Secrets of sediment
A team of eight hardy geologists is braving the best and worst of Queensland’s flora and fauna to carry out the first detailed geochemical survey of minerals.
The team of five men and three women is avoiding crocodiles and snakes as they take river sediment samples of major river catchments in Queensland.
This first geochemical study of Australia’s river systems is being conducted on a national scale with senior Queensland Government geochemist and geologist, Dr Joseph Tang, coordinating the team.
The end result will be the first geochemical atlas of Australia covering more than 60 elements including the rare earths.
‘Covering over 50,000 kilometres the team has travelled and camped out in some of the most beautiful and inhospitable terrain in the world,’ Dr Tang said.
The Queensland team has been bogged, washed out in a flood, battled the heat and the cold of the Simpson Desert, the humidity and rain of the tropical north and had close up and personal moments with the nation’s flora and fauna.
They have travelled from the far south west through the desert region and into the far north rainforest region of Cape York to test 311 catchment areas across the state.
At each site, they drill about 80 centimetres into the river bank sediments that represent the average geochemical composition for the entire catchment area.
Members of the team are trained in first aid and carry the latest in communication equipment, including satellite telephones. But even these experienced geologists have been awed by the scale and diversity of Queensland.
‘What has been surprising is the variety of life out in the desert – the water, the flora, the animal life, including wild camels and horses,’ Dr Tang said.
To assist the scientists there is a back-up team of wise and experienced hands with various backgrounds and technical support skills. Dr Tang said the members of the support team, which includes a former lighthouse keeper, were chosen for their practical knowledge and the skills to rise to unexpected situations.
Geoscience Australia is managing the project which is funded by the Commonwealth Government under the five-year Onshore Energy Security Program.
Story: Pauline Clayton.
Last reviewed 15 December 2008
