Workshop and Conference on “Clay Mineralogy and Geophysics for
Environmental Management & Mineral Exploration” (ClayGEMME 2004)
27th to 29th September 2004, CSIRO Land and Water, South Australia.
ClayGEMME 2004 brought together over 60 researchers, industry professionals and
students with interests in clay mineralogy, geophysics, soil science, environmental
science and mineral exploration. It was organised by the Australian Clay Minerals
Society (19th Biennial Conference) and CRC for Landscape, Environments and
Mineral Exploration (CRC LEME) - in association with the "Soil Mineralogy
Commission" of the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS - as a mid-conference
meeting); The Australian Society of Exploration Geophysics (ASEG) and the
Australian Society of Soil Science, Incorporated (ASSSInc - South Australian
Branch).
Days 1 and 2 involved the Workshop component, aptly sub-titled: “Turning theory
into practice and toys into tools”. Day 1 involved technical presentations by leaders
in their fields, covering topics such as pedology and clay mineralogy, remote sensing
and gamma ray radiometrics, and petrophysics (electromagnetics, magnetics and
ground penetrating radar).
On Day 2, a field practical was conducted in the Herrmann’s catchment, Mt Lofty
Ranges, which included a Pb-Zn mineralised zone, degraded wetlands (acid sulfate
soils), soils (saline, sodic and eroded) and streams (polluted). Participants were
shown how to link pedological, geophysical and mineralogical data to deduce subsurface geochemical processes and understand how specific properties of clay
minerals (layer silicates, oxyhydroxides, sulfides, etc) impact on results and
interpretations. Hands-on training was conducted in the use of field-portable
geophysical and mineralogical equipment instruments. Demonstration of ground
penetrating radar (see photograph), illustrated the occurrence of paleo-channels and
soil morphological features. The focus of this multi-disciplinary workshop was
unique because it was - for the first time anywhere in the world – where the catalyst
was provided for links to be forged between experts in geophysics, clay mineralogy
and pedology.
Photographs in field of: “group of workshop delegates” and demonstrations of geophysical equipment.
Day 3 (conference) included presentations of papers at the following sessions: (1)
Poorly Ordered Nanoparticulate Minerals (PONM) in Soils or Sediments; (2) Clay
mineralogy and geophysics incorporating remote sensing, mineral exploration and
environmental management; (3). New techniques; (4). Applications of clays in
forensics, industry and technology. Discussions were relaxed and stimulating, and the
debate rigorous!
The 4th day involved fieldtrips, featuring a visit to the Gillman tidal area, which is the
focus of coastal acid sulfate soil process research (Brett Thomas’ PhD). This also
involved a joint discussion meeting with the project’s steering committee (Barker
Inlet and Port Estuary Committee). In the afternoon, the field the tour visited sites in
the Mt Lofty Ranges, where Dr John Keeling (PIRSA and CRC-LEME) demonstrated
links between clay mineralogy and commercial clay mineral exploitation at a
selection of well characterised sites.
ClayGEMME 2004 drew on the unique expertise that is being developed and
spearheaded in CRC LEME and CSIRO Land and Water under the joint guidance of
Drs Rob Fitzpatrick (pedology and clay mineralogy) and Graham Heinson
(geophysics) in the emerging field of “soil and forensic/mineral exploration
geophysics”. This workshop and meeting has now given us some very "good leads
and ideas" for the two IUSS symposia in 2006
Prepared by Rob Fitzpatrick
Source: International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) Bulletin No. 105 2004; p. 47.
(modified)
Appendix 2
Inland Project Objectives



To develop innovative approaches and methodologies for constructing mechanistic
models of soil-landscape evolution for inland sulfidic environments, including inland acid
sulfate soil (ASS) and groundwater systems across Australia.
To apply this information to derive pedo-regolith transfer functions to help spatially
model and predict soil-water landscape properties at 30 pilot regions/ catchments across
Australia (3-8 pilot studies per State) with implications for infrastructure and NRM
planning, water quality management and mineral exploration.
To apply this information to publish an Atlas of inland ASS in Australia, which includes:
(i) a national map of inland ASS with common legend that incorporates risk assessment
criteria and correlations between Australian and International Soil Classification Systems,
(ii) database of representative soil-regolith case studies from pilot regions around
Australia and (iii) web-based product geo-referenced with other ASRIS products.
Scope of Work

Create a project framework under which integrated outcomes will be delivered to develop
a national understanding of the spatial distribution and process of Inland ASS and related
hydrology in Australian regolith by undertaking the following three sub-projects:
(i) Spatial distribution and processes of Inland ASS and acidic groundwaters,
(ii) Geochemistry, isotope geochemistry and mineralogy,
(iii) Biomineralisation and microbial biochemistry.