Archaeology and Geosciences

A geochemical investigation into toxic metal behaviour in mining environments

2025 Research Spotlight, Archaeology and Geosciences, ECRG, Research /

By Georgia Barrington-Smith Beneath abandoned mine sites, a silent chemical threat lingers. When sulfide-rich rocks are exposed to air and water during mining, they trigger acid mine drainage—acidic runoff that releases toxic elements like arsenic (As) and antimony (Sb) into surrounding soil and water.This contamination can persist for decades after mining operations cease, threatening the […]

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What Tasmania’s Pencil Pine teaches us about bushfire management.

2025 Research Spotlight, Archaeology and Geoscience, Archaeology and Geosciences, Environmental Science, PGRA /

By Georgia Barrington-Smith Anthropomorphic climate change is weakening the resilience of globally significant forests by altering their temperature and aridity. Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) is particularly at risk, with longer, more intense bushfire seasons threatening this sensitive ecosystem. Amid ongoing climatic stress and ecological decline, important questions are emerging around the ability of

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Research spotlight: Bohao Dong (The University of Melbourne)

2024 Research Spotlight, Archaeology and Geosciences, Environmental Science, PGRA, Research, Research Spotlight /

by Georgia Barrington-Smith, 31st October 2024 The Environmental History of the Great Barrier Reef, as told by a Giant Clam Shell Although archaeology has made waves on land, we know comparatively little about the history beneath our shores. A few centuries ago, the Earth experienced a Little Ice Age (LIA) with harsh winters and cool

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Student Research Spotlight: Leonie Peti

Archaeology and Geosciences, Environmental Science, PGRA, Research /

What sediments can tell us about climate change In order to understand recent and future climate change, we need to be able to understand the climate of the past. The continuous cycle of sedimentation in volcanic maar lakes can provide the perfect record of climate history – provided you know where to look! Auckland City,

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Student Research Spotlight: James Hooper

Archaeology and Geosciences, Environmental Science, PGRA, Research /

Going back in time to understand the South American climate The Andean Puna-Altiplano plateau is the nexus between two extreme regions. On one side resides the arid Atacama Desert, and on the other sits the humid Amazon Basin. The plateau acts as a climatic barrier, where cool mid-latitude winds from the Pacific Ocean meet warm, moist

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