 |
| Kate
Bromfield |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc Hons (Palaeobotany) University
of Tasmania
Supervisor/s: John Pandolfi, John
Jell, Alan Butler (CSIRO)
Gehrmann Building
Ph: 336 59753
Email: Kate
Bromfield
|
Project
Title:
Evolutionary Dynamics of Indo-Pacific Reef Corals over the
Miocene-Pliocene Boundary (6-5 Ma) |
Faunal turnover in reef corals has been hypothesised over the
Miocene-Pliocene boundary (5.3 Ma), in the Malay Archipelago. However,
there is no information available on origination and extinction events
in reef corals during the same period for the broader Indo-Pacific
region. This project will identify whether a general pattern of
turnover exists on a broader scale by studying the differences in
taxonomic composition and diversity of reef communities across the
Indo-Pacific region over the Miocene-Pliocene boundary. Existing
collections and substantial new collections will be analysed within
this taxonomic framework.
The aims of this research are:
1. Identifying and describing the fossil fauna of the Indo-Pacific and
describing/comparing community composition at selected sites across the
region;
2. Quantifying faunal turnover at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary by
studying the life history traits of corals using morphological
characters as indicators, (colony shape and size, and corallite size).
This incorporates the study of species origination and extinction, and
standing or background diversity;
3. Correlation of faunal turnover, variability in life history traits
and community diversity with environmental factors such as sea level
change |
 |
Degree: BSc Hons (Marine Science
& Management) University
of New England
Supervisor/s: Jian-xin Zhao,
John Pandolfi (UQ), Terry Done (AIMS)
Rm 210B, Richards Building
Ph: 3346 7382
Email: Tara
Clark
|
Project
Title:
Historical mortality events of inshore reef coral communities within
the Great Barrier Reef since European settlement
|
While the GBR is considered to be one of the least degraded coral reefs
in the world, increasing evidence suggests that this may not be the
case with a loss of hard coral cover being observed on inshore reefs
and an increase in macroalgae. With detailed knowledge of the GBR
limited to the past 25yrs, little is known of the past changes in coral
communities since European settlement and the onset of anthropogenic
disturbance.
This research will use highly precise uranium-series (U-series) thermal
ionisation mass spectrometry (TIMS) dating of dead Acropora coral
rubble (death assemblage) and massive Porites from
inshore reef environments influenced by terrestrial runoff and high sea
surface temperatures, to provide an accurate chronology on the timing
of historical mortality events.
Furthermore, an analysis of various environmental proxies within
massive coral skeletons will help to determine the possible causes for
mortality in adjacent communities.
This will provide a means to better understand changes in near shore
coral communities and help to elucidate natural versus anthropogenic
disturbances impacting these environments so that management can be
directed towards ameliorating primary threats |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Clark,
T.R., Roff, G., Zhao, J-x., Pandolfi, J.M., and Done, T.J. In
Press. Dating and mapping historical changes in GBR coral
communities. Proceedings of the 2008 Conference of the Marine
and Tropical Sciences Research Facility, Cairns.
28 April - 1 May. |
| Clark,
T.R., Roff, G., Zhao, J-x., Pandolfi, J.M., and
Done, T.J. 2008. Timing of hard coral loss since European settlement:
Pelorus Reef, inshore Great Barrier Reef. In: 4th AINSE
Quaternary Dating workshop, 26-27 March, 2008. |
 |
Degree: BSc Hons (1st class) University
of Queensland
Supervisor/s: Paulo Vasconcelos,
Kurt Knesel
Rm 209B, Richards Building
Ph: 336 52176
Email: Ben
Cohen
|
Project
Title:
40Ar/39Ar
Geochronology of Cenozoic Volcanism in Eastern Australia
|
|
Intraplate volcanism provides important information on the existence
and possible stationary versus migratory nature of postulated mantle
hotspots. In Australia, intraplate volcanism spans over 3000 km along
the eastern margin, where K-Ar ages for shield volcanoes show
decreasing age with increasing latitude. High-resolution 40Ar/39Ar
geochronology, where excess Ar, contamination, and Ar loss can be
identified and overcome, confirms this age relationship. In addition, a
complete 40Ar/39Ar
dataset for eastern Australia is also suitable for testing whether the
age versus latitude trend has varied throughout the Cenozoic, possibly
suggesting variations in the velocity of the Australian plate as it
migrated north over a postulated stationary hotspot |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Cohen,
B.E., Vasconcelos, P. M., and Knesel, K. M. 2007. 40Ar/39Ar
Constraints on the Timing of Oligocene Intraplate Volcanism in
Southeast Queensland. Australian Journal of Earth Sciences,
vol. 54, 105-125. |
| Cohen,
B.E., Vasconcelos, P. M., and Knesel, K. M. 2006. 40Ar/39Ar
Geochronology of Cenozoic Volcanism in Eastern Australia. In: Abstracts
of the 2006 Australian Earth Sciences Convention, Melbourne. |
| Cohen,
B.E., Knesel, K.M., and Vasconcelos, P.M. 2005. HFSE
fractionations in a continental intraplate volcanic system, Southeast
Queensland, Australia. Geological Society of Australia
Abstracts, vol. 76, 43-47. |
| Cohen,
B.E., Vasconcelos, P. M., and Knesel, K. M. 2004. Tertiary
Magmatism in Southeast Queensland. In: McPhee J. & McGoldrick
P. eds. Abstracts of the 17th Australian Geological
Convention. Dynamic Earth: Past, Present and Future, pp.256.
Geological Society of Australia, Hobart. |
|
Crawford, A.J., Direen, N.G., Coffin, M.F., Cohen, B.E.,
Paul, B., Mitrovic, L., and Forbes, C. 2006a. Extensive Basaltic
Magmatism On The Naturaliste Plateau, Offshore SW Australia. In:
Abstracts of the 2006 Goldschmidt Conference, Melbourne. |
|
Crawford, A.J., Direen, N.G., Coffin, M.F., Falloon, T.J., Forbes, C.,
Paul, B., Cohen, B.E., Mitrovic, L., Pettigrew, G.,
and Hamilton, C. 2006b. Origin of the Naturaliste Plateau and
Implications for Gondwana Breakup. In: Abstracts of the 2006
Australian Earth Sciences Convention, Melbourne. |
 |
| Matt
Davies |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc Hons (1st class,
Mathematics) Queensland University of Technology
Supervisor/s: Hans Muhlhaus, Lutz
Gros
Rm 803, Sir James Foots (47a) Building
Ph: 334 64090
Email: Matt
Davies
|
Project
Title:
Computational Schemes in Nonlinear Solid Geodynamics
|
The solid geophysical flow of constituent planetary processes occurring
at multiple spatial and temporal scales exhibit nonlinear
viscoplastic-elastic effects. For this reason, the incorporation of
these non-Newtonian effects into a single constitutive relationship
allows, in principle, the modeling of phenomena such as faulting,
shearing, magmatic flow, subduction, convection and even plate
tectonics in a unified manner (Mühlhaus and Regenauer-Lieb, 2005).
Through this unified model, the different components of mechanical flow
incorporating Newtonian, power-law, plastic and elastic flow components
are represented as coincident features of a single physical model. In
this regard, we consider the steady (Boussinesq) Stokes equations as
applied to solid state geophysics which are given in terms of velocity
and pressure by:
in conjunction with the incompressibility constraint:
These equations are completed with an initial condition for the
velocity:
and a "no flow" boundary condition:
The coincident features of this model are then determined by way of the
composite deformation rate given as follows under the Maxwell
constitutive model:
In the case of solid geophysical convection, the mechanical flow
components are then controlled by the strong exponential temperature
and pressure dependence of the composite viscosity.
A significant computational difficulty arises from the solution of
these equations in this context. In particular, the difficulty is
associated with:
" the incompressible treatment
" the strong nonlinearity and contrast of the viscosity
This project seeks to address these difficulties and develop an
improved high-level solution framework and computational solution
schemes that can be applied to transient nonlinear solid state
geodynamics flows.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
|
Gross, L., Cochrane, P., Davies, M., Mühlhaus, H.,
and Smilie, J. 2005. A Python-Based Programming Environment For Solving
Coupled Partial Differential Equations. Computational Methods
for Coupled Problems in Science and Engineering. |
|
Gross, L., Cochrane, P., Davies, M., Mühlhaus, H.,
and Smillie, J. 2005. Escript: Numerical Modelling With Python. Proceedings
Australian Partnership For Advanced Computing (APAC) Conference.
|
|
Mühlhaus, H., Moresi, L., Davies, M., and
Gottschaldt, K. 2005. Towards a Unified Model for the Dynamics of
Planets. Computational Methods for Coupled Problems in
Science and Engineering. |
|
Mühlhaus, H., Davies, M., Gross, L., and Moresi, L.
2005. Non-Newtonian Effects in Simple Models of Mantle Convection. Proceedings
Third MIT Conference on Computational Fluid and Solid Mechanics.
|
| Davies,
M., Gross, L., and Mühlhaus, H. 2004. Scripting High
Performance Earth Systems Simulations on the SGI Altix 3700. Proceedings
of the 7th International Conference on High Performance Computing and
Grid in the Asia Pacific Region. |
| Davies,
M., Mühlhaus, H., and Gross, L. 2004. Thermal Effects in the
Evolution of Initially Layered Mantle Material. Pure Appl.
Geophys. |
| Davies,
M., Mühlhaus, H., and Gross, L. 2004. The Rapid Development
of High Performance Numerical Models in Mantle Convection. APEC
Cooperation for Earthquake Simulation (ACES) 4th ACES Workshop
Proceedings, Book of Extended Abstracts. |
|
Gross, L., Davies, M., and Gerschwitz, J. 2004. A
High-Level Programming Language for Modeling the Earth. Pure
Appl. Geophys. |
|
Gross, L., Davies, M., and Gerschwitz, J. 2004. A
High-Level Programming Language for Modeling the Earth. APEC
Cooperation for Earthquake Simulation (ACES) 4th ACES Workshop
Proceedings, Book of Extended Abstracts. |
|
Mühlhaus, H., Davies, M., Gross, L., and Moresi, L.
2004. Elasticity, Yielding and Episodicity in Simple Models of Mantle
Convection. Pure Appl. Geophys. |
 |
| Grant
Dawson |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc(Chemistry), BSc
Hons(Earth Sciences) University
of Queensland
Supervisor/s: Sue Golding, Joan
Esterle
Rm 233 Steele Building
Ph: 336 54787
Email: Grant
Dawson
|
Project
Title:
Flue
Gas and CO2 Geosequestration in Surat and Bowen
Basin Coals
|
|
The most feasible way for
Australia to significantly reduce emissions, given current
technological and economical restraints, is to sequester emissions
from large point sources (e.g. power stations) underground. Deep
un-minable coal seams are an abundant geological medium, close to
emission point sources, in both Queensland and New South Wales that
could potentially store the bulk of these States’ carbon emissions.
Sequestration in coal has additional environmental and economical
benefits in that the sequestered carbon dioxide (CO2)
will displace natural gas. This natural gas could be sold to offset
the cost of sequestration, and burning natural gas produces ~50% less
carbon emissions than coal for a given amount of energy. Our project
will investigate the geochemical reactions that occur at depth
between coal and a range of fluids, from flue gas (nitrogen + water +
CO2 and others) to pure CO2.
If injection of flue gas is found to be a more efficient means of
sequestration than injection of pure CO2,
this will eliminate the need to isolate CO2
from bulk power station emissions (flue gas) and thus significantly
lower the cost of sequestration.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Dawson,
G.K.W., and Esterle, J. 2008. Rank and Type Controls
on Coal Cleat spacing and Porosity (in prep). |
| |
| Jonathan
Heim |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: B.App Sc Hons University
of Queensland
Supervisor/s: Paulo Vasconcelos,
Kurt Knesel
Rm 203 Richards Building
Ph: 336 53057
Email: Jon
Heim
|
Project
Title:
40Ar/39Ar
and (U-Th)/He geochronology of weathering, Hamersley Province, NW
Australia: implications for weathering history, landscape evolution and
iron-enriched bodies |
|
My current research centers on the application of noble gas
geochronology to constrain the timing and rates of chemical weathering
processes occurring at the surface of terrestrial planets. With
collaborators David Shuster (Caltech/BGC) and Ken Farley (Caltech), we
are currently refining the application of (U-Th)/He dating of supergene
goethite and hematite, using the proton-irradiation 4He/3He
method to quantify diffusive loss of helium and determine absolute
precipitation ages. During my PhD candidature, I have combined the
(U-Th)/He method on goethite and 40Ar/39Ar
dating of manganese oxides to constrain the ages of weathering profiles
associated with iron-enriched bodies, permitting testing of current
models of landscape evolution and iron ore genesis in the Hamersley
Iron Province on the Pilbara Craton, NW Australia. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Heim,
J.A., Vasconcelos, P.M., and Broadbent, G.C. 2006. 40Ar/39Ar
geochronology of weathering, Hamersley Province, Australia:
implications for weathering history, landscape evolution and
iron-enriched ore bodies, (in prep). |
|
Vasconcelos, P.M., Heim, J.A., and Cohen, B.E.
2006. Geochronology of the Australian Cenozoic: a History of Tectonic
and Igneous Activity, Weathering, Erosion, and Sedimentation. Australian
Journal of Earth Sciences Special Publication, (in prep). |
| Heim,
J.A., Vasconcelos, P.M., Farley, K.A., Shuster, D.L., and
Broadbent, G.C. 2006. Submitted to Geology.
(U-Th)/He dating of goethite and 40Ar/39Ar
dating of manganese oxides reveal timing of Channel Iron Deposits,
Hamersley Province, Australia. |
| Heim,
J.A., Vasconcelos, P.M., Farley, K.A., Shuster, D.L., and
Broadbent, G.C. 2006. (U-Th)/He and 40Ar/39Ar
geochronology of weathering, Hamersley Province, Australia:
implications for weathering history and landscape evolution. 16th
Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Conference. |
| Heim,
J.A., Vasconcelos, P.M., Shuster, D.L., Farley, K.A., and
Broadbent, G.C. 2006. Dating palaeochannel iron ore by (U-Th)/He
analysis of supergene goethite. Geology, vol. 34,
173-176. |
|
Shuster, D.L., Vasconcelos, P.M., Heim, J.A., and
Farley, K.A. 2005. Weathering geochronology by (U-Th)/He dating of
goethite. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 69,
659-673. |
 |
| Zarah
Heyworth |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc Adv Hons
(Geosciences) Monash University
Supervisor/s: Kurt Knesel, Massimo
Gasparon, Paulo Vasconcelos, Richard Arculus (ANU)
Rm 130, Richards Building
Ph: 334 69782
Email: Zarah
Heyworth
|
Project
Title:
4D
picture of mantle heterogeneity in subduction zones: a geochemical and
geochronological study of submarine volcanoes and spreading centres,
Vanuatu.
|
|
Subduction zones are sites of recycling of oceanic lithosphere,
chemical modification of the upper mantle, magma production and crustal
growth. One approach to the study of these dynamic systems has been
through geochemical examination of arc volcanoes. Although the
compositions of arc magmas have provided important first-order insights
into subduction zone processes, a more detailed understanding is
hampered by a scarcity of undifferentiated magmas derived directly from
subduction-modified mantle wedge. This project will investigate how
subduction and backarc spreading influence the time-dependent
composition and flow patterns of the upper mantle so as to provide new
insights into the structure and composition of the mantle wedge and the
processes that modify the composition of mantle through time. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Heyworth,
Z., Turner, S.P., Schaefer, B.F., Wood, B., George, R.M.M.,
Berlo, K.,
Cunningham, H., Price, R.C., Cook, C. and Gamble, J.A. 238U-230Th-226Ra-210Pb
constraints on the time scales of high-Mg andesite evolution at White
Island, New Zealand. Chemical Geology, vol. 243,
105-121.
|
| Heyworth,
Z., Schaefer, B.F., and Nicholls, I.A. 2005. Intraplate
hypersthene-bearing trachyandesites: Evidence for multiple magma
sources in the Newer Volcanic Province, Australia. Geological
Society of Australia Abstracts, vol. 80, 12. |
| Heyworth,
Z., George, R.M., Schaefer, B.F., and Turner, S.P. 2005.
Insights into magma generation and evolution at White Island, New
Zealand, from U-series disequilibria. Geological Society of
Australia Abstracts, vol. 80, 24. |
| Heyworth,
Z., George, R.M., Schaefer, B.F., and Turner, S.P. 2005.
Magma generation and evolution at White Island, New Zealand. Geological
Society of Australia Abstracts, vol. 76, 67. |
| Heyworth,
Z., Nicholls, I.A., and Schaefer, B.F. 2005. Intraplate
hypersthene-bearing trachyandesites: Evidence for multiple magma
sources in the Newer Volcanic Province, Australia. Geochimica
et Cosmochimica Acta, vol. 69, 855. |
 |
Degree: BE (Chemical)
The University
of Queensland
Supervisor/s: Joan Esterle
, Sue Golding
Rm 233, Steele Building
Ph: 336 54787
Email: Emma
Kinnon
|
Project
Title:
Geological
controls on gas flow pathways in coal seams. |
The
aim of the study is gain a better understanding of natural and induced
changes in reservoir pressure, water and gas migration in coal seam
reservoirs over time during production at the field scale. Production
across the chosen gas field of study has varied considerably, both
within and between reservoir seams due to drilling performance and
geology. Understanding this variability in past reservoir behaviour, in
particular the role of geology and coal seam character leads to better
modelling and prediction of future reservoir behaviour.
If reservoir behaviour during commercial gas extraction can be
understood, then better scale-up models for injection, enhanced
residual gas recovery and potential sequestration of CO2
can be
developed.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
 |
| Michael
Lawrence |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: MSc University
of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada)
BSc
Hons University of New England
Supervisor/s: Balz Kamber (Laurentian
University), Kenneth Collerson, Jian-xin Zhao
Rm 214, Richards Building
Ph: 334 69751
Email: Michael
Lawrence
|
Project
Title:
Anthropogenic and climatic influences on the export of rare earth
elements to the coastal ocean |
Scleractinarian corals located in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon
incorporate some elements into their aragonite skeletons in proportion
to environmental factors. If we are able to understand specifically the
factors controlling the export of these elements from freshwater
catchments through the estuarine trap and into the coastal ocean, the
weekly records contained in Porites coral species can be interpreted
with respect to human and climate induced factors.
In our current project we have developed high-precision direct, and
pre-concentration, ICP-MS methods suitable to quantifying the rare
earth elements in fresh, estuarine and open ocean seawaters. We have
applied these techniques to study the variability of the rare earth
elements in sub-tropical freshwater environments (south-east Queensland
and the Pioneer River, Mackay), the fractionation of the rare earth
patterns through the estuarine zone, and the variability of the rare
earth elements in different water masses in the Columbia River plume
(Oregon, USA).
The final phase of the project involves high-resolution studies of the
rare earth patterns of a coral core from South Molle Island in the
Whitsunday Group. This coral core continuously records seawater
chemistry from ~1813 to 1985, furthermore, there is an additional
section (discontinuous from the main section) of core that extends the
temporal record an additional 50 years, (dates to be constrained by
U-series dating).
This coral therefore records approximately 100 yrs of pre-European
baseline, with variability predominantly related to climate, and an
additional 150 yrs where the predominant variability is due to both
acute and cumulative anthropogenic change. The trace element signals in
this coral record local and regional cultural and environmental
influences.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Lawrence,
M.G., Greig, A., Collerson, K.D., and Kamber, B.S. 2006. Rare
Earth Element and Yttrium Variability in South East Queensland
Waterways. Aquatic Geochemistry, vol. 12, 39-72. |
| Lawrence,
M.G., Greig, A., Collerson, K.D., and Kamber, B.S. 2006.
Direct quantification of rare earth element concentrations in natural
waters by ICP-MS. Applied Geochemistry, vol. 21,
839-848. |
| Lawrence,
M.G., and Kamber, B.S. 2006. Estuarine Mixing of the Rare
Earth Elements - Revisited. Marine Chemistry, vol. 100, 147-161. |
| Lawrence,
M.G., Jupiter, S.D., and Kamber, B.S. Accepted in Marine
and Freshwater Research. Aquatic Geochemistry of the Rare
Earth Elements and Yttrium in the Pioneer River Catchment, Australia. |
| Lawrence,
M.G., Kamber, B.S., and Collerson, K.D. 2006. Influence of
freshwater fluxes on coastal ocean rare earth element systematics, EOS
trans. AGU, 87(36) Ocean Sciences Meet. Suppl. Abstract
OS42j-02. |
| Lawrence,
M.G., Collerson, K.D., and Kamber, B.S. 2006. The
significance of the longevity of the marine rare earth pattern. Goldschmidt
Conference. |
 |
| Guia
Morelli |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc and MSc University
of Florence (Italy)
Supervisor/s: Dr Massimo Gasparon
& Dr Catherine Lovelock
Rm 118, Richards Building
Ph: 336 57140
Email: Guia
Morelli
|
Project
Title:
Human
impact on estuarine environments - an example from Moreton Bay,
southeast Queensland |
The project will provide new knowledge towards understanding of the
geological history of Moreton Bay. Moreton Bay is one of Australia's
largest estuarine systems and could be a good model to understand links
between terrestrial and marine ecosystems since European colonization.
The currently available evidence suggests Moreton Bay has been
drastically changed since European arrival, with accelerated rates of
sedimentation and delivery of carbon and nutrients from the terrestrial
to the marine environment.
By taking cores and using stratigraphic techniques and stable isotope
analysis I will be able to investigate the history and the extent of
spatial variation in deposition of terrestrial material across
different sites in the bay as mangroves, salt marsh and supra-tidal
salt flats. Sedimentological analysis (Total Carbon (TC), Total Organic
Carbon (TOC), grain size, mineralogical composition, trace metal
concentration, and Pb isotopes) of sediment cores will define
variations in type and in the rate of sediment supplied to the Bay as a
function of time. This set of data will provide information on the
paleo-environmental evolution of the Moreton Bay area, with emphasis on
anthropogenic input during the last 200 years.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
|
Thomas E., Roehl U., Monechi S., Westerhold T.,Balestra B. and Morelli
G. 2006. An Early Eocene hypertermal event at~52,5 MA. Climate
& Biota of the Early Paleogene, Bilbao. |
|
Galeotti S., Heal S., Kaminski M., Lanci L, Monechi S, Morelli
G. and Zachos J.C ., 2006. The Elmo event in the classical
Tethian setting of the Contessa Road section (Gubbio, Central Italy). Climate
& Biota of the Early Paleogene, Bilbao. |
| Morelli
G., Pandeli E., Principi G., 2004. Stratigraphic and
tectono-metamorphic evolution of the alpine para-autochton units
between Popolasca and Ponte di Castirla (North-Central Corsica). 32nd
IGC, Florence 2004. |
 |
| Josh
Moulds |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: Degree: BAppSc Hons (1st Class),
Queensland University of Technology
Supervisor/s: Gilbert Price,
Jian-xin Zhao
Rm 204, Richards Building
Ph: 336 52176
Email: Josh
Moulds
|
Project
Title:
Palaeoclimatic
and palaeoecological reconstructions of Quaternary faunal evolution in
eastern Australia
|
The
abundance of vertebrate remains in faunal assemblages from cave
deposits allows for the reconstruction of ancient ecosystems.
Interpretations of past habitat type on the basis of ecological make-up
can reveal broad palaeoclimatic inferences at a local scale.
The association of vertebrate deposits with contemporaneous
karst formation (speleothems) in caves enables precision age
determination of the fauna records and provides a means of direct
correlation of ecology to climate. Construction of a geochronological
framework via U-series dating methods will complement stable isotope
(C-O-Sr) analysis allow palaeoclimatic records of central Queensland to
be established.
This study will target such vertebrate-speleothem associations from
caves in the Mt. Etna area of Rockhampton, central Queensland, and will
build upon previous work in the area which has established a turnover
from rainforest- to arid-adapted species in reaction to
middle-Pleistocene aridification of the central coast.
My research will also attempt to test the applicability of isotope
dating methodologies to an array of carbonate mineral and skeletal
material from cave deposits.
In this way, a better understanding of the relationship between faunal
succession and changes in climate helps to address key unresolved
issues of Quaternary vertebrate evolution on continental Australia. The
recognition of evolutionary and ecological responses to climate has the
added benefit of identifying potentially vulnerable groups of endemic
species.
In the face of modern climate change, recognition of such trends will
lend insight into organizing better conservation strategies for
endangered vertebrate communities. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Moulds,
J.J., and Webb, G. E. 2008. Trace
element geochemistry of Neoproterozoic stromatolites: a tool for
interpreting accretionary processes. Australian Earth
Sciences Convention 2008,
(submitted). |
| Moulds,
J.J., and Webb, G. E. 2008. Geochemistry of
Bioavailable Elements in Australian Neoproterozoic Stromatolites.
(in prep.). |
 |
Degree: BSc Hons (Geology) University
of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania)
MSc
(Geology) University of Oslo (Norway)
Supervisor/s: Geoffrey Playford
& John Jell
Rm 233, Steele Building
Ph: 336 54787
Email: Emma
Msaky
|
Project
Title:
Palynology of Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous strata, coastal basins,
Tanzania |
In recent years the application of biostratigraphy to hydrocarbon
exploration has become increasingly important both scientifically and
economically. This has triggered interest in biostratigraphic research
in Tanzania, particularly in the coastal basins which are being
actively explored for hydrocarbons. In this context, the objectives of
my project are to provide detailed palyno-chronostratigraphy, biozones,
and palaeoenvironmental synthesis of Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous
succession of the hydrocarbon-prospective Tanzanian coastal basins.
Results of this study should greatly enhance future exploration in the
basins and significantly reduce the financial risks in hydrocarbon
exploration. In a broader context, my research aims to enhance
biostratigraphic (particularly palynostratigraphy) calibration of Late
Jurassic through Early Cretaceous time interval in the Western Gondwana
region.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Msaky,
E.S., In Press: Occurrence of dinoflagellate cyst genera
Wanaea and Komewuia in Upper Jurassic strata, coastal Tanzania. Paleontological
Research. |
|
Pearson, P.N., Nicholas, C.J., Singano, J.M., Bown, P.R., Coxall, H.K.,
van Dongen, B.E., Huber, B.T., Karega, A., Lees, J.A., MacLeod, K.,
McMillan, I.K, .Pancost, R. D., Pearson, M, Msaky, E.,
2006. Further Paleogene and Cretaceous sediment cores from the Kilwa
area of coastal Tanzania: Tanzania Drilling Projects Sites 6-10. Journal
of African Earth Sciences, 45, 279-317. |
| Msaky,
E.S., Daniel Livingstone and Owen K. Davis, 2005:
Paleolimnology investigations of anthropogenic environmental change in
Lake Tanganyika: V. Palynological evidence for deforestation and
increased erosion. Journal of Paleolimnology, 34,
73-83. |
| Msaky,
E.S., 2005. Dinoflagellate biostratigraphy of the Dinosaur
Beds of the Tendaguru Formation, southern coastal Tanzania. American
Association of stratigraphic palynologists, 38th annual
meeting abstracts, 42. |
|
Pearson, P.N., Nicholas, C.J., Singano, J.M., Bown, P.R., Coxall, H.K.,
van Dongen, B.E., Huber, B.T., Karega, A., Lees, J.A., Msaky,
E., Pancost, R.D., Pearson, M., Roberst, A.P., 2004:
Paleogene and Cretaceous sediments cores from the Kilwa and Lindi areas
of coastal Tanzania: Tanzania Drilling Project Sites 1-5. Journal
of African Earth Sciences, 39, 25-62. |
| Msaky,
E., 2000: An Atlas of the Carboniferous to Tertiary
micropalaeontology of the SADC region of southern Africa. Tanzania
Petroleum Development Corporation Publications, 2 (1), 83 pp.
|
 |
| Roshni
Narayan |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree:
MSc in Earth Sciences, University of Victoria,
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
BSc in Zoology, University of Alberta, Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada
Supervisor/s: Dr. John Pandolfi,
David Neil, Jian-Xin Zhao
Rm 260, Steele Building
Ph: 336 52130
Email: Roshni
Narayan
|
Project
Title:
Historical (Holocene) and modern foraminiferal assemblages of Moreton
Bay: Temporal, spatial distributions, natural vs. anthropogenic
influences and implications for coral communities
|
I'm interested in foraminiferal studies of Moreton Bay. Since European
colonisation over the past 200 years, coastal areas have undergone
deterioration and the coral communities in the Bay have undergone
significant faunal changes overtime. The nature and timing of these
faunal changes is uncertain and essential in furthering our
understanding of why these faunal transitions occurred and what the
significance of natural (long-term) versus anthropogenic (short-term)
influences are on regional coral communities. Living, sub-modern (since
European colonization) and fossil (Holocene) foramininferal assemblages
can will be studied to provide clues to the questions of when, how and
why historical faunal changes occurred and a clearer picture of what
the pre-impact environmental conditions were like in the Bay.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
|
Johns, M.J., Barnes, C.R., Narayan, Y.R. and
Trotter, J.A. In Press. New interpretation of the Crescent Terrane and
geological evolution of the Tofino Basin, British Columbia. Bulletin
of Canadian Petroleum Geology. |
|
Johns, M.J., Barnes, C.R. and Narayan, Y.R. 2006.
Cenozoic ichthyolith biostratigraphy: Tofino Basin, British Columbia. Canadian
Journal of Earth Sciences, vol. 43(2), 177-204. |
|
Johns, M.J., Barnes, C.R. and Narayan, Y.R. 2005.
Catalogue of Cenozoic ichthyoliths from the Tofino Basin and western
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Palaeontologia
Electronica, vol. 8.2.29A. |
| Narayan,
Y.R., Barnes, C.R., and Johns, M.J. 2005. Taxonomy and
biostratigraphy of Cenozoic foraminifers from Shell Canada wells,
Tofino Basin, offshore Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Micropaleontology,
vol. 51(2), 101-167. |
 |
| João
Marinho de Morais Neto |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc (Geology) UFRN
(Natal, Brazil) 1987
MSc
(Structural Geology/Tectonics) UFOP (Ouro Preto,
Brazil) 1999
Supervisor/s: Paulo Vasconcelos,
Kurt Knesel
Rm 209-B, Richards Building
Ph: 336 52176
Email: Marinho
Morais Neto
|
Project
Title:
Thermochronology, landscape evolution and denudational history of the
Borborema Province, northeastern Brazil |
| I
propose to study the geomorphological evolution of the Borborema
Province in northeastern Brazil to unravel the uplift, weathering, and
erosional histories of the shield that provided the sediments now
stored in the marginal sedimentary basins. To achieve these objectives,
I will combine 40Ar/39Ar,
apatite fission track, (U-Th)/He, and 4He/3He
thermochronology to derive a thermal history for the Borborema Province
spanning from the Late Proterozoic to the Present; in addition, the
application of cosmogenic isotope analysis will provide information
about present erosional rates in the area. The dynamic information
derived from the thermal history and modern erosion rates will be
integrated and modeled to infer uplift and erosion rates in the past.
This approach will permit quantifying the amount of sediment derived
from each area of the Borborema Province; it will provide information
on the most significant sediment sources, and it will permit carrying
out mass balance calculations to compare, in discrete time steps, the
volume of eroded crust with the mass of sediments currently stored in
the marginal basins. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Morais
Neto, J.M., Hegarty, K. and Karner, G.D. 2006. Abordagem
preliminar sobre paleotemperatura e evolução do relevo da Bacia do
Araripe, Nordeste do Brasil, a partir da análise de traços de fissão em
apatita. Boletim de Geociências da Petrobras, Rio
de Janeiro, vol. 14, 113-118. |
|
Hegarty, K.A., Morais Neto, J.M. and Karner, G.D.
2004. Mapping anomalous topography through time and understanding its
origins - a study of the Borborema Province, NE Brazil. Proceedings
of the 32nd International Geological Congress, Florence,
IUGS, Abstracts CD, G05.08. |
| Morais
Neto, J.M., Pessoa Neto, O.C., Lana, C.C. and Zalán, P.V.
2003. Bacia do Ceará: http://www.phoenix.org.br/Phoenix57_Set03.htm. |
| Morais
Neto, J.M. 2003. Expressão sísmica da deformação frágil
pós-Mioceno na bacia Potiguar submersa, nordeste do Brasil. Proceedings
of the IX Simpósio Nacional de Estudos Tectônicos, Búzios,
Brazilian Geological Society, p. 269-272. |
| Morais
Neto J.M., Menezes, M.R.F., Szatmari P. and York, D. 2002.
Datação Ar/Ar do plug basáltico "Serrote Preto" e seu significado para
a cronologia da Fm. Serra do Martins. Proceedings of the XLI
Congresso Brasileiro de Geologia, João Pessoa, Brazilian
Geological Society, p. 499. |
| Morais
Neto, J.M. and Alkmim, F.F. 2001. A deformação das coberturas
terciárias do Planalto da Borborema (PB-RN) e seu significado
tectônico. Revista Brasileira de Geociências, São
Paulo, vol. 31, 95-106. |
|
Jardim de Sá, E.F., Matos, R.M.D., Morais Neto, J.M.,
Pessoa Neto, O.C. and Saadi, A. 1999. Epirogenia cenozóica na Província
Borborema: síntese e discussão sobre os modelos de deformação
associados. Proceedings of the VII Simpósio Nacional de
Estudos Tectônicos, Lençóis, Brazilian Geological
Society/ABGP, p. S4:58-61. |
 |
| Ai Duc
Nguyen |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc Hons, (Geology) Hochiminh
University of Natural Sciences, Vietnam. 1998
MPhil., (Earth Sciences) The University of Queensland,
Australia. 2007
Supervisor/s: Dr Jian-xin Zhao,
Dr. Massimo Gasparon, Dr Kefu Yu
Rm 233, Steele Building
Ph: 336 54787
Email: Ai
Duc Nguyen
|
Project
Title:
Climatic and environmental reconstruction based on reef corals from the
Vietnamese coast of the South China Sea |
Globally climatic and environmental changes have been a controversial
issue in recent years, especially following the recognition that
eustatic sea level rise due to global warming can damage human beings.
The interpretations of future climatic variability and environmental
change require long-term records of climatic and environmental data. It
is challenging to obtain such data because instrumental records only
offer relatively recent data, typically less than 100 years from
present. Fortunately, the landmark discovery of climatic and
environmental-dependent proxy archives such as lake and ocean
sediments, wind-blown deposits, ice cores, tree rings, speleothems
(caves) and corals, and the recent breakthrough of very precise
analytical techniques have helped scientists to rebuild the climatic
variation and environmental change in a long timescale (back to
hundreds of thousand years). This PhD project was proposed to
reconstruct the variability of climate and environment back to the
Holocene (10,000 years BP) based on dead corals on different sea level
stands, and live corals collected along the Vietnamese coast of the
South China Sea. The objectives of the project are to:
1. reconstruct the fluctuations of sea
levels at millennial to multi-decadal scales and the history of coral
reef development since Early Holocene (post-glaciation) by using the
TIMS U-series and radiocarbon dating techniques
2. unlock the windows to sea surface
temperature and sea surface salinity archives since the Early Holocene
by using δ18O, Sr/Ca, Mn/Ca, U/Ca.
3. define the timing of recent coral
bleaching and high-death events. Water quality during death events is
reflected by characteristic trace element concentrations, and Sr/Ca,
Ma/Ca, U/Ca, Ba/Ca values, and rare earth elements patterns
This project is right on the cutting-edge of global climate change
research and will be significant nationally and internationally to
understand the natural environmental changes of our planet on long
timescales, which can offer the context for understanding today's
climate dynamics; anticipating how the planet might respond to future
environmental perturbations; and for elucidating the impacts of natural
versus anthropogenic influences. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
|
Trinh, T. H., Le, P., Do, M.T., Pham, B.T., Nguyen, H.S, Nguyen, D.D, Nguyen,
D.A., Le, D,M. (2000) Change and general trend of development
of shoreline in the Cuadai estuary, Hoian, Quangnam province. In: Scientific
Conference Bien Dong 2000, Nha trang (75-80). |
|
Do, M.T., Nguyen, D.A., Pham, B.T. (2001) Research
on affection of neotectonic activity to erosion-accretion process in
the coastal estuaries from Danang to Sahuynh. Collection of
marine research works. V. XI, 69 - 78. |
| Nguyen,
D.A., Trinh, T.H., (2001) Some features of bottom surface
sediment of the Xuandai Bay, Phuyen province. Collection of
marine research works. V. XI, 79 - 88. |
|
Do, M.T., Nguyen, D.A., (2002) Recent geological
activities in the mouth area of Cunghau-Cochien river and solution for
preventing the natural disasters. In: Scientific Conference
Bien Dong 2002, Nhatrang p. 38-39. |
| Nguyen,
D.A., Gasparon, M., (2005) Arsenic mobility at the Mole River
Arsenic mine, Australia. In: The second International
Congress of Chemistry and Environment (Ed. By S.L. Gargh) pp
778 - 786. Research Journal of Chemistry and Environment, Indore,
India. |
| Nguyen,
D.A., Gasparon, M., Baumgartl, T., (2006) Chemical and
mechanical stability of waste rock at the Mole River Arsenic mine. In: International
Student Conference, Brisbane pp. 73- 88. |
|
Trinh, T. H, Nguyen, V. L., Pham, B. T., Tran, Q. K., Nguyen,
D.A. (2005) Present status of landscape and reef fish
resources at Cu Lao Cham archipelagos, Quangnam province. Marine
Sciences and Technology, 2, 25-38. |
 |
| Perach
Nuriel |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: B.Sc & M.Sc, Ben-Gurion
University of the Negev, Israel
Supervisor/s: Dr. Gideon
Rosenbaum, Dr. Tonguc Uysal
Rm 260, Steele Building
Ph: 336 52130
Email: Perach
Nuriel |
Project
Title:
Radiometric Dating and Geochemical Tracing of Paleo-Seismic Events in
the Eastern Mediterranean (Turkey & Israel)
|
|
The North Anatolian and the Dead Sea Fault Systems in Turkey and Israel
are some of the most seismically active regions in the world. This
active continental plate boundary is responsible for major earthquakes
documented by historical and archaeological records. However, direct
information on the timing of prehistoric earthquakes and fault
initiation is limited and highly controversial. In this project we are
using novel radiometric techniques to determine the precise timing of
near-surface fault movements. This will allow us to obtain robust
constraints on the timing of prehistoric earthquakes and the timing of
fault movement initiation. Our radiometric dating approach incorporates
39Ar-40Ar, K-Ar and
Rb-Sr analyses of syn-tectonic authigenic clays, as well as U-series
analyses of carbonate deposits in co-seismic fissures. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Nuriel
P., Katzir Y., Abelson M., Valley J.W. and Matthews A.
(2005). "Contrasting serpentinization settings in the Troodos
ophiolite: an isotope record of oceanic-spreading and
emplacement-related tectonics" Proceedings of the IGS annual
meeting, April 2005 pp 80. |
| Nuriel
P., Katzir Y., Abelson M., Valley J.W. and Matthews A.
(2005). "Contrasting serpentinization settings in the Troodos
ophiolite: an isotope record of oceanic and emplacement-related
tectonics" Ridge 2000-InterRidge Field School,
Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus, May 2005 pp 33. |
| Nuriel
P., Katzir Y., Abelson M., Valley J.W. and Matthews A.
(2005). "Fault-related oceanic serpentinization in a fossil
ridge-transform intersection: The Troodos ophiolite" AGU fall
meeting, December 2005. |
| Nuriel
P., Katzir Y., Abelson M., Valley J.W. and Matthews A.
(2005). "Tectonic and hydrothermal processes in a fossil
ridge-transform intersection, Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus " EAPS,
in preparation, February 2006. |
 |
| Emma
St. Pierre |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BA Hons (Archaeology and
Anthropology), University of Queensland
Supervisor/s: Jian-xin Zhao, Sue
Golding (UQ), Mike Gagan (ANU) and Mike Morwood (UoW)
Rm 210B, Richards Building
Ph: 33467382
Email: Emma
St. Pierre |
Project
Title:
Human-environment interactions in Australasia
|
|
This research takes a multi-disciplinary approach to understanding
Holocene human-environment interactions in Australasia with a specific
focus on the island of Flores, Indonesia. The geochemical study of
speleothems from cave sites for palaeoclimate and palaeoenvironment
reconstruction is used to investigate possible human impact on the
environment and conversely potential impact of climate and environment
change on the human population. U-series dating of speleothems at
archaeological cave sites is used to establish and improve
chronological sequences. These studies are used in addition to
associated evidence from the archaeological record, to further
understand human-environment interactions in this critical region of
the world for human migration, evolution and adaptation.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| St
Pierre, E.J., Zhao, j-x., Dunbar, G.B., and Gagan,
M.K.
(2007). "Speleothem record of palaeoenvironmental change in southern
Sulawesi, Indonesia during the last glacial to Holocene transition". Quaternary
International, Vol. 167-168 Supplement. |
|
Ayliffe, L.K., Gagan, M.K., Zhao, j-x., Drysdale, R.N., Hantoro, W.S., St
Pierre, E.J., Smith, G.K., and Suwargadi, B.W.
(2007). "Speleothems from Flores, Indonesia: tropical archives of
climate". Quaternary
International, Vol. 167-168 Supplement. |
| Griffiths,
M.L., Drysdale, R.N., Gagan,
M.K., Ayliffe, L.K., Zhao, j-x., St
Pierre, E.J., Hantoro, W.S., Suwargadi, B.W.(2007).
"Speleothems from Flores, Indonesia: tropical archives of
climate
". Quaternary
International, Vol. 167-168 Supplement. |
 |
| Arne
Scherrenberg
|
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: MSc University
of Utrecht (The Netherlands)
Supervisor/s: Rod Holcombe, Gideon
Rosenbaum & Tim Coughlin
Rm 130, Richards Building
Ph: 334 69782
Email: Arne
Scherrenberg
|
Project
Title:
Structural, kinematic and orogenic controls on thrust-belt hosted
porphyry and epithermal style mineralisation in the Andes of central
Peru
|
|
My project's main aim is to provide a detailed structural geometric and
kinematic analysis of the Marañon fold-and-thrust belt in Peru around
areas of significant mineralisation by combining applied structural
& economic geology, stratigraphy, field mapping, GIS, remote
sensing and 3D modelling. And to a lesser extent my research focuses on
constraining the timing of mineralisation relative to the
uplift/exhumation history and tectonic development of the region by
geochronology and thermochronology. |
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Scherrenberg,
A.F., and Jacay, J., In press. Nuevas unidades
litoestratigráficas paleozoicas reconocidas en la región de Huánuco del
Perú central, implicancias tectónicas y metalogéneticas para la faja
plegada y corrida del Marañón. Sociedad Geologica del Peru-
Résumen y Eventos. |
| Scherrenberg,
A.F., and Jacay, J., 2006. Newly mapped Paleozoic
stratigraphic units in the Huanuco region of central Peru; Tectonic
implications for the Marañon fold-thrust belt. Geological
Society of America Abstracts with Programs, No. 2 &
Asociacion Geologica Argentina Résumen y Eventos, Serie D., No 9:40-41.
|
|
Scherrenberg, A.F., Hein K.A.A., White, S.H., 2004. Middle
Archaean gold deposits in the North Shaw-Coongan Greenstone Belt,
Australia: relative timing of events responsible for gold
mineralisation. Ore Geology Reviews vol 25,
175-197. |
 |
| Emmanuel
Wembenyui |
PhD Candidate
|
Degree: BSc Hons (Geology), MSc
(Applied Geology) University of Buea (Cameroon)
Supervisor/s: Tony Ewart, Ken
Collerson & Jian-xin Zhao
Rm 214, Richards Building
Ph: 334 69757
Email: Emmanuel
Wembenyui
|
Project
Title:
Geochemical and Isotopic Evolution of Mount Cameroon Volcanism
(Cameroon, West Africa) |
|
Mount Cameroon is located at 4.20N, 9.17E and measures up to 13,428 ft
(4095 m) above sea level. It is the only presently active volcano of
the over 500 others that make up a 1600km-long volcanic belt known as
the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL). Some of the volcanoes that make up
the CVL are located on continental crust whereas the others outcrop as
volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Mount Cameroon is located at
the ocean/continent boundary of this geologic belt and is notorious for
being the most active volcano in West/Central Africa with 7 recorded
eruptions during the 20th Century (1909, 1922,
1954, 1959, 1982, 1999 and 2000). Relicts of ancient activities are
expressed by prehistoric lava outcrops around the flanks of the
volcano.
My project involves the geochemical (major,
trace element and mineral chemistry) and isotopic (206Pb/204Pb,
207Pb/204Pb,
208Pb/204Pb,
87Sr/86Sr
and 143Nd/144Nd)
modeling, of lavas from the different eruption events in view of
establishing the possible trends that correlate the prehistoric and
modern activities. An essential component of the study is the
establishment of the petrogenesis of the lavas through the study of
fractional crystallization, melting, mixing and contamination
processes. The study will culminate with the assessment of the
mantle/lithospheric processes associated with the transition from
intraplate to oceanic magmatism, because Mount Cameroon has its
magmatic "roots" deeply anchored in the adjacent Atlantic Ocean,
although located on continental crust.
|
| Recent
publications and abstracts: |
| Wembenyui,
E.W., Ewart, A., & Collerson, K.D. 2006. Geochemical
variability of magma batches on Mount Cameroon: Constraints on magma
transport mechanisms (in prep). |
| Wembenyui,
E.W., Collerson, K.D., & Zhao. J.X. 2005. Geochemical
and isotopic signatures of Mount Cameroon lavas, West Africa.
Geological Society of Australia Abstracts 76, 145-148. |
|
|
