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Supervising Scientist Division

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    • Alligator Rivers Region
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    • Ranger - Magela chemical data
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    • Uranium mining in the ARR
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Environmental Research Institute of the Supervising Scientist (eriss)

eriss research is organised into two themes:

• Research for the protection of people and the environment, focusing on the effects of mining in the Alligator Rivers region;
• Research on the ecology and conservation of tropical wetlands.

In addition eriss carries out general environmental research that meets specific needs identified by the Australian Government.

The strategic issues over the coming year, and the priorities for eriss in 2001-2002, are as follows:

Environmental Radioactivity

To provide advice on the protection of people from radiological risk during and after mining activities in the Alligator Rivers Region and to use specialist expertise in remote sensing and isotopes to assist related environmental protection work in the Alligator Rivers Region and elsewhere.

Priority activities in 2001-2002 include:

• Provision of advice to Parks Australia North on radiological issues related to rehabilitation of old uranium mine and mill sites in the upper South Alligator River valley;
• Assessment of the radiological status of the rehabilitated Nabarlek uranium minesite, in particular completion of project work related to radon exhalation fluxes;
• Publication of research related to radionuclide uptake by freshwater mussels, and incorporation of the results into water release standards for uranium mining operations in the Alligator Rivers Region;
• Use of the regional radon station network to investigate transport of radon from the Ranger minesite;
• Development of a remote sensing facility with applications across the Supervising Scientist Division; and
• Achievement of NATA certification for radium analyses by the eriss radiochemistry laboratory.

Ecosystem Protection

To provide advice on the protection of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems during and after mining activities in the Alligator Rivers Region and on the conservation and management of tropical wetlands.

Priority activities in 2001-2002 include:

• Gather chemical, creekside and community structure data during the 2001-2002 wet season for the Ranger mine and compare this with historical data;
• Acquire a third year of baseline data from the Jabiluka region for the purpose of monitoring and assessing the impact of any future mining at Jabiluka on adjacent streams and floodplain;
• Develop and implement a landscape-wide monitoring program to assess the impact of the proposed Jabiluka mine upon the broader Kakadu landscape;
• Develop enhanced methods for monitoring, assessing and protecting aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; and
• Ensure that broad-scale data collection from the Ranger and Jabiluka areas supports NCTWR activities in tropical wetlands.

Hydrological and Ecological Processes

To provide advice on landscape processes to detect impacts that could arise during and after mining activities in the Alligator Rivers Region and on the conservation and management of tropical wetlands.

Priority activities in 2001-2002 include:

• Develop a technological framework to assess the impact of mine site erosion products on stream systems;
• Maintain and expand a stream flow database for the Ngarradj catchment to assess mine site erosion impacts;
• Characterise and map landscapes in the ARR for the purpose of environmental impact and risk assessment;
• Develop techniques for inventory, survey and monitoring of tropical wetlands; and
• Develop a GIS framework to support program priorities across SSD.

Ecological Risk Assessment

To provide advice on the significance of threats to the biological diversity and functioning of tropical wetlands in the Alligator Rivers Region and elsewhere.

Priority activities in 2001-2002 include:

• Assessment of the aquatic toxicity of regionally relevant toxicants, and the associated derivation of site-specific water quality guidelines;
• Assessment of the ecological risks of threats (eg herbicides, invasive species) to wetlands;
• Refine and develop ecotoxicological procedures using local aquatic species;
• Advise the Ramsar Convention on the impacts of climate change to wetlands and methods of assessing their vulnerability; and
• Maintain the quality control and quality assurance system of the eriss ecotoxicology laboratory.

Research Support and Communications

To develop and implement communication programs to inform local Aboriginal communities and associations and other stakeholders about eriss and oss activities.

Priority activities in 2001-2002 include:

• Identify and coordinate involvement and employment of local and other Aboriginal people in research programs;
• Disseminate information on research work and results to stakeholders in an appropriate medium;
• Build and strengthen communication networks within the community;
• Identify opportunities for using local Aboriginal names and language in reports and other information materials;
• Ensure all staff have a high level of cultural awareness;
• Develop internal communications strategies and policies that improve flow and dissemination of information within the organisation; and
• Help local community groups develop wetland monitoring and research programs.

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