Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00814
A new method for magnetic sourcing of offshore sediments, Coral sea and Great Barrier Reef.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor B.A. Maher, Lancaster University, Geography
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor R Thompson, University of Edinburgh, Sch of Mathematics
- Grant held at:
- Lancaster University, Geography
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Global Change
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Earth Surface Processes
- Sediment/Sedimentary Processes
- Quaternary Science
- Properties Of Earth Materials
- Palaeoenvironments
- Abstract:
- Lancaster's Centre for Environmental Magnetism and Palaeomagnetism is at the international forefront of novel environmental applications of magnetic methods. Here, we will use newly-developed magnetic methods to 'fingerprint' different potential sediment sources within the Burdekin sub-catchments, to identify the sources of the sediments accumulating in the Coral Sea, of hazard to the Great Barrier Reef. Our pilot work has shown that sediments from the Burdekin sub-catchments have statistically-different magnetic signatures, arising from varied geologies and spatial variations in cyclone activity. We avoid problems of different hydraulic behaviour or post-depositional alteration/dissolution of magnetic minerals, by acid-treating the silt-sized particle fraction, to leave only those magnetic grains which exist as inclusions within host silicate grains. These magnetic inclusion mineralogies form the basis for magnetic differentiation between potential sources and for subsequent comparison with the offshore sediment sequences. Having identified the major sediment supply areas operating at the present day, we will work with colleagues from the CSIRO, James Cook University and the Australian Institute of Marine Science to concentrate effective mitigation measures to reduce sediment input from these key areas.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2003/00814
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £31,481
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £206 | £20,857 | £824 | £9,594 |
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