The University of Queensland

Publications

Grants (Administered at UQ)

• Erosion and Sediment Control Framework for Queensland Mines - Calibration and Validation

  (2023–2026) Australian Coal Research Limited

• Rehabilitation Options for Ponded Areas Due to Longwall Coal Mining

  (2023–2026) Australian Coal Association Research Program

• Dr Mandana Shaygan - AQ WRAP

  (2021–2023) Advance Queensland Women's Research Assistance Program

• Fire Resilience of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

  (2021–2023) Australian Coal Association Research Program

• Mine rehabilitation and closure collaboration project: Baseline Works

  (2020–2021) Queensland Resources Council Ltd

• Baseline works for Moranbah post-mining land use collaborative project

  (2020) Anglo American Metallurgical Coal Pty Ltd

• Swamp Hydrology Modelling for Advancing Rehabilitation Planning and Management (402-ACARPSWAMP)

  (2018–2022) Australian Coal Association Research Program

• Improving the timing of deposition for red mud in waste disposal sites

  (2017–2018) Innovation Connections

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

• Hydrology of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

  Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) support distinctive vegetation that depends on soil water availability and organic-rich sediments. The objective of this research project is to assess the resilience and sustainability of endangered Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone in response to variations in soil water availability as a result of changes to environmental conditions such as climate variability, climate change and mining-induced hydrological impacts. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us in this area.

• The effect of bushfire on erosion from Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

  During fire, soil physical characteristics and erodibility are impacted by the production of a new soil layer consisting of ash, and by the reduction of the impacts of binding agents such as roots, fungus, and organic compounds. In other words, fire destroys the aggregate stability of the soil and burns the near-surface roots resulting in a layer of unstructured and non-cohesive soil containing highly erodible particles. All of the above factors can result in major changes to the eco-system structure, composition and function across a variety of scales. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us on quantification of the effect of bushfire on erosion from Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone in the Sydney Basin.

• The effect of preferential flows on the fate and transport of solutes in coal mine spoils

  During open cut coal mining activities, overburden is removed and deposited on the land in the form of waste rock dumps commonly known as coal mine spoil piles. When these coal mine spoils are exposed to atmospheric conditions and during rainfall events, they can create adverse environmental impacts through salt generation, affecting the surrounding environments, particularly final voids and water ways. To manage these environmental impacts, it is essential to understand the trajectory and magnitude of salt release from coal mine spoils. This project aims to investigate the effect of preferential flow on salt release from coal mine spoils. This study will quantify the effect of preferential flows on solute transport, and develop a numerical model for the accurate estimation of salt release from spoils. This study will also provide guidance on management strategies mitigating salt discharge. We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue PhD research with us on this subject.

• Fire resilience of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone

  Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS) support distinctive vegetation that depends on soil water availability and organic-rich sediments, and can assist with carbon capture and storage, and enhance biodiversity. Bushfires can create or amplify soil water repellency, resulting in non-uniform rainfall infiltration, heterogeneous soil moisture patterns and preferential flow. Likewise, water repellent surfaces may reduce infiltration and intensify erosion through the loss of surface particle cohesion and rhizobial stabilisation. Soil chemical properties affected by fires include pH, nutrient content, organic matter content, sorption capacity, and major and trace elements. THPSS when wet have a high resilience to fire, due to their generally high soil moisture, and ability to support rapid vegetation re-growth. However, the resilience of THPSS affected by underground mining to fires is not understood. We are looking for motivated candidates to pursue PhD research with us in this area.