Salinity Processes in Lake Eyre Basin Rivers

Grant number: DP0450334

Abstract

The unregulated rivers of the Lake Eyre Basin (LEB) provide a unique opportunity to study natural salinisation processes at multiple scales, in systems that have hydrological and biological similarities with dryland rivers in the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) and elsewhere. The rivers of the LEB maintain a high quality of ecological health despite salinity levels that can vary over two orders of magnitude with changing flow conditions. This project will study salinity processes in the unregulated rivers of LEB and identify the dynamics of stream salinity using a combination of novel tracer and hydrological measurements and modelling.

Related publications (8)

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An integrated remote-sensing mapping method for groundwater dependent ecosystems associated with diffuse discharge in the Great Artesian Basin, Australia

V Matic, JF Costelloe, AW Western

2020-02-01

Vertical leakage (discharge to upper aquifers) is an important but poorly constrained component of water balance in the Great Arte..

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Uncertainties around modelling of steady-state phreatic evaporation with field soil profiles of δ18O and chloride

JF Costelloe, EC Irvine, AW Western

2014-04-16

The application of the general advection-diffusion equation to model phreatic evaporation flux rates from solute concentration soi..

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Groundwater recharge and discharge dynamics in an arid-zone ephemeral lake system, Australia

JF Costelloe, EC Irvine, AW Western, AL Herczeg

2009-01-01

The Coongie Lakes are a series of ephemeral freshwater lakes on the lower reaches of Cooper Creek, a large intermittent river of t..

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Water sources accessed by arid zone riparian trees in highly saline environments, Australia

JF Costelloe, E Payne, IE Woodrow, EC Irvine, AW Western, FW Leaney

2008-05-01

The flow regimes of arid zone rivers are often highly variable, and shallow groundwater in the alluvial aquifers can be very salin..

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Development of hypersaline groundwater in alluvial aquifers of ephemeral rivers

JF Costelloe, AW Western, EC Irvine

2007-12-01

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Recharge mechanisms in an Arid Zone River: Effects of channelisation

JF Costelloe, AW Western, EC Irvine

2006-01-01

Arid zone, ephemeral rivers typically experience very high transmission losses. Most international studies have identified infiltr..

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Salt and water flux in an arid zone intermittent river: The role of the floodplain environment

EC Irvine, JF Costelloe, AW Western, S Hayes

2006-01-01

Exchange between the surface water and local groundwater systems in intermittent rivers is not well understood, however the ecolog..

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Modelling solute transport through an arid zone ephemeral lake system: Joint use of geochemical and hydrological techniques

E Irvine, J Costelloe, A Western, A Herczeg

2005-12-01

In an ephemeral, interconnected lake system in Australia's arid zone, where data traditionally required for water balance studies ..

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