.
Recycling waste as organic fertilisers: Are they safe?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Tony
O’Donnell
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
44
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
How do we measure soil quality?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Tony
O’Donnell
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.
Who is killing all the fish?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Matt Hipsey,
Tony O’Donnell
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
45
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
How did the Swan Estuary recover from an extreme storm event?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Matt Hipsey,
Tony O’Donnell
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 socalled “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.
Could nitrogen fixation be significant in sustaining summer algal
blooms?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Matt Hipsey,
Tony O’Donnell
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
46
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Turning up the heat: how do estuaries respond to climate change?
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Matt Hipsey,
Tony O’Donnell
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.
Converting piggery waste into biogas
Environmental Science, Soil Science, Land and Water Management
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779, Matt Hipsey,
Tony O’Donnell
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
47
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Reducing water pollution from using treated piggery effluent as a
liquid fertiliser
Any
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
48
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Covered anaerobic ponds: Converting piggery waste into biogas
and soil improvers
Any
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
The effect of antimicrobials on the anaerobic digestion of piggery waste
Any
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
49
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions from piggeries
Any
Project:
Quantifying the benefits and risks associated with applying
manure to land
Any
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
50
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Developing manures as alternative P fertilisers
Any
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Bioenergy: Converting waste into biogas
Any
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
Sasha Jenkins, sasha.jenkins@uwa.edu.au, 6488 8779
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
51
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Identifying subsurface constraints on mallee tree belt productivity
Gavan McGrath gavan.mcgrath@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3735
Ryan Vogwill
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.
Contribution of aquatic vegetation in urban drains to flow
resistance
Gavan McGrath gavan.mcgrath@uwa.edu.au, 6488 3735
Ryan Vogwill
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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Acid sulphate soils impacts on water quality: field/lab study and
risk assessment
Land and Water Management, Environmental Science
Ursula Salmon, ursula.salmon@uwa.edu.au, 6488 1508, Andrew Rate
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
52
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Surface-groundwater interaction: Ecosystems (wetlands,
thrombolites) at risk?
Land and Water Management, Environmental Science
Ryan Vogwill, ryan.vogwill@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2769, Ursula Salmon,
Louise Bruce, Matt Hipsey
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.
Leaching of gold ores: Computational simulation of electrokinetics
Earth Science, Geochemistry, Environmental Geoscience, Land &
Water Management, Environmental Science
Ming Wu, ming.wu@uwa.edu.au , 9333 6164, Henning Prommer
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 EKISL process (using a groundwater reactive transport model) and
investigates the conditions required for EK-ISL to be feasible.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
53
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including
Supervisor
Description
Archaeology on groundwater: Groundwater age dating with 14-C
Land and Water Management, Environmental Science
Ursula Salmon, ursula.salmon@uwa.edu.au, 9333 6163; Henning
Prommer, Ming Wu
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 14C 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.
Thrombolites under threat? Past, Present, Future.
Land and Water Management, Environmental Science
Ryan Vogwill, ryan.vogwill@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2769, and depending
on focus: Ursula Salmon, Louise Bruce, Deirdre Gleeson, Matt Hipsey
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
54
Project:
Snow Hydrology Remote Sensing – Water Balance of the Snowy
Mountains
For majors
including:
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Nik Callow (nik.callow@uwa.edu.au, 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
including:
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Nik Callow (nik.callow@uwa.edu.au, 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
55
Project:
A search for “reference condition” rivers in the Wheatbelt?
For majors
including:
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Nik Callow (nik.callow@uwa.edu.au, 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
including:
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Nik Callow (nik.callow@uwa.edu.au, 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
56
Project:
Pre-European mega floods of southwestern Australia
For majors
including:
Environmental Science, Hydrology, Land and Water Management
Supervisor:
Nik Callow (nik.callow@uwa.edu.au, 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
57
Geography and Urban and Regional Planning
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Diversity – Key to Perth’s Future
Geography, Regional Development
Matthew Tonts, matthew.tonts@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2776, Veronica
Huddleston
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
58
Project:
Global Commodity Prices and Regional Development Outcomes
For majors
including:
Geography; Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Matthew Tonts, matthew.tonts@uwa.edu.au, 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:
Geography; Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Matthew Tonts, matthew.tonts@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2776
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:
Geography; Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Matthew Tonts, matthew.tonts@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2776
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
59
Project:
Liveability in Perth
For majors
including:
Geography; Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Matthew Tonts, matthew.tonts@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2776
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:
Geography; Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Paul Plummer, paul.plummer@uwa.edu.au 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
60
Project:
Regulating ‘Striptopia’: The Geography and Planning of Adult
Entertainment Venues in Australia
For majors
including:
Urban & Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Paul Maginn, paul.maginn@uwa.edu.au, 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
Urban & Regional Planning
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Paul Maginn, paul.maginn@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2711
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 34 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
61
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
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
Geography, Urban and Regional Planning
Sharon Biermann, sharon.biermann@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX
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.
From a dot on a map in a plan to a viable urban activity node in
practice– what are the critical success factors?
Geography, Urban and Regional Planning
Sharon Biermann, sharon.biermann@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
62
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
The potential of Google Maps - Traffic as an empirical source of
information for exploring aspects of the relationship between land
use and transport
Geography, Urban and Regional Planning
Sharon Biermann, sharon.biermann@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX
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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
The relationship between housing affordability, density and
distance
Geography, Urban and Regional Planning
Sharon Biermann, sharon.biermann@uwa.edu.au, 6488 XXXX
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
63
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Any Project concerned with natural hazards, risk, vulnerability,
GIS, Remote Sensing and/or linkages with the Fire and
Emergency Service Authority (FESA) of WA
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700
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.
Any Project concerned with Planning and emergency
Management/Disaster Management
Geography, GIS, Urban & Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700
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
Development of high resolution land-use land-cover classification
of Perth neighbourhoods in relation to physical activity
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700
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
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
64
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Determining the Spatial Extent and Influence of Seasonal Traffic
Behaviour Patterns across Western Australia’s Road Network
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700, and Sanath
Jayamanna and Thandar Lim of Main Roads
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
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
65
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Assessment and Monitor of Road-Side Vegetation Change: a
Remote Sensing Approach using High Resolution 4-Band Imagery
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700, and Sanath
Jayamanna and Thandar Lim of Main Roads
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:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Does Ownership Matter?: Examining Hazard Preparedness of
Renters and Absentee Homeowners
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
66
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
How Accessible is your Neighbourhood?: Examining Neighbourhood
Accessibility of Neighbourhoods for Emergency Service Provision
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700
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).
Is Recovery Really Community Centric?: The Role of Community
in Disaster Recovery
Geography, GIS, Urban and Regional Planning
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700
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.
Trees in Perth: Quantifying the Community Amenity and
Ecosystem Services that urban trees provide
Geography, GIS, Botany
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700, Natasha Paul
Piers Higgs and Kehan Harman, Gaia Resources, 92277309
The aim of this project is to quantify the benefits that urban trees can
provide. Perth has been referred to as a ‘green’ city, with many trees
in the urban landscape. In this project, you will use both mobile
mapping technologies (in conjunction with Gaia Resources staff and
other volunteers) to document trees in the urban landscape. This will
be combined with remote sensing techniques to evaluate canopies,
distribution and even species distributions to determine the community
amenity and ecosystem services that these urban trees provide.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
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Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Using Remote Sensing to Quantify Disturbance for mine sites in
Western Australia
Geography, GIS
Bryan Boruff, bryan.boruff@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2700,
Piers Higgs and Grit Schuster, Gaia Resources, 92277309
Description:
All Western Australian mine sites are required under legislation to
report on their annual ground disturbance and pay a bond for the
rehabilitation of these areas. In the past this was surveyed, and now
this is being done through the use of remotely sensed images and
digital elevation models, although with a high degree of manual
intervention. The aim of this project is to develop automated
classification techniques to determine the types of disturbance that
occur on mine sites, creating a more defensible process for
determining disturbance across mine sites.
Project:
Urban Aboriginal Wellbeing
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Geography, and Urban and Regional Planning
Sarah Prout,
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
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Project:
Gender and Mobility amongst Aboriginal Australians
For majors
including:
Geography, and Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Sarah Prout,
Description:
Generally speaking, Aboriginal people are more mobile over the shortterm 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:
Geography, and Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Sarah Prout,
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
69
Project:
Geographies of Educational Disadvantage amongst Adolescents in
Kenya
For majors
including:
Geography, and Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Sarah Prout,
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
70
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, ryan.lowe@uwa.edu.au, 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, ryan.lowe@uwa.edu.au, 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
71
Project:
For majors
including:
Supervisor:
Description:
Coastal Planning and Development in Western Australia
Geography, Coastal Development
Julian Clifton, julian.clifton@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2695
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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
72
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Establishing susceptibility to wind erosion under future climate
states
Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll, karl-heinz.wyrwoll@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2714
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.
The paleoclimatology of the last 22, 000 years of the East AsiaIndonesia-Australia region: a model study
Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll, karl-heinz.wyrwoll@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2714
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.
Reconstructing late Quaternary paleoclimates and paleohydrology
in southwestern Australia
Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll, karl-heinz.wyrwoll@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2714
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.
Continental-scale dust events in northwestern Australia
Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll, karl-heinz.wyrwoll@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2714
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
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
73
Project:
Supervisor:
For majors
including:
Tsunami threat and evidence along the southern margin of
Western Australia
Karl-Heinz Wyrwoll, karl-heinz.wyrwoll@uwa.edu.au, 6488 2714
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
including:
Geography, Urban and Regional Planning
Supervisor:
Dr Clare Mouat, clare.mouat@uwa.edu.au 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.
(Hons) and 4th Year Research Projects in the School of Earth and Environment
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