SEMINAR: Acidic waters: wetlands, creeks, groundwater and pit lakes

Acidic waters have been found across a large part of the Australian landscape and include acidic wetlands, creeks and rivers, groundwater and pit lakes. The acidity is a key control on contaminant and nutrient discharge, biodiversity and potential end uses, however our understanding of, and ability to predict, the temporal and spatial dynamics of aquatic acidity is limited. In particular, the spatial and temporal connectivity of aquatic systems across landscapes is poorly documented and its role in the onset and maintenance of acidic conditions is challenging to quantify. Our ability to predict the dynamics of acidic system is dependent on our integrated understanding of catchment hydrology, geology and mineralogy, limnological processes, climate change impacts, plant physiology, microbial dynamics and biogeochemical cycling. This seminar will highlight research that attempts to integrate across some of these disciplinary areas.