Catchment and Aquatic Modelling

Group Leader : Brad Sherman

This Group applies systems-understanding of how water, particulate and dissolved material moves across landscapes, and within aquatic ecosystems to develop catchment and aquatic models that can be used to support NRM decision-making. We have unique sediment tracing and dating capabilities that are used to develop process understanding, and to calibrate and validate these models.

The Group has research and technical staff with multidisciplinary skills in hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, aquatic biogeochemistry, ecology and hydrodynamic and biogeochemical modelling. We have a core capability and facilities for tracing and dating materials.

We also have key capabilities in aquatic modelling including hydrodynamic, biogeochemical and ecological, and collaborates closely with CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research.

Our capabilities

Members of the Group are internationally renowned for their research of processes associated with water quality and the impacts on the ecology of rivers, floodplains and estuaries; and measuring and modelling environmental and ecological interactions in rivers, floodplains and estuaries. Specific capabilities include:

• Modelling of hydrodynamic and biogeochemical cycles: quantification of links between flow, water quality and habitat in rivers, reservoirs and coastal environments; quantification of ecological cycles as a response to changes in flow habitat and water chemistry
• Quantifying key processes which generate sediment and nutrient loads and how these change in response to changes in landscape position, land use, hydrology and management
• Developing predictive models, which identify the primary sediment and nutrient sources and stores, quantify the loads, and determine the likely changes in physical habitat throughout the system in response to changes in climate and land management
• Designing specialised techniques and models to trace date and track transported sediments and nutrients.

The group has significant tracing and dating analytical facilities including radionuclide (gamma and alpha) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) laboratories and equipment, as well as major field, river and floodplain monitoring networks.

Relationships

Relationships with key funding agencies and stakeholders are characterised by longevity and have been productive over several years: Department of Environment and Water Resources, Moreton Bay Partnership, TRACK, MTSRF, Darling Basin Commission Catchment Management Authorities, and Cooperative Research Centres.

Related Links

• Radionuclide Analysis Service
• How healthy are our rivers and estuaries?
• CSIRO FAQ: Algal Blooms
• eWater CRC
• CRC Coastal Zone, Estuary and Waterway Management
• CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research