Connective Waters Initiative Research Centre Report 2017 by The Imagination Agency Pty Ltd

Connected Waters Initiative Centre

CRICOS Provider No 00098G

Annual Report 2017

CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE (CWI)

Images: Australian images

ÂŠ 2018 Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre

pg 3 River Central West NSW; pg 5 left NSW bushfires By Members of CWI, including:

UNSW AUSTRALIA

Front cover: Thirlmere Lakes (Martin Andersen)

The Centre acknowledges the support and assistance

pg 5 right (Ian Acworth)

of various funding bodies, donors and industry partners

pg 10 (Ian Acworth)

involved in our research projects including the Australian

pg 18 Community field open day Thirlmere Lakes (Wendy

Research Council, Federal Department of Education,

Timms)

Federal Department of Environment and the Cotton

pg 20 left: Dr Ashley Martin dipping a bore, Rottnest

Research and Development Corporation.

Is fieldwork (Andy Baker) right: Wellington field course

pg 4 Rottnest Island Fieldwork (Andy Baker)

(Martin Andersen)

ADDRESS Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre The University of New South Wales UNSW Australia NSW 2052 W http://www.connectedwaters.unsw.edu.au/

pg 23: Sampling surface water in the Bell River, Wellington (Andy Baker) pg 27: Thirlmere Lakes temperature sensor installation by Dr Gabriel Rau (Martin Andersen) Back cover: Anna Bay fieldwork (Martin Andersen) Design: The Imagination Agency Pty Ltd Helena Brusic HELENA007@protonmail.com

PRODUCTION Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre Editors: Martin S Andersen and Katie Coleborn

CRICOS Provider NO 000098G

CONTENTS

5 REPORTS

20 RESEARCH

36 PUBLICATIONS

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <3>

<4> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

REPORTS

Centre Director’s Introduction.................. 6 Summary of CWI Goals and Performance.... 8 Industry and Social Engagement............... 10 Media Releases................................... 12 South-west region’s groundwater research part of Victorian Gas Program..................... 14 Staff and Meetings............................... 15 Significant managerial or personnel changes............................ 15 Records of dates and attendance of management and advisory committee meetings.................. 15 Australasian Groundwater Conference – At UNSW in 2017................. 16 Teaching............................................ 17 Finalised PhDs 2017................................... 17 PhD Recruitment......................................... 19

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <5>

Centre Director’s Introduction The Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre (CWI) is one of UNSW’s only cross-faculty research centres. It operates a wide portfolio of groundwater-related research projects across the faculties of Science, Engineering and Law. The CWI has faculty staff in the Schools of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences (BEES), Civil and Environmental Engineering (CVEN), Mining Engineering (MINE), Faculty of Law and School of Petroleum Engineering (SCOPE). You can read about our staff and our research here: www.connectedwaters.unsw. edu.au. The CWI team continued to consolidate and deliver on the centres research portfolio. In 2017, the centres total ARC grant portfolio included: two Linkages (Baker, Treble and Andersen; Baker and Meredith), two Discoveries (Holley and Baker, O’Carroll and Andersen), one Future Fellowship (O’Carroll) and one DECRA (Holley). Non-ARC funding was obtained from a wide range of sources including the Federal Government Office of Water Science (Andersen, and affiliate Eberhard), the Office of Environment and Heritage (Andersen, Timms, Rau), Australian Water Partnership (Timms and David), NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Timms), the Cotton Research Development Corporation (Kelly, Andersen, and CWI affiliate Cendón), and NSW Research Acceleration and Attraction Program (Rau). The CWI received another year of funding for management and maintenance of the NCRIS Groundwater Infrastructure program for the Federal Government (Department of Education, Andersen). In 2017, CWI were heavily involved in industry engagement too many to mention here. Please see section on Industry and Social Engagement for details. The SNIP average of our 35 international peer-reviewed journal papers in 2017 is 1.65. 97% of our journal publications are in the top quartile (25%) of journals as defined by the discipline categories in Scopus and an impressive 76% are in the top 10 percentile of journals.

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CWI Research Publications in Stats:

The centre continues to encourage staff to ‘aim high’ in their choice of publications. This means generally aiming for Q1 journals and more specifically aiming for journals with a SNIP (Source Normalised Impact per Paper) above 1.5. For example, in 2017 we have published in the following high quality journals:

Journal name

No. articles

SNIP1

Citescore

Percentile2

Earth-Science Reviews

3.25

8.03

98%

Nature Communications

2.91

12.41

98%

Nature Human Behaviour

New journal no metrics yet

Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering

2.84

2.61

86%

Water Research

2.36

7.55

99%

Energy Policy

2.09

4.97

97%

Environmental Science & Technology

1.94

6.58

94%

Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

1.91

3.27

95%

International Journal of Thermal Sciences

1.9

3.91

96%

International Journal of Geomechanics

1.88

2.3

73%

Journal of Hydrology

1.71

4.06

95%

Science of the Total Environment

1.65

4.98

93%

Advances in Water Resources

1.56

3.49

93%

Water Resources Research

1.56

4.39

96%

Chemosphere

1.45

4.65

92%

Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

1.41

4.1

96%

Energy & Fuel

1.28

3.55

88%

Scientific Reports

1.25

4.36

94%

Biogeosciences

1.24

3.96

96%

Hydrological Processes

1.22

3.15

90%

Hydrogeology Journal

1.15

2.03

76%

Climate of the Past

1.08

3.48

98%

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

0.94

2.84

78%

Metrics defined by Scopus (2017); 2 Percentiles per subject category as defined by Scopus.

In 2017, CWI staff and students were able to celebrate

McDonough (Supervisors: Baker, Andersen and Cendon)

numerous achievements which included: CWI PhD can-

was awarded a postgraduate student scholarship from

didate Charlotte Iverach (Supervisors Kelly & Cendon)

ANSTO in the “study of groundwater organic matter

being awarded with best early career researcher presen-

using isotopic and accelerator-based techniques”.

tation for her presentation on “Missing methanogens: new

PhD Candidate Stephen Harris (Supervisors Kelly and

insights into the occurrence of methane in groundwater

Cendon) was awarded ANSTO, ANSIE, CRDC, and

using microbiology” and honours student Paul Cai winning

Endeavour Scholarships all related to his research on the

best post award (Supervisors: Timms & Andersen) for “An

off-farm movement of nitrogen fertilisers and advancing

aquifer becomes an aquitard: centrifuge measurement of

our understanding of the nitrogen cycle.

desaturating sandstone from the constrained zone above an underground mine”. PhD Katie Coleborn (Supervisors: Baker and Treble) was awarded with an AINSE scholarship from ANSTO for her project on “Sulphur: a new proxy for wildfire in speleothem records” and PhD Liza

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <7>

Summary of CWI Goals and Performance RR Increase

staffing capacity in groundwater at UNSW, especially by attracting high quality PhD students, international post-doctoral researchers and international collaborators.

RR Keep

UNSW at the forefront of groundwater research in Australia

Key Performance Indicators for the CWI as detailed our 2012-2017 Business Plan are to:

RR Hold

and received new Category 1 funding from the ARC and the Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC)

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RR Raise

UNSW profile by successfully maintaining long-term groundwater monitoring sites

With respect to these In 2017, the major goals for indicators, in 2017 the CWI CWI were: team have: RR Authored one scholarly book; eight scholarly book chapters; authored and co-authored 35 peer-reviewed international journal articles, more than 43 conference presentations and one technical report.

RR To align the centre vision and strategy to the UNSW2025 strategy.

RR Hold ARC funding including ARC Future Fellowship, an ARC DECRA, two ARC Linkages and two Discovery grants.

RR To increase the portfolio of research grants, including category 1 and 2 funding from the Government.

RR Successfully obtained non-ARC funding from a range of sources including New South Wales Office of Environment and Heritage, Cotton Research Development Corporation.

RR To successfully maintain the NCRIS Groundwater Infrastructure program with funding from the Federal Government.

RR Senior academics from CWI are represented in the Research Leadership Team for the Global Water Institute (UNSW). CWI has put forward multiple proposals via its link with the institute. RR Continued using the Wellington Field Training Facility for undergraduate training.

RR To increase industry and community engagement and to increase industry funding.

RR Continued use of the Wellington Field Training facility, including undergraduate field teaching in Engineering. RR To support the development of centre staff, especially early career researchers and professional staff. RR To increase the number of new PhD students.

RR Enrolled new PhD students: Stephen Harris, Phetdala Oudone, Mohammed Siddiqi, Rachel Ravagnani

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <9>

Industry and Social Engagement

In 2017, CWI were heavily involved in industry and social engagement for example: Kelly, Cendon and Iverach presented the results of the lower Namoi CRDC project to staff from Cotton Australia, CRDC, Namoi Water and the Federal RDC office at the Cotton Australia conference in March. In May, they presented the results to staff from the Murray Darling Basin Authority and Office of Water Science with staff from GA and CSIRO present. In March, Baker, Treble and Coleborn presented cave research findings to the Margaret River and Busselton Tourist Association (WA) and later Baker blogged ‘Fire and groundwater’ at www.blogs.agu/waterunderground and https://blogs.egu.eu/network/water-underground/2017/06/03/fire-and-groundwater as part of his contribution to the Water Underground international network of groundwater bloggers. Baker also presented to the NSW Government ‘Karst Management Advisory Committee’ in May. O’Carroll attended Orica’s 2017 Botany groundwater strategy review workshop in his capacity as advisor to the Independent Monitoring Committee and in August, presented to Orica’s Independent Monitoring Committee. O’Carroll and William Glamore met with representatives of consultancy CH2M at the Water Research Laboratory to discuss UNSW’s capacity in developing solutions for the country’s per- and poly-fluorinated contamination issues. They met with representatives again in September to discuss partnering with UNSW on novel groundwater remediation technologies. In July, O’Carroll gave an invited talk on novel contaminated land technologies at CH2M consultancy office in Chatswood. O’Carroll met with Geosyntec consultants to discuss the utility of electro-kinetics for contaminated land remediation and later had a meeting with Dow Chemical to discuss outcomes of an electro-kinetics for contaminated land remediation field study he leads.

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Timms presented at Mine Rehab industry workshop in the

Dharriwaa Elders Group to discuss a range of social

Hunter Valley on “Balancing site water accounts – focus-

and technical groundwater issues. At the meeting Ruth

ing on aquifer interference and mine discharge”. Timms

McCausland from FASS was also present. It was agreed

and Andersen met with the IESC (Independent Expert

that visit to Walgett and surrounds should be planned

Scientific Committee) on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal

and that ideas for student projects should be pursued. In

Mining Development during their visit to UNSW and WRL.

September Holley met at UNSW with Murray-Darling Basin

In May, Tim McMillan (McMillan, Timms, Murray, Andersen,

Authority (MDBA) to inform MDBA compliance inquiry and

Rau) presented a poster talk at Mitsubishi industry event

with ICAC to inform NSW compliance inquiry in a separate

at UNSW on “Changes to groundwater flow near geolog-

meeting in October. In December, Holley provided a re-

ical structures and underground mines”. Thirlmere Lakes

search report on ‘Regulating Controlled Activities’ to NSW

Research Program had its Inaugural Meeting with NSW

DPI Water and presented law, policy and markets project

OEH in June with Timms, Andersen and CWI affiliate

to the National party visiting delegation. Holley made a

Cendon present.

submission to the Productivity Commission on ‘Inquiry into the reform of Australia’s Water Resources Sector’

In April, Andersen met with Michael Spencer CEO of

(with Emma Carmody, Barbara Cosens, Alex Gardner, Lee

Water Stewardship Australia and the Alliance for Water

Godden, Janice Gray, Bruce Lindsay, Liz Macpherson,

Stewardship, facilitated by Nick Schofield GWI, to dis-

Rebecca Nelson, Erin O’Donnell, Lily O’Neill, Kate Owens,

cuss possible projects, particularly focusing on projects

Darren Sinclair, 17 April 2017).

improving groundwater management in the private sector. A specific project was discussed reviewing the groundwa-

Ongoing expert service: Dr Wendy Timms: is a member

ter management of a Nestle plant in Thailand. Andersen

of The Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal

also met with Tony Bernardi and Dave Mitchell to review

Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development (IESC).

groundwater data from the Mulloon Institute rehydration

She provides scientific advice to decision makers on the

project. In May, Andersen and Doug Anderson (WRL)

impact that coal seam gas and large coal mining devel-

met with representative from NSW DPI, CISCO and Data

opment may have on Australia’s water resources and in

61 to discuss possible groundwater applications to the

developing research priorities. In December 2017, Dr

Internet of Things (IoT). Andersen presented findings of

Wendy Timms took on a statutory role for the Supervising

the Office of Water Science (Department of Energy and

Scientist in the Northern Territory, providing advice on

the Environment) funded project “The assessment of

environmental aspects of uranium mining, particularly

hydro-ecological responses to coal seam gas extraction

focusing on groundwater and geochemistry aspects of

and large coal mines” with particular emphasis on the rel-

rehabilitation. Dr Wendy Timms is also a member of NSW

evance for state and federal regulators and assessors of

Resources Advisory Forum (with peak groups repre-

mining proposals over three 1-day workshops in Brisbane,

sented from the mining industry, mining related councils

Canberra and Sydney in June. In July, Andersen met with

and NGOs). Prof Andy Baker is a member of NSW Karst

Dr Krishna Kumar Kotra from The University of The South

Management Advisory Committee and advisor for the

Pacific, Vanuatu, at UNSW to discuss a range of project

NSW OEH Jenolan Environmental Monitoring Program.

opportunities, including groundwater quality guidelines,

Andy Baker is also on the Steering Committee of a

climate change impacts on groundwater resources and

new PAGES Working Group called SISAL - Speleothem

research proposals. Rau and Andersen held discussions

Isotopes Synthesis & Analysis. It brings together speleo-

with Dr Anna Greve (ex UNSW) about Glencore funding of

them scientists, speleothem-process modellers, statisti-

a surface water interaction study at one of their mines. In

cians and climate modellers to develop a global synthesis

October, Andersen and CWI affiliate Cendon held discus-

of speleothem isotopes that can be used both to explore

sion with Senior Hydrogeologist John Paul Williams NSW

past climate changes and in model evaluation. For further

DPI about a potential ARC Linkage project on surface

information: http://pastglobalchanges.org/ini/wg/sisal/

water groundwater interactions in the Hunter Valley.

intro. A/Prof Denis O’Carroll is a member of the ORICA Independent Monitoring Committee providing advice on

Holley and Andersen met at UNSW with Wendy Spencer

contaminated sites remediation.

Project Manager and representative of the Walgett

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <11>

Media Releases Media releases and other media successes The CWI team produced the following media releases in 2017*: 9 February: Dr Landon Halloran gave keynote address at Water Institute for Sustainability Forum in Thailand. http://www.connectedwaters.unsw.edu.au/news/2017/02/ cwi-team-member-gives-keynote-address-water-institute-sustainability-forum-thailand 5 April: Dr Gabriel Rau, Prof Emeritus Ian Acworth, Dr Landon Halloran and Dr Mark Cuthbert wrote a Conversation article titled “Squeezed by gravity: how tides affect the groundwater under our feet”. 1 June: media release of Nature Communications paper by CWI research fellow Dr Mark Cuthbert who discuss how groundwater ‘pit stops’ enabled survival and migration of our ancient ancestors http://www.connectedwaters.unsw.edu.au/news/2017/06/ groundwater-%E2%80%98pit-stops%E2%80%99 -enabled-survival-and-migration-our-ancient-ancestors 2 June: Prof Andy Baker wrote his first AGU blog post “Fire and groundwater” https://blogs.agu.org/ waterunderground/2017/06/02/fire-and-groundwater/ 10 June: CWI affiliate Dr Mark Cuthbert wrote an AGU blog post titled “Is highway de-icing ‘a-salting’ our aquifers?” https://blogs.egu.eu/network/water-underground/2017/06/10/is-highway-de-icing-a-salting-our-aquifers/#.WT0zRZrEqog.twitter 11 June: A/Prof Cameron Holley made a LinkedIn press release of “Energy governance, energy security and environmental sustainability: a case study from Hong Kong” with free access to an article with the same title.

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11 July: Highlights from the Australian Groundwater Conference including keynote talks from CWI affiliate Dr Mark Cuthbert, Climate Change and Groundwater Resource Challenge chaired by Prof Andy Baker, Energy Futures featuring panelist Dr Gabriel Rau and chaired by Dr Wendy Timms, Social License to Operate chaired by A/Prof Cameron Holley, Early Career Oral Presentation Award for Charlotte Iverach. http://createsend.com/t/j-5E78EA152F2A355A 2 August: Holley commentary in ‘Four Corners Murray Darling fallout lands on irrigators pump rules’ M Foley, The Land, 2 August 2017. 22 August: Press release titled: ‘Understanding culture to conserve water’ for journal article by PhD student Juan-Carlos Castillo-Rho and CWI co-authors A/Prof Cameron Holley and Dr Martin Andersen in Nature Human Behaviour titled: “Social tipping points in global groundwater management.” 22 August: Press release from Phys Org “Model reveals best approach to get people to conserve water in different areas” for PhD student Juan-Carlos Castillo-Rho’s paper “Social tipping points in global groundwater management.” Published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour http://www.natureasia.com/en/research/highlight/12114/#. WZsyk9WK0Jk.twitter 27 August: Featured story on the GWI-webpage: “Understanding culture to conserve water” promoting the publication of Nature Human Behaviour paper by PhD student Juan Carlos Castilla Rho titled “Social tipping points in global groundwater management.” http://www.globalwaterinstitute.unsw.edu.au/news/ understanding-culture-to-conserve-water 4 October: Press release from ANSTO for the work carried out by CWI researchers and ANSTO colleagues “Using isotopes to understand saltwater intrusion of Rottnest Island groundwater”. http://www.ansto.gov.au/AboutANSTO/MediaCentre/News/ ACS165279 18 October: LinkedIn press release from A/Prof Cameron Holley for book chapter in “Future Water: Improving Planning, Markets, Enforcement and Learning” https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/future-water-improving-planning-markets-enforcement-learning-holley

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <13>

19 October: A newspaper article published in the Standard titled “South-west region’s groundwater research part of Victorian Gas Program” follows the work of Mark Hocking and Charlotte Iverach (CWI part-time PhD candi-

South-west region’s groundwater research part of Victorian Gas Program

dates) doing baseline surveys of groundwater conditions in southern Victoria for the Victorian Geological Survey.

In 2017 Mark Hocking and Charlotte Iverach (CWI

This is to inform the debate about the expansion of on-

part-time PhD candidates) both started working for the

shore conventional gas exploration and production.

Victorian Geological Survey $42 million Victorian Gas

http://www.standard.net.au/story/4999941/regions-ground-

Program which is baselining groundwater conditions

water-research-part-of-victorian-gas-program-vid-

in regions of potential gas developments. This project

eo/?cs=72

aims to inform the debate about the expansion of onshore conventional gas exploration and production.

10 November: “Spotlight on mining and water with Dr

https://www.standard.net.au/story/4999941/re-

Wendy Timms”. Wendy Timms discusses her experience

gions-groundwater-research-part-of-victorian-gas-pro-

working as a hydrogeologist and environmental engineer

gram-video/

and why diversity is important in mining engineering http://www.connectedwaters.unsw.edu.au/news/2017/11/ spotlight-mining-and-water-dr-wendy-timms CWI also has its own news website where the stories above are reposted in addition to other CWI news (http:// www.connectedwaters.unsw.edu.au/news-media-0/news). * There has been no media outreach associated with any of the CRDC projects in 2017. This was at the request of the grant funding body, as these projects have aspects that are commercially sensitive. Part of our media strategy has Cameron Holley (@ H2Ogovernance), Andy Baker (@baker_and), and Gabriel Rau (@hydrogeoscience) tweeting CWI news. This has been very successful. Some highlights from the CWI twitter campaign are listed below. Baker is also sharing all CWI news items sent to him via Facebook and LinkedIn.

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Staff and Meetings Significant managerial or personnel changes Through 2017 the CWI management team consisted

Records of dates and attendance of management and advisory committee meetings

of Martin Andersen (Director) and Cameron Holley

The CWI management team consist of Martin Andersen

(Associate Director). Throughout 2017, the presiding fac-

(Director – CVEN), Cameron Holley (Law) and Denis

ulty was Engineering. By the end of 2017 the Connected

O’Carroll (CVEN). In 2017 the management team was

Waters Initiative Research Centre had the following staff

working on aligning the CWI strategic plan with the UNSW

make up (funding source in brackets):

2025 strategy. The interim strategic plan was discussed with the wider CWI team at the CWI retreat in November.

Director A/Prof Martin Andersen (CVEN)

17th CWI Management Board Meeting 8th December 2017. Dr Martin Andersen (Director CWI); Prof Mark

Associate Directors

Hoffman (Presiding Chair); Prof Emma Johnston (Dean

A/Prof Cameron Holley (LAW)

of Science); Prof George Williams (Dean of Law); Prof

A/Prof Denis O’Carroll (CVEN)

Martin Van Kranendonk (HOS BEES); Prof Paul Hagan (HOS MINE); Prof Stephen Foster (HOS CVEN); Prof Ian

Academics

Turner (WRL Director); Prof Klaus Regenauer-Lieb (HOS

Professor Andy Baker (BEES)

SCOPE).

Prof Emeritus Ian Acworth (CVEN) A/Prof Bryce Kelly (BEES) Dr Wendy Timms (MINE) Dr Gabriel Rau (CVEN) Dr Hamid Roshan (SCOPE) Visiting Academics Dr Zhangyong Wang (Chinese Academy of Science)* Dr Fengmei Ban* Mr Toshiyuki Bandai (University of Tokyo) Dr Wuhui Duan† Post-doctoral Researchers Dr Helen Rutlidge, Dr Ashley Martin*, Katarina David†, Dr Landon Halloran* Professional Staff Mark Whelan, Iwona Buczek*, Calvin Li Centre Affiliates Dr Dioni Cendón, Janice Gray, Assoc. Prof Stuart Khan, Dr Karina Meredith, Dr Pauline Treble, Dr Andrew McCallum, Dr Stefan Eberhard, Darren Sinclair, Dr Mark Cuthbert and Dr Catherine Jex * Staff that left the centre in 2017 † Staff and affiliates that joined the centre in 2017

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <15>

Clockwise from Left: CWI representation at the AGC conference in Sydney. Top right: part of the organising committee Andrea McCarthy, Wendy Timms, Theo Sarris, Katarina David, Makoto Taniguchi and Anna Greve. Bottom right: Conference Chairs Wendy Timms and Martin Andersen with NCGRT director Craig Simmons.

The CWI team at the Australasian Groundwater Conference, UNSW July 2017 The Australasian Groundwater Conference 2017 was

RR CWI affiliate Dr Mark Cuthbert delivering a plenary

hosted by NCGRT, IAH and CWI at UNSW in the John

talk on early hominid reliance on groundwater in

Niland Building. The conference was opened by

Africa.

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Luke Hartsuyker and was a huge success with over 340 at-

RR CWI PhD candidate Charlotte Iverach being award-

tendees, more than 260 presentations including plenary

ed with best early career researcher presentation

and keynote presentations, panel discussions, posters

for her presentation on “Missing methanogens: new

and innovative exhibitions. Abstract can be found at:

insights into the occurrence of methane in ground-

http://www.groundwater.com.au/agc-2017-abstracts

water using microbiology”.

The CWI team played a key role in the success of the

RR Honours student Paul Cai won best post award

conference with Dr Martin Andersen and Dr Wendy

(Supervisors: Timms & Andersen) for “An aquifer

Timms co-chairing the organising committee and Martin

becomes an aquitard: centrifuge measurement of

Andersen chairing the scientific committee. The CWI

desaturating sandstone from the constrained zone

team featured prominently in the conference contribution

above an underground mine”.

about 23 talks and 10 posters. Highlights included:

See further at: http://www.globalwaterinstitute.unsw.edu.au/news/ regions-groundwater-experts-rally-at-unsw

<16> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Teaching Teaching and research supervision carried out by the Centre on behalf of academic units Centre staff employed by the Schools of CVEN, BEES, MINE, PTRL and UNSW Law and Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre contributed the following UNSW teaching in 2015:

Finalised PhD Theses in 2017 Bryan, Eliza. A multi-scale investigation of an island groundwater resource under a drying climate using isotopic techniques. Supervisors Baker (BEES), Andersen (CVEN), Meredith (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate) and Vincent Post (Flinders University) Markowska, Monika. Speleothem records of past climate and groundwater recharge in SE Australia. Supervisors

GEOS1111 Fundamentals of Geology

Baker (BEES), Treble (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate) and Andersen

GEOS1211 Environmental Earth Science

(CVEN)

GEOS2291 Earth’s Interconnections: Hydrology, Biogeochemical Cycles and Ecosystems

Peterson, Mark. Interpreting fractured rock aquifers and groundwater residence time using radioisotopes.

CVEN3501 Water Resources Engineering

Supervisors Andersen (CVEN) and Cendón (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate)

CVEN3702 Solid Waste GEOS3761 Quaternary Environments CVEN4503 Groundwater Resource Investigation GEOS3733/6733 Environmental Geophysics CVEN9630 Groundwater Hydrology and Resources Analysis CVEN9884 Environmental Engineering Science 1 CVEN9885 Environmental Engineering Science 2 MINE1010 Mineral resources engineering MINE3220 Resource estimation

Ongoing PhD Theses Castilla, Juan R. Agent-based modelling of groundwater systems. Supervisors Mariethoz, Andersen (CVEN) and Kelly (BEES) Coleborn, Katie. Sulphur: a new speleothem proxy for wildfires? Supervisors Baker, Treble (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate), Peter Wynn (Lancaster University), Silvia Frisia (University of Newcastle) Cook, Scott. New approaches to characterisation of

MINE3910 Socio-environmental aspects of mining

aquitard properties and processes in alluvial groundwater systems. Supervisors Timms (MINE) and Kelly (BEES)

MINE8760 Mine geology and geophysics MINE8910 Mine water and waste management MINE8930 Fundamentals of uranium mining

David, Katarina. Characterisation of low permeability strata in the Sydney Basin. Supervisors Timms, Rudrajit Mitra (MINE) and Baker (BEES)

PTRL4010 Geological Modelling (Thesis A) PTRL3023 Formation Evaluation (well logging) LAWS3361 Environmental Law

Harris, Stephen. Quantifying the nitrogen cycle: from farm gate to catchments, groundwater and atmosphere. Supervisors Kelly (BEES), Cendón (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate)

JURD7361 Environmental Law

Hocking, Mark. Assessing the Impact of Coal Seam Gas

LAWS8068 Environmental Law in Australia

Developments in the Condamine Catchment. Supervisor

LAWS8069 Natural Resources Law

Kelly (BEES) and Craig Beverly (ext.).

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <17>

<18> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Iverach, Charlotte. The application of isotopes for

Ongoing Research Master Theses

assessing the impacts of the gas sector on groundwater and air. Supervisors: Kelly (BEES), Cendón (ANSTO, CWI

Auhl, Alexandra. Using cotton strip assays to compare

Affiliate)

microbial activity in the groundwater and hyporheic zone at Maules Creek, NSW, Australia. Supervisors Baker (BEES),

Keshavarzi, Mohammedreza. Geochemical and geo-

Andersen (CVEN) Holley (LAW) Helen Rutlidge (CVEN)

physical investigations of carbonate hydrogeology, SE Australia. Supervisors Baker and Kelly (BEES)

Fang, Bian. Impact of fire on hydrological and geochemical signatures in karst vadose zone water, Wombeyan

McDonough, Liza. Factors affecting the transport

caves, New South Wales, Australia. Supervisors Baker

and fate of groundwater dissolved organic carbon.

(BEES) and Pauline Treble (CWI affiliate)

Supervisors: Baker (BEES), Andersen (CVEN), O’Carroll Li, Calvin. Spatial and Temporal Importance of Diffuse and

(CVEN), Meredith (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate)

Stream Recharge in Semi-arid Environments. Supervisors McMillan, Timothy. Changes to groundwater flow

Andersen (CVEN), Kelly (BEES) and Rau (CVEN)

paths near geological structures and underground mines; Southern Sydney Coal Fields, NSW, Australia. Supervisors: Timms (MINE), Andersen and Rau (CVEN). Oudone, Phetdala. The processess determining dissolved organic carbon (DOC) character and concentration in groundwater in different geological environments. Supervisors: Baker (BEES), O’Carroll (CVEN), Andersen (CVEN) & Helen Rutlidge (CVEN)

Master Theses Shaunak, Piyush. Measuring surface water-groundwater interactions and sediment respiration rates at Maules Creek, NSW, Australia. Rau and Andersen (CVEN) Wei, Wang. The effect of an artificial destratification system on the water quality of Chichester Reservoir, The

Siddiqi, Mohammed. Predicting two phase flow in clay rich sediments. Supervisor: Roshan (SCOPE) Ravagnani, Rachel. Governance of the Energy, Water and Food Nexus. Supervisors: Holley (LAW) and Rayfuse (LAW)

role of organic carbon. Andersen (CVEN) and Glamore (CVEN)

Honours Theses Bui, Quan. Experimental heat transport in natural porous

Tadros, Carol. Geochemical signatures of past climate variability in speleothems from Yarrangobilly Caves. Supervisors Baker (BEES) and Treble (ANSTO, CWI Affiliate)

media: the influence of grain size distribution on the heat transport dynamics. Supervisors Rau and Andersen (CVEN) Moll, Francis Christopher Javellana. Deriving aquifer

Yan, Jie (Jack). Unravelling the deformation history of the Northern Hastings Block, south New England Orogen. Supervisors Paul Lennox (BEES), Kelly (BEES), Robin Offler (University of Newcastle)

properties using hydrogeological and geophysical techniques Supervisor Andersen (CVEN) Nicholls, Thomas. Analysis of the spatio-temporal variability of soil water content beneath an epehemeral

Zainuddin, Nur. Sources and mobility of arsenic in alluvial river sediments. Supervisors Andersen (CVEN) and

streambed – a flume experiment Supervisors Andersen and Rau (CVEN)

Baker (BEES) Chen Qian (Eric) Application of alkaline brine salts from

PhD Recruitment

coal seam gas operations in remediation of acid mine

In 2017 CWI was successful in recruiting PhD students,

drainage. Supervisors David Cohen (BEES), Andersen

Stephen Harris, Phetdala Oudone, Mohammed Siddiqi

(CVEN)

and Rachel Ravagnani. CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <19>

RESEARCH

Research Projects.........................................................21 ARC DECRA; ARC Future Fellowship; ARC Discovery ARC Linkage with ANSTO, NSW OEH ..................................21 ARC Linkage with ANSTO / ANU / Rottnest Island Authority / Department of Water WA ..............................................22 National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) (Andersen).......................................................23 Cotton RDC Projects (Kelly, Cendon, Manefield, Andersen, Rau)..........................................................................24 CRDC Project Lower Namoi Catchment..................................... 24 CRDC PhD scholarship ............................................................. 24 CRDC Quantifying the nutrients cycle: from farm gate to catchments, groundwater and atmosphere ................................ 24 CRDC Project Border Rivers; RAAP-NSW (Rau) ....................... 25 Federal Government Office of Water Science OWS (Andersen) .25 Other Grants ...............................................................26 NSW OEH Thirlmere Lakes (Andersen, Timms & Rau) ............. 26 Australian Coal Research Program (ACARP) (Timms) .............. 28 Australian Water Partnership (AWP) (Timms and David) .......... 28 Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) (Andersen) ................... 28 NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Timms) ......... 28 The Pacific Islands Universities Research Network (PIURN) (Andersen) ................................................................................ 28 INPEX-SCT (Roshan)................................................................. 28 HIGHLIGHTS: CWI PHD SUBMISSIONS OF 2017......................30 A multi-scale investigation of an island groundwater resource under a drying climate using isotopic techniques (Bryan, Eliza)..30 Speleothem oxygen isotope systematics in an Australian dryland environment. (Markowska, Monika)..........................32 The radioactive-stable tracer diffusion method to quantify diffusive losses in fractured rocks and heterogeneous aquifers (Peterson, Mark) ..........................................................34 <20> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Research Projects ARC DECRA (Holley) One of Australia’s greatest challenges is managing its

ARC Discovery (Holley, Kennedy and Shearing)

scarce water resources through collaborative water

The project is examining governance solutions for integrat-

planning. This project critically evaluates collaborative

ing coal seam gas and groundwater. A postdoc has been

water governance, develops legal and policy principles

hired and fieldwork has been completed in Queensland.

enabling its mobilisation in an effective, efficient and

Two articles have been submitted to journals on the topic

equitable manner. The project has been finalised in 2017,

of energy water nexus and water and energy security.

culminating in a manuscript and edited book that will both

Further fieldwork in the USA is planned for January 2018.

be published in 2018.

ARC Future Fellowship (O’Carroll) Engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) have generated significant public and scientific excitement due to their unique

ARC Linkage with ANSTO, NSW OEH, Optimal Karst Management, University of Birmingham (Baker, Andersen, Treble)

properties. However, there is concern that some ENPs can have detrimental environmental impacts. O’Carroll is

The project investigating the effects of fire on karst

making very good progress on this project with con-

subsurface processes is wrapping up. The post-fire

ference presentations and journal papers in 2017. He

monitoring at Wombeyan was completed in May 2017.

continues to investigate how ENPs leach from commercial

The final hazard reduction burn took place at Borenore in

projects, their fate in the environment as well as impacts

May 2017. Bian Fang (MRes) has completed the post-fire

to wetland and soil microbial systems.

monitoring at Wombeyan. Presentations were made at the ‘Climate Change: the Karst Record 8’ conference (Texas, May 2017) by Coleborn, Treble and Bian. Coleborn and Bian gave presentations at the Australasian Groundwater Conference and Bian also presented findings from the project at the American Geophysical Union. left and right: Fire on Karst Katie Coleborn in action (A Baker)

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <21>

ARC Discovery (Baker, O’Carroll, Andersen) “Groundwater organic matter: carbon source or sink?”

Spencer (Florida State University), Dr Daren Gooddy

(Baker, O’Carroll, Andersen) Dr Helen Rutlidge was

(British Geological Survey), Chris Marjo (MWAC) and

appointed as PDRA on the project from January 2017,

Prof Stuart Khan (CVEN). Dr Karina Meredith (ANSTO)

and Phetdala Oudone joined the project team as a PhD

is supporting the project through an ANSTO top-up

researcher from March 2017. They join PhD researcher

Scholarship to Liza McDonough, and a request has been

Liza McDonough (started S2 2016). Liza presented at

made to ARC for her to be included as an official PI on

the American Chemical Society meeting (March 2017)

the project. The project is making great progress: The first

and Liza, Phetdala and Helen all had presentations at

part of the project of sampling groundwater from NCRIS

the Australasian Groundwater Conference (Sydney, July

Groundwater Infrastructure bore sites to quantify and

2017). Andy Baker had a session proposal on natural

characterise the DOC and conduct sorption and BDOC

organic matter in groundwater accepted at the American

experiments is almost completed. Preliminary results of

Geophysical Union Fall Meeting (New Orleans, December

this work will be presented in 5 talks and posters at the

2017). Collaborations instigated by the project team

2017 AGU session. Desorption experiments are being

include ARC Future Fellow Isaac Santos (SCU), Dr Robert

planned for 2018.

Dr Helen Rutlidge and PhD student Phetdala Oudone sampling surface water in the Bell River, Wellington (Photo Andy Baker)

Dr Helen Rutlidge and PhD student Phetdala Oudone setting up for groundwater sampling at Wellington (Photo Andy Baker)

PhD student Phetdala Oudone and Dr Helen Rutlidge sampling surface water at Wellington Field Station for organic matter analysis (Photo Andy Baker)

Nightwork: Dr Helen Rutlidge and PhD student Phetdala Oudone waiting for the groundwater bore to clear (Photo Andy Baker)

<22> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <23>

ARC Linkage with ANSTO / ANU / Rottnest Island Authority / Department of Water WA (Baker, Meredith)

The project, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unlocking the secrets of the groundwater

source-to-target approach. Dr Ashley Martin joined the

cycle using Si and Li isotopesâ&#x20AC;?, is a collaboration be-

project team from January 2017. All samples have been

tween Baker, Meredith (ANSTO and CWI), Norman (ANU),

collected for this project, and all Li isotope analyses are

Pigois (WA Office of Water), and Kearney (Rottnest Island

completed. The first results were presented by Ashley at

Authority). This project aims to determine how non-con-

Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference (Paris, July 2017).

ventional lithium and silicon isotopes can be used to

The project is on time for completion at the end of 2017.

understand groundwater processes using an innovative The Rottnest Is field team consisting of Karina Meredith (ANSTO), PhD student Liza McDonough, Dr Helen Rutlidge and Dr Ashley Martin sampling groundwater and seawater (Photos Andy Baker).

<24> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS) (Andersen) The NCRIS Groundwater Infrastructure Program has been

(2017-2018). This will be the last year of NCRIS funding

operating since 2009. It is responsible for field infrastruc-

and the Groundwater Program is exploring alternative

ture dedicated to monitoring time series of groundwater

sources of funding for maintaining existing and new

levels and climate. To date 52 scientific journal papers has

infrastructure (see further detail below). Besides the

been published using the sites for sampling access or

routine data capturing and dissemination and infrastruc-

monitoring data. 29 of these publications are from UNSW

ture maintenance, the main activity has been engaging

authors. CWI affiliate Dr Mark Cuthbert (University of

with the National Research Infrastructure Capabilities

Cardiff, UK) was awarded a prestigious NERC Fellowship

road mapping activities. In light of the changes in

(2017-2021) for which he plan to use the NCRIS sites

Federal Government research priorities and funding, the

to investigate the link between climate and groundwa-

groundwater research infrastructure program has been

ter (supported by Andersen). The NCRIS Groundwater

considering how to seek other funding sources and how

Infrastructure at Wellington Caves was also leveraged by

to increase the scale and scope of national groundwater

Dr Andreas Hartmann (University of Freiburg, Germany)

infrastructure. Discussions were held with representatives

who was awarded a prestigious German research council

of both the NCRIS facilities of AusCope and TERN about

(DFG) career fellowship grant worth â&#x201A;Ź1.4 Mio. He will

the future of groundwater infrastructure collaborations

use part of his grant to further instrument Wellington

and synergies. It was generally agreed that there are real

Caves to advance the studies of vadose zone hydrolo-

synergies to be explored along the groundwater ecology

gy (supported by Baker). Another year of funding was

interface and that better integration and collaboration is to

successfully obtained for operating and maintaining the

be pursued.

NCRIS Groundwater Infrastructure Program ($450,000) Dr Gabriel Rau and technical officer Rob Jenkins installing a pumping bore in preparation for the Wellington field course (photo: Martin Andersen)

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <25>

Cotton RDC Projects (Kelly, Cendon, Manefield, Andersen, Rau) CRDC Project Lower Namoi Catchment Baselining groundwater and air in irrigated agricultural districts adjacent to the Pilliga CSG developments. (Kelly, Cendon, Andersen, Manefield (CVEN) - ongoing funding with the CRDC lower Namoi project is $113,608 16/17; $127,608 17/18). This project was started in 2017 and runs until June 30th, 2018. The hydrogeochemical insights presented in Iverach et al. (2017) in HESS https://www. hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/21/5953/2017/hess-21-59532017-discussion.html provide a new conceptual model on how and when the lower Namoi alluvial aquifer is recharged. Using isotopes and other hydrogeochemical parameters this research shows where the groundwater is young and where it is potentially many hundreds of thousands of years old. The chemical characteristic of the groundwater provides insights about the proportion of recharge that can be attributed to surface water inflow and to discharge from the Great Artesian Basin aquifer into the alluvium. The UNSW/ANSTO lower Namoi project results has generated a lot of interest, because this is one of the few new data sets being collected in the region, where there is both extensive irrigated agriculture and potential coal seam gas developments. Our centre focus on field-based investigations of water chemistry and isotopes is a key strength, as most Federal and State government departments and CSIRO are focusing mostly on modelling (commonly using old data). The primary outcome of

PhD student Stephen Harris sampling nitrogen species from surface water and groundwater (Photos Dioni Cendon)

the lower Namoi CRDC project is that discharge from the Great Artesian Basin into the lower Namoi alluvium has been underestimated. The ANSTO/UNSW team established this using hydrogeochemical measurements, where previous estimates relied on water balance models. The results have implications for the lower Namoi groundwater Water Sharing Plan and the proposed development of Coal Seam Gas production in the region. Future water balance models in the region need to be constrained by these hydrogeochemical insights. The research outcomes in Iverach et al. (2017) were cited in: Advice to decision maker on coal seam gas project IESC 2017-086: Narrabri Gas Project (EPBC 2014/7376; SSD 6456) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; New Development http://www.iesc.environment.gov.au/system/ files/resources/1849e5a1-01ed-4673-b351-be94b1df1e88/files/iesc-advice-narrabri-2017-086.pdf

<26> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CRDC PhD scholarship

RAAP-NSW (Rau)

This project looks at spatial and temporal importance of

RAAP-NSW (Rau) This research funding ($50,000) was

diffuse and stream recharge in semiarid environments and

leveraged of the NSW portion of the NCRIS Groundwater

the implications for integrated water management. The

Infrastructure funding. Dr Landon Halloran was appoint-

student Calvin Li is in the process of writing up his thesis

ed as postdoctoral researcher on 0.5 FTE to meet the

(supervised by Andersen, Kelly and Rau).

milestones set out in the NSW Research Acceleration and Attraction Program (RAAP) funding agreement. The

CRDC Quantifying the nutrients cycle: from farm gate to catchments, groundwater and atmosphere

project delivered a scientific journal paper publishing

ANSTO (CWI affiliate Dr Dioni Cendon) is leading this

ics_of_surface_water-groundwater_interactions_in_inter-

grant. This $500,000 (2017-2020) grant is focused on as-

mittent_and_ephemeral_streams_using_streambed_ther-

sessing the off-farm movement of nitrogen fertiliser. There

mal_signatures. The project also produced a groundwater

are three components to the research on tracing nitrogen

factsheet for the general public: http://www.connected-

movement through the water cycle, primarily rivers and

waters.unsw.edu.au/sites/all/files/UNSW-CWI_groundwa-

aquifers and measuring the loss of nitrous oxide to the

ter-facts_2017.pdf. The project finalised in 2017.

atmosphere. All water chemistry is being coordinated by CWI affiliate Dr. Dioni Cendon, and the atmospheric measurements are being coordinated by A/Prof Bryce

NCRIS data on surface water groundwater interactions in intermittent streams: https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/318303951_Characterising_the_dynam-

Federal Government Office of Water Science OWS (Andersen)

Kelly. To support this project category 2 funding for PhD from ANSTO for a top-up scholarship for $30,000 over 3

This project to inform “The assessment of hydro-ecologi-

years (2017-2020) has been awarded to Stephen Harris

cal responses to coal seam gas extraction and large coal

(Supervisors Cendon & Kelly). The study is being under-

mines” generated field data on the impacts of lowered

taken in three catchments of the Murray-Darling Basin:

groundwater levels on terrestrial vegetation, stream and

Nogoa (Qld), Namoi (NSW) and Murrumbidgee (NSW).

subsurface ecology from two catchments; Maules Creek (NSW) and Bremer River (QLD). The project was finalised in January 2017 and the final report is now approved

CRDC Project Border Rivers

(Andersen, et al., 2016 “Research to inform the assess-

This project investigated deep drainage under irrigated agriculture and native vegetation (Kelly in collaboration with Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines). The collected data has being processed and interpreted and the project was completed in June 2017.

ment of ecohydrological responses to coal seam gas extraction and coal mining.” pp. 338. Department of the Environment and Energy, Commonwealth of Australia). It is published and available for download at: http://www. environment.gov.au/water/publications/assessment-ecohydrological-responses. The project findings led the Department of Environment and Energy to commission the project team to provide a series of workshops in Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra (19-21 of June) for staff at federal and state departments involved in the assessment and advice of mining and CSG proposals. The outcomes of the workshops has been summarised in a factsheet, which can be found on the Department of Environment and Energy’s website at: http://www.environment.gov.au/water/publications/what-are-the-ecological-impacts-of-groundwater-drawdown .

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <27>

NSW OEH Thirlmere Lakes (Andersen, Timms & Rau) The CWI Thirlmere Lakes research project “Surface

Project 1 has engaged an existing UNSW postdoc,

water-groundwater interactions at Thirlmere Lakes”

Katarina David, and a PhD student, Timothy McMillian,

($336,000) is part of a larger collaborative project consist-

and is progressing with geophysical field investigations

ing of three UNSW projects, a University of Wollongong

currently being carried our around the lakes. Project 2

project and an ANSTO project. Each project aims to solve

and 3 were significantly delayed by a protracted requite-

distinct problems, but the projects are interlinked and

ment process for post-doctoral candidates and are both

collaborative and the main UNSW academics are CIs on

now behind on project milestones. The Thirlmere Lakes

several of the three UNSW projects:

Research Program (TLRP) Inaugural Meeting were held with OEH and all project partners on the 16th of June.

RR Project 1 “Geological mapping and geophysical surveys of the Thirlmere Lakes area” ($256,000 - Led by

In the context of this project Wendy Timms is also an invit-

Wendy Timms)

ed member of the scientific review committee established by NSW OEH for Thirlmere Lakes.

RR Project 2 “Surface water-groundwater interactions at Thirlmere Lakes” ($336,000 – Led by Andersen & Rau) RR Project 3 “Developing an integrated water balance

_110022

budget for Thirlmere Lakes to provide a detailed understanding of hydrological dynamics” ($255,000 – Led by A/Prof Will Glamore (WRL) and Dr Fiona Johnson (CVEN)).

Left: Dr Mark Peterson (ANSTO) and Dr Sarsha Gorrisen (OEH) examining a monitoring bore. (Photo: Martin Andersen) Top: Dr Katarina David and Prof Emeritus Ian Acworth surveying Thirlmere Lakes (Photo Martin Andersen) Below: Dr Dioni Cendon (ANSTO), Dr Mark Peterson (ANSTO) and Dr Sarsha Gorrisen (OEH) sampling Lake water at Thirlmere Lakes (Photo: Martin Andersen) Next page: Thirlmere Lakes temperature sensor installation by Dr Gabriel Rau (Photo: Martin Andersen)

14.58.34

14.11.28

Thirlmere Lakes images

<28> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <29>

Australian Coal Research Program (ACARP) (Timms) Timms were a successful CI on the $249,000 ACARP

The Pacific Islands Universities Research Network (PIURN) (Andersen)

grant led by Dr Saydam and collaborators, titled “Floor

Andersen is CI on a successful proposal to PIURN

heave – a comprehensive investigation into failure mech-

(The Pacific Islands Universities Research Network) of

anisms and controlling factors”. Timms have commenced

AU$27,000 for the project “Towards National Drinking

work on the clay and groundwater aspects of the project.

Water Standards in Vanuatu: Applied Research and

ACARP is a Category 1 competitive grant scheme.

Capacity Building” led by Dr Krishna Kotra at The

Australian Water Partnership (AWP) (Timms and David)

University of The South Pacific, Vanuatu. UNSW is not receiving funding and only providing guidance and mentoring (in-kind) at this point. The proposal is strategically linked with Scientia PhD scholarship in the South Pacific

A review of Australia’s capacity for groundwater related

as Dr Kotra is the Vanuatu contact person providing ac-

work in Asia was completed for AWP by CWI in associa-

cess to data.

tion with ACSMP, led by Wendy Timms and Katarina David.

Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) (Andersen)

INPEX-SCT (Roshan) Roshan was successful in attracting industry research funds from international and national companies to

A $10,000 grant for “Expert Review of the Water Resource

conduct research on clay rich rocks ($70,000). Roshan

Assessment (WRA) report of Nestle Thailand Ayutthaya

and Walsh have also submitted a proposal to American

Factory” was awarded to Doug Anderson (WRL) and Martin

Chemical Society on characterization of clay rich rocks

Andersen via the Global Water Institute (GWI). It is antici-

($150,000).

pated that future opportunities will spring from this project.

NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Timms) Wendy Timms continues to contribute to the Springvale Mine Extension IMP (Independent Monitoring Panel), led by Professor Jim Galvin. This has funded pilot studies on isotopes and geochemistry in selected peat swamps near underground mining panels. Dr Wendy Timms visiting a titanium mine

<30> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Top: Student mining excursion to Broken Hill (Wendy Timms) Bottom: Rottnest Is (Andy Baker)

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <31>

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: CWI PHD SUBMISSIONS OF 2017 A multi-scale investigation of an island groundwater resource under a drying climate using isotopic techniques Bryan, Eliza, Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW Left: Eliza sampling a bore on Rottnest Is (Andy Baker)

Eliza sampling a bore on Rottnest Is (Andy Baker)

Coastal aquifers provide a source of water for more than

groundwater may result from the slow circulation of the

two billion people, with island freshwater lenses being

seawater wedge, or from remnant seawater caused by

some of the most vulnerable coastal groundwater sys-

past sea-level highstands. A comparison of current and

tems due to their reliance on rainfall recharge and their

historic data, showed a reduction in the extent of fresh

susceptibility to saltwater intrusion. This thesis makes

groundwater by approximately 1 km2 since 1977, which

an assessment of a freshwater lens in a drying climate

was primarily caused by a reduction in rainfall recharge

through the use of hydrochemical and isotopic data at

rather than abstraction. A combination of modelling and

both single time point and temporal time scales in a bid

geochemical time-series analysis shows recharge occurs

to better understand the sustainability of such a resource.

both annually and from high rainfall events, with modelling

Groundwater and surface water samples were collected

showing the mean residence times of fresh groundwaters

from Rottnest Island, Western Australia, on a seasonal

ranged from 11.5-36.8 years. The importance of temporal

basis between 2013 and 2016 for hydrochemical and

groundwater monitoring to constrain the hydrology and

isotopic ( CDIC, CDOC, O, H, H) analysis and compared

water balance of shallow, unconfined aquifers, due to sea-

with weekly composite rainfall samples. Carbon isotope

sonal variation, was also demonstrated. In conclusion, this

values in groundwaters combined with the composition

thesis has advanced our understanding of the evolution,

of DOC identified three water types, with the deepest

temporal variation, recharge and residence times of an is-

saline groundwaters having a distinctly different compo-

land freshwater lens using isotopic tools, which can assist

sition to the other groundwaters on the island. This older

in the management of similar resources globally.

<32> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Above: Model of groundwater geochemical processes on Rottnest Island in E. Bryan et al. (2017) Science of the Total Environment 607â&#x20AC;&#x201C;608 (Copyright Science of the Total Environment). Below left: PhD Student Eliza Bryan sampling seawater at Rottnest island (Martin Andersen) Below top right: Dr Eliza Bryan with supervisors Karina Meredith, Andy Baker and Martin Andersen Below bottom right: PhD student Eliza Bryan sampling a lake on Rottnest Island (Martin Andersen)

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <33>

Speleothem oxygen isotope systematics in an Australian dryland environment. Markowska, Monika, Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, UNSW

Palaeoclimate reconstruction is crucial for understanding

δ18Oprecip, dependent on unsaturated zone water residence

past variability in Earth’s climate system. Speleothems

times. Age-models were constructed for the Wellington

are natural archives of terrestrial climate and environmen-

Caves stalagmites using the 14C bomb-pulse method and

tal change. The oxygen isotopic record is often used to

a new unsaturated zone organic carbon model. The model

reconstruct past climate variations, however the preserva-

showed good correlation with the measured speleothem

tion of δ18O in speleothems may be modified by the envi-

ronment and its interpretation is consequently site-specif-

ling revealed that organic carbon does not persist long

ic. This thesis focuses on understanding δ18O systematics

in the environment due to hot, water-limited conditions,

at Wellington Caves, located in semi-arid south-eastern,

with mean residence times less than 200 years. The δ18O

Australia. The adopted approach was to use cave monitor-

stalagmite records from Wellington Caves revealed lower

ing to characterise the processes governing the δ O in

δ18O during water excess periods. Conversely, drier peri-

drip waters, develop chronological constraints using 14C

ods with longer time intervals between recharge events,

to build stalagmite age-depth-models, and compare two

resulted in higher δ18O values. This suggests that δ18O in

coeval stalagmite records (1935-2010 CE) to instrumen-

semi-arid zone stalagmites is modified by karst evapo-

tal climate data. Cave monitoring involved employing a

ration and that the prerequisite that stalagmites formed

novel D2O isotopic tracer in a series of artificial irrigations,

under isotopic equilibrium conditions is not crucial for

following baseline monitoring of δ O in drip water and

their use as palaeoclimate archives. Consequently, δ18O in

precipitation. This revealed non-linear, spatiotemporal vari-

semi-arid zone stalagmites may reflect past hydroclimate

ability in the δ O drip response to infiltration, likely exacer-

variability or palaeorecharge and be particularly valuable

bated by dry antecedent conditions. Overall, δ18O in drip

archives in dryland regions where records (tree rings, lake

waters was higher relative to δ O of precipitation input.

cores etc.) are sparse or unreliable.

C data (r2 = 0.87 to 0.99). The organic carbon model-

This was interpreted to be due to high-humidity evaporation of stored water increasing the original precipitation <34> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Photos previous page: Left Monika Markowska in the field. Right: Dr Monika Markowska at her graduation. Above and below: PhD student Monika Markowska doing her fieldwork in Yarrangobilly Caves

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <35>

The radioactive-stable tracer diffusion method to quantify diffusive losses in fractured rocks and heterogeneous aquifers Peterson, Mark, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, UNSW Dr Mark Peterson and Dr Dioni Cendon (ANSTO) sampling Lake water at Thirlmere Lakes (photo: Martin Andersen)

Diffusion is often neglected in water resource hydrogeol-

with repeated injections. Equivalent effective diffusion

ogy or solute transport, but may be the dominant process

coefficients, D* and De, were derived by modifying existing

that affects hydrogeochemistry and tracers. Tracers give

numerical models. The radioactive stable tracer method

misleading results if diffusion into aquitards, matrix pores

and numerical model were also used for a single borehole

of fractured rocks, blind fractures or other low conductivity

within a fractured sandstone aquifer using 82Br/Br tracers.

zones is ignored. Traditional methods of measuring diffu-

The normally confounding field factors such as dilution,

sion coefficients in small slices from heterogeneous rock

advection, exchange, adsorption and precipitation pro-

are unsuitable for scaling up. This study introduces an

cesses identically affect the isotopes, whereas diffusive

alternative radioactive stable tracer method for character-

losses alter radioactive stable isotope ratios. Diffusive loss

ising diffusion based on larger lab-scale drill-core tracer

was constrained to 13 ± 6% per day after only three in-

tests and field-scale borehole tracer tests. Radiohalides

jections, without requiring fracture parameters or porosity.

I (half-life 8 days) or Br (half-life 1.5 days) were com-

131

A case study of diffusive effects on groundwater “age”

pared to their stable equivalent (I or Br) diffusing radially

tracers 3H and 14C was explored using the above and

into 45-50 cm lengths of 60 mm diameter drill cores. Due

results from a novel zone-of-interest groundwater sampler

to radioactive decay, Fick’s laws indicate that short-lived

(ZoIGS). Diffusive losses are normally a sink that leads to

radiotracers trend towards steady-state diffusive flux

overestimation of mean groundwater “age”. However, re-

into stagnant zones as sinks, where stable tracers trend

sults indicated that here diffusion simultaneously caused

towards zero flux. With repeated tracer injections, mini-

both underestimation of 3H age and overestimation of

mum diffusive loss is therefore quantified as the difference

age. Quantifying diffusion with this method in heteroge-

between normalised radiotracer loss (1 At/A0) and stable

neous or fractured aquifers improves the interpretation of

tracer loss (1 Ct/C0). The range of possible diffusive

“age” tracer transport and hence assessments of water

losses [(0.5 + Ct/C0 – At/A0) ± (0.5 - 0.5Ct/C0)] converges

resources.

<36> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Above: Diffusion cell schematic - e.g. switched for collecting all the water surrounding the WRS10-metavolcanics drill core. Below left: Apparatus used in the diffusion cell circuit. Right: Mark and Caz Peterson and supervisor Andersen

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <37>

PUBLICATIONS

Book chapters............................... 37 Journal Articles............................. 37 Conference abstracts....................... 39 Reports....................................... 43

<38> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Publications In the publication list * denote CWI staff or centre affiliate.

*Holley, C., & Sofronova, E. (2017). New environmental governance: adaptation, resilience and law. In

Book chapters

B. Hutter (Ed.), Risk, Resilience, Inequality and Environmental Law (pp. 129-146). Cheltenham:

*Gray, J. S. (2017). Pathways to improved water law and

Edward Elgar.

governance: public interest litigation and protest. In L. Westra, J. Gray, & F. T. Gottwald (Eds.),

Journal Articles

The Role of Integrity in the Governance of the Commons : Governance, Ecology, Law, Ethics (Vol. 1, pp. 69-89). Cham, Switzerland: Springer.

*Acworth, R. I., *Rau, G. C., *Halloran, L. J. S., & *Timms, W. A. (2017). Vertical groundwater storage properties and changes in confinement

*Holley, C. (2017). Environmental Regulation and

determined using hydraulic head response to

Governance. In P. Drahos (Ed.), Regulatory

atmospheric tides. Water Resources Research,

Theory: Foundations and Applications (pp. 741-

53(4), 2983-2997.

758). Canberra: ANU E-Press. Al-Yaseri, A., Zhang, Y. H., Ghasemiziarani, M., *Holley, C. (2017). Future Water: Improving Planning,

Sarmadivaleh, M., Lebedev, M., *Roshan, H.,

Markets, Enforcement and Learning. In R. Levy,

& Iglauer, S. (2017). Permeability Evolution in

M. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien, S. Rice, P. Ridge, & M. Thornton

Sandstone Due to CO2 Injection. Energy & Fuels,

(Eds.), New Directions for Law in Australia (pp.

31(11), 12390-12398.

253-262). Canberra: ANU Press. Al-Yaseri, A. Z., *Roshan, H., Xu, X. M., Zhang, Y. H., *Holley, C., & Shearing, C. (2017). Nodal Governance. In B. Turner, C. Kyung-Sup, C. Epstein, P. Kivisto, W. Outhwaite, & J. Ryan (Eds.), The Wiley Blackwell

Sarmadivaleh, M., Lebedev, M., . . . Iglauer, S. (2017). Coal Wettability After CO2 Injection. Energy & Fuels, 31(11), 12376-12382.

Encyclopedia of Social Theory (pp. 1-2): Wiley. Al-Yaseri, A. Z., *Roshan, H., Zhang, Y., Rahman, T., *Holley, C., & Shearing, C. (2017). A nodal perspective of governance: Advances in nodal governance thinking. In P. Drahos (Ed.), Regulatory Theory: Foundations and Applications (pp. 163-180).

Lebedev, M., Barifcani, A., & Iglauer, S. (2017). Effect of the Temperature on CO2/Brine/Dolomite Wettability: Hydrophilic versus Hydrophobic Surfaces. Energy & Fuels, 31(6), 6329-6333.

Canberra: ANU E-Press. Bandai, T., Hamamoto, S., *Rau, G. C., Komatsu, T., & *Holley, C., & Shearing, C. (2017). Thriving on a Pale

Nishimura, T. (2017). The effect of particle size

Blue Dot: Criminology and the Anthropocene.

on thermal and solute dispersion in saturated

In Criminology and the Anthropocene (pp. 1-1):

porous media. International Journal of Thermal

Routledge.

Sciences, 122, 74-84.

*Holley, C., & *Sinclair, D. (2017). Enforcement strategies:

*Bryan, E., *Meredith, K. T., *Baker, A., *Andersen, M. S., &

inspection, targeting and escalation. In L.

Post, V. E. A. (2017). Carbon dynamics in a Late

Paddock, D. Markell, & N. Bryner (Eds.),

Quaternary-age coastal limestone aquifer system

Compliance and Enforcement of Environmental

undergoing saltwater intrusion. Sci Total Environ,

Law (pp. 101-113). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar

607-608, 771-785.

Publishing Limited.

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <39>

Burrows, R. M., *Rutlidge, H., Bond, N. R., Eberhard,

*David, K., *Timms, W. A., Barbour, S. L., & Mitra, R.

S. M., *Auhl, A., *Andersen, M. S., Valdez, D.

(2017). Tracking changes in the specific storage

& Kennard, M. J. (2017). High rates of organic

of overburden rock during longwall coal mining.

carbon processing in the hyporheic zone of

Journal of Hydrology, 553, 304-320.

intermittent streams. Sci Rep, 7(1), 13198. Fan, D., Lan, Y., Tratnyek, P. G., Johnson, R. L., Filip, Cartwright, I., *Cendon, D., Currell, M., &*Meredith, K.

J., *O’Carroll, D. M., . . . Agrawal, A. (2017).

(2017). A review of radioactive isotopes and

Sulfidation of Iron-Based Materials: A Review of

other residence time tracers in understanding

Processes and Implications for Water Treatment

groundwater recharge: Possibilities, challenges,

and Remediation. Environmental Science

and limitations. Journal of Hydrology, 555, 797-811.

Technology, 51(22), 13070-13085.

*Castilla-Rho, J. C., Rojas, R., *Andersen, M. S., *Holley,

Fogwill, C. J., Turney, C. S., Golledge, N. R., Etheridge, D.

C., & Mariethoz, G. (2017). Social tipping points

M., Rubino, M., Thornton, D. P., . . . Cooper, A.

in global groundwater management. Nature

(2017). Antarctic ice sheet discharge driven by

Human Behaviour, 1(9), 640-649.

atmosphere-ocean feedbacks at the Last Glacial Termination. Scientific Reports, 7, 39979.

Chowdhury, A. I. A., Gerhard, J. I., Reynolds, D., & *O’Carroll, D. M. (2017). Low Permeability

*Halloran, L. J. S., *Andersen, M. S., & *Rau, G. C.

Zone Remediation via Oxidant Delivered by

(2017). Investigation of the thermal regime and

Electrokinetics and Activated by Electrical

subsurface properties of a tidally affected,

Resistance Heating: Proof of Concept.

variably saturated streambed. Hydrological

Environmental Science Technology, 51(22),

Processes, 31(14), 2541-2555.

13295-13303. *Hartmann, A., & *Baker, A. (2017). Modelling karst Chowdhury, A. I. A., Gerhard, J. I., Reynolds, D., Sleep,

vadose zone hydrology and its relevance for

B. E., & *O’Carroll, D. M. (2017). Electrokinetic-

paleoclimate reconstruction. Earth-Science

enhanced permanganate delivery and

Reviews, 172, 178-192.

remediation of contaminated low permeability porous media. Water Research, 113, 215-222.

*Holley, C., & Lecavalier, E. (2017). Energy governance, energy security and environmental sustainability:

*Cook, S. B., *Timms, W. A., *Kelly, B. F. J., & Barbour, S. L. (2017). Improved barometric and loading

A case study from Hong Kong. Energy Policy, 108, 379-389.

efficiency estimates using packers in monitoring wells. Hydrogeology Journal, 25(5), 1451-1463.

*Iverach, C. P., Beckmann, S., *Cendon, D. I., Manefield, M., & *Kelly, B. F. J. (2017). Biogeochemical

Currell, M., Banfield, D., Cartwright, I., & *Cendon, D. I.

constraints on the origin of methane in an alluvial

(2017). Geochemical indicators of the origins

aquifer: evidence for the upward migration

and evolution of methane in groundwater:

of methane from underlying coal measures.

Gippsland Basin, Australia. Environmental

Biogeosciences, 14(1), 215-228.

Science Pollution Research International, 24(15), 13168-13183.

*Iverach, C. P., *Cendon, D. I., *Meredith, K. T., Wilcken, K. M., Hankin, S. I., *Andersen, M. S., & *Kelly, B. F.

*Cuthbert, M. O., Gleeson, T., Reynolds, S. C., Bennett, M.

J. (2017). A multi-tracer approach to constraining

R., Newton, A. C., McCormack, C. J., & Ashley,

artesian groundwater discharge into an alluvial

G. M. (2017). Modelling the role of groundwater

aquifer. Hydrology and Earth System Sciences,

hydro-refugia in East African hominin evolution

21(11), 5953-5969.

and dispersal. Nature Communications, 8, 15696.

<40> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

King, A. C., Raiber, M., Cox, M. E., & *Cendon, D. I. (2017).

*Roshan, H., Masoumi, H., Zhang, Y., Al-Yaseri, A. Z.,

Comparison of groundwater recharge estimation

Iglauer, S., Lebedev, M., & Sarmadivaleh, M.

techniques in an alluvial aquifer system with an

(2017). Microstructural Effects on Mechanical

intermittent/ephemeral stream (Queensland,

Properties of Shaly Sandstone. Journal

Australia). Hydrogeology Journal, 25(6), 1759-

of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental

1777.

Engineering, 144(2).

Lima, A. T., Hofmann, A., Reynolds, D., Ptacek, C. J.,

Schmidt, S. I., *Cuthbert, M. O., & Schwientek, M. (2017).

Van Cappellen, P., Ottosen, L. M., . . . Sanchez-

Towards an integrated understanding of how

Hachair, A. (2017). Environmental Electrokinetics

micro scale processes shape groundwater

for a sustainable subsurface. Chemosphere, 181,

ecosystem functions. Science of the Total

122-133.

Environment, 592, 215-227.

Malott, S., *O’Carroll, D. M., & Robinson, C. E. (2017).

*Treble, P. C., *Baker, A., Ayliffe, L. K., Cohen, T. J.,

Influence of instantaneous and time-averaged

Hellstrom, J. C., Gagan, M. K., . . . Borsato,

groundwater flows induced by waves on the

A. (2017). Hydroclimate of the Last Glacial

fate of contaminants in a beach aquifer. Water

Maximum and deglaciation in southern

Resources Research, 53(9), 7987-8002.

Australia’s arid margin interpreted from speleothem records (23-15 ka). Climate of the

Martinez, J. L., Raiber, M., & *Cendon, D. I. (2017). Using

Past, 13(6), 667-687.

3D geological modelling and geochemical mixing models to characterise alluvial aquifer

Vogel, L. J., Edge, T. A., *O’Carroll, D. M., Solo-Gabriele,

recharge sources in the upper Condamine River

H. M., Kushnir, C. S. E., & Robinson, C. E. (2017).

catchment, Queensland, Australia. Science of

Evaluation of methods to sample fecal indicator

the Total Environment, 574, 1-18.

bacteria in foreshore sand and pore water at freshwater beaches. Water Research, 121, 204-

Masoumi, H., Horne, J., & *Timms, W. (2017). Establishing

212.

Empirical Relationships for the Effects of Water Content on the Mechanical Behavior of

Wu, M. Z., *O’Carroll, D. M., Vogel, L. J., & Robinson, C.

Gosford Sandstone. Rock Mechanics and Rock

E. (2017). Effect of Low Energy Waves on the

Engineering, 50(8), 2235-2242.

Accumulation and Transport of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in Sand and Pore Water at Freshwater

Masoumi, H., *Roshan, H., & Hagan, P. C. (2017). SizeDependent Hoek-Brown Failure Criterion.

Beaches. Environmental Science Technology, 51(5), 2786-2794.

International Journal of Geomechanics, 17(2). *Nagra, G., *Treble, P. C., *Andersen, M. S., Bajo, P., Hellstrom, J., & *Baker, A. (2017). Dating

Conference abstracts *Andersen, M. S., *Rutlidge, H., *Eberhard, S., *Rau, G.,

stalagmites in mediterranean climates using

& *Auhl, A. (2017). Groundwater drawdown:

annual trace element cycles. Scientific Reports,

Biogeochemical implications for streambed water

7(1), 621.

quality. Paper presented at the Australasian

*Rau, G. C., *Halloran, L. J. S., *Cuthbert, M. O., *Andersen, M. S., *Acworth, R. I., & Tellam, J. H.

Groundwater Conference, UNSW Sydney, Australia. *Auhl, A., *Andersen, M.S., *Rutlidge, H. & *Eberhard,

(2017). Characterising the dynamics of surface

S.M. (2017). A comparative examination of

water-groundwater interactions in intermittent

microbial activity in the hyporheic zone and

and ephemeral streams using streambed thermal

boreholes at Maules Creek, NSW. Poster for The

signatures. Advances in Water Resources, 107,

Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th

354-369.

of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <41>

*Baker, A., *Treble, P.C., *Markowska, M., *Andersen

*Cai, P., *Timms, W., *Andersen, M.S. & Melkoumian,

M.S., Wang, Z., Mahmud, K., *Cuthbert, M.O.,

N. (2017). An aquifer becomes an aquitard:

*Coleborn, K. & *Rau, G.C. (2017). Climate and

centrifuge measurement of desaturating

groundwater recharge: the story from Australian

sandstone from the constrained zone above an

caves. Poster for The Australasian Groundwater

underground mine. Poster for The Australasian

Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW, Sydney,

Groundwater Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW,

NSW, Australia.

Sydney, NSW, Australia.

*Baker, A., Duan, W., *Rutlidge, H., *McDonough, L.,

*Castilla-Rho, J.C., Rojas, R., *Andersen, M. S., *Cameron,

*Oudone, P., *Meredith, K., *Andersen, M.S.,

C. & Mariethoz, G. (2017). The groundwater

*Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Carroll, D. & *Coleborn, K. (2017). Dissolved

commons game (Part I): social tipping points

organic matter in the unsaturated zone: the view

in global groundwater management. Paper

from the cave. Paper presented at the American

presented at The Australasian Groundwater

Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans.

Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Ban, F., *Baker, A., Marjo, C., *Duan, W., Li, X., *Coleborn, K., . . . *Nagra, G. (2017). An optimized

*Castilla-Rho, J.C., Rojas, R., *Cameron, C., *Andersen,

chronology for a stalagmite using seasonal

M. S., & Mariethoz, G. (2017). The groundwater

trace element cycles from Shihua Cave, Beijing,

commons game (Part II): unravelling the evolution

North China. Paper presented at the American

and dynamics of compliance with groundwater

Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans.

conservation. Poster for The Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW,

*Bian, F., Blyth, A. J., Smith, C., & *Baker, A. (2017). A

Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Robust Analysis Method For d13c Signal Of Bulk Organic Matter In Speleothems. Paper presented

Cagnola, A., Li, Z., Masoumi, H., & *Roshan, H. (2017).

at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting,

Microstructural evolution of organic matter-rich

New Orleans, USA.

shales by ionic solutions. Paper presented at the 51st US Rock Mechanics/Geomechanics

*Bryan, E., *Meredith, K.T., *Baker, A., Post, V.E. and

Symposium, San Francisco, USA.

*Andersen, M.S. (2017): Understanding the carbon cycle in a Late Quaternary-age limestone

*CendĂłn, D., *Iverach, C. P., Hankin, S., & *Kelly, B. F.

aquifer system using radiocarbon of dissolved

(2017). Groundwater residence time in the

inorganic and organic carbon.Paper presented at

Condamine River Alluvial Aquifer (SE-QLD).

European Geophysical Union General Assembly.

Paper presented at the Australasian Groundwater

Vienna, Austria.

Conference 2017, UNSW Sydney, Australia.

*Bryan, E., *Meredith, K.T., *Baker, A., *Andersen, M.S. &

Chen, Q., Cohen, D. R., *Andersen, M., Robertson, A. M.,

Post, V.E.A. (2017). Understanding the carbon

Jones, D. R., & Kelly, B. (2017). Application of

cycle in Late Quaternary-age coastal limestone

alkaline coal seam gas waters to remediate AMD

aquifer systems using radiocarbon of dissolved

from historical sulfide ore mining operations.

inorganic and organic carbon. Poster for The

Paper presented at the 13th International

Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th

Mine Water Association Congress 2017,

of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Poster.

Lappeenranta, Finland.

<42> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Cohen, D.R, Chen, Q., *Andersen, M.S., Robertson,

*Iverach, C. P., Beckmann, S., *Cendon, D. I., Manefield,

A.M., Jones, D.R. & Kelly, B. (2017). Chemical

M., & *Kelly, B. F. J. (2017a). Biogeochemical

and economic feasibility study of application

constraints on the origin of methane in an

of alkaline CSG Waters in AMD Remediation.

alluvial aquifer: evidence for upwards methane

9th Australian Acid and Metalliferous Drainage

migration. Paper presented at the European

Workshop, Burnie, Tasmania. 20 – 24 November,

Geophysical Union.

2017. *Iverach, C. P., Beckmann, S., *Cendon, D. I., Manefield, *Coleborn K., *Baker A., *Treble P. C., *Lupingna A.,

M., & *Kelly, B. F. J. (2017b). Missing

*Flemons I., *Nagra G., Baker A., *Andersen M.S.,

methanogens: new insights into the occurrence

Tozer M., Fairchild I., Spate A., Meehan S. (2017).

of methane in groundwater using microbiology.

The impact of wildfire on the geochemistry and

Paper presented at the Australian Groundwater

hydrology of speleothem-forming drip water,

Conference.

Climate Change. Karst Records (KR8) conference, *Kelly, B. F., *Cendón, D., *Iverach, C. P., *Harris, S.,

Austin, Texas, May 2017.

& Hankin, S. (2017). Accumulative evidence *Coleborn, K., *Baker, A., *Treble, P., Baker, A., *Andersen,

highlighting that the Narrabri and Gunnedah

M.S., Tozer, M., Fairchild, I., Spate, A. &

formations are mythical. Paper presented at the

Meehan, S. (2017). The impact of wildfire on

Australasian Groundwater Conference 2017.

the geochemistry and hydrology of speleothemforming dripwater. Paper presented at The

*Kelly, B. F., *Iverach, C. P., Ginty, E., Bashir, S., Lowry,

Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th

D., Fisher, R. E., . . . Nisbet, E. G. (2017). The

of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

case for refining bottom-up methane emission inventories using top-down measurements. Paper

*Cuthbert, M.O., *Rau, G. C., *Halloran, L., *Andersen M.S., *Acworth, & Tellam, J. H. (2017). A

presented at the EGU General Assembly 2017, Vienna, Austria.

new approach to using streambed thermal signatures to charaterise spatio-temporal

*Keshavarzi, M., *Baker, A., *Andersen, M., *Kelly, B.,

patterns of transitory groundwater-surface water

& Fogwill, C. (2017). Characterisation and

interactions. Paper presented at the HydroEco

transformation of organic carbon in a connected

2017, University of Birmingham, UK.

river - groundwater system. Paper presented at the Australasian Groundwater Conference,

*Cuthbert, M. O., *Acworth, I., *Rau, G. C., *Halloran, L.,

UNSW, Sydney, Australia.

& Bernardi, T. (2017). An objective frequency domain method for subsurface characterisation

*Keshavarzi, M., *Baker, A., *Andersen, M.S., *Kelly, B.F.J.,

using Earth and atmospheric tides. Paper

& Fogwill, C. (2017): Fluorescence and dissolved

presented at the American Geophysical Union,

organic matter properties in a connected aquifer

Fall Meeting, New Orleans.

river system. Paper presented at European Geophysical Union General Assembly. Vienna,

*David, K., *Timms, W., Barbour, S. L., & Mitra, R. (2017).

Austria.

Does specific storage Ss change in time and how? Paper presented at the Australasian Groundwater Conference 2017, Sydney.

*Markowska, M., *Cuthbert, M.O., *Baker, A., *Treble, P.C., *Andersen, M.S., & Adler, L. (2017): Dryland speleothems δ18O. Karst Records (KR8)

*Eberhard, S., *Andersen, M.S. & *Rutlidge, H. (2017).

conference, Austin Texas May 2017.

Impact of groundwater drawdown on stygofauna in the hyporheic zone. Paper presented at The Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <43>

Masoumi, H., Arefi, A., Hagan, P., *Roshan, H., &

*Oudone, P. *O’Carroll, D., *Andersen, M.S., *Rutlidge,

Sharifzadeh, M. (2017). An improvement to

H., *McDonough, L., *Meredith, K., Marjo,

unified size effect law for intact rock. Paper

C. & *Baker, A. (2017). The role of dissolved

presented at the 51st US Rock Mechanics/

organic matter and groundwater biogeophysical

Geomechanics Symposium, San Francisco, USA.

processes in the carbon budget. Poster for The Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th

McCallum, A.M., *Andersen, M.S. & *Rau, G.C.,

of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

*Zainuddin, N.S. & *Li, C.P. (2017). Using stable isotope with hydrometric data to

*Peterson, M.A., *Cendón, D.I. & *Andersen, M.S.

understand river-aquifer interactions in a semi-

(2017). A new method of constraining diffusion

arid environment stressed by groundwater

using differences between the stable isotope

abstraction. Paper presented at The Australasian

tracer and radiotracer fluxes of bromide or

Groundwater Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW,

iodide. Paper presented at The Australasian

Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Groundwater Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

*McDonough, L., *O’Carroll, D., *Andersen, M.S., *Oudone, P., *Rutlidge, H., *Meredith, K., Marjo,

*Rau, G. C., *Acworth, I., *Halloran, L., *Timms, W.,

C. & *Baker, A. (2017). Dissolved organic carbon

*Cuthbert, M.O., & *Andersen, M.S. (2017).

properties in coastal groundwater systems.

Using atmospheric and Earth tides as a natural

Poster for The Australasian Groundwater

tracer to hydraulically characterise groundwater

Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW, Sydney,

systems. Paper presented at the Australasian

NSW, Australia.

Groundwater Conference, UNSW Sydney, Australia.

*McDonough, L., *Oudone, P., *Rutlidge, H., *Meredith, K., *O’Carroll, D., *Andersen, M. S., & *Baker,

*Rau, G. C., *Halloran, L., *Cuthbert, M., *Andersen,

A. (2017). The effect of microbial activity and

M.S., *Acworth, I., & Tellam, J. (2017). Spatio-

adsorption processes on groundwater dissolved

temporal characterisation of short-lived surface-

organic carbon character and concentration.

groundwater interactions using streambed

Paper presented at the American Geophysical

thermal signatures. Paper presented at the

Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans.

European Geosciences Union General Assembly, Vienna, Austria.

*Meredith, K. J., *Andersen, M. S., *O’Carroll, D., *Baker, A. N. D. Y., *Bryan, E., *Zainuddin, N., . . .

*Roshan, H., *Rau, G., & *Andersen, M.S. (2017). Effect of

*McDonough, L. (2017). Tracing organic carbon

turbulent flow on heat transfer in a real fracture.

processes in a shallow coastal sandy aquifer.

Paper presented at the Australasian Groundwater

Paper presented at the American Geophysical

Conference 2017, Sydney, Australia.

Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans. *Roshan, H., *Andersen, M.S., Yu, L, Arandian, H., & *Oudone, P., *McDonough, L., *Meredith, K., *Rutlidge, H.,

Masoumi, H. (2017): Size dependent pore size

*Andersen, M., *O’Carroll, D., & *Baker, A. (2017).

distribution of shales by gas physisorption Paper

Sorption of Groundwater Dissolved Organic

presented at the European Geophysical Union

Carbon onto Minerals. Paper presented at the

General Assembly. Vienna, Austria.

American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans.

*Rutlidge, H., *Andersen, M.S., *O’Carroll, D., *Oudone, P., *McDonough, L., *Meredith, K., Marjo, C. & *Baker, A., (2017). Groundwater Organic Matter: Carbon Source or Sink? Paper presented at The Australasian Groundwater Conference. 11-13th of July. UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

<44> CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017

*Rutlidge, H., *Oudone, P., *McDonough, L., *Andersen, M. S., *Baker, A., *Meredith, K., & *O’Carroll, D. (2017). Insights in groundwater organic matter from Liquid Chromatography-Organic Carbon Detection. Paper presented at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, New Orleans. *Timms, W. A., Crane, R., Arns, J., *Cuthbert, M., *Acworth, R. I., & Arns, C. (2017). CT imaging and centrifugation to characterise dual porosity fluid flow and solute transport. Paper presented at the Australasian Groundwater Conference, UNSW Australia, Sydney.

Reports *Holley, C., Carmody, E., Cosens, B., Gardner, A., Godden, L., Gray, J., . . . *Sinclair, D. (2017). Submission to the inquiry into the reform of Australia’s water resources sector. Retrieved from http://www.pc.gov.au/__data/assets/ pdf_file/0006/216258/sub006-water-reform.pdf

CWI CONNECTED WATERS INITIATIVE CENTRE - ANNUAL REPORT 2017 <45>