Research Interests
Ian’s primary research interests are in the application of environmental isotopes and other geochemical tracers to hydrogeological problems. In particular we are applying these techniques to constrain groundwater evolution and groundwater-surface water interaction in southeast Australia and Northern China. We are also quantifying baseflow and the origins and fluxes of major ions in Australian rivers to estimate weathering rates, constrain sustainable resource use, and study the global cycling of elements such as carbon. Ian oversees the Monash stable isotope facility and through that is involved in a variety of other projects in fields as diverse as ore deposit geology, diagenesis, crustal fluid flow, and palaeoclimatology.
Projects in Hydrogeology and Environmental Isotopes
PhD (and possibly MSc) opportunities exist for students in the following areas of study
Quantifying river-groundwater interaction using geochemical tracers
This project involves tracing river-groundwater interaction in Victorian Rivers using a combination of stable (O, H, C) and radiogenic (14C, 3H, 222Rn) isotopes, major ion geochemistry, and river flow data. The aims of the project are to determine the controls on river groundwater interaction with a focus on streams that both spatially and temporally alternate between losing and gaining. The mismatch between the baseflow estimated from numerical models and that determined by geochemistry will be addressed. You will be a well-motivated student with a background in geosciences who has experience (via a MSc or Honours degree) in groundwater and/or surface water geochemistry, especially the application of environmental isotopes. Experience in field sampling for hydrogeochemistry is also desirable.
Utilisation of S isotopes in hydrological systems
This project focuses on sulfur in environmental systems and will methodologies using stable S isotopes to examine processes in a wide range of environments, possibly including: sulfur cycling in acid mine drainage and acid sulfate soils; gypsum precipitation in evaporites; mixing and evolution of groundwater in regional flow systems; and sulfur cycles in rivers.
You will be a well-motivated student with a background in geosciences who has experience (via a MSc or Honours degree) in the application of environmental isotopes. Experience in field sampling and lab work is also desirable.
For further details contact Prof Ian Cartwright.
Current Research Projects
Groundwater in Northern China
Collaborative research with Dr Deli Chen (Melbourne), Prof Baoguo Li (Chinese Agricultural University), Prof Xianfeng Song (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Mr Matt Currell & Mr Dean Bradley (PhD Students).
We are addressing sustainable groundwater use and the origin and evolution of groundwater contaminants (such as N and F) in Inner Mongolia and Shanxi Province. The work includes integration of hydrogeochemistry, environmental isotopes, and groundwater dating by 14C. The aims of the projects are constrain regional hydrogeology, the rate and distribution of recharge, and changes to the groundwater system with climate and landuse change. In addition we are looking at fingerprinting of nitrate sources using stable isotope ratios, and understanding the controls on F contamination. The results of the work will allow better management and use of groundwater resources and more efficient agricultural practices to be developed.
Groundwater Basins in South East Australia
Collaborative research with Prof Craig Simmons (Flinders), Prof Keith Fifield (ANU), Drs Tamie Weaver & Charles Lawerence (Melbourne), Mr Harald Hofmann (PhD Student).
We are addressing catchment-scale hydrogeology in the Murray, Colac, and Gippsland Basins using an integrated approach of physical hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, radiometric dating, and numerical modelling. Individual projects include regional groundwater evolution, understanding dryland salinity, documenting recharge rates and distributions, understanding groundwater-river interaction, and understanding the behaviour of stable and radiogenic isotopes in hydrogeological systems. The results of this long-established research is increasing our fundamental understanding of these large-scale hydrogeological systems allowing better management practices to be developed.
Surface Water Processes and Surface Water-Groundwater Interaction
Collaborative research with Drs Leblanc & Tweed (JCU), Mr Benjamin Hagendorn (PhD student)
We are using combinations of remote sensing, geochemistry, and water balance calculations to better understand surface water processes and the interaction between groundwater and rivers and lakes. Specific sites of interest include understanding water and solute sources and balances in saline lakes in Western Victoria, documenting the impact of climate and landuse changes on water resources in the Chad Basin (Africa) and the Lake Eyre Basin (Australia), and documenting water balances in gauged and ungauged catchments. Other projects involve understanding the geochemistry of Australian Rivers to constrain large-scale weathering patterns and global carbon cycling. Overall, these projects are leading to a better understanding of hydrological systems that will be essential for predicting the impacts of climate and landuse change. |
