Adelaide Laboratory Public Seminar Series
- Abstracts 2009
How many pharmaceuticals do we release into the environment?
Sébastien Sauvé
Visiting Scientist, Associate Professor in Environmental Chemistry, Université de Montréal
Abstract
Today’s society is consuming more and more pharmaceuticals drugs. We are also becoming increasingly aware that those products are being released into the environment, to an extent which is still often only vaguely quantified and with largely unknown effects upon wildlife and human health. We are developing different techniques for the liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry analysis of various pharmaceuticals, personal care products and pesticides in wastewaters, surface waters and drinking waters. We now have positive results for antibiotics, estrogens, analgesics, atrazine-like pesticides, anti-hypertension drugs, chemotherapy agents and a few others.
About the speaker
Sébastien Sauvé has been Associate Professor in Environmental Chemistry at the Université de Montréal since 2001. He has a B.Sc. in agronomy and an M.Sc. in Soil chemistry from McGill University, and a Ph.D. in Soil Chemistry and Ecotoxicology from Cornell University.
He directs a team of about fifteen students and researchers who focus their work partly on ‘traditional’ contaminants such as lead, copper, cadmium, and partly on emerging contaminants, such as pharmaceuticals and nanoparticles. He has so far published 80 scientific articles and book chapters.
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Does Organic Matter in Forensic Science?
Lynne Macdonald
Research Scientist, Carbon and Nutrient Cycling research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
The popular crime-scene investigation (CSI) genre has raised awareness of the role of science in criminal investigations. Forensic science can now tap into a multitude of modern analytical methods to analyse trace evidence including soil. In the legitimate forensic world, soil analysis has traditionally relied on the identification of mineral particles, with complimentary plant related information being primarily derived from palynology (pollen and spores).
Recently attention has turned toward soil organic matter and the associated microbial community to address questions of a forensic nature. *
This seminar discusses the potential of a variety of methods targeting components of soil organic matter. Does soil microbial DNA analysis provide useful forensic information? Can non-destructive infra-red spectroscopic techniques be used to provide organic intelligence? Do plant wax compounds provide robust and site specific evidence? The forensic context introduces uncertainty to interpretation, and despite growing expectations, most types of forensic evidence do not provide categorical answers. The challenges of developing soil-based forensic approaches and establishing a framework to meet the high expectations of the legal system are discussed.
About the speaker
Lynne Macdonald joined the Soil Process & Function Stream in February 2009 as a Soil Biologist. Lynne’s research interests lie in the role of soil biological function in ecosystem regulation, and she has a BSc in Environmental Microbiology (University of Aberdeen, 1998) and a PhD Plant & Soil Science (University of Aberdeen/ Macaulay Institute 2002).
Her research experience includes the impact of agricultural management on microbial community structure and functional resilience (CSIRO Entomology, 2004-2006), and on greenhouse gas emissions (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, 2002-2004). Recent work at the Macaulay Institute, Scotland (2006-2009), explored the potential application of advanced analytical methods to police forensic investigations.
* this work was carried out as part of the UK EPSRC funded SoilFIT project (2006-2009) based at the Macaulay Institute, and in collaboration with Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland BioSS, the NSRI-Cranfield University, Agri-Food & BioSciences, Queens University Belfast, National Police Improvement Agency, Scottish Police Services Authority, Forensic Science Services, the University of Aberdeen and Helford Geo-sciences. See http://www.macaulay.ac.uk/soilfit/.
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Designing cost-effective, socially acceptable policy for managing water quality
Brett Bryan
Principal Research Scientist, Sustainable Regional Development, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems
Webstreamed version (Must be viewed using Internet Explorer) 44:49 (16 MB)
Abstract
Agricultural non-point source pollution in water supply catchments may have significant environmental and human health impacts and its mitigation poses a particularly difficult policy challenge. Water-borne pathogens such as Cryptosporidium pose a significant human health risk and catchments provide the first critical pollution ‘barrier’ in mitigating risk in drinking water supply.
In this presentation Brett will present a case study focusing on mitigating Cryptosporidium risk in the Myponga water supply catchment, South Australia. The case study involved a collaboration between:
- CSIRO
- SA Environment Protection Authority
- Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges Natural Resource Management Board
- SA Water
- DairySA
- Water Futures Pty Ltd.
The report (PDF, 1.3 MB) documents the project in three stages:
- Stage 1 quantifies the major sources of Cryptosporidium risk and the effectiveness of adaptive management strategies.
- Stage 2 quantifies the cost-effectiveness of a range of catchment-based and treatment-based mitigation strategies.
- Stage 3 involves the design and sequencing of a mix of policy instruments for enhancing the widespread adoption of catchment-based water quality management by landholders.
About the speaker
Dr Brett Bryan is a principal research scientist in CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems. Through analysis of socio-economic and environmental processes, he takes an integrated approach to delivering cost-effective policy and management options for complex issues including conservation, land and water resources, and climate change.
Dr Bryan has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Masters of Environmental Studies and his PhD thesis was on strategic revegetation planning.
He currently leads the Investments, Risk and Decision Analysis focal project in the Sustainable Regional Development theme. The project aims to help key clients target investment in natural resource management to achieve greater benefit from limited resources.
Dr Bryan also leads three projects within CSIRO's Water for a Healthy Country Flagship program. He has authored over 100 publications.
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Understanding the impacts of urban land use and stormwater recycling on the water quality of Blue Lake
Joanne Vanderzalm
Research Scientist, Water Use and Reuse research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
Mount Gambier’s stormwater is discharged directly into the unconfined, karstic Gambier Limestone aquifer, which in turn provides the majority of recharge to Blue Lake, the city’s source of drinking water supply and an important tourist attraction. Current urban land use activities within Mount Gambier pose a threat to the quality of the stormwater, the underlying groundwater and ultimately the Blue Lake. This research examines the role of natural treatment processes within the aquifer and the lake itself in protecting the water quality of Blue Lake against potential urban land use hazards. It includes estimating aquifer residence time using environmental and applied tracers and the role of the lake’s annual calcite precipitation in controlling metal and metalloid concentrations by examining their concentration within lake sediments, collected in the water column and from the lake floor.
This research was carried out within the CNRM funded project ‘Protecting the Blue Lake from land use impacts’ in collaboration with the SA Environment Protection Authority, SA Water, Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, South East Natural Resource Management Board, SA Research and Development Institute, City Council of Mount Gambier and District Council of Grant.
About the speaker
Joanne Vanderzalm joined CLW as a Research Scientist 2006, following a Post Doctoral Fellowship from 2003-2006. Her research interests include biogeochemical processes induced by water reclamation and reuse via aquifers, in particular metal mobilisation during Managed Aquifer Recharge, and the use of environmental tracers to assess and quantify reaction processes. She has a B App Sci and M App Sci in Chemistry (Monash University) and a Ph. D. in Geochemistry (Flinders University).
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Response of the River Murray floodplain to flooding and groundwater management
Kate Holland
Research Scientist, Water Use and Reuse research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
Managing salinisation and the associated dieback of vegetation is of national importance to Australia, particularly in the lower River Murray where 40% of the floodplain vegetation is unhealthy or dead. Several floodplain management strategies have been proposed to ameliorate floodplain salinisation, including groundwater lowering, improved flooding. However, there is little empirical evidence of the benefit of these strategies to the floodplain ecological communities. The Bookpurnong Experiment was developed to measure the response of the lower River Murray floodplain to groundwater management and environmental flows. Of particular interest was the response of the three dominant tree species: Acacia stenophylla (river cooba), Eucalyptus camaldulensis (river red gum) and E. largiflorens (black box).
This research describes the floodplain response to artificial watering, groundwater lowering and aquifer freshening. Particularly, the response of the three dominant tree species to changes in soil water availability, groundwater depth and salinity brought about by floodplain management. Results will be discussed in the context of floodplain management strategies.
This research was carried out within the CNRM funded project ‘Response of the River Murray floodplain to flooding and groundwater management’ in collaboration with the SA Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation ‘Bookpurnong Floodplain Pilot Project’ funded by The Living Murray Initiative of the Murray-Darling Basin Commission.
About the speaker
Dr Kate Holland is an ecohydrologist who uses skills from the disciplines of plant ecophysiology and hydrology to understand the hydrological processes that affect the health of vegetation in water limited environments. Her research interests include tree ecophysiology in saline floodplain environments, regional scale floodplain salinisation risk modelling and vegetation water use strategies in water limited environments.
She has a BSc (Hons) in Zoology (University of Adelaide) and a PhD. in Ecohydrology (Flinders University).
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Science to support sustainable groundwater management strategy: a Western Australian case study
Amgad Elmahdi
Research Scientist-Water Systems Analyst, Hydrology research program
Abstract
Water problems throughout the world can be seen as an issue of management, not a crisis of water shortage. Equitable allocation of groundwater resources is a growing challenge due to the increasing demand for water and the competing values placed on its use. Sustainable management of water resources comes with compromises and trade-offs of the other sub-systems (environment, economic and social) and almost ignores other stakeholders’ objectives and benefits.
The aim of this talk is to present and discuss the hypothesis that “through multi-agency approach and management, a comprehensive framework can promote optimal, sustainable and equitable development and use of water resources for present and future generations.” This framework has been successfully demonstrated in a case study at the Gnangara Mound groundwater system in Western Australia which showed what can be achieved with supporting tools, such as a decision support system (DSS) to facilitate and support the multi-agency framework and trade-offs analysis. DSS methods for assessing and planning the future are necessary to maintain the reliability and sustainability of water resource management in the long term. In addition, a DSS would assist the process of communicating the results with stakeholders, government and the community.
About the speaker
Through system analysis and modelling of land and water systems and their socio-economic and environmental dimensions , Dr Amgad Elmahdi takes an integrated system approach to delivering better land and water policy and management options for complex issues including environmental flow, irrigation system, river basin, conservation, land and water resources, and climate change adaptation. He has several years of experience in all aspects of hydrology and water management. His primary research area is Complex Systems Science, focusing on the use of integrated system analysis approach to characterise the total water system (the biophysical, the economy, society and the environment), and to analyse land and water policy issues both qualitatively and quantitatively.
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SA Pioneers in Soil Science:
The W.W. Emerson Lecture for 2009
Annual Lecture for the SA ASSSI
"Whither Water in Vineyards"
Emeritus Professor Robert E. White
School of Land and Environment,
The University of Melbourne
Followed by the
Federal ASSSI AGM at 4.50pm
Please join us afterwards for dinner at the
Earl of Leicester Hotel, Parkside from 6pm
Annual field trip on Tuesday 22nd September - Soil & Water Management in the
Angas Bremer Wine Grape Growing Region
RSVP for dinner and field trip by 16th of September to: ashlea.doolette@adelaide.edu.au
Abstract
Professor Robert White will discuss some of the general issues about past, current and future availability and use of water in the Murray Darling Basin. Issues of water-use efficiency and the oversupply of grapes in the Australian market will also be discussed, along with the intense price competition for Australian wines internationally.
About the speaker
Professor Emeritus Robert E ‘Bob’ White has had a long, distinguished and continuing career in soil science that has spanned many countries and quite a few decades. His initial degree was a B Agr Sc from the University of Queensland in 1959. He was honoured with a Rhodes Scholarship in the same year and subsequently graduated with a D Phil from The University of Oxford in 1962. He worked as a Research Scientist at CSIRO Division of Tropical Pastures in Brisbane from 1962 to 1968, then set off overseas again to be Senior Lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa from 1968 until 1974. He then returned to The University of Oxford as a Lecturer in Soil Science, a position he occupied until 1986, when he went to New Zealand as Professor of Soil Science at Massey University. He returned to Australia in 1992 as the C.R. Roper Professorial Fellow and Head of Department in Soil Science at The University of Melbourne and was appointed the Foundation Professor of Soil Science at that University in 1995, becoming Professor Emeritus in 2003.
Along the way, Bob White has gathered many honours and awards, including several of the Australian Society of Soil Science, among them Professor G.W. Leeper Lecturer in 2003, J.A. Prescott Medal for outstanding contribution to soils science, 2006 and an Honorary Life Membership of the Society in 2008. He has been a visiting Professor and Lecturer in China, Chile, and Belgium and at two universities in the USA as well as a Visiting Scientist at Rothamsted in the UK and at the USDA in Beltsville, Maryland, and some may also remember that he was a Visiting Scientist at the CSIRO Division of Soils in Adelaide. He has been a leader of and consultant on many projects both in Australia and overseas and has served on a large number of rural industry and university boards. He has been a prolific writer and may be best known for his textbook “Principles and Practice of Soil Science” which was first published in 1979 and went into its fourth English language edition in 2006. It has also been translated into Italian. He published “Understanding Vineyard Soils” this year (2009), but this book was preceded by another, “Soils for Fine Wines”, in 2003. He has published more than 160 papers in refereed international journals, conference proceedings and book chapters and has also edited many volumes on a wide variety of aspects of soil science.
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Hawaiian Islands: A natural laboratory for studying soil carbon cycling
Dr Jonathan Sanderman
Carbon and Nutrient Cycling research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
Whether the topic is evolutionary theory, ecosystem development, or the biogeochemical evolution of soils, the Hawaiian archipelago represents a model study system. Numerous researchers have taken advantage of the age and climatic gradients found across the archipelago to explore the mechanisms controlling soil carbon cycling.
This seminar will integrate some of this previous research with a new study highlighting the role that specific stabilisation mechanisms play in building large soil carbon stocks. In particular, he will discuss the importance of the production and subsequent adsorption of dissolved organic matter to short-range ordered non-crystalline minerals in building carbon stocks in excess of 600 Mg ha-1 with turnover times exceeding 5000 years.
About the speaker
Dr Jonathan Sanderman is an ecosystem scientist, and is interested in the patterns of and processes that affect the composition, functioning and services of ecosystems using a wide array of research tools. His current research interests lie in the soil exploring organic matter storage and turnover in soils, coupling carbon cycling with hydrology, and determining the potential of agricultural land to sequester carbon.
He has a BSc (Hons) in Environmental Studies (Brown University) and a PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management (University of California, Berkeley).
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Predicting saline soil patterns using terrain analysis and geophysics in upland South Australia
Dr Mark Thomas
Soil and Landscape Science research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
Recent digital soil mapping case studies from upland South Australian landscapes to predict soil properties, including salinity types, will be presented. Dr Thomas will discuss the use of various survey methods (geophysical electrical conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and gamma radiometrics, and terrain analysis) that are integrated with conventional soil survey to characterise soil patterns and develop soil-landscape models.
The knowledge developed during this phase as to "how these soil-landscapes work" is applied in a computer-based mapping framework to predict soil and salinity patterns in the surrounding regions. The digital soil mapping methodologies described here offer the prospect of more rapid and cost-effective mapping at "sub-paddock" scales, which can support on-ground land management options.
About the speaker
Mark is a researcher in Land and Water's Soil and Landscape Science group with experience on natural resources management projects in a number of countries. He has worked on national scale land cover mapping projects and regional land condition assessment in Africa and Australia, which apply GIS spatial modelling and remote sensing. He has developed low-cost, airborne video remote sensing suitable for African conditions.
More recently, his interests have been in applying multiple spatial assessment techniques of landscapes (e.g. terrain analysis, airborne and ground-based geophysics, remote sensing) to assist soil survey, and to develop soil-landscape models used for computer-based, quantitative predictions of soil properties, i.e. digital soil mapping. He has also been working with the Soil Biogeochemistry group on acid sulfate soil projects in the lower Murray.
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The impact of climate change on groundwater recharge
Dr. Russell Crosbie
Groundwater Hydrology research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
This seminar will present some of what has been learnt from modelling the impact of climate change on groundwater recharge through the Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Yields (SY) Project, the Northern Australia Sustainable Yields Project and the Tasmania Sustainable Yields Project. Through the SY projects we have shown that recharge is not only sensitive to changes in rainfall but to all climate variables. Interactions betweens CO2 concentration, temperature and rainfall intensity combine to produce change in recharge projections that can differ widely from the change in rainfall projections.
In many model runs we have seen increases in recharge from decreases in rainfall and vice versa. Understanding the complex interactions between climate, vegetation and the water balance and being able to see these interactions in the historical record gives us some confidence in the projections for the future.
About the speaker
Dr Russell Crosbie is a hydrogeologist who has been at CSIRO Land and Water for three years. Prior to working at CSIRO he was involved in research into groundwater recharge and closing the water balance under different land uses. Since joining CSIRO he has spent considerable amounts of time working on various Sustainable Yields projects, leading the groundwater recharge modelling components of the work.
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Gold geomicrobiology: From fundamental process understanding to industrial applications
Dr Frank Reith
Soil Biogeochemistry research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
In a recent project we have established for the first time geochemical and biochemical pathways for bacteria-mediated Au mobility in the regolith.
Microorganisms capable of actively solubilising and precipitating Au play a larger role in the cycling of Au than previously believed. They are involved in every step of a biogeochemical cycle of Au, from the formation of primary mineralisation to its solubilisation, dispersion, and re-concentration as secondary Au under supergene conditions.
This knowledge can now be used to develop biosensor and bioindicator techniques as well as help solve a 100 year and a 1000 year mystery.
About the speaker
Frank Reith is a geomicrobiologist in the Centre for Tectonics, Resources and Exploration, University of Adelaide and the Environmental Biogeochemistry program in CSIRO Land and Water.
His research is aimed at understanding the interactions of microbes and trace metals, especially gold, in the supergene environment. He uses a wide variety of techniques, such as synchrotron micro-analyses, electron microscopy, transcriptome microarrays as well as metagenomic approaches.
After his MSc. (Diplom) at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, he moved to Australia, where he received his PhD from the Australian National University in 2006. Since then he has held postdoctoral appointments at CSIRO and the University of Adelaide.
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Soil Aquifer Treatment (SAT) - augmentation of groundwater resources in Alice Springs
Dr Konrad Miotlinski
Urban and Industrial Water research group, CSIRO Land and Water
Abstract
TBA
About the speaker
TBA
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