Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

School of Biology and Environmental Science

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Primary Supervisor

Dr Elaine Mitchell
Position
Research Associate
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Other QUT supervisors

Dr Mark Bonner
Position
Research Fellow in Soil Science
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science
Dr Elaine Mitchell
Position
Research Associate
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science

Overview

Soil carbon sequestration is central to global efforts to mitigate climate change, enhance agricultural sustainability, and achieve carbon neutrality. Yet critical distinctions exist between different forms of soil carbon and their climate mitigation potential. For effective long-term carbon sequestration, research must prioritise understanding stable, persistent carbon forms. Current knowledge draws heavily from Northern Hemisphere temperate zones, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of unique ecosystems like Northern Australia. With its ancient nutrient-depleted soils, extreme climate variability, and distinct fire regimes, Northern Australia presents a unique opportunity to test and refine established soil carbon theories.

Research activities

This project uses isotope tracing technologies to investigate the fate of plant litter in the soil carbon pool. You'll have flexibility to engage in field work, laboratory analysis, and data science components depending on your interests, and the needs of the project at the time of your application.

Research skills

Understanding of soil carbon processes, laboratory protocols for measuring soil carbon, data processing and analysis.

Outcomes

Understanding of if and how soil carbon stabilisation mechanisms apply to Australian soils and ecosystems.

Start date

3 November, 2025

End date

20 February, 2026

Location

  • Gardens Point campus

Keywords

Contact

Sandie McEwan

  • N/A

s2.mcewan@qut.edu.au