Posted 23 July 2009
Dr Beatrice Giambastiani (UNSW Connected Waters Initiative) Mr Conrad Wasko (UNSW WRL Project Engineer) attended the recent IMAC World Congress MODSIM09 in Cairns.
The conference brought together a broad spectrum of scientists studying mathematical modelling, simulation, statistical, engineering, spatial and computer science with more than 700 papers being submitted. Some key themes were spatio-temporal verification of numerical predictions, decision support systems for complex water resource systems, economic modelling, global change and natural hazards, and effective use of modelling to inform and support water management decisions.
In the session dedicated to water resources, specifically measuring and modelling of interaction between surface water and groundwater, Dr Beatrice Giambastiani (UNSW Connected Waters Initiative) presented a multidimensional spatial analysis of hydrograph data for mapping river and aquifer interactions. This 3D time and space analysis of groundwater head change enables the 3D mapping of hydraulic pathways through complex sedimentary aquifer system in the Namoi Catchment (New South Wales).
Mr Conrad Wasko (UNSW WRL Project Engineer), presented in a session dedicated to modelling of weather and climate extremes and their impact in a changing climate. His paper, entitled "Assessing the impact of the 11-year solar cycle on drought in Australia", presented the result of several model simulations showing that the 11-year solar cycle has a significant impact on the long-term persistence of climatic trends in an already very variable climate such as Australia.
The conference included a 'break-out' on Wednesday afternoon where conference participants were invited to sample some of the more scenic parts of Cairns and its surrounds. Along with many other conference participants, Beatrice and Conrad visited Green Island, just off the coast of Cairns for an afternoon of snorkelling.
Professor Andy Baker features in American Water Resources Association ‘Water Resources Impact’, September 2020 edition.
The Connected Waters Initiative (CWI) is pleased to welcome Taylor Coyne to its network as a postgraduate researcher. If you’re engaged in research at a postgraduate level, and you’re interested in joining the CWI network, get in touch! The CWI network includes multidisciplinary researchers across the Schools of Engineering, Sciences, Humanities and Languages and Law.
The Grand Challenge on Rapid Urbanisation will establish Think Deep Australia, led by Dr Marilu Melo Zurita, to explore how we can use our urban underground spaces for community benefit.
On the 21 August 2020, CWI researchers made a submission to the National Water Reform Inquiry, identifying priority areas and making a number of recommendations as to how to achieve a sustainable groundwater future for Australia.
Results published from a research project between the Land Development Department (LDD) Thailand and UNSW has demonstrated how 2-dimensional mapping can be used to understand soil salinity adjacent to a earthen canal in north east Thailand (Khongnawang et al. 2020).
