Internships

Ecotoxicology and Industrial Waters Programme Opportunities

Toads as Environmental Indicators - Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au Phone 07 4970 7605

Abnormalities in amphibian populations are suggested to be caused by a number of factors - chemicals, parasites, disease, excess UV exposure, genetic mutation. However, no concensus has been reached and potentially a mixture of causes are thought responsible. To date, there has been limited assessment of physical develomental abnormalities in amphibians in the Australian landscape and no comprehensive assessment of the likely causes. Preliminary investigations of physical developmental abnormalities in cane toads from Central Queensland indicate elevated levels in populations from urban/rural areas compared to those in non-urban environments. This suggests that this species may be a good indicator of impacts to the environment. However, further information is required to determine the exact cause of these abnormalities and verify whether the cane toad is a suitable bioindicator.

Characterisation of Natural Organic Matter in Drinking Water Supply for Gladstone - Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au

Natural organic matter (NOM) is a complex heterogeneous mixture of organic compounds found in all natural water sources. The presence of NOM affects a number of water quality and water treatment technologies and is a key factor controlling the cost of treatment and the final water quality. This project will analyse water samples over time from the Gladstone Area Water Boards (GAWB) source and treated water supply for NOM. Fractionation techniques will be employed to determine the water characteristics and potential surrogate parameters (eg. Dissolved Organic Carbon) will be explored. A scholarship and some finances will be available from GAWB for this project.

Do seabirds and plastics mix in the Southern GBR? - Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au Phone 07 4970 7605

Seabirds are particularly susceptable to plastics. These can harm birds directly (entanglement, suffocation, internal perforation or blockage) or indirectly (reduced appetite and fitness). Species such as shearwaters, terns, albatrossess, petrels have been found to ingest plastics and transfer to their chicks. There is no data on plastic loads in and potential impacts to nesting seabird species on the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). This is despite marine debris having been found to be prevalent along the reef. The project will examine the effects of plastics and other debris to nesting seabirds at selected sites in the southern GBR.  Beach debris surveys will be conducted at locations distal and proximal to the main seabird nesting sites to provide a regional perspective of marine debris characteristics. Plots will be established on cays with nesting seabirds to quantify debris use and accumulation.  Seabirds will also be sampled for ingestion of plastics and other debris through analysis of regurgitated casts and necropsies of dead adults and chicks.

Toxicity of Immerse® floating herbicide to freshwater native aquatic organisms-Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au Phone 07 4970 7605

Immerse ®is a commercially available herbicide used for the control of floating weeds such as Salvinia, water lettuce and red Azolla. The main active constituent is Calcium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate a strong surfactant. There is limited published toxicity data available for this chemical and no results are available for locally endemic species. This project would assess the toxicity of Immerse and its' constituent components in particular Calcium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate to a range of native aquatic organisms to determine local threshold values. Immerse ® is currently being used by Gladstone Area Water Board in control of floating weeds on Awonga Dam.

The Effects of Nanoparticles to Aquatic Species - Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au Phone 07 4970 7605

Nanotechnology has pervaded all aspects of every day life. The use of compounds such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂), silicon dioxide (SiO₂), zinc oxide (ZnO), carbon black and fullerenes in sun screens, moisturisers, pharmaceuticals, food and rubber and plastic products is widespread and as such nanoparticles (<100nm) have found their way as waste or by-products into aquatic environments. The potential impacts of these are only now starting to be investigated. This study will examine the toxicity of selected nanoparticles to a range of aquatic species (e.g. algae, crustaceans, amphibians). Using both acute, chronic and microcosm testing the threshold of toxicity will be determined for each compound and likely risks to the aquatic environment ascertained.

Biological Early Warning Systems - Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au Phone 07 4970 7605

Early warning and prevention of toxic and potentially harmful substances in drinking water systems is essential for the long term delivery of high quality water. The detection of episodic pulses of chemical and biological hazards from the source water and distribution system is critical in mitigating risks to end users. As most of these pulse events are short term, conventional grab sampling approaches, often miss these spikes. Alternative, detection techniques such as inline monitors can only measure a few parameters. The application of native biota to provide a continuous real time monitoring system whereby detection outside normal behaviour patterns can trigger a series of early warning/alarm responses for which action can be taken has not been fully explored. The project would examine through laboratory trials the use of either Crustacean movement behaviour or Mollusc valve movements as suitable endpoints to detect the presence of a range of relevant toxicants. 

Microplastics in the Marine Environment - Dr Scott Wilson, Gladstone Campus s.wilson@cqu.edu.au Phone 07 4970 7605

Marine debris has been identified as one of the major marine pollutants and is listed by the Federal Government as a key threatening process. It is defined as pollution by human generated objects, and includes more commonly plastics and other durable synthetics, glass and metal.  Effects of such debris include impacts to wildlife (such as entanglement, ingestion and spread of exotic species), human health (from cuts and abrasions), property (damage to ships and blocking of pipes) and the aesthetics and tourism of an area.

Most studies of marine debris have concentrated on collection of large items (>5cm) washed up on beaches but as debris, in particular plastics, is known to breakdown into smaller and smaller pieces a whole range of debris is not accounted for. This study will involve quantification and identification of near surface (including some depth profiling) microplastics (<5cm) on selected beaches from central and southern Queensland. The technique will involve excavation plots, sieving and sorting into size classes. Relationships to weather, tides and sources of contamination will also be investigated and comparisons made across the region.  Laboratory experiments relating to potential impacts of plastics loads to sand dwelling fauna may also be undertaken.  This will be the first study of this kind done in Australia.

Sustainable Regional Development Programme - Project Opportunities

The SRD programme undertakes a wide variety of research aimed at helping to address the key challenges faced in the Central Queensland region.  Student study projects are an excellent opportunity to expand our work, help service the needs and interests of our regional stakeholders, and to grow the skills and knowledge base in our programme.

The following topic areas could represent suitable projects for interns, honours or RHD students (depending on the level of detail). You are also more than welcome to contact any of our staff to discuss other areas of research that interest you.

Dr Susan Kinnear (please contact s.kinnear@cqu.edu.au):

• Measuring and predicting regional innovation success
• Investigation of regional investment models for uptake of sustainability by SME and industry
• Profiling the social characteristics and networks of landholders in the lower Fitzroy (to inform NRM engagement and funding)
• Regional waste management planning (including recycling)
• The role of regional areas in delivering energy efficiency
• Opportunities to develop biofuels in the Central Queensland region
• Portable emissions measurement devices for carbon emissions from the road transport sector
• Social networks analysis for climate change
• The physical effects of climate change on coastal housing, and the socioeconomic issues around making new housing developments more sustainable
• The role of eco-tourism in regional development
• Skills development in eco-tourism
• Industry clustering for regional development
• Regionalisation issues
• Issues around industrial land availability in Central Queensland
• The effects of the algal toxin cylindrospermopsin on aquatic plants

Dr Galina Ivanova (please contact g.ivanova@cqu.edu.au):

• Uncertainty indecision-making with regards to environmental and social issues

Many environmental, social and economic decisions are made under uncertainty. While the several economic theories had been developed to address risk and uncertainty in the decision making process, there is evidence that people violate the assumptions of these theories. The project will utilise a review of literature to outline appropriate model(s) of decision-making under uncertainty with regards to environmental and social issues.

• Identifying incentives to adopt energy-efficient appliances

Energy efficiency and demand management are becoming increasingly important in meeting the challenges of an energy-constrained world. This project will investigate the ways by which household electricity demand can be reduced, through investigating the incentives for adoption of the energy efficient appliances.

• Household acceptability of recycled water.

The project will investigate community values for recycled water, price sensitivity of demand, values for risk reduction, support for various water policies and the tradeoffs that consumers are willing to make for various water quality, types of water (rainwater, recycled water) and time of supply.

Mr Lindsay Greer (please contact l.greer@cqu.edu.au):

• liveability/regional development issues in resource intensive communities
• perceptions of good corporate citizenship in an industrial precinct
• compliance costs by regional government in development approval processes
• developing sustainability policy and actions for university environments
• improved social understanding of social housing trends in a regional setting
• cumulative social and economic impact assessment methods and theory
• triangulation as a research method

Mr Delwar Akbar (please contact d.akbar@cqu.edu.au):

• Housing Markets, Development and Management (include housing demand and supply modelling, social housing and housing policy evaluation);
• Economic Models and Forecasting (include life cycle cost analysis, non-market valuation, gravity models, small area population and labour force forecasting, multi-criteria analysis and neural aggregation);
• Environmental Impact Assessment (includes social and economic impact assessment, land use and environmental planning); and
• Regional Analysis and Infrastructure Planning (include economic development policy, regional liveability, water supply and transport planning).

If you would like more information on other opportunities please email us at cem-enquiries@cqu.edu.au