Advances in research using isotopes, many of which are taking place using accelerators at ANSTO’s Centre for Accelerator Science, can be used to sustain and protect the environment, according to CEO Adi Paterson, who opened the 13th Australasian Environmental Isotope Conference in Sydney on 8 July.
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| Dr Andrew Smith is one of seven plenary speakers who will highlight his work using accelerator mass spectroscopy to measure microcarbon from ice to understand past atmospheric chemistry. |
He welcomed more than 100 environmental scientists from Australia and New Zealand to the 3-day event, which explores the application of isotopic techniques to understand environmental processes and how scientific knowledge can provide targeted outcomes for the management of those systems.
More than 20 ANSTO environmental researchers were sharing their work at the conference and another 17 are co-authors on conference presentations.
Paterson said it demonstrated the significant level of ANSTO participation in environmental research but he welcomed more use of tools, techniques and expertise at ANSTO’s world-class facilities.
He pointed out that living on the driest inhabited continent with variable surface water and rainfall distribution and climate records that span only 113 years, posed challenges to Australian environmental researchers.
Some of these challenges were addressed by conference presenters, who highlighted use of the latest isotopic techniques to understand ecological and catchment processes, environmental contamination, atmospheric processes, climate variability, aquatic systems, marine environments and carbon sequestration. Other research informed the management of natural resources and the environment.
Ultrasensitive trace element analysis, isotope dating and measurement of radioisotopes can be used on a broad range of environmental samples.
ANSTO Principal Scientist Andrew Smith is one of seven plenary speakers on the program. His address, cosmic secrets in the ice, will be delivered on 9 July. Smith will be highlighting his work using accelerator mass spectroscopy to measure microcarbon from ice to understand past atmospheric chemistry. He also uses cosmogenic radionuclides to understand past solar activity.
ANSTO scientists, Suzanne Hollins (Convenor), Debashish Mazumder (Co-Convenor), Karina Meredith and Geraldine Jacobsen were members of the conference organising committee with Neil Saintilan of Macquarie University and Greg Skryzpek of the University of Western Australia.
Published: 09/07/2015