August news item

ARC Linkage Project Update - freshwater remediation of acid sulfate soil wetlands

The first stage of a three year ARC Linkage Project investigating the freshwater re-flooding of two large acid sulfate soil wetlands, is well underway.

During the past six months researchers from Southern Cross GeoScience have conducted several field trips to the Partridge Creek and Darawakh wetlands, on the mid-North Coast of NSW. The field trips, which have involved honours and undergraduate students, have collected valuable baseline information on the two sites, with major site characterisation now mostly complete.

Photo caption - Lauren Hook (SCU 3rd year Integrated project student) geared up for water sampling at Partridge Creek wetland.

In order to understand the two sites, soil and surface water samples have been collected and a hydrological monitoring network established.

Photo caption - A/Prof Ed Burton preparing for wetland reconnaissance via canoe at Darawakh wetland, Great Lakes Shire

The baseline studies have yielded some interesting results, particularly of the surface water geochemistry. At the Partridge Creek site, investigations show extreme stratification in shallow (<0.6m deep) surface water, with the bottom water being depleted in oxygen and rich in organically complexed iron (II).

Photo caption - Extreme stratification in dissolved oxygen in surface waters

The research project, which is a partnership between Southern Cross GeoScience, Great Lakes Council and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, will explore the changes that have occurred at these two wetlands following re-flooding. The project involves Assoc. Prof Scott Johnston, Assoc. Prof. Ed Burton, Research Technician Roz Hagan, UWA honors student Terri Rothnie and integrated project student Lauren Hook. A PhD student will be recruited to the project soon.

Photo caption - Extreme stratification in Fe(II) in surface waters

Updated: 29 October 2012