Serena Lee

PhD Candidate

Madsen Building (F09), Room 411
Phone: +61 2 9036 6532
Fax: +61 2 9036 6588
Email:

Supervisor
A/Prof Gavin Birch

Research

My work focuses on the behaviour of three heavy metal contaminants and their transport within the estuary. These contaminants are predominantly associated with the particulate phase, adhering to fine-grained cohesive sediment. Assessment of the transport of the dissolved phase contaminants will be addressed using a 3D hydrodynamic model of the Port Jackson estuary. To address the transport of the particulate phase, a sediment transport module will be linked to the 3D hydrodynamic model. The behaviour of fine-grained cohesive sediment is very complex and determining appropriate parameters to use as model inputs is a major challenge requiring extensive field and laboratory work. Much of the first year and half of this project has focused on obtaining site specific data to provide these inputs, as a model is only as reliable as it's limiting assumptions and the accuracy of its input data.

Port Jackson estuary is well-mixed under low precipitation conditions. However, high-precipitation events such as the June 07 storms cause stratification in the estuary. Understanding this behaviour and the behaviour of the fresh-water plume generated during high precipitation events is another major component this project, since the contaminant transport mechanisms are very different under these conditions. Field studies conducted during and after high precipitation events as well as in quiescent conditions are providing greater understanding of the estuary and the transport of contaminants within its waters sediments.