Brett Thomas

Brett Thomas

School of Biological Sciences

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology


Brett is an environmental scientist with over 12 years of consulting and research experience. Brett has a full time position with the University of Adelaide's Acid Sulfate Soil Centre (Biogeochemistry Research Group).

Current research and consulting areas include:
- Assessment, management and remediation of Acid Sulfate Soils and Acid and Metalliferous Drainage
- Inland and coastal Acid Sulfate Soil landscape mapping
- Impacts of drought and climate change on water and soils
- Wetland soil and water biogeochemistry
- Contaminated land assessment and management

The ultimate aim of the group is to understand and assist clients to solve complex environmental issues across multi-disciplinary boundaries (soil, water, ecology, human impacts). Research carried out by the group has increased understanding of processes affecting the generation and fate of chemical species and contaminants (e.g. metals, nutrients and organic matter), and how to manage systems to prevent undesirable impacts. The group’s research is conducted and linked at various scales; from molecular-level studies in the laboratory, to field-scale experiments, and national-global scale assessments.

We have a proven and extensive track record in delivering complex research advice and outputs to industry and government agencies to assist them to manage environmental issues. Importantly these projects also provide students the opportunity to research and solve "real world" issues, and gain valuable contacts and skills to enhance the future employment prospects of students / collaborators. The group is located at the Waite Campus in Adelaide, a stimulating and highly collaborative environment.

Brett is an environmental scientist with over 12 years of consulting and research experience. Brett has a full time position with the University of Adelaide's Acid Sulfate Soil Centre (Biogeochemistry Research Group).

Current research and consulting areas include:
- Assessment, management and remediation of Acid Sulfate Soils and Acid and Metalliferous Drainage
- Inland and coastal Acid Sulfate Soil landscape mapping
- Impacts of drought and climate change on water and soils
- Wetland soil and water biogeochemistry
- Contaminated land assessment and management

The ultimate aim of the group is to understand and assist clients to solve complex environmental issues across multi-disciplinary boundaries (soil, water, ecology, human impacts). Research carried out by the group has increased understanding of processes affecting the generation and fate of chemical species and contaminants (e.g. metals, nutrients and organic matter), and how to manage systems to prevent undesirable impacts. The group’s research is conducted and linked at various scales; from molecular-level studies in the laboratory, to field-scale experiments, and national-global scale assessments.

We have a proven and extensive track record in delivering complex research advice and outputs to industry and government agencies to assist them to manage environmental issues. Importantly these projects also provide students the opportunity to research and solve "real world" issues, and gain valuable contacts and skills to enhance the future employment prospects of students / collaborators. The group is located at the Waite Campus in Adelaide, a stimulating and highly collaborative environment.

The skills in our research group attract large amounts of competitive research, government and industry grant funding. Selected projects over last 2 years include:

Year Project Client Funding
2019 Acid and metalliferous drainage assessment and management plan (AMDMP) WIM Resource P/L 8,000
2019 Acid sulfate soil assessment and management - Pike River Wetland Department for Environment and Water (DEW) 14,000
2019 Northern Beaches Sand Sampling and Analysis Department for Environment and Water (DEW) 16,000
2018 - 2019 Acid sulfate soil assessment and management - Gurra Gurra Wetland Complex Department for Environment and Water (DEW) 15,000
2018-2018 National Acid Sulfate Soil Guidance - Review Department for Environment and Water (DEW) 12,000
2018-2019 Riverine Project Investigation - Assessing the impacts and management of acid sulfate soils and soil microbial communities in managed wetlands Department for Environment and Water (DEW) 450,000
2017-2018

Various ASS and AMD Projects:

  • Dry Creek Saltfields - PEPR Amendment (ASS Management and Waste Salt Management)
  • Bird in Hand - AMD Assessment
  • Siviour Graphite - Geochemical Assessment - Review and Management Advice 
  • Dredging Monitoring and Management Plans
Various Resources 120,000

 

Current Higher Degree Research Support:

Year Role Research Topic Degree Type Program Student Load Student Name
2018-2019 Support & Assessment The Effects of Drought on pH and Metal Speciation in Periodically Flooded and Dried Soils Master of Philosophy Masters Full Time Mr Austin Myles Trueman
2018-2019 Support & Assessment The effect of drought on Australian floodplain soils BSc (Hons) Honours Full Time Xihe Zhang

 

  • Mentoring

    Date Topic Location Name
    2018 - 2019 The effect of drought on Australian floodplain soils Adelaide University Xihe Zhang
    2018 - 2020 The Effects of Drought on pH and Metal Speciation in Periodically Flooded and Dried Soils Adelaide University Mr Austin Myles Trueman

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