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1
Snelling, Philip A. "The geology of the Mount Janet Andesite, Pajingo, North Queensland /." St. Lucia, Qld, 2001. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe17548.pdf.
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2
Lait, Robert W. "Groundwater occurrence and chemistry in the Cattle Creek Catchment, North Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1998.
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3
Wieberg, G. L. "Opening the way : Hmong Kinship and Belonging in Far North Queensland." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2010. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.527910.
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4
Woodroffe, Sarah Alice. "Holocene relative sea-level changes in Cleveland Bay, north Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Durham University, 2006. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/1293/.
Full textAbstract:
Full understanding of sea level, ice sheet and earth interactions during the Holocene, and the impact of current and future global sea-level rise requires observations of Holocene relative sea-level change from both near- and far-field locations. North Queensland is an ideal far-field location for testing models of mid/late Holocene global meltwater discharge and the viscosity structure of the solid earth, despite problems with indicators and gaps in its Holocene sea-level record. This thesis addresses inadequacies in the record of Holocene sea-level changes in North Queensland using for the first time a foraminifera-based transfer function, which employs vertically zoned modern intertidal and shallow subtidal calcareous foraminifera to reconstruct past water-level changes from fossil foraminiferal assemblages. This technique provides reconstructions which are of equal or greater vertical precision than reconstructions using mangrove mud or coral indicators on this coastline. AMS 14C dated calcareous foraminifera provide intra-site correlation of environmental and sealevel changes over the past 6000 calibrated years. This thesis also highlights problems which limit the applicability of the transfer function technique in this environment, including poor preservation of agglutinated foraminifera in fossil sediments and reworking of Holocene intertidal and shallow subtidal sediments which is not obvious from visual, bio- or litho-stratigraphical analysis. By creating new sea-level index points and re-calibrating existing ones from other indicators I infer the general form of the mid/late Holocene sea-level record in central North Queensland as sea level rising above its present value prior to 6700 cal years BP, with relatively stable sea level 1-2.3 m above present between 6700-5000 cal years BP, and between 1-2.8 m above present between 5000-3000 cal years BP. This is followed by sea-level fall to between 0.4-0.8 m above present until 1200 cal years BP and subsequent slow fall to present. This sea-level data supports theories suggested by geophysical models of a gradual end to global ice sheet melt, with melting ending after 5000 cal years BP.
5
Eyre, Bradley David. "Nutrient behaviour in the tropical Moresby River-Estuary system North Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1994.
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6
Mujdrica, Stefan. "Gold-bearing volcanic breccia complexes related to carboniferous-permian magmatism, North Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Rhodes University, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1005577.
Full textAbstract:
Gold-bearing volcanic breccia complexes are the major sources of gold in the Tasman Fold Belt System in north Queensland. The Tasman Fold Belt System represents the site of continental accretion as a series of island-arcs and intra-arc basins with accompanying thick sedimentation, volcanism, plutonism, tectonism and mineralisation. In north Queensland, the fold belt system comprises the Hodgkinson-Broken River Fold Belt, Thomson Fold Belt, New England Fold Belt and the Georgetown Inlier. The most numerous ore deposits are associated with calc-alkaline volcanics and granitoid intrusivesof the transitional tectonic stage of the fold belt system. The formation and subsequent gold mineralisation of volcanic breccia complexes are related to Permo-Carboniferous magmatism within the Thomson Fold Belt and Georgetown Inlier. The two most important producing areas are at Mount Leyshon and Kidston mines, which are high tonnage, low-grade gold deposits. The Mount Leyshon breccia complex was emplaced along the contact between CambroOrdovician metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, and Ordovician-Devonian I-type granitoids of the Lolworth-Ravenswood Block. The Kidston breccia complex is located on a major lithological contact between the Early to Middle Proterozoic . Einasleigh Metamorphics and the Silurian-Devonian Oak River Granodiorite. The principal hosts to the gold mineralisation at the Mount Leyshon and Kidston deposits, are breccia pipes associated with several episodes of porphyry intrusives. The goldbearing magmatic-hydrothermal and phreatomagmatic breccias post-date the development of a porphyry-type protore. The magmatic-hydrothermal breccias were initially emplaced without the involvement of meteoric-hydrothermal fluids, within a closed system. Later magma impulses reached higher levels in the cooled upper magma chamber, where meteoric water invaded the fracture system. This produced an explosive emplacement of phreatomagmatic breccias, as seen at Mount Leyshon. Widespread sericitisation and pyrite mineralisation are common, with cavity fill, disseminated and fracturelveincontrolled gold and base metal sulphides. The Kidston and Mount Leyshon breccia complexes have hydrothermal alteration and mineralisation characteristics of the 'Lowell-Guilbert Model'. However, the argillic zone is generally not well defined. The gold travelled as chloride complexes with the hydrothermal fluids before being deposited into cavities and fractures of the breccias. Later stage epithermal deposits formed at the top of the breccia complexes that were dominantly quartz-adularia-sericite-type. The erosion, collapse and further intrusion of later porphyry phases allowed the upper parts of the breccia complexes to mix with the lower hydrothermal systems. Exploration for gold-related volcanic breccia complexes is directed at identifying hydrothermal alteration. This is followed by detailed ground studies including geological, mineralogical, petrological and geochemical work, with the idea of constructing a 'model' that can be tested with subsequent subsurface work (e.g. drilling). Geomorphology, remote sensing, geochemistry, geophysics, petrology, isotopes and fluid inclusions are recommended exploration techniques for the search of gold-bearing volcanic breccia complexes. Spectral remote sensing has especially become an important tool for the detection of hydrothermal alteration. Clay and iron minerals of the altered rock, within the breccia complexes, have distinctive spectral characteristics that can be recognisable in multispectral images from the Landsat thematic mapper. The best combination of bands, when using TM remote sensing for hydrothermally altered rock, are 3/5/7 or 4/5/7. The breccia complexes have exploration signatures represented as topographic highs, emplaced within major structural weaknesses, associated I-type granitic batholiths, early potassic alteration with overprint of sericitic alteration, and an associated radiometric high and magnetic low. The exploration for gold-bearing volcanic breccia complex deposits cannot be disregarded, because of the numerous occurrences that are now the major gold producers in north Queensland.
7
Trembath, Dane F., and n/a. "The comparative ecology of Krefft's River Turtle Eydura krefftii in Tropical North Queensland." University of Canberra. Resource, Environmental & Heritage Sciences, 2005. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060711.113815.
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An ecological study was undertaken on four populations of Krefft�s River Turtle
Emydura krefftii inhabiting the Townsville Area of Tropical North Queensland. Two sites
were located in the Ross River, which runs through the urban areas of Townsville, and two
sites were in rural areas at Alligator Creek and Stuart Creek (known as the Townsville
Creeks). Earlier studies of the populations in Ross River had determined that the turtles
existed at an exceptionally high density, that is, they were superabundant, and so the
Townsville Creek sites were chosen as low abundance sites for comparison.
The first aim of this study was to determine if there had been any demographic
consequences caused by the abundance of turtle populations of the Ross River. Secondly, the
project aimed to determine if the impoundments in the Ross River had affected the freshwater
turtle fauna. Specifically this study aimed to determine if there were any difference between
the growth, size at maturity, sexual dimorphism, size distribution, and diet of Emydura krefftii
inhabiting two very different populations.
A mark-recapture program estimated the turtle population sizes at between 490 and
5350 turtles per hectare. Most populations exhibited a predominant female sex-bias over the
sampling period. Growth rates were rapid in juveniles but slowed once sexual maturity was
attained; in males, growth basically stopped at maturity, but in females, growth continued
post-maturity, although at a slower rate. Sexual maturity was at 6-7 years of age for males,
which corresponded to a carapace length of 150-160 mm, and 8-10 years of age for females,
which corresponded to a carapace length of 185-240 mm. The turtles were omnivorous,
although in the Ross River they ate more submerged vegetation (by percent amount and
occurrence) than those of the Townsville Creeks. Turtles in Townsville Creeks ingested more
windfall fruit and terrestrial insects.
8
Sharpe, James Leslie, University of Western Sydney, and Faculty of Science and Technology. "Chemical mineralogy of supergene copper deposits of the Cloncurry district, north west Queensland." THESIS_FST_XXX_Sharpe_J.xml, 1998. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/822.
Full textAbstract:
The research described in this thesis has led to an understanding of the geochemical conditions controlling the formation, paragenesis and distribution of oxide zoner copper species in the Eastern Fold Belt of the Mt. Isa Inlier. This area is also known as the Cloncurry Complex. The regional geology and genesis of the copper deposits is reviewed and the deposits of particular interest to the study are described. Oxidation of pyrite and chalcopyrite by oxygen-bearing groundwater and the sources and mechanisms by which anions are carried by groundwater to reaction sites to form secondary copper species are discussed. Physical and chemical conditions control the development of particular species. Equilibrium phase diagrams have been constructed to represent stability fields. An explanation for the relative abundance and spatial distribution of the basic copper phosphates is provided. Stability field data supported by observations made on deposits in the Cloncurry district and elsewhere provides a basis for assessing the paragenesis and distribution of secondary copper species in this and similar environments. This is discussed and illustrated using the Great Australia mine as a modelMaster of Science (Hons)
9
Reif, Alison. "Waves of change : economic development and social wellbeing in Cardwell, North Queensland, Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Social and Cultural Studies, 2008. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0184.
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This thesis is an anthropological study of local understandings of economic development in a small regional town in far North Queensland, Australia. How do preferences regarding lifestyle and social wellbeing impact on those living in the community? The study takes a particular interest in the aspirations, values and choices of the residents and their desires for the future and the future of their town. Throughout this thesis I argue that social wellbeing and lifestyle are important factors in Cardwell residents' choices and feature predominantly in their approaches to economic development. I contextualise this study through a comparative analysis of the effects of economic development on the wellbeing and lifestyle of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the Cardwell region of north Australia. This comparison arises firstly from an anthropological interest in the circumstances of Australian Aboriginal people as a significant minority in regional towns. Explicit attention is directed toward the Aboriginal people of the Cardwell region as they constitute a socially and culturally distinct sector of the local population. Secondly, my study explores ways in which comparative work of this kind may be instructive on cultural issues relevant to economic development. This is a study of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, who live in similar circumstances, and who, I propose, regard factors other than economic development as important. It is argued that while the Cardwell region does not provide ample nor a variety of economic opportunities, outward migration remains undesirable to many residents.
10
Sharpe, James Leslie. "Chemical mineralogy of supergene copper deposits of the Cloncurry district, North-West Queensland /." View thesis, 1998. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030822.110153/index.html.
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11
Strang, Veronica. "Uncommon ground : concepts of landscape and human-environmental relations in far North Queensland." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1994. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.260628.
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12
Swee, Hannah. "On the edge of paradise : living with cyclones in Far North Queensland, Australia." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2017. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1575407/.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is an ethnography of how people live with recurring disaster threats in Far North Queensland, a region in the north east of Australia where cyclones are part of the annual cycle of weather. For the people who inhabit this region, cyclones occur amidst a landscape of natural beauty and thus living with cyclones is described as “living in paradise” where hell happens intermittently. In the past two decades, the interest in understanding how people live with hazards and disasters has grown significantly and a large volume of literature now exists addressing the social dimensions of hazards and disasters from a wide variety of disciplines. However, the majority of this literature focuses on single catastrophic events. This thesis seeks to provide new insights into the study of hazards and disasters by focusing on a region that experiences disaster threats as regular, annual occurrences that are anticipated. Based on long-term ethnographic fieldwork with coastal dwelling communities in Far North Queensland this thesis argues that living with cyclones is a process that involves a variety of different activities, decisions and strategies, many of which are so intertwined and manifested in the mundane practices of everyday life that they cease to be acknowledged. Developing this argument involves a reflection on how the weather and climate are perceived, the way that uncertainty and risk is dealt with and negotiated, and ultimately how such negotiations lead to the choice to stay in a cyclone-prone place. By tracing how people live with cyclones in Far North Queensland, this thesis suggests that cyclones are known in multiple ways and their meanings are subject to change with time. Thus, cyclones are both catastrophic disasters and events that become a normal part of life.
13
Shuster, Gabriela. "The Management Of Feral Pig Socio-Ecological Systems In Far North Queensland, Australia." Antioch University / OhioLINK, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1357345563.
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14
Locsey, Katrina L. "Hydrogeochemistry and hydrology of a basalt aquifer system, the Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2004. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16594/1/Katrina_Locsey_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The Atherton Tablelands basalt aquifer is a major source of groundwater supply for irrigation and other agricultural use. The Tertiary to Quaternary age basaltic aquifer can be regarded as a generally unconfined, layered system, comprising numerous basalt flows separated by palaeo-weathering surfaces and minor alluvial gravels of palaeo-drainage channels. Layers of massive basalt and clay-rich weathered zones act as local aquitards, with some local perched aquifers also present. The aquifer is regarded as a system in which several factors interact to produce the overall characteristics of the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwaters. They include the mineralogical composition of both the basalt aquifer and the thick overlying weathered zone, the porosity and permeability of the basalt aquifer, its thickness, bedrock composition, and climate and topography. The hydrogeochemical processes operating in this aquifer system have been investigated though the analysis of 90 groundwater samples collected from October 1998 to October 1999, groundwater chemistry data provided by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources & Mines for more than 800 groundwater samples, rain water samples collected during 1999 by CSIRO, stream chemistry data provided by CSIRO and James Cook University, and mineralogical and whole rock geochemistry data of drill chip samples. The methods used in this research study include the assessment of groundwater major ion chemistry data and field physico-chemical parameters using hydrochemical facies and statistical approaches, investigation of the mineralogical composition of the aquifer, assessment of concentrations and activities of the ions in solution, the degree of saturation with respect to both primary and secondary minerals, and hydrogeochemical modelling to determine the likely controls on the chemical evolution of these groundwaters. The basaltic groundwaters are mostly Mg-Ca-Na, HCO3 type waters, with electrical conductivities generally less than 250 μS/cm and pH values from 6.5 to 8.5. Dissolved silica (H4SiO4) comprises a large proportion of the total dissolved load, with average concentrations of around 140 mg/L. Concentrations of potassium, chloride and sulphate are low, that is, generally less than 3 mg/L, 15 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. Despite the very low salinity of the Atherton Tablelands basalt groundwaters, the relative concentrations of the major ions are comparable to groundwaters from other basaltic regions, and are consistent with expected waterrock interactions. A variety of multivariate statistical techniques may be used to aid in the analysis of hydrochemical data, including for example, principal component analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis. Principal component factor analyses undertaken using the hydrochemical data for the Atherton groundwaters has enabled the differentiation of groundwaters from various lithological formations, the underlying geochemical processes controlling groundwater composition in the basalt aquifer to be inferred, relative groundwater residence and flow directions to be inferred and mapping of the estimated thickness of the basalt aquifer. The limitations of multivariate statistical methods have been examined, with emphasis on the issues pertinent to hydrochemical data, that is, data that are compositional and typically, non-normally distributed. The need to validate, normalize and standardize hydrochemical data prior to the application of multivariate statistical methods is demonstrated. Assessment of the saturation states of the Atherton basalt groundwaters with respect to some of the primary minerals present indicate that the groundwaters are mostly at equilibrium or saturated with respect to K-feldspar, and approach equilibrium with respect to the plagioclase feldspars (albite and anorthite) with increasing pH. These groundwaters are at equilibrium or saturated with respect to the major secondary minerals, kaolinite, smectite (Ca-montmorillonite) and gibbsite. They also tend to be saturated with respect to the oxidation products, goethite and hematite, common accessory minerals in the Atherton Tablelands basalt sequence. Silicate mineral weathering processes are the predominant influence on the composition of these basalt groundwaters. These weathering processes include the weathering of pyroxenes, feldspars and other primary minerals to clays, aluminium and iron oxides, amorphous or crystalline silica, carbonates and zeolites, releasing ions to solution. The contribution of substantial organic carbon dioxide to the groundwater is an important factor in the extent to which silicate mineral weathering occurs in this aquifer system. Evaporative enrichment of recharging waters, oxidation and ion-exchange reactions and the uptake of ions from, and decomposition of, organic matter, are processes that have a minor influence on the composition of the basalt groundwaters. The relationships observed between mineralogical compositions, basalt character and groundwater occurrence in the Atherton Tablelands region improved the understanding how groundwater is stored and transmitted in this basalt aquifer system. Groundwater is mostly stored in vesicular basalt that may be fresh to highly weathered, and movement of this water is facilitated by pathways through both vesicular and fractured basalt. Related work undertaken as part of this research project showed that the groundwater flow patterns defined by the hydrogeochemical interpretations correspond well with the spatial trends in water level fluctuations, and response to recharge events in particular. Groundwater baseflow to streams and discharge to topographic lows in the Atherton Tablelands region is indicated by the relationships between the major cations and anions in the stream waters. Fracture zones are likely to be preferred pathways of groundwater movement. Recharge estimates, based on a chloride mass balance, range from 310 mm/yr in the north-western part of the study area (north of Atherton) to 600 mm/yr in the wetter southern and eastern parts of the study area. These recharge estimates should be treated with caution however, due to the low groundwater chloride concentrations and the high variability in rainfall chloride concentrations. The findings of this research project have improved the understanding of the hydrogeochemical processes controlling the composition of the low salinity basalt groundwaters in the Atherton Tablelands region, and are applicable to other basalt groundwater systems, particularly those in high rainfall environments.
15
Locsey, Katrina L. "Hydrogeochemistry and hydrology of a basalt aquifer system, the Atherton Tablelands, North Queensland." Queensland University of Technology, 2004. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16594/.
Full textAbstract:
The Atherton Tablelands basalt aquifer is a major source of groundwater supply for irrigation and other agricultural use. The Tertiary to Quaternary age basaltic aquifer can be regarded as a generally unconfined, layered system, comprising numerous basalt flows separated by palaeo-weathering surfaces and minor alluvial gravels of palaeo-drainage channels. Layers of massive basalt and clay-rich weathered zones act as local aquitards, with some local perched aquifers also present. The aquifer is regarded as a system in which several factors interact to produce the overall characteristics of the hydrogeochemistry of the groundwaters. They include the mineralogical composition of both the basalt aquifer and the thick overlying weathered zone, the porosity and permeability of the basalt aquifer, its thickness, bedrock composition, and climate and topography. The hydrogeochemical processes operating in this aquifer system have been investigated though the analysis of 90 groundwater samples collected from October 1998 to October 1999, groundwater chemistry data provided by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources & Mines for more than 800 groundwater samples, rain water samples collected during 1999 by CSIRO, stream chemistry data provided by CSIRO and James Cook University, and mineralogical and whole rock geochemistry data of drill chip samples. The methods used in this research study include the assessment of groundwater major ion chemistry data and field physico-chemical parameters using hydrochemical facies and statistical approaches, investigation of the mineralogical composition of the aquifer, assessment of concentrations and activities of the ions in solution, the degree of saturation with respect to both primary and secondary minerals, and hydrogeochemical modelling to determine the likely controls on the chemical evolution of these groundwaters. The basaltic groundwaters are mostly Mg-Ca-Na, HCO3 type waters, with electrical conductivities generally less than 250 μS/cm and pH values from 6.5 to 8.5. Dissolved silica (H4SiO4) comprises a large proportion of the total dissolved load, with average concentrations of around 140 mg/L. Concentrations of potassium, chloride and sulphate are low, that is, generally less than 3 mg/L, 15 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. Despite the very low salinity of the Atherton Tablelands basalt groundwaters, the relative concentrations of the major ions are comparable to groundwaters from other basaltic regions, and are consistent with expected waterrock interactions. A variety of multivariate statistical techniques may be used to aid in the analysis of hydrochemical data, including for example, principal component analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis. Principal component factor analyses undertaken using the hydrochemical data for the Atherton groundwaters has enabled the differentiation of groundwaters from various lithological formations, the underlying geochemical processes controlling groundwater composition in the basalt aquifer to be inferred, relative groundwater residence and flow directions to be inferred and mapping of the estimated thickness of the basalt aquifer. The limitations of multivariate statistical methods have been examined, with emphasis on the issues pertinent to hydrochemical data, that is, data that are compositional and typically, non-normally distributed. The need to validate, normalize and standardize hydrochemical data prior to the application of multivariate statistical methods is demonstrated. Assessment of the saturation states of the Atherton basalt groundwaters with respect to some of the primary minerals present indicate that the groundwaters are mostly at equilibrium or saturated with respect to K-feldspar, and approach equilibrium with respect to the plagioclase feldspars (albite and anorthite) with increasing pH. These groundwaters are at equilibrium or saturated with respect to the major secondary minerals, kaolinite, smectite (Ca-montmorillonite) and gibbsite. They also tend to be saturated with respect to the oxidation products, goethite and hematite, common accessory minerals in the Atherton Tablelands basalt sequence. Silicate mineral weathering processes are the predominant influence on the composition of these basalt groundwaters. These weathering processes include the weathering of pyroxenes, feldspars and other primary minerals to clays, aluminium and iron oxides, amorphous or crystalline silica, carbonates and zeolites, releasing ions to solution. The contribution of substantial organic carbon dioxide to the groundwater is an important factor in the extent to which silicate mineral weathering occurs in this aquifer system. Evaporative enrichment of recharging waters, oxidation and ion-exchange reactions and the uptake of ions from, and decomposition of, organic matter, are processes that have a minor influence on the composition of the basalt groundwaters. The relationships observed between mineralogical compositions, basalt character and groundwater occurrence in the Atherton Tablelands region improved the understanding how groundwater is stored and transmitted in this basalt aquifer system. Groundwater is mostly stored in vesicular basalt that may be fresh to highly weathered, and movement of this water is facilitated by pathways through both vesicular and fractured basalt. Related work undertaken as part of this research project showed that the groundwater flow patterns defined by the hydrogeochemical interpretations correspond well with the spatial trends in water level fluctuations, and response to recharge events in particular. Groundwater baseflow to streams and discharge to topographic lows in the Atherton Tablelands region is indicated by the relationships between the major cations and anions in the stream waters. Fracture zones are likely to be preferred pathways of groundwater movement. Recharge estimates, based on a chloride mass balance, range from 310 mm/yr in the north-western part of the study area (north of Atherton) to 600 mm/yr in the wetter southern and eastern parts of the study area. These recharge estimates should be treated with caution however, due to the low groundwater chloride concentrations and the high variability in rainfall chloride concentrations. The findings of this research project have improved the understanding of the hydrogeochemical processes controlling the composition of the low salinity basalt groundwaters in the Atherton Tablelands region, and are applicable to other basalt groundwater systems, particularly those in high rainfall environments.
16
Brown, Michael David. "Evaluation of Mesocyclops (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) for the biological control of mosquitoes in north Queensland /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 1989. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe16687.pdf.
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17
Deegan, Blake Mathew Spurway. "The petrogenesis and geochronology of lower crustal xenoliths from the Georgetown inlier, North Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2020. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/204210/2/Blake_Deegan_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The only method of sampling the present day lower continental crust is through volcanic eruptions that transport samples of country rock to the surface. The composition, mineralogy, and age of three lower crustal xenoliths were examined from a preserved volcanic edifice, Hill 32, which erupted in North Queensland. It was found that all three samples represented former feldspathic orthogneisses. Through zircon U-Pb geochronology, the samples were found to have been subject to intense metamorphism and anatectic melting approximately 260Ma. Through rutile U-Pb geochronology, the eruption of Hill 32 in North Queensland was quantitatively dated to have erupted 1.5Ma.
18
Do, Ngoc Thuy. "The significance of enterotoxigenic E.coli as a cause of pre-weaning piglet diarrhoea in North Vietnam /." St. Lucia, Qld, 2004. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe17888.pdf.
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19
Fantin, Shaneen Rae. "Housing Aboriginal culture in North-East Arnhem Land /." [St. Lucia, Qld.], 2003. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe17564.pdf.
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20
Littlejohn, Carla Louise, and n/a. "Influence of Artificial Destratification on Limnological Processes in Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam), Queensland, Australia." Griffith University. Australian School of Environmental Studies, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20050211.133123.
Full textAbstract:
Artificial destratification equipment was installed in Lake Samsonvale in October 1995 to reduce the biomass of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in the reservoir. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the destratifier on the limnological processes occurring in the lake and to determine if operation of the destratifier has been effective at reducing the summer populations of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Microcystis aeruginosa. The study showed that artificial destratification of Lake Samsonvale has been successful at reducing the surface to bottom thermal gradient and increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations at depth. While the destratifier has not resulted in the lake becoming completely 'mixed' during summer, it has weakened resistance to mixing from meteorological events, which has led to a reduction in mean concentrations of total and dissolved phosphorus during summer. Although not conclusive, it is likely that the influence of the destratifier is restricted to a narrow radial distance around the bubbleplumes during periods of strong stability, so internal loading may continue to provide a substantial source of nutrients for cyanobacterial growth, particularly in regions of the lake less influenced by the destratifier. The results for cyanobacteria are less encouraging. Despite the reduction in concentrations of dissolved phosphorus, the destratifier has not been effective at reducing summer populations of C. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa. On the contrary, there is evidence to suggest that populations have actually increased which could have serious operational consequences for the lake by mixing the previously buoyant cyanobacteria to the level of the water off-take. The growth season for C. raciborskii has been extended by up to 3 months and population onset now occurs during spring. This increase in spring populations could be a result of significantly greater baseline populations during winter, or the earlier germination of akinetes as a result of increased sediment temperatures. The seasonal successional relationship between C. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa appears to have shifted from one of alternating dominance between the two species to one of co-existence under conditions of intermediate disturbance. It was concluded that although the continued operation of the destratifier may prove useful to minimise water treatment costs through reducing internal loading of dissolved constituents, it has not been successful in achieving its original objective of controlling cyanobacterial populations in the lake.
21
Littlejohn, Carla Louise. "Influence of Artificial Destratification on Limnological Processes in Lake Samsonvale (North Pine Dam), Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Griffith University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365764.
Full textAbstract:
Artificial destratification equipment was installed in Lake Samsonvale in October 1995 to reduce the biomass of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in the reservoir. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of the destratifier on the limnological processes occurring in the lake and to determine if operation of the destratifier has been effective at reducing the summer populations of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Microcystis aeruginosa. The study showed that artificial destratification of Lake Samsonvale has been successful at reducing the surface to bottom thermal gradient and increasing dissolved oxygen concentrations at depth. While the destratifier has not resulted in the lake becoming completely 'mixed' during summer, it has weakened resistance to mixing from meteorological events, which has led to a reduction in mean concentrations of total and dissolved phosphorus during summer. Although not conclusive, it is likely that the influence of the destratifier is restricted to a narrow radial distance around the bubbleplumes during periods of strong stability, so internal loading may continue to provide a substantial source of nutrients for cyanobacterial growth, particularly in regions of the lake less influenced by the destratifier. The results for cyanobacteria are less encouraging. Despite the reduction in concentrations of dissolved phosphorus, the destratifier has not been effective at reducing summer populations of C. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa. On the contrary, there is evidence to suggest that populations have actually increased which could have serious operational consequences for the lake by mixing the previously buoyant cyanobacteria to the level of the water off-take. The growth season for C. raciborskii has been extended by up to 3 months and population onset now occurs during spring. This increase in spring populations could be a result of significantly greater baseline populations during winter, or the earlier germination of akinetes as a result of increased sediment temperatures. The seasonal successional relationship between C. raciborskii and M. aeruginosa appears to have shifted from one of alternating dominance between the two species to one of co-existence under conditions of intermediate disturbance. It was concluded that although the continued operation of the destratifier may prove useful to minimise water treatment costs through reducing internal loading of dissolved constituents, it has not been successful in achieving its original objective of controlling cyanobacterial populations in the lake.Thesis (Masters)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Australian School of Environmental Studies
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22
Ryan, James L. "Multiscale landscape genetics analysis of feral pigs in the Herbert region of far-north Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/227325/1/James_Ryan_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Management of invasive species is notoriously difficult and often expensive. The aim of this study was to inform feral pig management practises in far-north Queensland by utilising molecular markers and geographic information systems to evaluate the affect of landscape features on feral pig population structure. This thesis evaluated landscape features at multiple spatial scales to identify landscape features that are a barrier or facilitator of feral pig movement and makes recommendations for future management strategies.
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Lopez, Jobina. "Targeted control of feral pigs in far north Queensland : defining management units using molecular techniques." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2013. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/61088/1/Jobina_Lopez_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The feral pig, Sus scrofa, is a widespread and abundant invasive species in Australia. Feral pigs pose a significant threat to the environment, agricultural industry, and human health, and in far north Queensland they endanger World Heritage values of the Wet Tropics. Historical records document the first introduction of domestic pigs into Australia via European settlers in 1788 and subsequent introductions from Asia from 1827 onwards. Since this time, domestic pigs have been accidentally and deliberately released into the wild and significant feral pig populations have become established, resulting in the declaration of this species as a class 2 pest in Queensland.
The overall objective of this study was to assess the population genetic structure of feral pigs in far north Queensland, in particular to enable delineation of demographically independent management units. The identification of ecologically meaningful management units using molecular techniques can assist in targeting feral pig control to bring about effective long-term management.
Molecular genetic analysis was undertaken on 434 feral pigs from 35 localities between Tully and Innisfail. Seven polymorphic and unlinked microsatellite loci were screened and fixation indices (FST and analogues) and Bayesian clustering methods were used to identify population structure and management units in the study area. Sequencing of the hyper-variable mitochondrial control region (D-loop) of 35 feral pigs was also examined to identify pig ancestry.
Three management units were identified in the study at a scale of 25 to 35 km. Even with the strong pattern of genetic structure identified in the study area, some evidence of long distance dispersal and/or translocation was found as a small number of individuals exhibited ancestry from a management unit outside of which they were sampled. Overall, gene flow in the study area was found to be influenced by environmental features such as topography and land use, but no distinct or obvious natural or anthropogenic geographic barriers were identified. Furthermore, strong evidence was found for non-random mating between pigs of European and Asian breeds indicating that feral pig ancestry influences their population genetic structure. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two distinct mitochondrial DNA clades, representing Asian domestic pig breeds and European breeds. A significant finding was that pigs of Asian origin living in Innisfail and south Tully were not mating randomly with European breed pigs populating the nearby Mission Beach area.
Feral pig control should be implemented in each of the management units identified in this study. The control should be coordinated across properties within each management unit to prevent re-colonisation from adjacent localities. The adjacent rainforest and National Park Estates, as well as the rainforest-crop boundary should be included in a simultaneous control operation for greater success.
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Ruscoe, Wendy. "Spatial variability in population levels of Rattus sordidus in North Queensland cane growing districts : ecological and gene flow hypotheses." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 1996.
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Hausmann, Franziska, and n/a. "The Utility of Linear Riparian Rainforest for Vertebrates on the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands, North Queensland." Griffith University. Australian School of Environmental Studies, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20050115.105740.
Full textAbstract:
This study investigated the utility to vertebrates of upland linear riparian rainforest fragments on the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands in the Australian Wet Tropics region, north Queensland. Similar linear fragments were selected, that varied in forest age and their connectivity to large areas of continuous forest:- (connected primary (N=6), isolated primary (N=5), connected secondary (N=6) and isolated secondary (N=7)). Primary sites had either never been cleared or only subject to selective logging, while secondary forest had been completely cleared and allowed to regenerate for at least 30 years. These linear fragments were contrasted with riparian sites within continuous forest sites (N=6 to 7), which were situated in State Forest or National Parks, and sites within the cleared matrix (pasture, N=6). Vertebrates surveyed were birds, ground-dwelling mammals and reptiles, particularly leaf-litter skinks. All surveys were conducted between September and December in 2001 and/or 2000. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of forest age, isolation and structural vegetation features on bird assemblages within linear riparian fragments of rainforest. Bird surveys and structural vegetation assessments were conducted within connected and isolated primary and secondary linear fragments, and compared with those of continuous forest habitat (N=6) and pasture. There were strong effects of forest age; all three types of primary rainforest had higher values than secondary rainforest for most measured attributes of vegetation structure (including canopy height and cover; and frequency of large-diameter trees, lianes, epiphytes, strangler figs; and woody debris), but lower frequencies of tree ferns and thorny scramblers. Sites within primary rainforest also had a greater frequency of many bird species across different guilds of habitat, feeding and movement. Assemblages of rainforest-dependent birds showed an effect of isolation, although its strength was less than that of forest age. Isolated fragments of primary rainforest differed significantly from continuous primary rainforest in their rainforest-dependent bird species assemblages (and had lower species richness), and isolated fragments of secondary rainforest differed from those that were connected. There was a significant association between the species composition of rainforest birds and some measured vegetation parameters across all sites, but not within primary or secondary sites. Vegetation differences did not explain the lowered frequency of several species in isolated fragments. Limited dispersal seems unlikely to be a main cause, and causal processes probably vary among species. Specialist rainforest species endemic to the Wet Tropics region showed stronger responses to present-day rainforest age and fragmentation than those not endemic. Variation in nest depredation levels associated with rainforest fragmentation (edge effects) is examined in Chapter 3. Artificial nests were placed in the forest understorey at seven edge sites where continuous forest adjoined pasture, seven interiors (about one kilometre from the edge), and six primary linear riparian forest remnants (50-100 m wide) that were connected to continuous forest. Four nest types were compared, representing different combinations of two factors; height (ground, shrub) and shape (open, domed). At each site, four nests of each type, containing one quail egg and two model plasticine eggs, were interspersed about 15 m apart within a 160 m transect. Predators were identified from marks on the plasticine eggs. The overall depredation rate was 66.5% of 320 nests' contents damaged over a three-day period. Large rodents, especially the rat Uromys caudimaculatus, and birds, especially the spotted catbird Ailuroedus melanotis, were the main predators. Mammals comprised 56.5% and birds 31.0% of identified predators, with 12.5% of unknown identity. The depredation rate did not vary among site-types, or between open and domed nests, and there were no statistically significant interactions. Nest height strongly affected depredation rates by particular types of predator; depredation rates by mammals were highest at ground nests, whereas attacks by birds were most frequent at shrub nests. These effects counterbalanced so that overall there was little net effect of nest height. Mammals accounted for 78.4% of depredated ground nests and birds for at least 47.4% of shrub nests (and possibly up to 70.1%). The main predators were species characteristic of rainforest, rather than habitat generalists, open-country or edge specialists. For birds that nest in the tropical rainforest understorey of the study region, it is unlikely that edges and linear remnants presently function as ecological population sinks due to mortality associated with increased nest depredation. The use of linear riparian remnants by small ground-dwelling mammals and reptiles (mainly leaf litter skinks), is reported in Chapter 4. Site types were continuous rainforest, connected and isolated linear fragments of both uncleared primary rainforest and secondary regrowth rainforest. Mammals were also surveyed in pasture sites. Neither reptile species richness nor abundance varied significantly among site types. Although mammal species richness varied significantly between site types, with isolated primary sites containing highest species richness, overall mammal abundance did not differ significantly among site types. Pasture sites differed significantly from all rainforest sites in their mammal species composition, and were dominated by the introduced house mouse (Mus musculus). This species was absent from all rainforest sites, which were characterised by moderate abundances of bush rat/Cape York rat Rattus fuscipes/leucopus, fawn-footed melomys Melomys cervinipes and giant white-tailed rat Uromys caudimaculatus. None of these species varied significantly in abundance among site types, although the giant white-tailed rat showed a trend (P=0.09) for reduced abundance in isolated secondary sites. A single reptile species, the prickly forest skink Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae, occurred in sufficient numbers for individual analysis, and its abundance varied significantly among the forested site types, being less abundant in all linear fragments than in continuous forest sites. The utility of linear riparian rainforest for vertebrates appears to be species-specific and involves many factors. However, overall, species endemic to the Wet Tropics (which are hence of the highest conservation significance) appear to be the most sensitive to fragmentation. These species were most likely to show altered abundances or frequencies of occurrence due to isolation, forest age, and habitat linearity. The ecology of species within this group warrants further investigation within fragmented and non-fragmented regions of the Tablelands. For many other vertebrates examined in this study, there appears to be sufficient functional connectedness between remnants on the Tablelands to minimise the effects of fragmentation. Nevertheless, the lower density of many of these species in pasture may indicate that their long-term persistence within the fragmented rainforest areas could benefit from the maintenance or establishment of habitat linkages. Certainly, if the current rainforest vegetation cover were further reduced, or if the land use in the matrix became more intensive, the establishment of specific habitat linkages could become more important as existing dispersal routes could be lost. It also appears that nest depredation levels are unlikely to limit the value of linear rainforest remnants and other small rainforest remnants as breeding habitat for birds (at least for understorey-nesting species), relative to more intact rainforest, in the study region.
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Berkeley, Andrew. "Foraminiferal assemblage development in tropical intertidal environments : a case study from Cocoa Creek, north Queensland, Australia." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2008. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.485322.
Full textAbstract:
This study examines the sedimentological and taphonomic controls on tropical, intertidal, foraminiferal assemblage development using a case site adjacent to Cocoa Creek, northern Queensland, Australia. The site is situated at the seaward margin of an extensive, coastal plain which has developed since a mid-Holocene sea-level highstand, and comprises several shoreparallel zones, including low-intertidal mudflat, mid- and high intertidal mangrove forest and . supra-tidal salt flat environments. Distinct mudflat and mangrove-associated facies units were identified within subsurface sediments which together indicated gradual shoreface progradation under relatively stable sea-level conditions. Calcareous species dominated living assemblages within low mangrove ~nd mudflat habitats, while upper mangrove standing crops were characterised by both agglutinated and calcareous species. The depth of infaunal populations was greatest within the upper mangrove (up to 50 cm) and shallowest within low mangrove sediments. At most stations >70% of the community was found beneath the upper 1 cm. A marked dichotomy occurred between the dead assemblages of mangrove and mudflat sediments. While mudflat dead assemblages were calcareous-dominated and occurred in high densities (up to 1,000s per cm\ dead assemblages within the mangrove were almost exclusively agglutinated, with comparatively low densities 300 per cm3 ). As well as the post-mortem loss of calcareous tests within the mangrove, a systematic seasonal decline in agglutinated dead test densities suggested this assemblage component was also highly susceptible to taphonomic loss. Detailed SEM examination of dead tests indicated that dissolution was the main taphonomic agent for calcareous tests, while organic cement loss and physical breakage caused the degradation of agglutinated tests. A conceptual model is proposed which describes foraminiferal assemblage development in terms of (1) assemblage r:naturation, and (2) burial trajectory. Seaward progradation at Cocoa Creek results in the overprinting of production and taphonomic regimes from higher-intertidal habitats onto those sediments formerly deposited within lower elevation settings. As. such, surface assemblages do not accurately reflect those assemblages which ,enter the longer-term fossil record.
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Hardy, Anne. "A troubled paradise : stakeholder perceptions of tourism in the Daintree Region of Far North Queensland, Australia /." St. Lucia, Qld, 2001. http://www.library.uq.edu.au/pdfserve.php?image=thesisabs/absthe16808.pdf.
Full text
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Hausmann, Franziska. "The Utility of Linear Riparian Rainforest for Vertebrates on the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands, North Queensland." Thesis, Griffith University, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10072/365964.
Full textAbstract:
This study investigated the utility to vertebrates of upland linear riparian rainforest fragments on the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands in the Australian Wet Tropics region, north Queensland. Similar linear fragments were selected, that varied in forest age and their connectivity to large areas of continuous forest:- (connected primary (N=6), isolated primary (N=5), connected secondary (N=6) and isolated secondary (N=7)). Primary sites had either never been cleared or only subject to selective logging, while secondary forest had been completely cleared and allowed to regenerate for at least 30 years. These linear fragments were contrasted with riparian sites within continuous forest sites (N=6 to 7), which were situated in State Forest or National Parks, and sites within the cleared matrix (pasture, N=6). Vertebrates surveyed were birds, ground-dwelling mammals and reptiles, particularly leaf-litter skinks. All surveys were conducted between September and December in 2001 and/or 2000. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of forest age, isolation and structural vegetation features on bird assemblages within linear riparian fragments of rainforest. Bird surveys and structural vegetation assessments were conducted within connected and isolated primary and secondary linear fragments, and compared with those of continuous forest habitat (N=6) and pasture. There were strong effects of forest age; all three types of primary rainforest had higher values than secondary rainforest for most measured attributes of vegetation structure (including canopy height and cover; and frequency of large-diameter trees, lianes, epiphytes, strangler figs; and woody debris), but lower frequencies of tree ferns and thorny scramblers. Sites within primary rainforest also had a greater frequency of many bird species across different guilds of habitat, feeding and movement. Assemblages of rainforest-dependent birds showed an effect of isolation, although its strength was less than that of forest age. Isolated fragments of primary rainforest differed significantly from continuous primary rainforest in their rainforest-dependent bird species assemblages (and had lower species richness), and isolated fragments of secondary rainforest differed from those that were connected. There was a significant association between the species composition of rainforest birds and some measured vegetation parameters across all sites, but not within primary or secondary sites. Vegetation differences did not explain the lowered frequency of several species in isolated fragments. Limited dispersal seems unlikely to be a main cause, and causal processes probably vary among species. Specialist rainforest species endemic to the Wet Tropics region showed stronger responses to present-day rainforest age and fragmentation than those not endemic. Variation in nest depredation levels associated with rainforest fragmentation (edge effects) is examined in Chapter 3. Artificial nests were placed in the forest understorey at seven edge sites where continuous forest adjoined pasture, seven interiors (about one kilometre from the edge), and six primary linear riparian forest remnants (50-100 m wide) that were connected to continuous forest. Four nest types were compared, representing different combinations of two factors; height (ground, shrub) and shape (open, domed). At each site, four nests of each type, containing one quail egg and two model plasticine eggs, were interspersed about 15 m apart within a 160 m transect. Predators were identified from marks on the plasticine eggs. The overall depredation rate was 66.5% of 320 nests' contents damaged over a three-day period. Large rodents, especially the rat Uromys caudimaculatus, and birds, especially the spotted catbird Ailuroedus melanotis, were the main predators. Mammals comprised 56.5% and birds 31.0% of identified predators, with 12.5% of unknown identity. The depredation rate did not vary among site-types, or between open and domed nests, and there were no statistically significant interactions. Nest height strongly affected depredation rates by particular types of predator; depredation rates by mammals were highest at ground nests, whereas attacks by birds were most frequent at shrub nests. These effects counterbalanced so that overall there was little net effect of nest height. Mammals accounted for 78.4% of depredated ground nests and birds for at least 47.4% of shrub nests (and possibly up to 70.1%). The main predators were species characteristic of rainforest, rather than habitat generalists, open-country or edge specialists. For birds that nest in the tropical rainforest understorey of the study region, it is unlikely that edges and linear remnants presently function as ecological population sinks due to mortality associated with increased nest depredation. The use of linear riparian remnants by small ground-dwelling mammals and reptiles (mainly leaf litter skinks), is reported in Chapter 4. Site types were continuous rainforest, connected and isolated linear fragments of both uncleared primary rainforest and secondary regrowth rainforest. Mammals were also surveyed in pasture sites. Neither reptile species richness nor abundance varied significantly among site types. Although mammal species richness varied significantly between site types, with isolated primary sites containing highest species richness, overall mammal abundance did not differ significantly among site types. Pasture sites differed significantly from all rainforest sites in their mammal species composition, and were dominated by the introduced house mouse (Mus musculus). This species was absent from all rainforest sites, which were characterised by moderate abundances of bush rat/Cape York rat Rattus fuscipes/leucopus, fawn-footed melomys Melomys cervinipes and giant white-tailed rat Uromys caudimaculatus. None of these species varied significantly in abundance among site types, although the giant white-tailed rat showed a trend (P=0.09) for reduced abundance in isolated secondary sites. A single reptile species, the prickly forest skink Gnypetoscincus queenslandiae, occurred in sufficient numbers for individual analysis, and its abundance varied significantly among the forested site types, being less abundant in all linear fragments than in continuous forest sites. The utility of linear riparian rainforest for vertebrates appears to be species-specific and involves many factors. However, overall, species endemic to the Wet Tropics (which are hence of the highest conservation significance) appear to be the most sensitive to fragmentation. These species were most likely to show altered abundances or frequencies of occurrence due to isolation, forest age, and habitat linearity. The ecology of species within this group warrants further investigation within fragmented and non-fragmented regions of the Tablelands. For many other vertebrates examined in this study, there appears to be sufficient functional connectedness between remnants on the Tablelands to minimise the effects of fragmentation. Nevertheless, the lower density of many of these species in pasture may indicate that their long-term persistence within the fragmented rainforest areas could benefit from the maintenance or establishment of habitat linkages. Certainly, if the current rainforest vegetation cover were further reduced, or if the land use in the matrix became more intensive, the establishment of specific habitat linkages could become more important as existing dispersal routes could be lost. It also appears that nest depredation levels are unlikely to limit the value of linear rainforest remnants and other small rainforest remnants as breeding habitat for birds (at least for understorey-nesting species), relative to more intact rainforest, in the study regionThesis (Masters)
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Australian School of Environmental Studies
Full Text
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Hausmann, Franziska. "The utility of linear riparian rainforest for vertebrates on the Atherton and Evelyn Tablelands, North Queensland /." Click here to access, 2004. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20050115.105740.
Full textAbstract:
Thesis (M.Phil.) -- Griffith University, 2004.Facsimile of the author's original dissertation. Pagination of document: x, 121 leaves. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online via the World Wide Web.
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Bartlett, Lynne Marion. "Faecal incontinence in North Queensland." Thesis, 2014. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/33444/1/33444-bartlett-2014-thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Faecal incontinence, the uncontrolled loss of liquid or solid stool, can have a profound, negative effect on a person's quality of life, including their social and economic status. Up to 15% of metropolitan community residing adults and over 50% per cent of those in residential aged care suffer with the condition. The prevalence of faecal incontinence rises with age and by 2047 one quarter of the Australian population will be over 65 raising serious concerns with regard to continence management.
The overall aim of the research contained in this thesis is to expand the evidence base of faecal incontinence in regional and rural Australia, specifically conducting epidemiological and clinical research in order to direct health policy and practice.
This thesis describes six studies that explored several important areas of clinical and public health relevance: disclosure of faecal incontinence - comparative study on two tools in a clinical setting; prevalence of faecal incontinence in the population - cross-sectional postal survey of northern Queensland community residing adults; quality of life of patients with faecal incontinence - survey of clinical patients; two randomised clinical trials investigating anorectal biofeedback – a comparative study of exercise regimen and another comparing the standard anorectal biofeedback program with / without supplementary self-managed home biofeedback; and the impact of relaxation breathing on anal pressure - an observational study of biofeedback patients.
The overall aim of this body of work was to expand the evidence base of faecal incontinence in regional and rural Australia. The research setting was Northern Queensland and the people with faecal incontinence who live and work in this regional, rural and remote part of Australia.
Disclosure of faecal incontinence
Adult patients attending the urogynaecology and colorectal outpatient clinics at the Townsville Hospital in 2003/4 were invited to complete a self-administered faecal incontinence questionnaire and answer faecal incontinence questions asked by their treating doctor. There was a substantial difference in disclosure using the two measurement instruments. The discordance was predominantly due to issues of definition, understanding, terminology and embarrassment. Once adjusted for the measurement differences, the prevalence was 26.0% (95% CI, 20.9%– 31.1%), which confirmed findings from an earlier survey in a similar population. Other findings included:
• Routine patient consultations with general practitioners should include faecal incontinence questions for those with risk factors
• A more specific definition which excludes historical data and isolated instances of diarrhoea due to acute illness is desirable
• A measurement instrument suitable for population surveys should contain simple language and acknowledge issues of embarrassment.
Prevalence
Faecal incontinence was defined as accidental leakage of solid or liquid stool in the previous twelve months which was not caused by a virus, medication or contaminated food. A bowel habit survey was mailed to 3620 private listings compiled from the 2006/7 Cairns and Townsville telephone directories. A response rate of 48.1% from 1523 responses was achieved. This region is particularly mobile which may explain the low response rate. Of the northern Queensland adult community members surveyed 12.7% reported faecal incontinence. This rate increased with age for men; overall there were no gender or locality differences. When soiling with flatus and urgency were included, stool related accidental bowel leakage was substantially higher at 18.2%. Using the broader definition of accidental stool leakage that did not exclude faecal incontinence resulting from an acute illness, the prevalence was 28.1%, the highest reported in Australia.
Quality of life
The quality of life of more than 22% of study participants who attended the urogynaecology and colorectal outpatient clinics at the Townsville Hospital in 2003 and 2004 for matters other than faecal incontinence was severely affected by faecal incontinence. Colorectal clinic participants had poorer quality of life than those attending the urogynaecology clinic. The negative impact on participants' lives worsened with the loss of both solid and liquid stool and increased frequency and quantity of soiling.
Biofeedback therapy
Anorectal biofeedback is a conservative therapy for patients with mild to moderate faecal incontinence who have not responded to general practitioner prescribed advice. The aim of anorectal biofeedback is to enable patients to identify, contract, and relax the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles which support the abdominal contents against gravity and help maintain urinary and faecal continence. A balloon is positioned in the rectal vault and inflated until the patient registers its presence. A catheter with a pressure transducer placed in the patient's anal canal measures pelvic floor muscle activity converting anal pressure readings to a display screen for immediate visual feedback.
Exercises:
A randomised study compared an untested exercise regimen of sustained plus rapid exercises with the standard exercise regimen of sustained exercises at the Townsville Hospital Anorectal Physiology Clinic. This study was in response to demands for randomised clinical trials investigating anal sphincter and pelvic floor exercises. Seventy-two participants attended clinic sessions once weekly for four weeks followed by four weeks of home practice and a follow-up assessment session. A postal survey was conducted two years later. No significant differences were found between the two exercise groups at the beginning or at the end of the study or as a result of treatment in objective, quality of life, or faecal incontinence severity measures. Compliant participants had better outcomes than those who practiced fewer exercises. Eighty six per cent of participants reported improved continence and incontinence severity decreased significantly. Results were sustained two years later.
Location:
Regional participants lived a median distance of 8km from the clinic, while rural participants travelled up to 903km to attend clinic sessions. Risk factors for faecal incontinence were similar for rural and regional participants, although rural participants reported poorer general health and their symptoms affected their lifestyle more negatively. Initially improvement in rural participants' outcomes was marginally better than those of regional participants. However two years later, severity and quality of life continued to improve among regional participants, but rural participants had regressed to pre-treatment levels. An additional follow-up session with the biofeedback therapist, ongoing local support by continence advisors or a telephone helpline, newsletter, or webpage should be investigated for rural patients to help maintain similar longterm improvement in continence and quality of life to regional participants.
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Goudie, Douglas. "Toward sustainable urban travel north Queensland." 2000. http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/967/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This project evolved from Honours and Master of Science research focussed on sustainable urban electricity supply, use and attitudes. Researchers, planning practitioners and Australian governments’ policies of ecologically sustainable development helped shape the household questionnaire on urban travel. The main research instrument of this thesis, the survey of 400 households considered prior urban travel research and resource constraints, along with social and environment perspectives. The public research instrument and the survey stratification of sample household’s distance from the Central Business District were used to test 12 hypotheses. The hypotheses centred on relationships of home location distance from the CBD and household travel distances, fuel costs as an influence on urban travel patterns, and possible links between environmental concern and urban travel behaviour. Attitudes toward all alternative modes of urban travel were tested, while questions on easy ways to reduce car use tested hypothesis on publicly acceptable car-reduction strategies. The thesis was developed within the philosophical and practical framework of Ecologically Sustainable Urban Development. Urban car use consumes much petroleum, facilitates car dependent urban growth and is enjoyed by nearly everyone. Cars are ubiquitous, convenient and generally the preferred mode of travel, although their negative impacts are well understood. Impending petroleum depletion will trigger a defining time of change in urban travel behaviour, structures and landuse. The North Queensland research has shown that people are essentially aware of a future need to reduce car use, but are in no hurry to sacrifice the convenience of car use until something as good or better comes along, or they are forced to alternatives because of increased car costs. The research defines current urban travel in Townsville and Cairns, along with values and beliefs about future urban travel. Cairns and Townsville are ideal study sites, isolated microcosms easily representing larger, more complex transport systems. The survey was stratified to three zones; central, middle and outer, in order to test hypotheses based on choice of home location and consequent travel. Every third house in three randomly selected Collector Districts from each zone received one of 216 questionnaires. A return of 406 forms, about 60%, included written input to 20 openended questions and logged 28,000 Km of travel data from 1,068 residents for one Friday of urban travelling. This thesis documents 3,500 urban trips and analyses how householders believe they may easily reduce current car use. This substantial data set showed that cars were used for 80% of trips, covering 90% of the distance travelled. Non-motorised trips accounted for only 3.5% of the 28,000 Km travelled. Outer residents travelled about the same number of trips as other residents but averaged two to three times the distance per trip. Urban distance travelled is very dependent on home location choices and residents are very self-aware of car dependence. The main reason for central living was proximity to householder’s usual destinations, also true for the middle zones, along with property prices. Outer zone residents usually chose their homes because of natural features or a large block of land. While recognising it to be very car dependent, people were generally satisfied with their current urban travel. There was widespread belief that better public transport and better planning of trips would reduce car use. Walking and cycling were seen as healthy exercise, but dangerous. There was a uniformly high level of environmental awareness and concern. Overall, people generally understand sustainability issues and were often quite sophisticated in that understanding. A simple theoretical model was developed inductively to help link internal and external space with price signals and changed urban travel behaviour. Price signals underlie choices of home location and urban travel options. Although environmental issues associated with unconstrained car use are understood by the public, their sheer convenience means cars will dominate urban travel until other modes become safer and more attractive. The main long-term deterrent to overwhelming car dependence will only be impending and major rises in the price of fuel. Twenty-two surveyed urban travel or energy experts identified cheap, easy ways to help reduce car use by such means as making walking or cycling along more continuous and well defined paths feels safe, and by clarifying bus movements at bus stops. I hope this work makes some lasting contribution to long-term urban settlement.
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Champion, David Christopher. "The felsic granites of far north Queensland." Phd thesis, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/10695.
Full textAbstract:
North Queensland has been the site of widespread and voluminous recurrent felsic magmatism, with granite emplacement occurring in the Middle Proterozoic, in the Silurian and Devonian, and in the Carboniferous and Permian. In the Georgetown and Dargalong lnliers, the Proterozoic S-type Forsayth and Esmeralda Supersuites (FSS and ESS, respectively) outcrop over 1300 km2 and comprise potassic, Lll...E-, Th- and U-enriched granites. The geochemical variation in the FSS appears to have been produced dominantly via restite-unmixing. Fractional crystallisation was the most operative mechanism in the ESS and in the felsic members of the FSS. Geochemical and Nd-Sr isotopic data suggest that the FSS granites were most probably derived from gneissic metasediments similar to those presently outcropping in the Georgetown Inlier. The ESS granites, which are more felsic than the FSS and very Pe-rich, also appear to have been largely derived from a protolith similar to that of the FSS, but their compositions invoke the input of an Pe-rich component; the latter was most probably similar to Pe-rich pelitic sequences in the Georgetown Inlier. The pre-Carboniferous 1-type granites outcrop over 4000 km2 and consist of the
Middle Proterozoic Forest Home and Blackman Gap Supersuites and the Siluro-Devonian
White Springs and Dido Supersuites. All these granites have similar overall
geochemistry, characterised by high Ah03, CaO, Na20, Ba, Sr, and Eu, and low to moderate K20, Rb, Th, U andY. The relative abundances of Sr andY imply generation of these magmas in thickened crust near or below the gabbro-eclogite transition. Nd and
Sr isotope signatures vary from primitive (chondritic) to evolved (tNd of 0.0 to -8.0)
requiring the participation of at least two end members. Source rocks for the Forest Home Supersuite were most probably Middle Proterozoic basaltic rocks while those for the Blackman Gap and White Springs Supersuites, which have more potassic end members, were most likely mixtures of this basaltic precursor and older (Lower Proterozoic?) basaltic to andesitic rocks. The Dido Supersuite granites were derived from a significantly younger basaltic protolith,that was possibly underplated at 1550 Ma, i.e. at the time of generation of the Middle Proterozoic granites. There is little data to support the direct involvement of contemporaneous mantle-derived material in the pre Carboniferous granites.
The range in calculated Nd depleted mantle model ages for the pre-Carboniferous I- and S-type granites (1800-2500 Ma.) is consistent with estimates for the age of the Georgetown Inlier (Black & McCulloch, 1984, 1990).The extensive Carboniferous felsic 1-type granites (CIG) outcrop over 8000 km2 in far north Queensland, of which over 80% have Si02 greater than 70%. The granites are post-t ctonic and were emplaced in a tensional environment, either a back-arc or post subduction setting, with an overall decrease in age of 330 Ma to 280 Ma from west to east.The CIG have been subdivided into four supersuites: the Almaden, Ootann, Claret Creek and O'Briens Creek Supersuites (ASS, OSS, CCSS, and OBSS, respectively). The OSS and OBSS granites all contain greater than 70% SiD2 and comprise over 90% of the CIG. Dating and field relations suggest that the highly fractionated OBSS are older than or are similar in age to the OSS and ASS granites. The OSS and OBSS are undoubtedly crustal melts with low Sr, Sr/Y, and large negative Eu/Eu* and evolved initial87Srf86Sr and tNd• With increasing differentiation, the OSS and OBSS granites have become strongly depleted in TiD2, Ai203, FeO*, MnO, MgO, CaO, Ba, Sr, Sc, V, Cr, Ni, Eu, (Ce/Y)N, and K/Rb, and enriched in Rb, Pb, Th, U, and Rb/Sr. Although containing petrographic evidence that implies subsolidus re equilibration, element migration was largely localised and, consequently, geochemical trends preserve their magmatic signature. Geochemical variation was predominantly controlled by large amounts of crystal fractionation of primarily plagioclase along with, in the most felsic rocks, quartz and alkali feldspar. The OBSS differ from the OSS in having significantly higher HFSE, HREE and F (0.2 to 0.5+ wt%). The ASS granites outcrop over 500 km2. The granites are intermediate to felsic
(56% to 72% Si02) and are characterised by high K20, K/(K+Na), Rb, Rb/Sr, Th, U,
moderate La/Nb, and relatively low Ba and Sr. Major element contents are similar to some high-K orogenic rocks although the ASS granites lack the high Ba and Sr found in the latter rocks. K20, Na20, Rb, Pb, Th, U, Nb andY behave incompatibly, increasing with increasing Si02. The geochemical and isotopic evidence indicate that the ASS granites are also crustal melts. The CCSS granites form a minor component of the CIG, outcropping over 150 km2. They are geochemically distinct from all other granites of the CIG, being
characterised by high Na20 and Sr, and low K20, Rb, U andY. The CCSS granites were derived at greater depths than the other CIG, from a LILE-poor source. The depleted LILE nature of the source may have been due to high grade metamorphism which is known to have have taken place in the lower crust (Rudnick & Taylor, 1987).
The granites of the ASS, OSS, CCSS and OBSS have very similar initial
87Srf86Sr and ENd of 0.710 and -7.0 to -8.0, respectively, except those granites west of
the Palmerville Fault which outcrop within Proterozoic country rocks; these latter granites
have more evolved ENd (-8.0 to -11.0). The differences in ENd across the Palmerville Fault can be explained by minor amounts of assimilation. Depleted-mantle model ages for the CIG cluster around 1.5 Ga, similar to reported ages for the Middle Proterozoic deformation and metamorphic event (Black et al., 1979) and to the Proterozoic granites
(Black & McCulloch, 1990). The isotope systematics of the granites are generally less evolved than the Proterozoic and Early Palaeozoic country rocks, and more evolved than contemporaneous, unrelated, mafic (mantle-derived) rocks in the region.
Models for the petrogenesis of the CIG all appear to require the involvement of a
long-lived, isotopically-homogeneous crustal protolith that was underplated in the
Proterozoic. Granites of the OSS and OBSS were either derived by varying degrees of
partial melting of this protolith of andesitic to dacitic composition and/or were produced by a two stage process by remelting of intermediate rocks similar in composition to members of the ASS. Regardless of the model invoked, it appears most likely that the very felsic OSS and OBSS granites were derived from a protolith geochemically similar
to the mafic end members of the ASS.
In the eastern Hodgkinson Province 3000 km2 of Permian felsic 1- and S-type
granites outcrop, of which the former comprise over 80%. The S-type granites comprise two major supersuites, the Cooktown and Whypalla Supersuites, and five minor supersuites. The older Whypalla Supersuite (280 Ma) differs from the Cooktown Supersuite (260 Ma) in having higher CaO and Sr, and lower Ti02, Rb, V and Ni. These
differences are best explained by invoking a greater pelite involvement in the source rocks for the Cooktown Supersuite granites. Geochemical variation in the S-type granites is
largely controlled by crystal fractionation. The exposed sediments of the Hodgkinson Province could not have been the source rocks for the S-type granites, the former have a more evolved Nd isotope signature and are too poor in CaO, P205, and Sr. The source rocks for the S-type granites appear to have been less isotopically evolved and less mature volcaniclastic sediments that were most probably deposited in a Lower to Middle Palaeozoic arc environment.
The Permian 1-type granites outcrop over 500 km2 intermingled with the S-type
granites. The granites belong to two supersuites, namely the Yates and Cape Melville Supersuites; in many aspects they are geochemically similar to the Carboniferous Almaden and Ootann Supersuites, respectively, with moderate to high levels of K20, Rb,
Th and U. The I-type granites are crustal in origin, most probably derived from andesitic to dacitic source rocks. The 1-type granites have similar ENd values to the Permian S type granites and similar to less evolved initial 87SrJ86Sr.
ENd values for the Carboniferous and Permian granites exhibit a progressive increase from west to east roughly corresponding to the decreases in ages of the granites (330 Ma to 260 Ma). Crustal models based on the granite petrogenesis suggest that this decrease in ENd is due to a corresponding decrease in crustal ages from west to east which reflects both vertical and lateral accretion onto pre-existing Proterozoic basement.
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Goudie, Douglas. "Sustainable domestic energy use in North Queensland." Thesis, 1995. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/377/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Five hundred householders were interviewed to gain an understanding of domestic electricity use in Mt Isa and Townsville. Collaborating with the North Queensland Electricity Board, reported behaviour and indications of attitude toward energy were related to metered electricity use. This was done to find causes of electricity wastage by North Queensland householders; develop recommendations to reduce that wastage, and develop strategies to reduce the evening peak electricity demand. Analysis showed little connection between stated attitudes to energy conservation and electricity used by householders. An extensive literature review confirms my findings that many people lack knowledge clarifying energy supply and use issues, and lack meaningful price signals to take energy conservation and renewable energy seriously. Increased electricity price was reported as the most likely cause for serious personal electricity conservation. I conclude that extensive public education about energy supply and use should be coupled with responsible pricing of electricity, to encourage urban dwellers to develop more sustainable energy supply and use patterns. About half of domestic energy in the tropics is used for cooling food, drink and interior space during the hotter months. Rationalising use of air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, and encouraging passive building design should be strenuously promoted by environmentally responsible government.
34
Goudie, Douglas. "Sustainable domestic energy use in North Queensland." 1995. http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/377/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Five hundred householders were interviewed to gain an understanding of domestic electricity use in Mt Isa and Townsville. Collaborating with the North Queensland Electricity Board, reported behaviour and indications of attitude toward energy were related to metered electricity use. This was done to find causes of electricity wastage by North Queensland householders; develop recommendations to reduce that wastage, and develop strategies to reduce the evening peak electricity demand. Analysis showed little connection between stated attitudes to energy conservation and electricity used by householders. An extensive literature review confirms my findings that many people lack knowledge clarifying energy supply and use issues, and lack meaningful price signals to take energy conservation and renewable energy seriously. Increased electricity price was reported as the most likely cause for serious personal electricity conservation. I conclude that extensive public education about energy supply and use should be coupled with responsible pricing of electricity, to encourage urban dwellers to develop more sustainable energy supply and use patterns. About half of domestic energy in the tropics is used for cooling food, drink and interior space during the hotter months. Rationalising use of air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers, and encouraging passive building design should be strenuously promoted by environmentally responsible government.
35
Kelly, Catherine Lindsay. "Ecology of chital deer in north Queensland." Thesis, 2021. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/74335/1/JCU_74335_Kelly_2021_thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Catherine Kelly studied various aspects relating to the ecology of feral chital deer in north Queensland. She found that chital behaviours (habitat selection and reproduction) and niches are different in the invaded range compared to their native range. Her work is being used to inform management strategies of feral deer.
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Frazer, Ian. "Conservationism and farming in North Queensland, 1861-1970." Thesis, 2003. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/78/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This is a study of the ideas behind natural resource use in North Queensland. I argue that settlers followed an implicit code which valued caring for, as well as exploiting the land. The earliest settlers took pride in being pioneers who conquered, reshaped and harnessed Nature. Later generations could not claim this status, but found virtue in hard work and practicing a frugal, “tread-lightly” form of stewardship. Legislators promoted the settlement of the coastal strip with morally charged rhetoric: to secure the North for White Australia, to render the wilderness bountiful and produce contented human beings, away from dehumanising cities. North Queensland’s conservation activists of the 1960s advocated a different vision to that of closer-settlement enthusiasts, yet they shared an ideal of a restorative working relationship between human beings and Nature. Naturalists in Cairns and Townsville in the 1930s and 40s had exercised public advocacy for conservation based on a sense of custodianship for native flora and fauna. Activists of the 1960s extended their stewardship to the North’s rain forests and the Great Barrier Reef. The farmers’ stewardship and state’s piecemeal land-management and nature-conservation laws both seem to have assumed a safety net supplied by Nature entwined with Providence. In contrast, the activists acted on a belief held by some conservationists since the 1870s, reinforced by evidence of damage since World War II, that Nature was being irreparably damaged and must be rescued.
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Turner, Richard Clive. "Clinicopathological characteristics of pancreatitis in Far North Queensland." Thesis, 2014. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/40861/1/40861-turner-2014-thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Pancreatitis is a common cause for unscheduled admissions in General or Gastrointestinal Surgery units throughout the world. This is particularly perceived to be the case in northern Australia, where alcohol and certain socio-demographic factors may be prominent in influencing the incidence and course of the disease. Over the years, much has been written about various aspects of pathogenesis, prognostication and management. However in the average clinical setting, many useful questions go unasked and unanswered. Because patients rarely require formal surgical intervention or even high-dependency management, there is rarely any active enquiry into the issues surrounding acute pancreatitis admissions. The chronic aspects of what is superficially considered to be an isolated acute process are also often overlooked.
This body of work evolved out of the desire to foster a better standard of care for such patients and ultimately to reduce the frequency of acute hospital admissions, particularly recurrent admissions for the same patient.
In order to effect any improvement in the management of a disease, it is first necessary to quantify and characterize it in relation to the target population. To this end, a retrospective audit was undertaken of acute pancreatitis admissions to the three major referral hospitals of Northern Queensland over the calendar year of 1997. Any inferences from this study were limited by the quality of the data recorded by a variety of clinicians. However, from what was available, it was evident that many patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of acute pancreatitis appeared to exhibit the characteristics of a chronic disease process. Indeed almost half of those who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis appeared to be harbouring underlying chronic pancreatitis, based on clinical specifications.
To better characterize the clinicopathological features of hospitalizations for pancreatitis in Northern Queensland, it was therefore necessary to acquire case data in a robust and prospective manner. A purposive and iterative literature review was undertaken to identify gaps in existing knowledge and areas that would merit further enquiry. This also assisted in informing the explanatory variables that would constitute the prospective data collection. Thus conceived was the accrual of a cohort of patients presenting acutely to Cairns Base Hospital in Far North Queensland.
Regarding outcome measures, a more objective means of diagnosing chronic pancreatitis was deemed to be desirable. The newly available faecal elastase-1 assay ([FE-1]) was proposed as a means of augmenting diagnostic certainty for chronic pancreatitis, as defined by exocrine insufficiency. The accuracy of [FE-1] in the study population was validated by a pilot study of acute hospitalizations. At the inception of the study, this assay was not available within the public health sector and was therefore performed for all cases by the researcher. The pilot study found [FE-1] to have highly acceptable positive predictive value for diagnosing underlying chronic pancreatitis in acute admissions that exhibited no evidence of developing severe acute pancreatitis.
For the eventual cohort study, the feasibility of obtaining stool specimens for all acute hopsitalizations, many of whom were admitted to hospital for less than three days, meant that [FE-1] could not be relied upon to diagnose all cases of chronic pancreatitis, if maximal patient recruitment were desired. A composite case definition that incorporated [FE-1] and a number of validated clinical parameters were therefore utilized to define this sub-group within the study population.
For hospitalizations fulfilling diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis, a variety of other explanatory and outcome variables were collected. From March 2004 to July 2007, 153 cases were recruited for prospective data collection. The mean age of those admitted was 44.7 years. Males accounted for 61.4% of the cohort (n=94) and 41.2% (n=63) identified as Indigenous. In 56.9% (n=83), aetiology was deemed to be alcohol-related and in 24.7% (n=36) it was biliary or gallstone-related. Eight-three cases (54.3%) fulfilled the composite diagnostic criteria for chronic pancreatitis, and 11.2% (n=17) in the course of their admission developed severe acute pancreatitis according to the Atlanta definition.
The prospectively acquired data of the patient cohort recruited between March 2004 and July 2007 were further analysed to a number of ends:
Firstly, the incidence or admission rate of acute pancreatitis in the Far North Queensland population was estimated using a capture-recapture method, in order to account for cases missed by study recruitment or hospital separation records. This revealed that the likely admission rate for acute pancreatitis was in the order of 16.1 admissions per month, which would approximate a crude annual incidence (including recurrent admissions) of 84 per 100 000. It was therefore evident that the true incidence of the disease may be considerably underestimated by the traditional means of enumeration.
Secondly, cross-sectional associations with chronic pancreatitis were sought using a variety of available explanatory variables. Nutrient intakes were of particular interest, but none of the decomposed micro- or macronutrients showed a significant association. When these were recast as patterns of exogenous intakes using Principal Components Analysis, it emerged that patients with underlying chronic pancreatitis, in the 24 hours prior to the onset of an acute exacerbation, were characterized by an avoidance of foodbased nutrients in favour of non-nutritive substances, such as coffee and tobacco. This appeared to be independent of alcohol intake.
Thirdly, novel clinical determinants of severe acute pancreatitis were explored, exploiting the forward directionality of explanatory and outcome variables. This analysis confirmed the causal association with central adiposity inferred by a number of other studies. It also suggested an unprecedented negative association with smoking. This would merit corroboration by other observational studies, as well basic scientific research to elucidate possible mechanisms such as activation of a nicotinic anti-inflammatory pathway. Moreover, the identification of modifiable determinants of severe acute pancreatitis may contribute to future preventive and therapeutic strategies.
In conclusion, the picture that has emerged from the Far North Queensland cohort is that hospitalizations for pancreatitis, while by definition classified as acute, may in a broader sense exhibit the characteristics of a chronic disease process. Such a reconceptualization of the disease process may serve to inform more effective models of care that are tailored to both the clinicopathological characteristics of the disease and the specific population that it affects.
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Neave, Coral. "Framing culture: Indigenous fine art in Far North Queensland." Thesis, 2013. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/40585/1/40585-neave-2013-thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The thesis arises from ethnographic research with artists and arts coordinators from various Indigenous communities and urban centres in Far North Queensland. Over an extended period, I gained access to some of their views and perspectives on the relationships that exist between artists, arts coordinators, gallerists and buyers of Indigenous fine art in Far North Queensland, and in metropolitan galleries in Melbourne, Victoria, and on the role of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) in the art network. While there is a large and growing body of knowledge and research on Australian Indigenous art there has been limited attention to the region of Far North Queensland. The approach to the research is based on the notion of art as a social mediator that brings people together for exchange and collaboration across lines of difference. I present an account of an emergent art and business practice that is conducted around the sites of remote Indigenous communities and in urban centres where Indigenous artists perform the labour of art production. The analysis is therefore not of an aesthetic discourse of artwork, but of the dialogue, spaces and means by which the participants in the arts practices interact, and whereby a cultural product – the Indigenous art of Far North Queensland – is produced and exchanged. Art cannot be produced, distributed and consumed without dialogue, collaboration and interdependency which, I argue, constitutes and effects intercultural exchange, and occurs at each stage in the trajectory of an art work from maker to market. I argue that the character and dynamics of intercultural exchange are dependent on the context or conditions of 'contact zones' and subject to the dynamics of friction (Tsing, 2005). The contact zones are the abstract spaces of intercultural negotiations, comprising; dialogue between people, which may occur anywhere; literal spaces of cultural coexistence such as galleries, museums and art fairs that are sites of production and consumption as well as conduits of cultural convergence; and the hybridized arts practices that emerge in community art centres in the processes of production and distribution of art. Within these contact zones I bring the gaze directly to the spatial and interpersonal dimensions of intercultural exchange, and through ethnographic description of the spaces, reflect on the dynamics of friction and trust, and the implications for the habitus of those involved in art production, distribution and consumption. The notion of habitus, an actor-centred concept devised by Pierre Bourdieu (1992) assists in understanding communication as relative to the field where it is enacted and embedded in specific social power and dominance relations, dynamics that are at the heart of my inquiry into the Indigenous art of Far North Queensland.
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Okelsrud, Asle. "Effects of ammonia toxicity on stream biota in north Queensland." Thesis, 2004. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/1169/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Lethal and sublethal effects of ammonia toxicity to two north Australian fish species
and one invertebrate species were investigated under laboratory conditions following
the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals. Acute toxicity was tested in a static nonrenewal
system at pH 9.0 and temperature around 29 °C. 96-hour LC50 values for the
two fish species were 1.31 mg NH3 – N L-1 for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and 1.99
mg NH3 – N L-1 for the eastern rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida splendida). The
96-hour LC50 value for freshwater shrimp (Caridina nilotica) was 1.53 mg NH3 – N L-1.
The acute values indicate that barramundi, in particular, is sensitive to ammonia
toxicity, comparable to salmonid species. Acute values for the freshwater shrimp
suggest moderate sensitivity, given that invertebrates in general are more resistant to
ammonia toxicity; the lethal values obtained were comparable to values reported for
sensitive invertebrates. The acute values for rainbowfish indicated medium sensitivity,
comparable to published values for a range of non-salmonids. There was no
unequivocal evidence for gill damage resulting from acute ammonia exposure in the
two fish species studied. Changes in gill structure in these fish are therefore not a
strong indicator of exposure to short-term ammonia toxicity. A three-week postexposure
experiment on surviving individuals from the acute toxicity test, in
uncontaminated water, indicated that exposure to acute concentrations up to 1.5 mg
NH3 – N L-1 did not have any significant effects on growth in either barramundi or
rainbowfish. It was possible that this was a result of compensatory growth in higher
concentrations.
40
Okelsrud, Asle. "Effects of ammonia toxicity on stream biota in north Queensland." 2004. http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/1169/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Lethal and sublethal effects of ammonia toxicity to two north Australian fish species and one invertebrate species were investigated under laboratory conditions following the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals. Acute toxicity was tested in a static nonrenewal system at pH 9.0 and temperature around 29 °C. 96-hour LC50 values for the two fish species were 1.31 mg NH3 – N L-1 for barramundi (Lates calcarifer) and 1.99 mg NH3 – N L-1 for the eastern rainbowfish (Melanotaenia splendida splendida). The 96-hour LC50 value for freshwater shrimp (Caridina nilotica) was 1.53 mg NH3 – N L-1. The acute values indicate that barramundi, in particular, is sensitive to ammonia toxicity, comparable to salmonid species. Acute values for the freshwater shrimp suggest moderate sensitivity, given that invertebrates in general are more resistant to ammonia toxicity; the lethal values obtained were comparable to values reported for sensitive invertebrates. The acute values for rainbowfish indicated medium sensitivity, comparable to published values for a range of non-salmonids. There was no unequivocal evidence for gill damage resulting from acute ammonia exposure in the two fish species studied. Changes in gill structure in these fish are therefore not a strong indicator of exposure to short-term ammonia toxicity. A three-week postexposure experiment on surviving individuals from the acute toxicity test, in uncontaminated water, indicated that exposure to acute concentrations up to 1.5 mg NH3 – N L-1 did not have any significant effects on growth in either barramundi or rainbowfish. It was possible that this was a result of compensatory growth in higher concentrations.
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Evans, Nicholas. "Kayardild : the language of the Bentinck Islanders of North West Queensland." Phd thesis, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/132937.
Full textAbstract:
This is a reference grammar of Kayardild (K) . an Australian language spoken
in the south Wellesley Islands. Gulf of Carpentaria.
Chapter One sets the language In its broader cultural and linguistic
perspective, including its genetic position in the Tangkic group and beyond, the
linguistic evidence relating to its alleged long Isolation, and the contemporary
position of languages on Mornington Island. The phonology is briefly introduced.
Chapter Two introduces a number of descriptive concepts. Parts of spoech.
word order, the grammatical relations Subject and Object, and the potential for
disjunction of subject and pivot are discussed. Case use in K is highly
complicated, and five functions must be distinguished: relational (relating an NP
to the verb or clause) . adnominal (relating one NP to another) . modal (signalling
tens e/mood) . associating (linking NPs with nominalized verbs) and
complementizing (relating one clause to another) . I argue that constituent structure
mediates case-assignment, and that K has a VP-constituent despite its free phrase
order.
Chapter Three discusses the nominal case system: form. sequence
restrictions and meaning. Besides the twelve regular cases there are seven 'verbal
cases', with case-like syntax and meanings but verbal in form. Nominal-nominal
derivation, compounding and reduplicating are also discussed.
Chapter Four examines the remaining nominal subclasses: pronouns,
locationals. and manner, time and predicate nominals. The structure of the NP is
discussed.
Chapter Five deals with verbals: the form and function of verb inflections,
verb-verb and nominal-verb derivations, preverbal particles, nominal prefixation,
and 'verb complexes' - syntagms comprising several verbal words with identical
inflection.
Chapter Six discusses the syntax of the simple clause: nominal (verbless) clauses: basic, alternate and derived verbal argument structures: secondary
predication: questions: negation: and particles and clitics.
Chapter Seven focusses on the unusual 'modal case' system whereby
tense/mood is signalled on nominals as well as verbals. I discuss different
syntactic models, the semantics of modal case choice, the relation between modal
and other case meanings, factors defining the domain of modal case, and the
evolution of the modal case system (with comparative data from Yukulta. Yangkaal
and Lardil) .
Chapter Eight deals with non-finite subordinate clauses and lexical
nominalizations.
Chapter Nine discusses finite subordinate clauses. Their functions and
morphosyntax are examined in detail, especially the unusual 'odd pivot' system
which signals pivot sequences such as (Matrix) Object: (Subordinate) Instrument,
in which the pivot is not subject of both clauses. I also examine their
independent or 'insubordinated' use to show ellipsed main clause predicates, or to
track thematically marked discourse sequences: and the evolution of the 'odd pivot'
system from an antecedent-agreement system of the type found in Yukulta.
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Aspandiar, Mehrooz F. "Regolith and landscape evolution of the Charters Towers Area, North Queensland." Phd thesis, 1998. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/147189.
Full text
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Wright, Stephen Henry. "Discovery of potential anticancer and neuroprotective agents from North Queensland plants." Thesis, 2005. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/11346/1/01front.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Plants represent a largely untapped resource for drug discovery. There are approximately 25,000 plant species in Australia alone, and 9,000 of these are found in Queensland. This study aimed to discover drug leads from North Queensland plants by screening extracts for
pharmacological activity. Two pharmacological targets were selected. The first screen aimed to find novel cytotoxic compounds with potential as anticancer agents. The second
screen aimed to find compounds with therapeutic potential in schizophrenia or neurological disorders that involve neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, such as Huntington’s Disease and AIDS-related dementia. Various imbalances in the relative levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites, particularly kynurenic acid, quinolinic acid and 3-hydroxykynurenine, have been implicated in these conditions. In order to discover potential drug leads that might be applied to rectify these imbalances, the extracts were screened for inhibition of three key enzymes of this pathway, namely kynurenine-3-hydroxylase, kynureninase and kynurenine aminotransferase.
Samples (365) from 125 species of plants from North Queensland were collected and extracted. After removal of tannins to prevent interference with the assays, the plant extracts were screened for cytotoxicity and for enzyme inhibition. Cytotoxicity was assessed in vitro using the P388D1 mouse lymphoma cell line. The enzyme inhibition assays involved the use of crude enzyme preparations from rat liver or kidney, and products were quantified by
HPLC with electrochemical or fluorescence detection. Extracts with the greatest kynurenine-3-hydroxylase inhibition and selected cytotoxic extracts were subjected to
bioassay-guided fractionation in order to isolate and identify the active compounds. No extracts possessed sufficient kynureninase or kynurenine aminotransferase inhibition to warrant investigation.
Three cytotoxic quinonemethide triterpenes were isolated from Maytenus cunninghamii (Celastraceae). Netzahualcoyoic acid (25, IC50 value = 0.12 μM, 0.11–0.13 μM 95% CI
range) and Δ15-celastrol (32, IC50 value not determined) are new structures, while celastrol (22, IC50 value = 0.37 μM, 0.30–0.45 μM 95% CI range) is a known cytotoxic agent.
Δ15-celastrol represents a possible biosynthetic intermediate between celastrol and netzahualcoyoic acid. Further work is needed to assess the cytotoxic profile of
netzahualcoyoic acid and its acid-rearranged products in the National Cancer Institute’s 60 cell line panel.
The known cytostatic compounds podophyllotoxin (36), deoxypodophyllotoxin (37) and picropodophyllotoxin (38) were isolated from Callitris intratropica (Cupressaceae). This is the first reported isolation of podophyllotoxins from this species.
Bioassay-guided fractionation of kynurenine-3-hydroxylase inhibitory extracts led to the isolation of two new triterpenes, 11α,28-dihydroxylupenone (43) and
2α,3β-dihydroxyfriedelan-29-oic acid (53), from Maytenus disperma, as well as two new 24-oxomaytenonic acids (58 and 60) and four known triterpenes from M. cunninghamii. A
biosynthetic pathway was proposed for compounds isolated from M. cunninghamii and related compounds. Five other species afforded a total of five additional known
triterpenoids.
Triterpenes were identified as a new class of potent and selective competitive inhibitors of kynurenine-3-hydroxylase. The most active was uncaric acid (78, Kic = 0.023 ± 0.002 μM), isolated from Dolichandrone heterophyllum (Bignoniaceae), and it is one of the most potent kynurenine-3-hydroxylase inhibitors that has been reported. The next most active inhibitors of this study were the 24-oxofriedelan-29-oic acids (60, Kic = 0.061 ± 0.005 μM; 62, Kic = 0.077 ± 0.011 μM; 58, Kic = 0.12 ± 0.02 μM) and celastrol (22, Kic = 0.14 ± 0.03 μM). Important structure-activity relationships relating to triterpene skeleton, functional groups, and ring conformations were observed. It is proposed that the triterpene inhibitors would make ideal drugs for the treatment of many neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative
disorders, and that uncaric acid, 2α-hydroxy 24-oxomaytenonic acid (60) and celastrol should be investigated in vivo.
44
Harvey, Kenneth James. "The geology of the Balcooma massive sulphide deposit, north-east Queensland." Thesis, 1989. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/28250/1/28250_Harvey_1989_thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The Balcooma massive sulphide deposit is located at 18°46'S, 144°43'E and 230 km west-north-west of Townsville in north Queensland. The deposit, which has reserves of 3.5 million tonnes of 3.0% copper, was discovered by the author late in 1978 during a search for volcanogenic massive sulphide deposits in the lower Palaeozoic sequences surrounding Charters Towers.
The deposit is hosted by a sequence of metamorphosed sediments and acid volcanics were referred to in this report as the "Balcooma Metamorphics". These rocks, prior to discovery of the deposit, were included in the Greenvale Subprovince and were believed to be of Precambrian age. These rocks are now interpreted to be of lower Palaeozoic age and the Greenvale Subprovince is considered to form part of the Ravenswood Lolworth Province.
The geology of the area is exceedingly complex due to at least two strong deformation events. The immediate hosts to the mineralization are a sequence of quartz muscovite biotite staurolite schists and quartz muscovite biotite schists which are interpreted to be metamorphosed fine-grained and coarse-grained sediments respectively. Quartz feldspar porphyry bodies intruded these rocks prior to deformation and metamorphism.
Both copper and lead-zinc-copper mineralization occur. Copper mineralization occurs within two south-south-west plunging shoots as chalcopyrite in massive pyrite, as massive chalcopyrite with pyrrhotite, and as chalcopyrite in chlorite schist. Chlorite alteration accompanies the copper mineralization.
Lead-zinc-copper mineralization occurs within folded tabular bodies of massive pyrite which are associated with gahnite bearing quartzite and quartz schists which are interpreted to be metamorphosed siliceous exhalites. The depositis considered to be a metamorphosed volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit.
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Maycock, Colin Rulzion. "Plant-soil nutrient relationships in North Queensland wet tropical rain forests." Thesis, 1998. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/33783/1/33783-maycock-1998-thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This study investigated plant-soil nutrient relationships at seven sites in the wet tropical rain forests of north Queensland, Australia. Biomass and nutrient standing stocks were determined for 24-year-old successional vegetation recolonizing a disturbed site (280 m²). This data was used to generate biomass regressions to estimate above-ground biomass at three undisturbed sites where the influence of soil fertility on fine root dynamics and resource allocation were examined. A further three undisturbed sites were sampled to examine the relationship between fine root biomass and soil fertility.
The dry weight of 150 trees was measured, yielding an above-ground biomass of 53.7 t ha⁻¹. Foliage comprised 7.0%, branches 9.6%, stems 83.0% and reproductive structures 0.4% of the total. The total nutrient standing stocks at the site were 158.8 kg ha⁻¹ nitrogen, 7.53 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus, 172.7 kg he potassium, 129.0 kg ha⁻¹ calcium, and 43.2 kg ha⁻¹ magnesium. Most of the nutrients were contained in the stems of the vegetation. Nutrient concentrations were found to vary within species, between species and between components. Foliage had the highest concentrations of all nutrients and the greatest variability between species. The lowest foliar concentrations were found in the late secondary species, Darlingia darlingiana, while the highest were found in the early secondary species. Foliar nutrient concentrations were found to decrease with increasing foliage biomass for Alphitonia petriei, however, this trend was not evident for D. darlingiana.
Thirteen biomass regressions, based on three allometric models and an exponential model, were tested. Regressions were determined for total above-ground biomass and foliage biomass against diameter at breast height (dbh), alone and in combination with tree height and wood density. The exponential regressions were found to be unsuitable due to increasing variance with increasing tree size, while all allometric regressions gave highly significant correlations. The equations utilising both dbh and tree height yielded better estimates than equations using dbh or tree height alone. The inclusion of wood density into the regressions did not significantly improve the estimate of biomass. Biasing induced by the logarithmic transformation varied from 11 to 51%.
Estimates of above-ground biomass did not vary substantially at three sites on soils of differing fertility. Fine root biomass was greatest on nutrient-poor sites, and lowest on more fertile sites. However, it is unknown whether this is due to differences in available phosphorus or some other, as yet, undetermined factor. Total fine root biomass in the top 50 cm of soil was found to range from 7.7 to 27.0 t ha⁻¹. The greatest concentration of fine roots at all sites was in the top 10 cm of soil, and this decreased rapidly with depth. Fine root production differed significantly between the sites, with the highest rate of production (3.28 t ha⁻¹ y⁻¹) occurring on the nutrient-rich site. Fine root production showed distinct seasonal variations, with peak production occurring during the wet season. Fine root proliferation coincided with increased phosphorus availability at all sites. The results suggest that fine roots may be as important as litterfall in returning nutrients to the soil in tropical forests. Annual nutrient turnover in the top 10 cm of soil by fine roots varied between nutrients and between sites, from 11% of the total magnesium at Mt Spec, to 192% of the phosphorus at Mt Fox.
The results of this study demonstrate the influence of soil fertility on fine root dynamics and resource allocation within tropical rain forests.
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Davies, Kalu J. E. "Carbon cycle processes in tropical savannas of far North Queensland, Australia." Thesis, 2017. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/49914/1/49914-davies-2017-thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Tropical savannas represent a diverse range of heterogenous ecosystems that play an important role in the global carbon cycle as they occupy approximately one fifth of the land surface. Despite their significance, there remains a paucity of studies that quantify the carbon stocks and uxes of these dynamic ecosystems, particularly within Australia (Chapter 1). This study contributes to the field of tropical savanna carbon cycle dynamics by quantifying the carbon stocks and fluxes at three study sites in northern Queensland and placing them in the context of climate change and the global carbon cycle.
Chapter 2 presents a review of the ecology and carbon dynamics of tropical savannas. The chapter addresses uncertainty regarding the definition and extent of tropical savannas, and the state of knowledge surrounding the drivers behind the extent of tropical savannas. In particular, stochastic disturbances such as fire play a crucial role in these ecosystems. Tropical savannas are also unique in that they consist of a mix of distinct and competing vegetation in the form of trees and grasses, that generally utilise contrasting photosynthetic strategies. As these photosynthetic pathways respond differently to atmospheric CO₂ and temperature, how these ecosystems will respond to climate change is also a matter of some uncertainty.
Chapter 3 presents a detailed description of the three sites used in this study; two of the sites (Davies Creek and Koombooloomba) are located near the rainforest-savanna boundary in a high rainfall zone (mean annual precipitation (MAP) ~1500mm) while the third site (Brooklyn Station) is both more arid (MAP ~900mm) and more seasonal.
In Chapter 4, aboveground biomass (AGB) and aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) is quantified using an inventory-based assessment. These sites are some of the more densely wooded tropical savannas in Australia and basal area remained unchanged at all sites over the sample interval. While the carbon stocks in the AGB (40, 75, and 87 t C ha⁻¹ for Brooklyn Station, Davies Creek, and Koombooloomba, respectively) were dominated by the tree component, the grassy understorey was a significant contributor to ANPP (4.1, 5.1, and 9.2 t C ha⁻¹ y⁻¹ for Brooklyn Station, Davies Creek, and Koombooloomba, respectively) at all sites, consisting of almost three quarters of the total. The woody carbon stock was sensitive to disturbance with high mortality at two sites attributed to damage caused by fire and Tropical Cyclone (TC) Yasi. These results highlight the sensitivity of the carbon storage potential of tropical savannas to stochastic disturbance and their vulnerability to substantial shifts in both structure and composition as a result of climate change.
Chapter 5 presents data on soil carbon and nitrogen, as well as their stable isotopes. Soil carbon stocks (0-30cm) were 114 ± 25, 41 ± 14, and 38 ± 19 t C ha⁻¹ at Koombooloomba, Davies Creek, and Brooklyn Station, respectively. The carbon isotopes were used to partition the soil carbon into C3 and C4 sources; the grassy understorey contributed approximately half of the soil carbon at two of the sites (Brooklyn Station and Koombooloomba), but contributed only 27% at the third site. Soil carbon displayed a high level of spatial arrangement at the two wettest sites with higher soil carbon in areas adjacent to trees, but not at the driest site and redistribution of carbon inputs by termites may be responsible. Although considerable quantities of soil carbon are stored at these sites for now, climate change may result in vegetation shifts, changes to _re regimes, and exacerbated erosion that could result in the loss of soil carbon from these sites.
Chapter 6 provides the most comprehensive dataset of soil respiration in tropical savannas in Australia. Soil respiration was measured monthly for two years at the three sites. Soil respiration was temporally controlled by temperature and moisture availability, with high respiration rates (~4-8 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) during the wet season (November - April) when plant growth is high, and low respiration rates (~1-4 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹) during the dry season (May - October) when plant growth slows. Soil respiration was spatially variable and controlled by proximity to woody vegetation with high soil respiration rates near trees and low soil respiration rates in open areas dominated by grasses. Soil respiration in these tropical savanna environments is thus both temporally and spatially heterogeneous suggesting that more complex models may be required to accurately estimate the soil respiration in such systems.
In Chapter 7, an experimental drought was created at Davies Creek over two years in order to examine the effects of drought on soil respiration and soil chemistry. The drought successfully reduced soil moisture without impacting significantly on other environmental variables. The drought delayed the growing season of the grasses in the first year and killed them in the second year. Soil respiration was correspondingly reduced in the first wet season and then increased in the second wet season, likely as a result of these changes to plant biomass availability. Higher soil carbon in the drought experiment suggests that there were additional carbon inputs, presumably due to the death of the grass and subsequent recolonisation of the soil by neighbouring grasses. Extended droughts could see shifts in species and ecosystems potentially accompanied by an increase in soil respiration before ecosystem stability is reached.
This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of carbon cycle dynamics in tropical savannas in Queensland. Furthermore, this is the first study in Australia to examine transition zone savannas that occur at the rainforest-savanna boundary and the first study in Australia to attempt to simulate drought in tropical savannas.
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Singh, Avishek. "Investigation of potential environmental reservoirs of mycobacterium ulcerans in North Queensland." Thesis, 2019. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/60392/1/JCU_60392_singh_2019_thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Mycobacterium ulcerans is the causative agent of Buruli ulcer (BU). It is a geographically restricted neglected tropical disease characterized by extensive and painless necrosis of the skin and soft tissue with formation of large ulcers, usually on the extremities. This disease has been reported in 33 countries worldwide including Australia. In Australia, BU has been reported in coastal Victoria and the Mossman-Daintree area of north Queensland. The mode of transmission and potential environmental reservoir of the organism causing this disease is not well understood. It appears likely that these factors vary in different geographical locations and epidemiological settings. This dissertation aims to investigate the potential reservoirs of M. ulcerans in the BU endemic area of north Queensland, Australia.
In Chapter 2, a systematic review is presented to describe what is known of potential animal reservoirs of M. ulcerans in regions throughout the world. The review was conducted using MEDLINE and INFORMIT databases to aggregate published data on this topic. Non-human cases of BU were found only in Australia and small native mammals were identified as potential reservoirs of the infection.
Chapter 3 describes the geospatial analysis of cases of BU reported between 2009 and 2018, in an endemic area of North Queensland, Australia, using ArcMap 10.4.1 software. Hot-spot analysis did not find any statistically significant cluster of cases within the endemic areas. Additionally, an association between the amount of rainfall and month of diagnosis of BU cases was described, supporting other observations about the average incubation period of this disease.
Chapter 4 and 5 detail the survey of local fauna from the same endemic area of north Queensland, Australia, for the presence of M. ulcerans. Mosquito and animal traps were set up at endemic sites throughout the study period and mosquitoes and animal faecal samples were collected and tested for the presence of M. ulcerans DNA. DNA from M. ulcerans was detected from two bandicoot scat samples and one mosquito pool. These samples were collected from sites in close proximity to human cases of BU.
Chapter 6 describes a blood feeding experiment to investigate the role of mosquitoes in transmission of M. ulcerans. Batches of mosquitoes were fed with defibrinated sheep blood containing heat-killed M. ulcerans. DNA extracted from heads, abdomen and legs of mosquitoes was tested for the presence of M. ulcerans DNA. DNA from M. ulcerans was detected from heads of mosquitoes and pools of whole mosquitoes, providing supportive evidence for the role of mosquitoes as a mechanical vector in the transmission of M. ulcerans.
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Poblete, Alvarado Jaime Andrés. "Geological characteristics and origin of the Watershed W deposit, North Queensland." Thesis, 2019. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/60918/1/JCU_60918_Poblete_Alvarado_2019_thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
Tungsten is considered a strategic metal by various countries, including Australia. Between 1998 and 2016 Australia has been steadily increasing its tungsten production, but it is still far smaller than those of the main producers (e.g., China, Russia). Watershed with its current resources of 49.2 Mt averaging 0.14% WO₃ is considered one of the biggest undeveloped tungsten deposits outside of China, and if developed would boost Australia's tungsten production. The main goal of this PhD thesis is to improve our understanding of the Watershed tungsten deposit and how to explore for similar deposits in northeast Queensland. This goal was approached by documenting the geological, geochemical and structural characteristics of the Watershed deposit, as well as the timing, mineral paragenesis and fluid characteristics of the mineralizing system.
The Watershed tungsten deposit lies within the Mossman Orogen, which comprises multiple deformed Silurian-Ordovician metasedimentary rocks of the Hodgkinson Formation intruded by Carboniferous-Permian granites of the Kennedy Igneous Association. The Hodgkinson Formation in the Watershed area comprises skarn-altered conglomerate, psammite and slate units, which record at least four deformation events ranging from early ductile folding and shearing events (D₁ to D₃) to the development of later brittle-ductile shear zones (D₄) associated with veining and four separate stages of retrograde metamorphism/alteration (Retrograde Stages 1 to 4). Peak metamorphic assemblages (garnet, actinolite, quartz, clinopyroxene, titanate) in the host rocks to mineralisation formed during D₁-₂. Multiple felsic dykes intrude the metasedimentary rocks at Watershed and include: (a) Carboniferous, monzonite dykes (zircon U/Pb age of 350 ± 7 Ma) emplaced during D₁₋₂; and (b) Permian granite plutons and dykes (zircon U/Pb ages of 291 ± 6 Ma, 277 ± 6 Ma and 274 ± 6 Ma), and diorite (zircon U/Pb age of 281 ± 5 Ma) emplaced during D₄.
An early (syn-D₁₋₂) mineralization event involved the syn-tectonic growth of disseminated scheelite in monzonite dykes and adjacent skarn-altered conglomerate, and was associated with the emplacement of the monzonite, which appears to have enriched the Hodgkinson Formation in W-Be- B-Sc-Cu-Mo-Re. The bulk of the economic scheelite mineralization formed in syn-D₄ shear-related, quartz-oligoclase veins and associated vein haloes (with a muscovite Ar-Ar age of 276 ± 6 Ma). The veins developed preferentially in skarn-altered conglomerate and terminate abruptly when they encounter slate. Vein opening occurred synchronous with four retrograde alteration stages in skarn-altered conglomerate. The margins of the D₄ veins contain feldspar, scheelite and quartz, which represents Retrograde Stages 1 and 2. During Retrograde Stage 1 early sanidine (overgrown by plagioclase, An₁₅₋₅₅) formed with minor quartz. Retrograde Stage 2 is characterised by intergrown scheelite and plagioclase (An₃₋₄₃) overgrowing early plagioclase, phlogopite and trace apatite. Further vein opening during Retrograde Stage 3 infilled the central part of the vein with quartz, which is cross cut by muscovite, calcite and minor chlorite, tourmaline and fluorite. Fractures that formed during Retrograde Stage 4 cut textures belonging to the previous stages and contain pyrrhotite, arsenopyrite with lesser pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite.
Scheelite can incorporate small amounts of REE, and the origin of the scheelite grains (i.e. intrusion-related vs metamorphic) has been investigated using the relative abundance of contained LREE, MREE and HREE. Using ternary REE plots, early D₁₋₂ scheelite in monzonite coincides with the compositional field for scheelite that forms during magmatic-hydrothermal processes, whereas late D₄ vein-hosted scheelite is compositionally similar to pure hydrothermal scheelite. The Eu and Mo contents of scheelite, coupled with graphite inclusions in scheelite and the presence of pyrrhotite and arsenopyrite in scheelite-bearing veins, show that D₁₋₂ scheelite precipitated from a relatively oxidized fluid, while vein-hosted D₄ scheelite record a shift to more reduced conditions as a result of fluid interaction with carbonaceous shale.
Whole rock geochemistry of the various rock types within the deposit indicates that the Watershed deposit is characterized by an enrichment of W-Be-B-Sc-Cu-Mo-Re. These elements were probably introduced by hydrothermal fluids during D₄ veining. The fluid interacted with the skarn-altered conglomerate to leach REE, Y and Nb plus skarn-related elements (i.e., Ca-F-P-Fe-Sr), and add Rb, Cs and Li in vein haloes. Whole rock geochemistry of psammite units along a 2 km transect north of the deposit shows a regional footprint that is characterised by enrichment in W-Cu-Mo-Ca-Fe-Mn-Li.
Fluid inclusions in D₄ vein scheelite and quartz from Retrograde Stage 2 preserve a low salinity H₂O-NaCl-CH₄ fluid (XCH₄ < 0.01). The fluid inclusions show evidence for fluid-fluid mixing between low- (close to 0 wt.% NaCl) and medium-salinity (< 8 wt.% NaCl) fluids. The P-T conditions during mineralisation were determined at ca. 300°C and 1-1.5 kbar (i.e. depths of 3.5-6 km) indicating a high geothermal gradient, linked to the emplacement of Permian granites. Those P-T conditions are similar to those recorded in lode-gold deposits in the Hodgkinson Gold Field and elsewhere. The oxygen fugacity was calculated at 0.6 to 0.8 log₁₀ values below the FMQ buffer, consistent with the reduced mineralogy and geochemical signatures. δ¹⁸OVSMOW values obtained for scheelite (+3.4 to +7.3‰), plagioclase (+7.0 to +11.8‰) and quartz (+12.6 to +15.5‰), which formed during Retrograde Stage 2, and δDVSMOW (−73.4 to −62.7‰) and δ¹⁸OVSMOW (+11.5 to +13.2‰) values for muscovite that formed during Retrograde Stage 3 are indicative of a metamorphic origin for the mineralising fluids, with a possible magmatic component. Sulphur isotope (δ³⁴SCDT) values for sulphides formed during Retrograde Stage 4 in veins are consistent with the presence of seawater sulphate (i.e. basinal brine) in the system. Metamorphic fluids probably originated from prograde devolatilization reactions during metamorphism of the Hodgkinson Formation.
Our findings indicate that tungsten was sourced from Carboniferous monzonite, which enriched the metasedimentary rock units of the Hodgkinson Formation during the early stages of deformation/ metamorphism. Continued ductile deformation and associated metamorphism during D₁₋₃ caused devolatilization reactions in the host rocks and remobilisation of tungsten. Permian scheelite mineralisation during D₄ involved a metamorphic-hydrothermal fluid with minor magmatic input that deposited tungsten at 300°C and 1-1.5 kbar (<6 km depth). This tungsten was transported as NaWO₄⁻, HWO₄⁻ and WO₄²⁻ complexes along extensional shear zones. Calcium was supplied by the skarn-altered conglomerate that hosts the scheelite-bearing veins. It is proposed that the precipitation of scheelite was promoted by the interaction between the relatively acidic hydrothermal fluids and the alkaline, carbonate-rich, skarn-altered conglomerate host rock, lowering the solubility of the tungsten complexes and co-precipitating scheelite and Na-rich plagioclase during Retrograde Stage 2. Considering a continuum model for this deposit type (i.e. mineralization could form between 2-20 km depth) it is feasible to consider the potential for mineralization at depth.
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Miller, CR. "Geological and geochemical aspects of the Liontown VHMS deposit North Eastern Queensland." Thesis, 1996. https://eprints.utas.edu.au/12999/1/Front_Miller_C_MEcGeo_1996.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The Liontown VHMS deposit lies in the central portion of the 165km long, E-W trending, narrow
belt of deformed Cambro-Ordovician marine sediments and volcanics known as the Mount
Windsor subprovince of northeastern Queensland.
Liontown is shown to be a volcanic-associated massive sulphide deposit comprising both seafloor
exhalative and subhalative mineralisation. Metal zonation studies suggest the exhalative
mineralisation was vented onto the seafloor on the edge of a paleo ridge and migrated down slope
to the west and southeast. Sulphur, lead, oxygen and carbon isotope data is consistent with a VHMS
parentage.
The Liontown deposit is temporally associated with the change from dacitic to rhyolitic volcanism
and may have a more shallow water setting than previously considered. The Carrington Lode at
Liontown is a sub-seafloor replacement body interpreted to have formed by the eastward lateral
migrat"i on of hydrothermal fluids preferentially through an ashy and feldspar bearing volcaniclastic
horizon. The associated black Mg-chlorite alteration is infered to mark a zone of seawaterhydrothermal
fluid mixing.
The application of stable isotope and rare earth element (REE) analyses to provide "vectors" to
mineralisation is invesigated in the thesis. The whole rock oxygen isotope data collected along the
footwall alteration system indicates that this technique has good vectoring potential to zones of
elevated hydrothermal temperature. Refinement of the raw data through the calculation of relative
temperature estimates is demonstrated as an important data manipulation procedure, particularly for
data sets where the sample mineralogy is highly variable.
The Liontown carbonate exhalative facies and the sericitic siltstones of the 'favourable horizon'
each have positive europium anomalies (Eu/Eu*>l). In the immediate Liontown deposit area a
proximal to distal trend was observed in the carbonate europium data set suggesting there is some
scope to develop the intensity ofEu/Eu* as a vectoring tooL
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(13283710), Caroline Browning. "Catholic principals' images of quality preschool practice: A far north Queensland perspective." Thesis, 1999. https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Catholic_principals_images_of_quality_preschool_practice_A_far_north_Queensland_perspective/20540196.
Full textAbstract:
Preschool education in Queensland is undergoing a series of redevelopments. The process of redefining preschool education is a long and involved one. In the final publication stage, these developments have been given a curriculum focus, with a framework proposed to link all aspects of preschool curriculum. As the vehicle through which the preschool curriculum is delivered, the Guidelines highlight and promote developmentally, socially and culturally appropriate learning opportunities and outcomes for children in a preschool program. Determining whether such outcomes are appropriate has in the past, been a task relegated to the professional judgment and decision making of the teacher. The focus of the renewed Preschool Curriculum Guidelines explores a new perspective, by highlighting the need to develop worthwhile and 'workable' partnerships with parents, children, professional colleagues and community members to influence the quality of the learning outcomes for children. Resolving whether such outcomes meet quality measures introduces a focus on the value of preschool education, and particularly, its contribution to establishing foundations for lifelong learning. At the same time as introducing a focus on what is appropriate, understanding 'quality' involves the interpretation and understanding of 'quality' asa more inclusive term, incorporating all elements of practice.
It has been argued that the Queensland Preschool Curriculum Guidelines are reaffirming the like-minded and that, since it is the responsibility of principals and school administrators to disseminate the Guidelines, the focus should be narrowed to identifying and exploring their views regarding the Preschool Guidelines and understanding of quality preschool practice. This research represents a new and innovative approach to the study of professional knowledge and the way it is used to make judgments about the provision of a quality curriculum in the preschool context.