[CDU eNews] - CDU ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH BOOST

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

CDU environmental research boost


A Charles Darwin University research team has won a $229,000 grant that
will enable it to further its environmental research studies in northern
Australia.

Proposed areas of study include mangrove environments, the Timor Sea and
Arafura Sea, and the Great Barrier Reef. Research programs include tracing
sewage and aquaculture effluents, studies of bushfire smoke and the
relationship between human and landscape health.

The grant, awarded by the Australian Research Council, will be used to
purchase a Stable Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer (SIRMS) to measure the
isotopes of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur on land, at sea and in the
atmosphere.

The grant has been awarded to Associate Professor David Parry and Dr Niels
Munksgaard of the School of Science and Primary Industries, in partnership
with the Australian National University, the Australian Institute of Marine
Science and the Northern Territory Department of Business, Industry and
Resource Development.

The SIRMS will be housed in the new Arafura Timor Research Facility
building adjacent to the university's Casuarina campus. Additional funding
has been awarded from the NT Research and Innovation Board and Fund.

Associate Professor David Parry said today: "We will use the SIRMS to
determine the impacts of sewage and aquaculture effluent in marine
environments.

"We will also be able to analyse the composition of smoke caused by
bushfires in the Top End and identify the source of fuels that cause severe
air pollution.

"The SIRMS facility will provide a focus for research collaboration and
training in northern Australia. It will enhance strong collaboration
between organisations committed to increasing the understanding of unique
northern environments, and will include the Arafura Timor Research
Facility, a major national research facility.

"It  will contribute to studies of conservation biology, natural resource
management, environmental and marine science and resource development in
the tropical north.

"It will help develop knowledge bases, innovative approaches to
environmental management and sustainable development, and high levels of
research and research training for regional development.

"The research infrastructure  will provide a focus for research scientists
from the partner organisations - CDU, AIMS, ANU and the NT Government - and
also a range of other agencies.  This will further enhance the building of
resident research capacity in the Territory."



David Parry is available for interview



Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

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