Current contract research projects
Investigating the Potential for Algal Blooms in the Lower Darling River
Burtundy Weir, one of the
study sites in the Lower Darling River
Project team: Mike Grace (project leader) with Angus Webb, Daryl Holland & Terry Chan
Duration: 2003
Funding: Murray-Darling Basin Commission
This Murray-Darling Basin Commission-funded project is examining the potential for blue-green algal blooms to occur on the lower Darling. It runs during 2003. The project builds upon the understanding of key factors responsible for algal growth developed during the earlier MDBC funded project on Algal Bloom Triggers in Bourke Weir (NRMS Project M386) and the subsequent models developed in the WSC.
Mt Buller water quality study
Project team: Assoc Prof Ian McKelvie & Dr Mike Grace
Duration: Commenced 1999, On-going
Funding: Mt Buller Resort Management Board
This project aims to assess the environmental impact of treated effluent from the recently upgraded Mt Buller wastewater treatment works on the Howqua River.
Mt Hotham water quality monitoring
Project team: Dr Mike Grace, Dr Chris Walsh & Mr Edward Tsyrlin
Duration: Commenced 1999, On-going
Funding: Mt Hotham Alpine Resort Management Board
The WSC is undertaking to conduct investigations into potential impacts from the resorts operations on the region's streams. The project involves water quality monitoring and an assessment of the health of in-stream biological communities.
Environmental Risks from Salinity Increases in the Goulburn-Broken Catchment
Project team: Barry Hart, Mike Grace, Angus Webb, Niem Tri, Pat Feehan (GMW), Wayne Tennant (GBCMA)
Duration: 9 months, March 2002 - December 2003
Funding: Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority
Salinity has been an issue for some time in the Goulburn-Broken catchment. Recent predictions are that the effects from increasing salinity will get worse over the next 30-50 years. This project will develop a risk-based decision support tools to assist in identifying and prioritising salinity problem areas, an important steps in better targeting investment decisions. In particular, the project objectives are:
- To use a quantitative modelling approach to assess ecological risks to waterbodies associated with salinity
- To use the output to inform decision making in the Goulburn-Broken catchment.
Reports
Hart, B.T., Grace, M., Webb, J.A. & Tri, N. (2002). Environmental risks from salinity increases in the Goulburn-Broken catchment, Report No 1 to Goulburn-Broken Catchment Management Authority, Water Studies Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, July, (pdf version available).
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